November is Pet Cancer Awareness Month! Pet cancer treatment has progressed exponentially within the last several years, resulting in higher remission rates and longer lives for your furry family members. However, we understand that a pet cancer diagnosis can still be scary and overwhelming - even with the veterinary oncology available to pets today. If your pet has recently been diagnosed with cancer, we are here to help you navigate the complex emotions you may be feeling and understand what types of treatment may be best for your pet.
How is cancer diagnosed in pets?
Similar to a human, your pet will undergo several tests in order to determine if they have cancer. Most often, these tests consist of bloodwork and urine testing, sampling of the tumor(s), x-rays, and abdominal ultrasounds. This testing will give us an idea of your pet’s overall health, what type of cancer is present (if it is present at all), and what treatment options may be most effective based on your pet’s prognosis. As your pet’s treatment progresses, these tests will be redone several times to gauge whether the treatment is working or if the cancer has grown or spread to other organs.
What treatment options does my pet have?
There are several ways that cancer can be treated in pets, and every pet’s treatment needs are different. Your pet’s veterinarian may include one or several of the below therapies in your pet’s treatment plan:
Surgery is often used to remove cancerous masses and tumors from the body. If your pet’s surgeon is able to remove the entirety of the mass during their procedure, this may be enough to cure it. However, this is not always possible to accomplish. In these cases, your pet’s surgeon will usually recommend other therapies in conjunction with their procedure to ensure no cancer cells were missed.
Chemotherapy involves using specific drugs to kill cancer cells within the body. These medications are usually either taken orally or given through an IV and are one of the most common treatments used in veterinary oncology. The good news is that pets do not usually experience the negative side effects of chemotherapy that are seen in humans - nausea and hair loss are extremely rare in our four-legged friends.
Radiation can be used in a multitude of ways when it comes to cancer treatment. Veterinary oncologists typically use radiation to shrink a tumor or mass before surgery, remove any cancerous cells left over after the removal procedure, or even slow down cell growth in inoperable areas of the body.
Immunotherapy uses vaccines to jump-start your pet’s immune system in an attempt to help it fight off cancer cells on its own. While this treatment is only available for certain types of cancers, it can have a big impact on your pet’s treatment journey.
Palliative care focuses on managing your pet’s symptoms when their cancer cannot be cured. This may involve pain management, nausea prevention, and diet changes to keep your pet comfortable as their cancer progresses. The goal of palliative care is to provide your pet with the best quality of life possible and to give you a few more weeks to months of precious, pain-free time with them.
What changes might I see in my pet during their cancer treatment?
Your pet may or may not experience some changes in both their body and lifestyle due to the type of cancer they have. Many cancers may make your pet more tired and less hungry, which may require you to get an appetite stimulant from your vet in order to help them eat. Other cancers may cause increased urination and bowel movements, or sometimes even decreased neurological function and seizures for your pet. If you notice any big or sudden changes in your pet during the cancer treatment process, it is important to let their veterinarian know so a management plan can be made for those symptoms.
Caring for a pet with cancer can be taxing both emotionally and physically, which is why it is important to take care of yourself just as much as you take care of your pet. To fight the compassion fatigue so often found among caregivers, we recommend finding friends or family members that have had a pet with cancer that you can lean on for support. Additionally, you may also find support in one of the many local therapists and counselors who specialize in compassion fatigue if you are struggling. Grieving is a completely normal process for a pet owner that has just received a pet cancer diagnosis, and can also make it seem impossible to know when it is time to say goodbye to their beloved pet. If your pet is under palliative care and you’re not sure if it is time yet, this Quality of Life Assessment from our friends at Lap of Love may help.
Pet cancer is never easy, and is almost never the same experience from pet to pet. Here at Newberry Animal Hospital, we believe in creating a treatment plan that works for both you and your pet to provide them with the best chance at remission and a long, comfortable, happy life. If you have questions about your pet’s cancer treatment or your pet has developed a new mass and/or new symptoms, give us a call at any of our locations:
39th Avenue & Wellness - (352) 332-2292
Newberry - (352) 472-7035
Main Street - (352) 372-5391
Springhill - (352) 373-7208
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