Cancer Care in Dogs and Cats – How to Provide Support and Manage Pain
We feel overwhelmed with emotion when we find out our pet has cancer, just as if our friend or family member had been diagnosed. It is a tough situation to find yourself in, but for the sake of your pet, you need to consult your vet and determine the best treatment method to fight the cancer. In addition to treating the disease, you must also ease the pain your pet is feeling during this difficult time. Your pet may lose the interest to eat, and may become nauseous or sick from the cancer treatment. Your job is to try and maintain the best quality of life for your pet through the treatment process.
Depending what cancer your pet has and when the cancer is diagnosed, your vet will suggest the proper treatment method to undergo. Treatment may involve chemotherapy, radiation, or if severe, surgical removal of the cancer. Cancer is often a painful process for any pet, and ideally you will want to prevent pain before it starts. This is because the pain response is magnified once an animal already feels it. There are many types of pain relievers on the market, and the drug(s) of choice will vary based on the type of pain your pet is experiencing. Non-steroid anti-inflammatories (NAIDs) like Piroxicam are used to treat inflammation. Steroids have a variety of uses, as they may reduce sickness in your pet, help make chemo more effective, reduce an allergic reaction to chemo, and increase your pet’s appetite. Opiods such as Fentanyl and monoamine uptake inhibitors like tramadol are strictly used to treat pain. Gabapentin is a GABA analogue that is an anti-seizure medication that is widely used to treat severe pain. Consult your vet about what pain medications may be appropriate for treating pain in your pet.
In addition to treating the pain, you will also want to reduce the physical discomfort your pet may be in. Make sure you pet is treated very carefully, and be very gentle with them. Make sure they are comfortable wherever they may be, and monitor their behavior for signs of discomfort. Your pet may be very weak from the cancer treatments, as well as nauseous or in distress. It is not normal for your pet to get sick from chemo, and if your pet is vomiting often this is a serious problem. Excessive vomiting can lead to dehydration, which can also throw off the electrolyte balance in your pet. Fluid therapy may be needed if you cannot get your pet to stop throwing up. Again, there are medications that may help nausea, and if you see your pet get sick you should let your vet know immediately so you can discuss what to do to alleviate the sickness.
In addition to keeping your pet hydrated, it is also important to make sure your pet is eating, provided your pet’s digestive tract is still working. Your pet may lose its appetite, but you need to make sure they still eat. If your pet is not interested in the normal dry food you serve, consider providing warm, aromatic foods that may entice them to eat, and feed them in a low stress environment. Make sure you provide food that contains a little bit of simple carbs, some easily digestible protein, high amounts of omega-3 fatty acids, and consider supplementing their food with amino acids. Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins, and are essential to cellular growth, repair, and maintenance of cells. Specific diets will vary on a case-by-case basis, so consult your vet if you have any questions as to what to feed your pet or how you should stimulate their appetite.
Thanks to better medications and cancer protocols, it is easier to care for your pet throughout its difficult battle with cancer. Preventing pain and vomiting while stimulating your pet’s appetite is the key to managing this painful process for your pet. Your vet is a great resource to help you understand what your pet is going through, and they can provide you guidance on how to care for your pet during their cancer treatment. By minimizing your pet’s pain, you are doing your best to provide a quality life for them during this difficult time.
