CBD Oil For Dogs And Cats With Soft Tissue Sarcoma
Soft tissue sarcoma manifests in pet cats and dogs as a mass, swelling, or growth under the skin. The condition can be categorized as a malignant cancer type that afflicts a lot of pets all over the world. In the US alone, as many as 95,000 canines are diagnosed with soft tissue sarcoma every year, according to the NCBI.
This post will help you understand the condition that may be affecting the quality of life of your pet. Hopefully, it will help you address the problem right away.
What Is Soft Tissue Sarcoma in Dogs and Cats?
The condition called soft tissue sarcoma (STS) is a collective term used for a wide range of tumors that develop in connective tissues. They have almost the same biological behavior and histologic appearance. They can either be benign or malignant.
STS can appear in any part of your dog’s or cat’s body, although the most common are subcutaneous and skin tumors. The condition makes up around 15% of all subcutaneous and skin tumors in canines, and about 7% in felines.
Different Types of Soft Tissue Sarcoma
Various types of tumor are classified together under soft tissue sarcoma. These include hemangiopericytoma, fibrosarcoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, liposarcoma, leiomyosarcoma, malignant nerve sheath tumors, malignant fibrous histiocytoma, myxosarcoma, spindle cell tumor, myxofibrosarcoma, and mesenchymoma.
In general, most instances of STS in dogs are of the low-grade types, compared to the mostly high grade soft tissue sarcomas in cats.
The lower limb is the most common area where tumors develop in dogs. The tumor’s location makes more difficult for the vet to remove the mass. However, the tumor itself will tend to be far less aggressive.
For felines, the area right between the shoulder blades is the most common tumor development site. It is also the same area where injections are often administered.
With proper planning and skills of the medical practitioner, the more aggressive tumors in the area can be removed completely. This results in better chances of a positive outcome. In the absence of additional post-operative treatment, however, failure to completely remove the tumors will tend to encourage the growth of even more aggressive tumors.
When this happens, the vet will encounter more difficulty in treating the tumors. In worse cases, it may even be next to impossible to remedy.
How to Prevent Soft Tissue Sarcoma in Dogs and Cats
Because the causes linked to soft tissue sarcoma in cats and dogs are relatively unknown, determining the proper preventive measures to take can be quite challenging. Thus, it is crucial to keep your furry friends as healthy as possible at all times. To achieve this, the following measures are recommended:
- Taking your pet to the vet twice a year, at the minimum; more often if you have a large-sized breed that is genetically prone to STS
- Regularly grooming your pets; inspecting their coat and skin will help you spot any unnecessary cutaneous tumor growths early, and before they get worse
- Nourishing your cats and dogs with healthy meals each day
- Limiting your furry friend’s exposure to toxic chemicals like pesticides, paints, solvents, and antifreeze substances
- Giving your pets lots of clean, fresh water to keep them well-hydrated
- Administering vet-prescribed medicines as instructed
- Spending some playtime with your pets on a daily basis to make sure they get their regular dose of exercise.
Symptoms of Soft Tissue Sarcoma in Dogs and Cats
STS is usually spotted as a solid mass found on your pet’s limbs, oral cavity, or trunk. The symptoms will depend on the severity and location of the growth.
A mass in the gastrointestinal tract often causes diarrhea, weight loss, or vomiting. When found somewhere in the mouth, signs may include difficulty in swallowing, bad breath, or loss of appetite. Tumors that appear around the peripheral nerves may be the culprit for the lameness, pain, or neurological symptoms experienced by your pet.
Natural Home Remedies for Dogs and Cats with Soft Tissue Sarcoma
Similar to other diseases in pets, many natural home remedies are available to allow your furry friends to live longer. A lot of these remedies can be incorporated into their diet, and are easily to do. For one, you can reduce your pets’ carb intake. You can also provide them with fish oil supplements, while giving your pets the most delectable food for them.
One home remedy that is fast gaining in popularity today is cannabidiol or CBD. The compound is extracted from hemp, which is abundant in the market. Thus, you can easily find and buy CBD oil products. The oil is typically used to calm the nerves of your anxious pet. More than the oil’s calming effect, it can also provide relief for the STS symptoms your furry friend is experiencing.
It should be noted that CBD is no miracle cure for soft tissue sarcoma and other types of cancer. But, CBD can provide some help in cases where cancer makes the life of your pet unbearable. This is why CBD is an amazing product for pets with STS. The compound makes daily living more comfortable for your ailing pet while they recover and get better.
How Much CBD Should I give My Dogs and Cats with Soft Tissue Sarcoma?
Veterinarians who promote CBD recommend giving a 3.75 mg dose of CBD for a 15 lb. pooch. For a 9-lb. feline, you can give a 2.25 mg dose of CBD. To keep things simple, you can follow this formula: 0.25 mg of CBD per 1 lb. of your pet’s weight. Provided you know how much your pet weighs, this is a very easy to compute and follow formula.
Final Word
Even if you are convinced that CBD can provide relief for your pets suffering from symptoms of soft tissue sarcoma, you should still consult with your vet first. For one, CBD is in no way a sure cure for the condition. However, as mentioned, it can improve your cat’s or dog’s quality of life as they battle the serious condition.
Before making any changes to your pet’s diet and overall health regimen, it is best that you seek the advice of your vet. This way, you can be sure that your beloved pets are receiving the best kind of help possible.
References:
https://www.caninejournal.com/cbd-dosage-for-dogs/
https://www.diamondbackdrugs.com/soft-tissue-sarcoma-in-pets/