The following is the fourth in a series of articles contributed by specialist veterinarians at Angell Animal Medical Center in Boston. As our pets are living longer and their healthcare needs evolve, these articles are designed to equip readers with information related to specific health conditions and available treatment options. We?ll be publishing a new article every month, spanning a variety of pet health topics.
Few medical diagnoses are capable of striking as much fear into the hearts of patients like being told they have cancer ? a disease that remains a top killer despite tremendous breakthroughs in diagnostics and treatment in recent decades.?
Unfortunately, our pets can also expect to be affected by cancer if they live long enough. According to the Animal Cancer Foundation, cancer is now the leading cause of death in dogs over the age of 10. And cancer now accounts for approximately 50 percent of feline deaths every year. With so many pets getting a cancer diagnosis every year it?s more important than ever for owners of newly diagnosed pets to do their research, know their options and act in the best interest of their animals and themselves.?
The Diagnosis
Many owners are understandably distressed upon learning their pet has been diagnosed with cancer. Aside from the fear for their animals? wellbeing and quality of life there are attendant concerns about the cost of care and the disruption that comes with shuttling a pet back and forth between medical appointments. These concerns are wholly legitimate and shared by everyone who owns and loves a pet ? and they should inform the decisions pet owners make about whether and how to treat their pet.?
As daunting as a cancer diagnosis can be, it?s also important for pet owners to understand that tremendous strides have occurred in specialty veterinary medicine. Specialists who treat cancer are known as veterinary oncologists and improvements have been made not only in achieving increasingly accurate diagnoses (which help veterinarians lay out the best possible options), but also in delivering highly sophisticated care.
Assessing options is a crucial process for owner and pets alike. It is often of tremendous comfort for pet owners that the option of euthanasia is always available should they feel treatment is not a viable option. Some pet owners opt to euthanize upon receiving a diagnosis and some opt to treat their animals. There is no best option for everyone and, sadly, there is no way to make this kind of decision less painful.
Pet owners who do decide to treat their animals should know that a wide array of options are now available ? all of which are designed to improve the quality of life for our pets.
The ?All Under One Roof? Treatment Philosophy
When it comes to cancer care there is a fundamental philosophical difference between human and animal treatment strategies. Human oncologists are primarily concerned with a cure and thereby increasing the lifespan of patients battling cancer. Veterinary oncologists aim to maintain or increase a pet?s quality of life ? because that is almost always the number-one concern pet owners have.?
Pets with cancer do not know they?re fighting a very serious disease. But they do know when their energy levels are depleted, when they feel pain and when they lose interest in food and their family because they are too sick. Because of this, quality of life ? and not length of years ? is of utmost concern to veterinary oncologists.
Some of today?s full-service veterinary hospitals are set up such that pet patients benefit from oncologists? collaboration with a large team of specialists in the fields of radiology, surgery, internal medicine, cardiology, neurology, ophthalmology, dermatology, nutrition and dentistry ? expertise that is often crucial in effecting successful treatment outcomes.
Board certified veterinary oncologists constantly seek continuing education by attending conferences and publishing research in scientific journals. And just like in some of the most preeminent human hospitals, veterinary hospitals are now engaging in long-term clinical trials to bring the very latest treatments to the clinical setting increasing options available to owners. These are essential matters to weigh and consider if a pet owner decides to treat their animal in the hopes of slowing or curing their pet?s cancer.
Warning Signs
Our sincere hope is that no pet ever has to face a cancer diagnosis; sadly this is not a reality for many individuals. In the spirit of staying ever vigilant about the health of our pets the following is a list of symptoms to never ignore. If your pet is experiencing one or more of these then you should contact your veterinarian right away to schedule an evaluation:
Lumps and bumps - not every lump or bump is evidence of cancer. But any new growth ? or a bump that is growing ? should be looked at by a veterinarian, who may order a biopsy to determine if the bump is cancerous?
Abnormal odors ? Foul odors coming for a cat or dog?s orifices or body parts may be a concern. Cancers of the mouth, nose or anal regions can all present abnormal odors that should be evaluated by a veterinarian
Abnormal discharges ? Discharges of blood, pus, vomit, diarrhea or any other discharge should always result in a check-up with the vet
Non-healing wounds ? Just like in humans, lacerations or sores that do not heal within a normal time frame may indicate cancer
Weight loss ? Sudden weight loss when pets are not on a diet can be an indicator of cancer and if coupled with any other warning sign, should prompt pet owners to call their vet
Appetite loss ? While a change in appetite can result from any number of things, pets generally do not stop eating without a cause. Pet owners should see their vet if their pet experiences a sustained loss of appetite that leads to weight loss
Coughing or difficulty briefing ? these symptoms can indicate cancer and should always be evaluated by a vet
Lethargy or depression ? if a pet has cancer there is a chance he or she will suffer from depression and sleep more, become less playful and perhaps less willing to go out for walks. Although these symptoms can be present during any illness, they are frequently seen in animals suffering from cancer
Changes in bathroom habits ? any changes in bathroom habits: difficulty eliminating, frequent elimination, blood in urine or stools, etc., are potential warning signs and should be evaluated
Evidence of pain ? Limping or other evidence of pain when the animal is active, or pain too great for them to be active, can be indications of bone cancer and should be checked out
There?s nothing anyone can say or do to lessen the blow of a cancer diagnosis ? perhaps the most serious of any disease our pets may suffer. But knowing the warning signs and educating ourselves about the treatment options can empower us to make the best possible decision for ourselves and our animals.?
About the Author
Carrie Wood DVM, DACVIM is a board-certified specialist in medical oncology at Angell Animal Medical Center. Wood provides comprehensive care for pets with malignant disease and focuses on the diagnoses and management of cancer. Her areas of interest include novel applications of chemotherapy, immunotherapy and working with researchers to bring clinical trials to client owned animals.
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