Why is November National Pet Cancer Awareness Month?
Approximately 1 in 4 dogs will develop cancer in their lifetime, and cancer is the leading cause of death in dogs over age 10. In cats, lymphoma and squamous cell carcinoma are the most common forms. The awareness month exists to remind owners that cancer in pets is often treatable when caught early — and that early detection starts with owner observation and documentation, not just annual vet exams.
This post publishes in October to give you time to prepare: know what to watch for, start documenting, and schedule a wellness exam before the holidays if your pet is due.
What signs are worth documenting between annual exams?
These are not diagnostic criteria — they are observations to bring to your vet:
- Unexplained weight loss or gain — more than 10% of body weight over 4–6 weeks without a diet change. If your 50-pound dog loses 5 pounds in a month, that's significant.
- New lumps, bumps, or skin changes — note the size, location, texture, the date you first noticed it, and whether it has changed since. "Pea-sized, soft, on the left ribcage, first noticed October 5, has not changed" is exactly the note your vet needs.
- Changes in appetite lasting more than 3–5 days — especially a previously enthusiastic eater who becomes disinterested.
- Unexplained lethargy — particularly in an otherwise active pet. "Skipped the morning walk for three days in a row" is specific and useful.
- Non-healing wounds or sores — especially in areas exposed to sun in light-coated animals.
- Unusual swelling in the face, neck, limbs, or abdomen.
- Changes in elimination — straining, blood in urine or stool, unusual frequency.
- Persistent lameness without known injury — particularly in large breeds (osteosarcoma most commonly affects leg bones).
A single observation is a data point. A series of observations with dates is a clinical narrative — the kind of information that changes a vet's decision-making.
What health record findings matter most for cancer surveillance?
Ask your vet to document these at every annual exam:
- Body weight — the trend over years is the key number, not a single point. A dog who weighs 48 pounds today matters less than a dog who weighed 55 pounds last year and 48 pounds now.
- Palpation findings — any new lymph node enlargement, abdominal mass, or mass found on physical exam.
- Coat and skin findings — any lesions, unusual pigmentation, new growths.
- Oral exam findings — masses, discoloration, unexplained tooth loss.
An exam finding your vet noted as "small mass, watch and recheck" in 2025 is crucial context when a 2026 exam finds it has doubled. Without the 2025 record in the same place, the vet is making a subjective judgment instead of measuring documented change.
Which breeds and ages are at higher risk?
Certain breeds have elevated cancer risk:
- Golden Retrievers — hemangiosarcoma, lymphoma, osteosarcoma
- Bernese Mountain Dogs — histiocytic sarcoma
- Rottweilers — osteosarcoma
- Boxers — mast cell tumors, lymphoma
- Flat-Coated Retrievers — histiocytic sarcoma
Any dog over age 7 or cat over age 10 is in the higher-risk population for most cancer types. High risk doesn't mean inevitable — it means annual exams with documented baselines matter more, not less.
When should you call your vet before the annual exam?
Call — don't wait — if you observe:
- A lump that grows noticeably within 2 weeks
- Any wound that doesn't begin to heal within 5–7 days
- Sudden significant weight loss — more than 10% of body weight in 2–4 weeks
- Blood in urine or stool without a clear cause
These observations are not diagnosis — they are the signal that your vet needs to see your pet now. Sudden changes may indicate something treatable if caught quickly.
How does Voocie help with cancer surveillance?
Give your vet your pet's private Voocie address. Every annual exam summary — including palpation findings, weight, and any masses noted — lands in the health story automatically. Your own observations between visits (new lumps, behavioral changes with dates) become part of the same record.
When the specialist your vet refers you to in November needs to know what your primary vet found in May — the weight trend, the lymph node palpation, the "small mass, recheck in 3 months" note — they can see it all in one place. That context is what makes the difference between "let's start from scratch" and "I can see exactly what changed."
Voocie costs $99 per year — or about $10 a month. The record is free to start.
Important: This post covers signs to observe and share with your veterinarian — not diagnostic criteria. Only a licensed veterinarian can diagnose cancer. If you observe any of the signs listed here, contact your vet to schedule an examination. Do not attempt to evaluate, biopsy, or treat any suspected mass at home. If your pet shows signs of acute distress, call your emergency vet immediately.