Cancer in Your Dog

By Kath Ibbetson

There are about 70 million dogs in the USA. One in three dogs will die from cancer.

Cancer used to be the reserve of older dogs, but like degenerative disease that is now changing and old and young now have the opportunity to experience such traumatic turns in their lives. However, Cancer is more commonly found in older dogs and since modern medicine is lengthening dog's lives, statistics indicate a sharp rise in canine cancer which can be misleading. Cancer accounts for almost half of the deaths of pets over 10 years of age.

While much research is being done, most types of cancer in dogs are poorly understood and treatment options are often limited. Skin cancer is the most prevalent cancer in dogs and the next most common are lipomas. The big problem with cancer in dogs is that it usually goes unnoticed until it is too late.

Cancers can be divided into three general groups: carcinomas that arise from epithelial cells that cover the body (skin) or line internal body surfaces; sarcomas that begin in connective, skeletal, muscular, or reproductive tissues; lymphomas that invade the lymph nodes and the lymphatic system. In recent years there has been an increase in claims about role that fatty acids may play in a wide variety of clinical applications, including dermatitis, arthritis, renal disease, immunological disorders, cancer, cardiovascular disease and wound healing. Omega-3 fatty acids are involved in the inhibition of the growth and the spread of cancer. Studies show that pets fed high doses of fish oil also have better control of cancer.

A diet supplemented with fish oil and the amino acid arginine appears to increase survival time in dogs with lymphoma, a cancer that affects white blood cells. There is also research which has shown that some polyunsaturated fatty acids, like those found in fish oil, may help prevent the growth and spread of cancer tumors, and may help prevent cachexia -- the devastating weight loss and muscle wasting seen in some cancer patients despite adequate nutrition. Studies have also shown that the spread of cancer has been enhanced by the n-6 fatty acids, linoleic and gamma-linolenic acid .This omega 6 fat excess sets the stage for cancer development, it stimulates cancer cell growth, and decreases the body's natural cancer-fighting abilities. However, the main thing is to get balance as Omega-6 fatty acids, found in chicken fat and corn, are essential for maintenance of skin and coat and proper membrane structure. Nevertheless Omega 3 Essential Fatty Acids should be a part of the diet for dogs.

Kath Ibbetson is a mother of 2 boys and the owner of two border terriers. Find out more about dog diets at This Site Or for natural food at This one