TREATMENT OF CANCER IN PETS

BY ELIZABETH RACINE, DVM

Cancer. It’s a diagnosis no pet owner ever wants to receive. Unfortunately, it is a common condition in pets and humans alike. Many of the same cancers that affect humans can affect our canine and feline patients as well. When your pet receives a cancer diagnosis, you will understandably have questions about their care. To help you make the best decisions for your pet, let’s briefly break down the types of cancer treatment available for cats and dogs and how these treatments work.

Cancer occurs when abnormal cells grow uncontrollably, often spreading to other areas of the body. Cancer can affect any of the cells in the body, meaning it can begin anywhere. The type of cancer depends on the type of cell line affected and its location within the body. Different types of cancer have different behaviors, treatments, and prognoses. This makes cancer very difficult to treat because it is not one single disease. A veterinarian or veterinary oncologist must understand the pathology of many different types of cancers in both the dog and the cat in order to provide the best care possible for your pets.

Treating cancer in pets is often different than treating cancer in humans, because we focus much more on quality of life rather than quantity of life. The goal of cancer treatment in pets is to keep your pet comfortable and able to maintain their normal daily life for as long as possible. Depending on the type and severity of the cancer, several treatment options may be available, including: u Palliative Care

One of the first options you’ll need to consider is whether you wish to pursue cancer treatment at all. Due to the cost, stress, and invasiveness of cancer treatments, many pet owners opt not to pursue this type of care and opt for palliative care instead. Palliative care involves treating the symptoms of disease to keep your pet comfortable for as long as possible. This may include medications to control pain, anti-nausea medications, anti-inflammatory drugs, and other medical treatments to manage your pet’s symptoms. This does not address the underlying cancer, but does allow you to enjoy the remaining time with your pet. u Chemotherapy

Like humans, pets can receive chemotherapy to treat cancer. Unlike humans, however, pets will not lose their hair or be sick all the time during their chemotherapy treatments. This is because we use lower chemotherapy doses in pets, with a focus on maintaining quality of life. The goal of chemotherapy is to kill or slow the growth of the cancer cells. This is done by administering chemotherapy drugs at particular intervals for a number of weeks or months. Your pet is monitored closely throughout this process and the chemotherapy treatment is tailored to meet your pet’s needs. u Surgery

Depending on the type of cancer, surgery may be recommended to remove the primary tumor. In some cases, removing the tumor can be curative. In others, surgery may be combined with chemotherapy or radiation therapy to achieve the best possible outcome for your pet. Surgery may also be used as a form of palliative care to improve function or reduce pain caused by a tumor. Although considering surgery for your pet can be daunting, know that your pet will be monitored closely by the veterinary team throughout the procedure.

u Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy damages the DNA in cancer cells, resulting in death of the cells. It is often used as a primary cancer treatment, or in combination with surgery. Radiation therapy has also been used as a palliative treatment to reduce pain or improve function by reducing the size of a tumor. During radiation therapy, patients typically receive treatments at intervals over several weeks. These treatments are usually performed at specialty centers under the supervision of a veterinary oncologist, and may not be available in all areas.

u Humane Euthanasia

When cancer is advanced, or treatment is not an option for whatever reason, humane euthanasia may be the best course of action for your pet. Euthanasia can be performed in the veterinary clinic or at home by a mobile veterinarian or in-home euthanasia veterinarian. Euthanasia involves giving your pet an overdose of barbiturate medication, which stops the heart and allows your pet to pass away without pain. Although it is a difficult decision to make, in terminal cancer cases euthanasia is a way to end suffering and allow your pet a peaceful passing with dignity.

Regardless of the type of cancer your pet has, making the choice to pursue treatment, palliative care, or humane euthanasia can be difficult. Know that your veterinary team is here for you and your pet, and is available to answer your questions throughout this process. Together, you can make the best decisions for your pet’s care to maintain quality of life for as long as possible.

Summer is a lazy time of the year; breaks from normal activities, time with family and friends, and vacations. However, grooming our pets is not an activity we can skip in the summer. ➠ Regular brushing helps get rid of excess dead hair and prevents mats which could trap moisture and cause skin infections. Brushed hair allows for air circulation which helps keep pets cooler.

➠Regular nail trimming is important to keep nails healthy. Daily walks in the summer are sometimes shortened due to the extreme heat. The natural “trimming” of a dog’s nails on sidewalks isn’t always enough to keep their nails short. Also, dog booties which are popular to prevent burnt paws eliminate the “nail trimming” contact with pavements. ➠ Wiping paws after your daily walk removes any residue of fertilizers, pesticides, or insecticides which might irritate their paws. Wiping your dog’s paws with a cold, damp cloth will also help cool them down.

➠Check paws frequently for any injuries, cuts, abrasions or burns from hot pavements. Don’t forget to check between their toes for small stones or other items which can hurt or cause infection.

PETS Las Vegas One photo per family please! Show Off Your Pet! Email: info@lvpetscene.com By submitting a photo, you are giving Las Vegas Pet Scene Magazine permission to use the photo in our magazine, emails, and social media/facebook.

PETS Las Vegas One photo per family please! Show Off Your Pet! Email: info@lvpetscene.com By submitting a photo, you are giving Las Vegas Pet Scene Magazine permission to use the photo in our magazine, emails, and social media/facebook.