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. WHAT IS CANCER?
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.
HOW IS CANCER IN PETS TREATED?
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. 28
Las Vegas Pet Scene Magazine • May/June 2022
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.
TREATING CANCER IS NO SMALL TASK
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.
