Friday, May 1, 2015

May is Cancer Awareness Month



Cancer in companion animals…
Cancer – the word everyone hates to hear, whether it is their own diagnosis or for their pet. While the diagnosis of cancer causes our hearts to break thinking of the loss of our pets, not all is as horrible as one might initially think. Some cancers are now more treatable than ever, with many pets enjoying many more months and even years together. The goal for every cancer patient is to get as much quality time as possible. 


Many pets are not acting sick at all at the time of their diagnosis, so it can be impossible to think of them as having a disease that may end their life much sooner than their expected life span. Treatment can be much more successful in these patients, as they are in reasonably good health otherwise and can endure their treatment better than those who are more debilitated when they are diagnosed.

Some cancers dictate surgery, radiation, and/or chemotherapy for treatment. Surgery can be curative for some cancer, others would require chemotherapy after surgical removal of tumor(s). Chemotherapy alone may be recommended for some types of cancer…your veterinarian will discuss all options with you after the diagnosis has been made.  

Treating pets with cancer involves more than medications and technology. It is about respecting quality of life, enjoying the good days, compassion, understanding, and trust. The goal in treating cancer in pets is to get them into remission (symptoms are gone and the patient is comfortable) rather than actually curing their disease. 

Most pets do very well with chemotherapy; they rarely have the nausea, vomiting, and sick feeling that people experience. And, because they live day to day and don’t have the psychological aspect of facing cancer, they accept each day as it comes and don’t dwell on the negative aspect of having a terminal disease. 


Your veterinary team can guide you with treatment options, help and support as you face what could be the biggest challenge of your pet’s life. 


For more information:



The Old Grey Muzzle Tour 2015 

Grief Resources 


  

In Loving Memory of Lexi

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