Veterinary Oncologist walking the final mile with pets When told they have cancer and only have a year or so to live, people usually feel distressed or hopeless. But what happens when dogs get cancer? Dr. Antonio Giulian, specialist in oncology at CityU Veterinary Medical Centre (CityU VMC), says, “Dogs are as cheerful as usual. They might be aggressive the first time we meet, but they get friendlier each time they turn up at the clinic.”
cancers can kill an animal with time, but sometimes an animal can live with the disease."
Dr. Antonio usually sees patients in the morning and buries his head into medical equipment such as CT scanners, ultrasound machines and echocardiography equipment in the afternoons. But as an oncology veterinarian specializing in tumours and cancer among dogs and cats, he estimates that half his working time is spent simply talking to pet owners.
“The same tumour may lead to different outcomes on different animals, different body parts or at different stages. Veterinary Oncologist deal with new cases every day. I have worked in this area for over a decade, but I still constantly encounter new things. My work never bores me.”
Treating with patience and empathy A not he r r e a s on he c hos e t o b e a n on c o lo g y veterinarian: this is an ever-changing and very challenging discipline.
The ever-changing tumours also mean that most treatments are optional. Each option has pros and cons, which veterinarians have to analyze and explain with a lot of patience, so pet owners can make the best decision. Empathy is also an important character trait for veterinarians: they need to be able to build trust with the owners, and support them during their pets’ last path in life.
He recalled, “Mostly I need to handle the owners’ emotions. They are saddened by their pets’ suffering, and are anxious about saying goodbye to their beloved companion. Some of them can be quite emotional. Their feelings are understandable, and my job is to help them make their decisions carefully.” Dealing with such grim situations every day is surely not easy so why did he choose oncology in the first place?
Dr. Antonio understands these owners’ sadness as he had also once lost a beloved pet. While he was living in the UK, his 16-year-old bulldog lost her sight and mobility. Dr. Antonio had to carry her around every day. He was initially reluctant to consider euthanasia, despite his friends’ opinion. Then he finally pulled himself together and asked himself an honest question: “She couldn’t see or walk, and was simply deprived of any enjoyment in life. Was I prolonging her life for her, or me?”
With a smile, he answered, “It is only the people who feel grim. Animals with cancer aren’t sad, they are as happy and cheerful as ever.” More importantly, not all cancers are terminal. Dr. Antonio said, "Being diagnosed with cancer isn't necessarily a death sentence. How aggressive the cancer is depends on its type and stage. Some 賽馬會動物醫學及生命科學院 I 2020 春季
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