Cancer is common in pets, affecting around 50% of dogs and 30% of cats over 10 years old. That’s a scary statistic, but the good news is that veterinary cancer treatments have come a long way.
Emily Singler, V.M.D.
Veterinary Content Specialist, American Animal Hospital Association
Cancer research, in both veterinary and human medicine, is yielding new options for treatment all the time, increasing life spans and giving more pets more good days with their families. This means that if you and your pet are faced with this distressing diagnosis, you may have options to choose from in terms of the type of treatment your pet gets and where they get their treatment. Whatever choice you make, it’s vital for you to understand the important role you play in your pet’s care team, and how open communication with your veterinary team can help you prioritize your family’s needs and your pet’s quality of life.
Becoming part of the team
Veterinary professionals are trained experts in medicine, but you’re the expert on your pet. You know what’s normal for them, you know what they love most, and you also know what’s realistic for your family when it comes to treatment. It’s important for you to ask questions about the options presented to you and share any concerns or challenges you encounter with your veterinary team. This will help everyone be on the same page about your pet’s prognosis and how their quality of life may be impacted. It will also help you evaluate how much of a commitment that treatment will require of your family and what the anticipated cost will be.
It’s wonderful that we now have the ability to treat more pets with cancer than ever before, but not every option is a good fit for every pet or family. For some, driving two hours once a week for chemotherapy is not a problem; for others, that’s a dealbreaker. In cases where pursuing treatment isn’t the right choice, your veterinary team can discuss how to monitor and prioritize your pet’s quality of life with medication and other modifications.
Understanding treatment options
Several factors will determine the type of treatment your pet may receive, including the type and stage of cancer. Some treatments can only be offered by specialists, but others can be provided by your primary veterinarian. Surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy are common approaches to treating many of the most frequently seen cancers in pets. Increasingly, thanks to clinical trials in humans and pets, we’re discovering targeted treatment options that affect just cancer cells, reducing the risk of side effects.
That being said, pets will sometimes experience some side effects, particularly from chemotherapy. Cats and dogs typically tolerate chemo much better than humans do because they don’t usually get treated as aggressively as people do. Before starting any new treatment, your veterinarian will discuss what to look out for and when to reach out for help. With some treatments, pets may experience nausea, vomiting, lack of appetite, diarrhea, or decreased energy. Fortunately, there are measures you and your veterinary team can take to minimize these side effects, like medications that help to reduce the risk of upset tummy and foods designed to be palatable but mild on sensitive stomachs.
The key is taking note of any change in your pet’s condition and having an open line of communication with your veterinary team. After all, your pet’s well-being is the main goal for everyone on your care team. You trust your veterinarian to guide you through the options available, and they look to you to decide what is best for your pet and your family. Together, you can make a plan that works best for you.
