It seems as though Scotties have about an 18% higher risk of developing bladder cancer (Transitional Cell Carcinoma) than mixed breeds, which unfortunately makes them one of the highest, if not the highest breed likely to contract the disease.
Since Wen has lost two Scotties to bladder cancer, she has taken steps to eliminate our exposure to insecticides and lawn and garden chemicals. She also read a study by Purdue University that suggested feeding dark green leafy vegetables at least three times a week may help prevent or slow the development of Transitional Cell Carcinoma in Scotties.
So, as a result of this information, we are trying a new addition to our regular food. We are now eating uncooked baby spinach at least three times a week as a snack. Sunny and Molly will snarf the leaves plain, but Sadie and I need a little more interesting flavor, so Wen will dip the leaves in canned dog food so that they are more tasty for us.
Eating spinach leaves was a little unusual for us at first, but now it’s kind of like having a little green salad with our food and if it helps, so much the better!
For more information: scta.biz (Scottish Terrier Club of America website–Bladder Cancer Study-Final Report: What Every Scottie Owner Needs to Know), pubfacts.com (Evaluation of the Effect of Dietary Vegetable Consumption on Reducing Risk of Transitional Cell Carcinoma of the Urinary Bladder in Scottish Terriers).
