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Featured
Article
Some thoughts on Cancer and the Bullmastiff
by Helene Hansmann
(featured in the Canadian Bullmastiff Journal Spring 2001)
Cancer, so often I have heard that so and so has died of cancer
and it saddens me to hear of another Bullmastiff stricken with
this devastating disease. Bone cancer, skin cancer or lymphatic
cancer often raises its ugly head, and it shortening your pets'
life spans of our dogs. Some say that it is line related or that
it is in the Bullmastiff breed, while others claim that it is
environmentally related.
Whatever the reasons, cancer is affecting the Bullmastiff and
other dog breeds, but what is the actual cancer rate in which the
Bullmastiff affected? Is it higher in the Bullmastiff as opposed
to other breeds? I am still searching for a good up to date study
of cancer in dogs for our readers which can be related to the
Bullmastiff. Puppy buyers who are selecting the kennel from to
purchase their puppy often ask the difficult question - has your
dogs been affected by cancer? If you are relatively a new kennel
with young animals, the answer could be - "NO". But, as years go
by the honest answer will change, cancer does occur more often in
older animals (6 years of age and older). How can the breeder
decrease the incidence of cancer in their breeding stock when the
prime breeding age is between 2-5 years? What is an acceptable
cancer rate for the Bullmastiff?
In Ontario, the lifetime risk of cancer in the human population is
abut 31% for men and 25 % for women, according to a report in the
American Journal of Public Health. Dr. Stephen Walter of McMaster
University Health Sciences Center in Hamilton and Colleagues
calculated the rates for stomach, lung, uterus and prostate
cancers in 49 counties of Ontario from 1976 to 1988. Some
interesting comments in the study were that in Northern Ontario
higher rates of stomach cancer were present, while some areas near
Lake Ontario and in Central Ontario had low rates. Cancer is out
there in the human population as well as in animals. I do not
have a risk percentage for animals referring to pets such as dogs
and cats.
The most important know risk factors for gastrointestinal cancers
are dietary, probably related to a low intake of fresh fruits and
vegetables and high intake of nitrates which is used as food
preservatives found in foods such as bacon. Other risk factors
include second hand smoke inhalation, over use of vaccinations,
etc.
What are the symptoms of cancer? These are some of the many signs
of cancer in dogs that can be observed:
1. Significant weight loss
2. Anorexia, lack of appetite
3. Swollen and tender glands
4. Dry cough that does not disappear
5. Tumors located throughout the body
6. Swollen and or tender parts of the body
7. Sudden lameness and chronic lameness
8. Anemic, decreased red blood levels in the body
9. Swelling of the abdominal cavity
10. Strange behavior
My best advise in extending the life expectancy of your
bullmastiff is:
1.
Never allow your dog to become obese.
Measure the amount of feed given daily. Feed at least twice
daily.
2.
Try to feed your dog good NATURAL BALANCED DIET with variety of
foods, such as raw carrots, fruits, yogurt, boiled rice, barley or
oats, boiled minced meat, ground flaxseed and kelp. These enhance
their diet. I strongly believe diet has a relationship to cancer
rates.
3.
Discuss with your vet the possible over use
of vaccinations. Routine vaccinations may be extended to every
2-3 year rather than annually.
4.
Keep your dog fit and well exercised.
5.
Keep your dog stress free, remember dogs can be sensitive to
family conflicts too.
6.
Keep your home smoke free for your dog too.
If your dog has experienced cancer, let us know about it and share
your thoughts on it . Give us your advise and experience about
cancer, as painful as it may be . We may all learn from it.
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Knatchbull
Bullmastiffs
Ontario, Canada
hansmann@xplornet.ca |
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