When our pet is diagnosed with cancer, we are often shocked because they seemed so normal. But as this article by Dr. Dressler of The Dog Cancer Survival Guide shares, dog cancer symptoms don't appear from out of nowhere. 

“Signs of Dog Cancer” Are Really “Signs of Dog Cancer Decompensation”

Search for the warning signs of dog cancer, and you’ll find plenty of listicles that include items like the following:

a new lump that is hard
a limp
coughing
weight loss
loss of appetite
vomiting
diarrhea
thirst changes
bad breath
yellowing of the skin or eyes
abdominal swell
difficulty breathing
spontaneous bleeding
unusual odors

But those are not signs of cancer. They are signs of dog cancer decompensation.

Your dog has had cancer for a lot longer than you realize. The signs listed above are actually signs that your dog’s body has stopped being able to compensate for cancer, and her body’s normal functions are breaking down.  READ MORE

What I love about this article is that the same concept of decompensation can also be applied to our Tripawd's ability to get along on three legs. For example, one day your Tripawd is getting around great, the next your pet is lame and cannot get up.

The reality is that many things may have led to the final breakdown of your Tripawd's body, from the kind of activities your Tripawd does to their weight to ... it goes on and on, but it's one reason why scheduling regular check-ins with your animal rehabilitation / physio therapist is so important.

An expert physio therapist can see the changes in our Tripawds better than we can, and help us prevent a total breakdown by educating us about our pet's needs, which are constantly changing as they age. And remember, the Tripawds Foundation may even pay for your first rehab visit so there's really no reason not to get started right?