How to Deal With Your Dog's Cancer Diagnosis

Half of all dogs will develop some type of cancer. Sadly, a lot of people aren’t aware that a positive diagnosis doesn’t have to be the end. After all, your dog is a beloved member of your family. Why give up on a family member? The following are steps to prolonging your dog’s life—and more importantly—quality of life.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. When your veterinarian diagnoses your dog with cancer, ask for a recommendation for a veterinary oncologist, check with people you know who have experienced cancer with a pet, and research doctors online.

2. Make an appointment with the specialist as soon as possible. It’s best not to wait because the idea is to try to stop the cancer from spreading or metastisizing. If money is an issue, the first consultation is normally affordable and should give you a good picture of what’s going on and the various treatment options.

3. Ask the specialist any questions you have and tell them your concerns including: how treatments might affect your dog, survival rates, cost and future options. That’s what the consultation is for.

4. 

   Decide what course of treatment you would like to start with. There are various options depending on the type of cancer, how far it has advanced and where it is located. There are both traditional and holistic treatments. Some specialists combine both approaches.

5. Research the different foods and supplements that can boost your dog's immune system and nutritional status to help fight cancer, and discuss it with your vet or oncology specialist. Feed your dog a diet high in protein and low in sugar and carbohydrates, because sugar and carbs feed cancer cells. If feeding commercial dog food, choose a high quality canned food with whole ingredients and low to no grain. Avoid dry foods, unless it has a very low carb content, such as Innova EVO.

6. Read about canine cancer. "Canine and Feline Geriatric Oncology: Honoring the Human-Animal Bond" by Alice Villalobos, DVM, is a comprehensive and insightful resource to have on hand. Dr. Villalobos, a Los Angeles specialist and pioneer in veterinary oncology, addresses just about any question you might have from her 35 plus years in the field. Other good books are "Pets Living With Cancer: A Pet Owner's Resource" by Robin Downing, DVM, which discusses the ins and outs of treatments, "Cancer and Your Pet: The Complete Guide to the Latest Research, Treatments, and Options" by Debra Eldredge and "Help Your Dog Fight Cancer" by Laurie Kaplan, which covers home care including diet and recipes.
   (See Resources below)

7. Observe your dog’s behavior and keep a daily diary if possible. As long as the good days outnumber the bad ones, you’re doing OK.

8. Cherish each day with your dog and take things one day at a time. Dogs live in the moment and we should live it with them.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep in mind that treatments for side effects are less severe in dogs than in people.
• Inquire about experimental or alternative treatments. For instance, vaccines that are in the research stages at veterinary schools may be available to the public after showing successful results.
• CareCredit is a program you can apply for that is accepted by vets nationwide. It is a special credit card to pay off your vet bills. This comes in handy if you don’t have pet insurance or if your pet insurance plan doesn’t cover cancer treatment (which is often the case).
• There are organizations that provide financial help to those in need who have pets diagnosed with cancer. Check with a veterinary oncologist for more information.
• After a cancer diagnosis from your regular vet, it's a good idea to consult with an oncologist and/or holistic vet. Even when cancer metastizes in the lungs it doesn't necessarily mean it's the end. A dog might live considerably longer and have quality of life with the proper diet, supplements and immune boosters. There are often cases of a traditional vet giving a dog a couple of months that turns into a year or more under an oncologist or holistic vet's care.
• Specialists normally charge more than regular veterinarians. While your dog is undergoing treatment with an oncologist, you can save money by having routine X-rays done by your regular vet.
• Don’t automatically let your dog’s age determine how you will treat cancer. Due to advancements in treatment, age isn't as much a factor as it used to be.

Resources

• Canine and Feline Geriatric Oncology
• Canine and Feline Geriatric Oncology
• Canine and Feline Geriatric Oncology
• Pets Living With Cancer
• Cancer and Your Pet
• Help Your Dog Fight Cancer
• CareCredit

[blindsquirrel]

on 7/24/2009 Thanks for this caring and informative article. My K9 Dolly is 14+ years old and living with a cancer diagnosis. She is a treasured member of our family and worth the extra care and consideration required to maintain her quality of life. We are grateful for each new day we are privileged to spend with her. Our best regards to you and your beloved Cleo.

[cb4me]

on 4/29/2009 I hope your doggie is still doing well!

[YennaTyan]

on 10/29/2007 Not everyone wants to go the "western medication" way of treating their dogs (nor can they afford the enormous expense of such a thing). For alternative healing methods, take a look at what one lady did for her dog at http://www.squidoo.com/dogcancer/ or you can go out to furheads.com and read up on what Jayme is doing that's a bit different - but it seems to be working!