Cancer is the number one natural cause of death in geriatric cats and dogs, and it accounts for nearly 50 percent of pet deaths each year. Although cancer is the leading cause of death in geriatric patients, it's also the most treatable disease when compared with life-limiting diseases like congestive heart failure, renal failure and diabetes. An educated and dedicated veterinary health care team is essential to compassionately care for cancer patients.
Compassionate care of your pet can only be accomplished with a team, and you are the
center of that team. As your pet's primary care giver, you are in the best position to know and meet its needs. Your first task is to find a veterinary health care team that is experienced in cancer care, and that is committed to working with you as a member of the team. Compassionate care requires that steps be taken to ensure that your pet is as free as possible from the adverse effects that may be associated with cancer and cancer treatment. This includes freedom from pain, nausea and starvation.
You can defeat the darkness of cancer with knowledge. The first step is to work with your veterinary health care team to learn as much about the disease and its treatment as possible. Be proactive. Ask questions and obtain resources to educate yourself about cancer and cancer therapeutics. Tackling tough questions about cancer and cancer therapies can enhance your ability to think clearly and make decisions.
Tips for empowering yourself with knowledge:
Write things down: Write down questions you may have before each visit to your pet's doctor. Take notes during all discussions with the veterinary health care team about your pet's disease or treatment options. Recite information back to ensure that you understand completely. Seek support: Bring a friend or spouse with you when you talk to the veterinary health care team. Include the whole family: All discussions about your pet should involve everyone who loves your pet, including family members and children. Allow everyone to ask questions and express their opinions. Ask for printed materials or information: Obtain resources to help you understand your pet's disease and treatment options. Work with your health care team to understand the validity of all information you obtain. Understand there are no incorrect decisions: Do not worry about what other people will think about your decisions. You know your pet better than anyone else in the world. Once you have gathered the information you need, listen to your heart and you will make the right decisions.
Some questions to discuss...
About your pet's cancer and treatment:
What is the name of my pet's tumor?
Is the tumor benign or malignant?
How often does this type of tumor metastasize (spread to other parts of the body)?
If left untreated, what will the cancer likely do to my pet?
What diagnostic tests do we need to perform to determine the location and extent of the cancer (i.e., the stage of the disease)?
What are all the treatment options and what are the costs, side effects, time involved, and effectiveness of each treatment?
About your pet's pain management:
Is my pet in any discomfort?
How do you treat cancer pain?
Is pain management important here?
What happens if the pain is not relieved with the usual treatment?
Is severe pain considered an emergency here?
Who do I call after hours?
How much am I involved in the plan?
Will I receive directions in writing?
Who will teach me about the plan to alleviate discomfort?
Who can help when you are away?
What happens if the pain does not go away?
Who will show me how to administer medication to my pet?
About your pet's nutrition:
Is there anything special my pet should eat?
How much should my pet eat?
What if my pet refuses to eat?
When should appetite stimulants be used?
What is assisted tube feeding?
Is it true that we do not want my pet to lose weight?
Can we prevent loss of appetite by preventing dehydration, nausea and discomfort?
About ensuring your pet does not have an upset stomach:
How will I know if my pet has an upset stomach?
What can be done to prevent nausea and vomiting, especially relating to cancer therapy?
When should I call for help if my pet is nauseated or is vomiting?
Who should I call?
What can be done if my pet is experiencing nausea and vomiting?
What can we do to enhance appetite and to ensure a good level of nutrition?
A diagnosis of cancer often brings with it some overwhelming emotions, including a sense of loss of control, and a sense of hopelessness. When facing the diagnosis of cancer in a beloved pet, you may feel the responsibility of making important life-changing decisions for someone who relies totally on your judgment. Your pet not only shares your home, your life and your experiences, but also your heart. This loved one depends on you to provide the best possible care. And extending a patient's good quality of life is the best reason to treat cancer.
What is the name of my pet's tumor? Is the tumor benign or malignant? How often does this type of tumor metastasize (spread to other parts of the body)? If left untreated, what will the cancer likely do to my pet? What diagnostic tests do we need to perform to determine the location and extent of the cancer (i.e., the stage of the disease)? What are all the treatment options and what are the costs, side effects, time involved, and effectiveness of each treatment? About your pet's pain management:
Is my pet in any discomfort? How do you treat cancer pain? Is pain management important here? What happens if the pain is not relieved with the usual treatment? Is severe pain considered an emergency here? Who do I call after hours? How much am I involved in the plan? Will I receive directions in writing? Who will teach me about the plan to alleviate discomfort? Who can help when you are away? What happens if the pain does not go away? Who will show me how to administer medication to my pet? About your pet's nutrition:
Is there anything special my pet should eat? How much should my pet eat? What if my pet refuses to eat? When should appetite stimulants be used? What is assisted tube feeding? Is it true that we do not want my pet to lose weight? Can we prevent loss of appetite by preventing dehydration, nausea and discomfort? About ensuring your pet does not have an upset stomach:
How will I know if my pet has an upset stomach? What can be done to prevent nausea and vomiting, especially relating to cancer therapy? When should I call for help if my pet is nauseated or is vomiting? Who should I call? What can be done if my pet is experiencing nausea and vomiting? What can we do to enhance appetite and to ensure a good level of nutrition? A diagnosis of cancer often brings with it some overwhelming emotions, including a sense of loss of control, and a sense of hopelessness. When facing the diagnosis of cancer in a beloved pet, you may feel the responsibility of making important life-changing decisions for someone who relies totally on your judgment. Your pet not only shares your home, your life and your experiences, but also your heart. This loved one depends on you to provide the best possible care. And extending a patient's good quality of life is the best reason to treat cancer.
