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Pet Cancer—Early Warning Signs and Early Detection.
By Sarah Moseley, FETCH a cure
Saving Best Friends’ Lives
Thanks to new advances in medicine and a
growing emphasis on preventative care and
nutrition, our pets are living longer, healthier
lives. Unfortunately, longer lifespans also
mean that our pets are exposed to more agerelated
illnesses and other diseases, like cancer.
In fact, nearly 50 percent of pets over the
age of ten will develop some type of cancer,
and this year alone, an estimated 6 million
dogs and 6 million cats will be diagnosed with
the disease, according to the National Cancer
Institute.
The growing prevalence of this awful
disease has led many pet owners to ask themselves,
“What can I do if my dog or cat is diagnosed
with cancer?” Like human treatments,
pet cancer therapies often include surgery,
radiation or chemotherapy, and the costs for
these life-saving treatments can be extremely
high. That’s where FETCH a Cure comes in.
Hope in the Face of a Scary
Diagnosis
Jackson is a five-year-old male hound who is
currently battling stage III lymphoma in Richmond,
VA. When Jackson’s pet parent, Gil,
discovered a swollen lymph node on his neck
earlier this year, he was devastated to find out
it was cancer.
Working with his veterinarian, Gil was
given a treatment plan for his four-legged best
friend, which included an extensive chemotherapy
protocol. With treatment, Jackson’s
chances of going into remission were high.
Without it, he wouldn’t have much time left.
Like many of us, Gil is a pet owner who
would do anything for his animals, even if
that means making sacrifices for himself so
his pets could live happy, healthy lives. When
he saw the projected costs of Jackson’s chemotherapy
regimen, however, Gil was at a loss
for what to do next. The dollar amount far
surpassed what he could afford.
That’s when his veterinarian recommended
FETCH a Cure, a from-the-heart nonprofit
dedicated to furthering pet cancer awareness,
education and treatment.
Companions in Crisis
FETCH a Cure’s Companions in Crisis
program provides financial assistance to help
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