Dolan will be making an unexpected visit to Dr. Cindy tomorrow (Please don’t tip him off. He's hard enough to wrestle into the carrier as it is). Reason: For such a big guy, he feels pretty bony lately underneath all that fur. I’m worried he’s losing a lot of weight.

Which makes me think about the unthinkable. The big C.
Cancer.

Cancer is very common in companion animals, the main cause of death for older dogs and cats. It accounts for almost half of all pet deaths annually, according to the Pet Cancer Awareness Web site.

I stumbled across this easy-to-understand and well organized resource while I was doing some research in advance of our veterinarian visit. It’s funded through the Blue Buffalo Foundation for Cancer Research, started in 2003 by the Blue Buffalo holistic pet food company. The company's founding family became interested in animal cancer after their own dog, Blue, was diagnosed.
Click here and check it out the Web site for yourself.

Two things I didn't know:
* Certain breeds of dogs are genetically prone to cancer: Golden retrievers, labrador retrievers, rottweilers, Bernese Mountain dogs and boxers. This is due to improper breeding practices.

* Over-vaccination may weaken your pet's immune system, making them more vulnerable to cancer. Cats can get "vaccine-induced fibro sacroma," a cancer that develops on your pet's skin specially where he/she has been vaccinated. At our vet's suggestion, we started cutting back on vaccinations awhile ago, as both of our cats are out of kittenhood and stay indoors. But we discussed it in terms of it the cats really needed them, rather than a potential harm to their health.

The 10 early warning signs of cancer, according to the site:
* Abnormal swelling that persists
* Sores that don't heal
* Weight loss
* Loss of appetite
* Bleeding or discharge from any body opening
* Offensive odor
* Difficulty eating or swallowing
* Loss of stamina or hestitating to exercise.
* Persistent lameness or stiffness
* Difficulty breathing, urinating or defecating.

Please keep your fingers crossed for Dolan. I'll let you know how he does.