Fundamentals of Caring for Cancer in Dogs

Given that your dog has lived with you and provided you with comfort as a companion, it is your duty to take care of your pet if he is found to be afflicted with a specific disease. The amount of care and companionship that your dog needs may increase, and becomes more important if the disease is terminal in nature. Cancer in dogs is one such disease where detection unfortunately happens in the later stages, rendering treatment almost immaterial and useless. In such cases, love, care and comfort are the three things that you can provide for your dying dog.

Even though there are numerous kinds of cancer and each can affect different parts of the dog’s body, the basic fundamentals of care for cancer in dogs remains the same. The basic idea is to make the dog’s life as comfortable as possible. It is now your time to pay him back for his services. Some of the basic principles of taking care of a dog with cancer are mentioned below.

Pain Management

Cancer causes pain, and some types of cancer cause extreme pain. The target of pain management should be to try and prevent pain from occurring, rather than treating it with strong painkillers once the pain has started. This is mainly because the response to pain tends to magnify once the pain starts. Conventional medications like narcotic analgesic patches and oral pain relievers provide instant relief, but are addictive. In cases of localized pain, a local anesthesia can be used. You may also want to decrease the risk of skin ulcers (bed sores) by providing an orthopedic bed.

Avoid Dehydration

Certain types of cancers produce nausea and vomiting. Although not commonly seen in dogs, chemotherapeutic drugs can also cause nausea and vomiting as side effects. Your main goal should be to reduce vomiting and the consequent risk of dehydration. You may also consult your veterinarian and learn about homeopathic cancer treatment for dogs, with an aim to find a better alternative for avoiding nausea and vomiting.

Quality Diet

Diet is the most important aspect of cancer care. A quality diet based on individual needs will also help. It is a good idea to monitor diet closely if you have chosen chemotherapy as the treatment for your pet, because a good diet improves the efficacy of chemotherapeutic drugs.

Nauseated dogs are liable to refuse to eat. Try some appetite-enhancing remedies and feed him warm food in a stress-free environment. Ask your veterinarian about Omega 3 fatty acids, digestible proteins and supplemental amino acids.

There may be instances where a dog refuses to eat despite of a completely functioning digestive system. In such cases you may have to resort to enteral therapy, a system of nutrient delivery where fluids are given through a stomach tube directly into the gastrointestinal tract. Canine canceris common in old dogs since their immune system weakens to a great extent over time. Your extra care will not only make his life comfortable, but also provide satisfaction to you for having done the best for your pet.

By Tess Thompson

Krusty’s story tolf by her mom Raffaella. 

I want call this collage “Life is a ball”. Krusty is started to play at 2 months old and she finished 2 weeks before she die. Seven years with balls in her mouth, we have had piggy ball, chicken, cow, duck, monster, bear, sheep…i can’t remember all, but aproximatively we have had a zoo!! I think Krusty has been an happy dog, we was outside at park the most of our time, we visited Holland, Germany and Swiss….offcourse with a blue ball always with us. All this until the cancer……..It worked in  silence inside Krusty but when synthom of this has appeared..it was too late. We done all possible for Krusty but unfortunately she passed away. By the way Krusty has been strong untill the end…she played with her ball 2 weeks before leave me. The big black&white photo is the last…but it show how she was proud. I want tell something to all dog’s owner: please, enjoy your dog as much as possible and more. You will make your dog an happy dog…Especially french bulldog, we know as well they love sleep on sofa and for this reason we give them only a daily walk or ride by car…..no, they love play at park, search ‘something’ in the mud, swimm and run. Krusty tried to follow a greyhound!!!!!! They are small and limited dogs…but are very strong and full of surprises. So please, enjoy them because unfortunately their life is not too much long….they can live 10 or 13 years, but i didn’t have this luck.

Krusty, you have been loved, cherished and cared of and you brought light and happiness into your family’s world. You crossed the rainbow bridge, but you will live in the memories. 

This is to remember pup Louie. Story told by his mom.

Louie’s story.

At only 2yrs 10 months Louie was diagnosed with a very rare aggressive type of cancer, Hemangiosarcoma. It’s a blood base cancer that there is no cure from.  The only way we found out he was sick was a tumor that grew under his arm. It was the size of a golf  ball. It wasn’t there one day and then it was. With in a week Louie was diagnosed with this horrible cancer and we were devestated. Within 2 days of diagnoses we started chemo. 10 days later our angel passed away. It has been a terrible lose that I am not sure I will ever really recover from. I would never have thought anything like this could have happened to our family.  I try to make sure all my friends and family know about Louie’s story. I make sure people know to take any lumps or bumps very serious. I have had 3 friends that have found bumps and have taken there pups in to find out they have a type of cancer. No one has had what our sweet Louie had, but a cancer none the less. So if you could pass Louie’s story along maybe we could save a couple more babies and spare there parents the pain of loss there angels.

by Stefani