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