| Cancer affects a significant percentage | | | | look-out for cancer symptoms which are |
| of canines. Know the risk factors that | | | | similar to those in humans. These |
| include: genetics, hormone imbalances, | | | | include any abnormal swelling that |
| diet, vaccinations, environmental toxins | | | | continues to grow, sores that don't |
| such as lawn chemicals, flea and tick | | | | heal, weight loss, bleeding or discharge |
| dips, tobacco smoke to name a few. | | | | from any body opening, a reluctance to |
| Nearly half of dogs over age 10 die of | | | | move or exercise, a loss of stamina or |
| cancer. There are similarities between | | | | difficulty breathing, urinating or |
| canine and human cancers, but there are | | | | defecating. Any sort of lameness in an |
| also differences. For example, dogs | | | | older dog (but especially large breeds, |
| have 35 times as much skin cancer as | | | | which excludes our Shih Tzu also), |
| humans, 4 times as many breast tumors, 8 | | | | should be investigated, even though our |
| times as much bone cancer, and twice the | | | | Shih Tzu is not included in that either |
| incidence of leukemia. Humans have 7 | | | | as being of high risk by breed, it does |
| times as much lung cancer as dogs and 13 | | | | not mean, this could not occur. Subtle |
| times as much cancer of the stomach and | | | | signs such as sleeping, more than usual, |
| intestines.According to a Swedish study | | | | refusing to play, or having less |
| done in 1997, the breeds at highest risk | | | | interest in social interaction, can be |
| for cancer were: Boxers, Giant | | | | warning signs.Even though it would seem |
| Schnauzers and Bernese Mountain Dogs, | | | | at this time cancer is not a huge threat |
| Irish Wolfhounds, Cocker spaniels and | | | | to our Shih Tzu, it is still good to be |
| Doberman Pinschers, Pomeranians, | | | | alert to any symptoms that may be |
| Newfoundlands, German Shepherd Dogs, | | | | warning signs of the disease.Connie |
| Saint Bernards, Great Danes, Greyhounds | | | | Limon publishes a FREE weekly |
| and Basset Hounds.Today, the most common | | | | newsletter. A professional newsletter |
| type of cancer in American dogs is skin | | | | with a focus upon health and wellness |
| cancer followed by mammary cancer and | | | | for you and your pets. Discounts on |
| lymphosarcoma.Even though Shih Tzu is | | | | shih tzu puppies are offered to |
| not among the breeds to be targeted for | | | | subscribers. Updates of available |
| high risks, we can still be on the | | | | puppies. |