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