At the bottom of this
page, you will find links to other sites that will give you
information and advice on how to proceed, but below is an overview to
help you get started.
Knowledge
is Power
The more you know about your dog’s
situation, the more effective you will be in making choices for your
dog. The first thing you need to do is educate yourself about
the:
(1) Kind of cancer
your dog has
(2) Prognosis [likelihood of
recovery]
(3) Possible
treatments
(4) Cost of
treatments & aftercare
We know this
may sound overwhelming, but keep going! You may be able to help
your dog live many more happy years! If you just got the
diagnosis today you probably didn’t ask questions because you
were shell-shocked when you heard that a very special member of your
family has cancer - - - AND - - - depending on your Vet - - - they
might have delivered the news to you like it was a death sentence.
It is possible your dog may have a very advanced stage of cancer, is
in poor health and is elderly - - - BUT maybe they are not and you may
be able to get the proper treatment for your dog and still enjoy many
more wonderful years with them. You won’t know this until you do
some research - - - so let’s
start!
What Kind of Cancer
does your dog have?
If you don’t
remember or can’t spell it [most of us can’t!] then call your Vet and
ask. In fact, if x-rays and/or blood work were done - - - ask for a copy
of the x-ray and lab reports. Once you have the name of the
cancer go to
Canine Cancers
and scroll down until you find the cancer. Our page is a
starting point so once you have this information, you may want to do a
bit more research. Just “google” the type of cancer and you will
find many websites that will give you information. You don’t
need to be an expert - - - you just need to know enough to understand
what the Vet or the Oncologist is telling you so that you can ask the
right questions - - - and also question what you are being told when
things don’t make sense to you.
What Treatments are available?
You need to
know how they are going to treat the cancer? Surgery? Radiation?
Chemotherapy?
Ask your Vet or Veterinary Oncologist:
(1) How long
will my dog live if given the treatment versus without treatment?
(2) What will
the quality of my dog’s life be after the treatments?
(3) What are
the immediate and long term side effects of the treatments?
(4) How are
the treatments administered?
(5) What is
the aftercare?
(6) What is
the cost of all of this?
(7) What
would the Vet do if this were her dog? [I always like to ask this
question]
You need to
determine all of these things because if you work or do not drive, you
may need to adjust your work schedule or ask a friend for help
because - - - as an example—if your dog has radiation therapy - - - it
is
typically about 4 or 5 weeks and it is every day—[Monday through
Friday]. Miranda, our golden retriever, was 6½ when she was first
diagnosed with cancer [Hemangiosarcoma] in her hind leg. She
underwent 5 weeks of radiation treatment and my husband and I, who
both work, had to arrive at a schedule so we could accommodate a 50
mile roundtrip drive every day. Was it worth it - - - No question. We
had 2 more wonderful years with Miranda before she had another bout
with cancer. So—for us - - - it was definitely worth it!!! But now, the
last - - - and maybe most important question - - - “What is the cost?”
Do you have the
Financial Resources to do this?
Can you afford to do
this? These treatments and even the follow-up care can be very
expensive. Chemotherapy can range between approximately
$500-$800 or more per treatment and there are multiple treatments.
Ultimately, Miranda had to have her leg amputated and undergo
chemotherapy. The cost of the surgery alone [with 2 nights in
the specialty hospital] was $4,000. Of course, these costs will
vary greatly from patient to patient and animal hospital to animal
hospital, but we just want to give you an idea of what the costs could
be so that you can do your research. We don’t want to discourage
you, we just want to prepare you so you can check out the websites of
organizations that offer financial assistance should you need it.
If you have pet insurance perhaps some of the costs will be covered.
Make sure you get this information before you embark on a course of
treatment as you don’t want to find out after you have started
treatment that you can’t afford it. We have a list of financial
resources to get you started. Some of them even have suggestions
on ways for you to do your own fundraising.
Keep in mind, in addition to the
immediate medical costs - - - there will be Vet follow-up visits,
medications and perhaps the need for
Special equipment/Useful products
to assist your pet during recovery [i.e. An E-Collar to prevent them
from scratching a wound or a sling to assist them in walking or
climbing stairs] or long term [i.e. doggie wheel chair if leg/legs are
permanently debilitated]. In many cases, in order to qualify for
financial assistance, you may have to prove financial hardship [annual
income below a certain amount] and/or that you have already exhausted
your resources [i.e. sought loans and been turned down].
Perhaps a Clinical Trial?
If you cannot afford to pay for
treatment - - - don’t give up! Look for
Clinical Trials for dogs who have
the type of cancer your dog has. Check to see if your dog meets
the criteria - - - and if they do - - - talk with your Vet and then
quickly apply. This option may not be entirely without cost - -
- but it will certainly be far less expensive. Be sure you
understand exactly how the clinical trial will be conducted so that
you will know if it is a good option for you and your dog.
What about
Cancer Centers?
In all
likelihood, it was your “family” Vet that told you that your dog has
cancer. Depending upon where you live, you may not have access
to a Veterinary Oncologist [cancer doctor].
 If
that is the case, then your vet probably has given you some direction
on how to handle the situation with your dog. Perhaps your Vet
will manage the treatment. Another option may be to get a referral to an animal
specialty hospital where a cancer specialist [a Veterinary
Oncologist], will manage your dog’s care. There, depending upon
the type of cancer your dog has and the required treatment, your dog
will either see a Radiation Oncologist who will supervise radiation
therapy or a Medical Oncologist who will supervise chemotherapy
treatments and in some cases, your dog may need to see both.
Your
ultimate decision on how to care for your Dog
♥
There is no place for
guilt. No matter what you decide to do, your sweet dog will love
you. They live in the moment - - - and so the time you take to
“baby talk” to them, to pamper them with their favorite treats, entice
them with their treasured toy, or just sit quietly with them and
stroke their fur - - - that is what is truly important to them.
They are not worried that they have cancer. They only worry that
they are not pleasing you - - - so if you continue to love them with
all your heart and show them that love - - - there is no way you can
let them down - - - even if in the final analysis you cannot afford
the treatment or believe treatment is not in their best interests.
Conversely, if you do proceed with treatment, don’t despair if your
dog has some tough days. Radiation therapy can be difficult in
its final stages. Your dog may need pain medication and you may need
to sit with them to help them get through the night, BUT when those
few days pass - - - and your dog recovers - - - the joy of having them
well and happy will make those few difficult days a distant memory.
There is no question, if
you are reading this right now - - - you came to this website because
you are one of those remarkable people we affectionately call “A Dog
Person” and that means two things: (1) your Dog is one of
the luckiest dogs in the world because you love them with your whole
heart; and (2) You are one of the luckiest people in the world because
you have experienced that incredible unconditional love that your
adorable Dog gives you every day. So there is no time to waste
. . . let’s start your research today so you can determine the best
course of action for your very special family member
♥
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