Cancer is Scary

It is normal to feel afraid when hearing a diagnosis of “cancer.” When we hear that our beloved pet has cancer, we often experience the same emotions as if this were a human friend or family member. You may be concerned about how your dog or cat is feeling physically and how treatment will affect your pet’s quality of life. Because of this, at Veterinary Cancer Care we encourage families to ask as many questions as needed so that you can understand your pet’s diagnosis, its treatment and possible outcomes. We understand that this a very stressful time and it is okay if you need to ask us the same question many times. It is normal to feel overwhelmed, and that’s why we encourage our patients’ families to communicate any and all questions and concerns with the Veterinary Cancer Care staff.

Pets Get Cancer Too

With improved care and nutrition, our pets are living longer lives; with this increased lifespan comes an increased risk of their developing cancer—which, generally speaking, occurs most often in older dogs and cats. Pets experience many of the same types of cancer as people, as well as other types.

There is good news, however: a variety of treatments are now available, including many drugs proven successful in treating human cancers. New therapies are being tested everyday, often with great success. An important component of VCC’s practice is our commitment to research. Dr. Kelly and our staff continually monitor and collect data on each patient in order to develop a comprehensive database that can further the study of cancer in pets and ultimately improve future treatments.

Signs of Cancer

According to the Veterinary Cancer Society the Ten Common Signs of Cancer in Small Animals are:

1. Abnormal swellings that persist or continue to grow
2. Sores that do not heal
3. Weight loss
4. Loss of appetite
5. Bleeding or discharge from any body opening
6. Offensive odor
7. Difficulty eating or swallowing
8. Hesitation to exercise or loss of stamina
9. Persistent lameness or stiffness
10. Difficulty breathing, urinating, or defecating

Please be aware that these signs can also be present in many other diseases; they do not necessarily mean your pet companion has cancer. However, any cat or dog displaying any of the above symptoms should be examined by a veterinarian.

Grief Support

Grief and How To Deal With It

Unfortunately, grief is one of the emotions we must all experience at one time or another in our lives. There are many ways to handle this emotion, and each individual must choose the way that is best for them. As veterinary professionals, clients look to us to help them cope with the grief that follows losing a beloved pet. Hopefully this brief overview will help those of you presently experiencing symptoms of grief due to a recent loss. Our aim is to help those who are having a hard time accepting that a loved pet has a terminal illness, and provide support for those of us helping someone in this situation. Remember, these are just guidelines to help us understand that grief is very real and natural. If you feel that you are having an overwhelming amount of difficulty handling your loss, please seek professional help.

Cancer Information Links

Frequently Asked Questions

Visit Colorado State University's FAQ page, click here.

Useful Web Sites:

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