November is National Pet Cancer Awareness Month

Via PR Newswire - In 2012, Veterinary Pet Insurance Co. (VPI), the nation's oldest and largest provider of pet health insurance, received more than 55,000 claims for cancer diagnosis and treatment in pets – making cancer-related conditions collectively one of the most common type of medical claim received.

In fact, last year, VPI policyholders spent more than $20 million on the top 10 cancer-related conditions. In a continuing effort to educate pet owners about the prevalence, detection and treatment of pet cancer, VPI again recognizes November as National Pet Cancer Awareness Month.

Throughout the month of November, VPI will donate $5 to the Animal Cancer Foundation (ACF), up to $10,000, for every photo, story or statistic shared on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook using #CurePetCancer. For more information about the campaign, visit www.curepetcancer.com.

Partnering with the Animal Cancer Foundation, VPI will also host the seventh annual VPI K9K Pet Cancer Awareness Walk on Nov. 9 in Long Beach, Calif. to raise funds for pet cancer research. To date, VPI has raised more than $160,000 to benefit the ACF.

VPI launched National Pet Cancer Awareness Month in 2005, calling attention to the number one disease-related killer of dogs. VPI received 7,000 more cancer-related claims in 2012 compared to 2011.

"With cancer so prevalent among companion animals, it's vital that pet owners recognize the signs and symptoms of cancer in their pets," said Dr. Carol McConnell, vice president and chief veterinary medical officer for VPI. "Many people don't know that advances in treatment can save pets' lives, and that there are financial options available to help pay for those treatments."

To detect cancer early, pet owners should be attentive to any growing lump or sore that fails to heal. They should also monitor their pet for 1) drastic changes in the pet's appetite or weight; 2) unusually strong odors coming from a pet; 3) discharge or bleeding from any body opening; 4) difficulty chewing or swallowing; or 5) an unwillingness to exercise.

Further detection tips and information on National Pet Cancer Awareness Month, as well as registration information for the Long Beach VPI K9K Pet Cancer Awareness Walk, can be found by visiting www.petinsurance.com/cancer.

For more information on the Animal Cancer Foundation, please go to www.acfoundation.org.