Kali's Wish

Pet Insurance 101: Planning Ahead for Your Pet’s Health and Cancer Care

Planning for the Unexpected Pet insurance is one of the best ways to prepare for life’s surprises — including serious illnesses like cancer. Just as with other forms of insurance, it offers financial support when you need it most, helping you make medical decisions based on your pet’s needs rather than cost alone. But not… Continue reading Pet Insurance 101: Planning Ahead for Your Pet’s Health and Cancer Care

Conventional vs. Complementary Cancer Treatments

What comes after your pet’s fateful cancer diagnosis begins with many questions, further diagnostics, and then decisions need to be made on how to proceed. One of the main items of concern is deciding on the best course of treatment. There are generally two types of treatments: Conventional and Complementary. Conventional cancer treatments directly treat… Continue reading Conventional vs. Complementary Cancer Treatments

Chemotherapy

What is chemotherapy? Chemotherapy is the use of one or a combination of drugs to treat cancer. This form of treatment can be used alone but is often used in conjunction with surgery and/or radiation therapy to help: Chemotherapy drugs work by preventing cancer cells from growing and dividing, eventually killing them. Unlike radiation therapy… Continue reading Chemotherapy

Radiation Therapy

What is radiation therapy? Recent advances in veterinary medicine allow vets to more accurately diagnose the type and location of tumours in our pets. And that, when combined with cutting-edge equipment, means today’s radiation therapy is more accurate and effective than ever before with fewer side effects and damage to normal cells. In a nutshell,… Continue reading Radiation Therapy

Salivary Gland Tumors in Dogs and Cats

Salivary Gland Tumors in Dogs and Cats By: Dr. Al Townshend The salivary glands secrete saliva, which plays a vital role in digestion, chewing, and swallowing food. There are four major pairs in dogs and cats; parotid, mandibular, sublingual, and zygomatic.  Tumors are not common but are almost always malignant. They generally occur in older… Continue reading Salivary Gland Tumors in Dogs and Cats

Mouth (oral) Cancer Tumors in Dogs and Cats

By: Dr. Al Townshend The mouth of both dogs and cats are a common location for growths to occur. They account for 6-7% of canine tumors and 3% of feline growths. There are two basic types of oral tumors: Tumor location The mouth is comprised of multiple tissues, and tumors can occur in any one… Continue reading Mouth (oral) Cancer Tumors in Dogs and Cats

Brain Cancer in Dogs and Cats

In the United States, cancer of the brain occurs at a rate of 14.5 per 100,000 dogs. The Canadian data is not available. It is far less common in cats. Brain tumors are most commonly seen in certain breeds; Boxer, Golden Retriever, Doberman Pinscher, Scottish Terrier, and Old English Sheepdog. Dogs with long narrow heads… Continue reading Brain Cancer in Dogs and Cats

Bladder Cancer and My Pet

Dr. Al Townshend Cancer of the canine urinary bladder is considered to be a rare occurrence. It is estimated to be only 1-2 percent of all canine cancers; however, that estimate means that approximately 50,000 dogs will develop a form of bladder cancer each year. What causes urinary bladder cancer in your dog or cat?… Continue reading Bladder Cancer and My Pet

Anal Gland Cancer

By: Dr. Al Townshend Both dogs and cats have two anal sacs, one on either side of the rectum. Within the lining of each sac are sweat-like glands that secrete a dark, foul-smelling substance that is expressed each time the pet has a bowel movement. The liquid acts as a scent marker and helps to identify… Continue reading Anal Gland Cancer

Feline Injection Site Sarcoma

Dr. Al Townshend A Sarcoma is a general term used to describe a tumour of the flesh or the bone. An Injection Site Sarcoma is a tumour that arises just under the skin at the site where an injection has previously been given. They occur at the site where a cat was vaccinated for Rabies… Continue reading Feline Injection Site Sarcoma