What is Canine Leukemia?
Canine leukemia is a frequent occurrence in family pets. The disease is a type of cancer that is found primarily in the blood and is directly tied into a high increase in white blood cells. These cells start out in the bone marrow.
This is where the red blood cells begin to form and the white blood cells will attempt to attack them as they are forming. This type of cellular mutation is a genetic malfunction that is not just in canines, but in cats and humans as well.
When you take your dog into the vet for an examination, they will check to see if its liver or spleen is larger than normal. If your dog is getting to be older, then you should have regular checkups for leukemia. In humans, leukemia is more prevalent in children, but in dogs it is seen more often when they are reaching an older age.
If your dog has been having issues with its vision, there is a good chance that it already has leukemia. Leukemia in dogs is highly associated with ocular lesions that can cause loss of sight and, in some cases, complete blindness.
You should be aware that dogs with leukemia never survive the disease. As with humans there is no known cure for canine leukemia. Because of this, the final stages of your dog’s life will usually be filled with pain. Unlike other cancers, leukemia doesn’t produce solid tumors or masses that can be removed with surgery. Chemical chemo treatments can be given to prolong their life and ease some of the pain associated with the disease, but there is no cure.
The best thing you can do for your dog if it does have leukemia is making it comfortable and giving it as much love as you possibly can. You should give it an all-natural diet and discuss what other options you might have to give your dog the best life you possibly can. It is sad to see a family pet go through something like this, and it can affect everyone in the family, but your vet should be able to give you information to talk to others that have gone through the same thing with their family pets for support.
Read more about Dog Leukemia, symptoms of Leukemia in dogs.
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