Table of Contents
- Top 7 Foundations on Dog Cancer
- Dog Cancer Statistics
- Foundations on Dog Cancer: Conclusion
As dogs are well-loved members of our family, it's upsetting to think about them developing cancer.
Unfortunately, one in three dogs will be diagnosed with canine cancer, with a mortality rate of 50%.
Thankfully, several foundations and organizations are committed to researching and striving to eliminate this disease in dogs.
These foundations on dog cancer has been working back-to-back with scientists, vets, and pet owners to improve a Fido's quality of life and provide the best solution for cancer.
As a pet parent, it's essential to pay attention to any changes in your dog's behavior, mood, or any physical symptoms presenting.
Top 7 Foundations on Dog Cancer
Here are several foundations on dog cancer, how they're helping, and how you can get involved in the fight today.
The National Canine Cancer Foundation
This foundation is a dog charity that works to eliminate cancer as a significant health problem in dogs.
The charity actively saves through preventative measures, developing cost-effective and more accurate diagnostics, and better treatments to lower the number of canines suffering from cancer.
The foundation works through education, outreach support, and ongoing research.
The National Canine Cancer Foundation works to educate and raise awareness for dog owners, including canine cancer libraries.
They intentionally develop content to inform owners of what to look for, including new treatment options to cure canine cancer.
This organization helps fund universities looking into cutting-edge research for treatment, cure, prevention, and diagnostic methods in dealing with canine cancer.
How to Get Involved
All donations to the National Canine Cancer Foundation are tax-deductible and help educate dog owners on efficient treatments for finding cancer in dogs.
Your donation will also help fund critical research for life-altering labs and clinical trials.
Canadian Pet Cancer Foundation
As it stands, canine and animal cancer research is grossly underfunded and supported.
With a 360-degree approach to care, the Canadian Pet Cancer Foundation works through research, care, and community involvement.
This foundation believes that a cancer diagnosis shouldn't be a death sentence for your pet. They believe in helping pets live healthier, longer lives.
This organization collaborates with leading veterinary and human researchers to learn about canine (and feline) cancers.
They work toward diagnostics, improving palliative care options, and integrating research into the causes of pet cancer.
Approximately 68% of all donations will go directly to care, research, and community initiatives.
How to Get Involved
While individuals are welcome to send monetary donations, it's not the only community involvement available.
This foundation always looks for volunteers, with over 200 volunteers across Canada and the United States.
Contact them for further opportunities if you're a highly qualified, passionate, animal-loving team member.
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American Kennel Club – Canine Health Foundation
Individual dog lovers, foundations, clubs, and corporations are invested in a diverse portfolio to find better diagnoses, treatments, and understanding of diseases in dogs.
The AKC Canine Health Foundation i s the most significant non-profit financial contributor to health research focused on canines.
CHF carefully review all grant applications to identify scientific merit, the impact of the study, and its significance to dogs and the people who love them.
Since 1995, the CHF and donors have funded over $17 million in additional canine cancer research.
With 257 research grants available, scientists can study cancer at a cellular level. These research opportunities allow veterinarians to diagnose cancer earlier while treating it more effectively.
The CHF-funded research also offers a One Health impact. This initiative extends beyond canines and into human cancer diagnosis and treatment applications.
How to Get Involved
The easiest method of getting involved is through financial consideration.
The CHF offers several ways to donate, including a monthly pledge, one-time donation, or in-person events.
The CHF also incorporates several fundraising opportunities, which all go back to the local grants and organizations that fund them.
Animal Cancer Foundation
The Animal Cancer Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) organization committed to finding a cure for cancer.
They fund research, increase public awareness, and help study naturally occurring cancers in pets and people.
As one of the leading foundations on dog cancer, they work to develop preventative medicine and different wellness strategies to control infectious diseases, improve understanding and treatment of immune disorders (like cancer), and develop rapid but minimally invasive diagnostic methods.
Failure to address issues with companion-animal health will result in substantial mortality in companion-animal populations.
They believe this impacts the well-being of the pet's owner, too, including the delay or prevention of pharmaceutical development.
Through outside funding and research, the Animal Cancer Foundation hopes to remove this barrier overall.
How to Get Involved
Getting involved with a canine cancer foundation has never been easier. Visit the website's affiliate platform and shop through their AmazonSmile program.
Additionally, users can offer financial donations to the foundation through dedication or assistance.
Emma's Foundation for Canine Cancer, Inc.
This foundation works to heighten and improve canine cancer awareness.
It offers resources and financial funding to pet owners who can't financially pay for the cancer treatment of their beloved pets.
Emma's Foundation for Canine Cancer, Inc. focuses on prolonging and sparing the life of canine friends through financial support and assistance.
At this time, Emma's Foundation can only help Florida and New England residents.
How to Get Involved
As one of the foundations on dog cancer, this organization offers direct financial compensation to pet owners struggling with the financial burden of a dog's cancer diagnosis, so monetary donations are always welcome.
All contributions to EFFCC offer a tax-deductible amount directly to veterinarians who care for dogs with cancer.
Additionally, EFFCC allows volunteers who want to start and follow through on projects or have in-kind donations.
These donations might include free advertisements, items for auctions, pet products, or food products.
Kali's Wish Cancer Foundation
This foundation is currently the only registered charity in Canada to support pet guardians and families facing pet cancer.
They are a national support network offering canines and their families the emotional support and resources to navigate their pet's cancer diagnosis.
Kali's wish also provides online resources with a wealth of information on prevention, types of cancer, and various treatment options.
All information is reviewed by experts, ensuring it's accurate and complete.
How to Get Involved
There are several ways for you to get involved with Kali's wish. Individuals can donate directly to Kali's Wish online.
All monetary donations go to fund a community of like-minded people focused on preventing pet cancer and supporting and educating those affected.
Additionally, individuals can register for a sponsor position, which positions your company as a leader in the local community.
Canine Cancer Alliance
The Canine Cancer Alliance supports the scientific community worldwide to help advance the most promising cancer therapies for dogs.
This non-profit organization funds further cancer research available to help pet dogs.
It was launched in 2017 by individuals with a background in scientific research and technological development.
The organization wants to support cancer research and envision a world where we no longer fear cancer as a disease.
How to Get Involved
As a foundation functioning exclusively on volunteers, the Canine Cancer Alliance believes joining forces can save lives.
They want anyone interested in volunteering to email the organization for more details. Alternatively, users can send a monetary donation or memorial request to their online portal.
RELATED: Should I Treat My Dog for Cancer?
Dog Cancer Statistics
Approximately 25% of all dogs will develop neoplasia in their life. Nearly half of all canines over the age of 10 will develop cancer.
As dogs currently develop cancer at the same rate as humans, there is significantly less information available.
What are Neoplasia, Cancer, and Tumors?
Neoplasia is an uncontrolled or abnormal growth of cells in the body. The abnormal growth is called a tumor or neoplasm.
These tumors are either benign or malignant. A benign neoplasm will typically grow slowly within the body.
These tumors also do not invade the body or surrounding tissues. The term “mass” or “tumor” generally describes the neoplasm's swelling or another physical appearance.
The word “cancer” is often confused with neoplasia, but only a malignant neoplasm is cancer.
How is Neoplasia Diagnosed in Pets?
A veterinarian often diagnoses neoplasia after performing a pet's medical history and physical exam.
Radiographs, ultrasounds, and blood tests are also used to confirm neoplasia. For most tumors, cytology can quickly offer basic information about the tumor.
Cytology is the medical procedure of withdrawing a few cells from the mass to examine under the microscope. It occasionally is used to diagnose specific types of cancer too.
Alternatively, a biopsy is required to confirm the diagnosis. The biopsy will determine whether a neoplasm is benign or malignant.
Additional cytology or biopsy is needed to determine whether a malignant neoplasm has spread.
Oncology is currently a developing area of veterinary care. Many oncologists are veterinarians who pursue additional training beyond veterinary school.
These are individuals certified by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) in oncology.
Can You Prevent Neoplasia?
At this time, the cause of most neoplastic diseases is unknown, making prevention difficult.
Some evidence is that second-hand smoke increases the risk of some pet cancers. Science has shown spaying reduces the risk of mammary cancer in dogs.
Half of all breast neoplasms are malignant, and spaying the dog before 12 months minimizes this risk. Neutering reduces the risk of testicular cancer.
Understanding the Possible Signs of Neoplasia in Pets
Like humans, pets can develop neoplasia within virtually any organ within the body. A few signs or symptoms may be observed depending on the tissue and severity of the neoplasia.
If you notice the following symptoms, contact your veterinarian immediately:
- Difficulty breathing
- Abdominal swelling
- Bleeding from the nose, mouth, or other boy openings
- Difficulty eating
- Non-healing wounds
- Unexplained swelling, lameness, pain, or heat
- Sudden changes in weight
- Visible tumor or mass
Veterinarians frequently see any of these signs are seen in these signs and symptoms with non-neoplastic conditions, too, so try not to panic if your dog is presenting with them.
They still require a prompt medical evaluation to determine the cause. Neoplasia is frequently treatable, and early diagnosis is essential for the best care possible.
How is Cancer Treated?
Every type of neoplasia requires unique and individual care. The treatment may include a combination of therapies like chemotherapy, cryosurgery, surgery, or radiation.
Pets often tolerate chemotherapy much better than people. Make sure your pet's overall health is your top priority, including pain management.
Neoplasia is commonly treatable, and early diagnosis is essential for receiving the best care possible.
After diagnosis, the veterinarian will discuss the best treatment options for your pets, including the risks and side effects. Occasionally, your veterinarian may send you to an oncologist.
Will Euthanasia Be Considered?
Euthanasia may be considered when the type or stage of cancer makes successful treatment unlikely.
The veterinarian may consider this option when the cost of treatment is prohibitive for the owner, or the dog's quality of life will suffer overall.
Before deciding on treatment or euthanasia, discuss all options with your veterinarian.
What is the Success Rate of Treating Cancer?
The response and success of the treatment will depend on the type and extent of the neoplasia. The success also depends on the availability and effectiveness of therapy.
Currently, there is no general rule to a pet's response to therapy, but treatment is occasionally successful.
Benign neoplasms are much easier to treat. Likewise, neoplasms treated early on will be easier to treat too.
Occasionally, a benign tumor can have damaging effects on the patient, despite not being malignant.
For example, a brain tumor is frequently benign, but the pressure against surrounding brain tissue can be life-threatening.
Foundations on Dog Cancer: Conclusion
No one wants to consider their dog getting a cancer diagnosis, but thanks to the countless foundations and organizations putting dogs first, support is available.
Whether you need emotional support or further education, volunteer organizations work to establish a supportive community to help you through the difficult days ahead.
Although a few establishments are Canadian, much of the information and research is universal.
Always talk to your veterinarian about the diagnosis and which treatment options are available for your dog.
Also, talk to your care provider about the quality of life for your pet if you choose to pursue treatment. At the end of the day, make the best decision for you and your pet.
