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Having a veterinarian diagnose your pet with cancer is a heart-breaking experience. It can be difficult to cope, and it’s important that you begin exploring treatment options right away. You can still give your pet a happy, fulfilling life, even if the cancer is terminal. Here’s everything you need to know for the best outcome.

Your Guide to Managing Pet Cancer

First Steps

veterinarian-sanfordCancer affects over 47% of dogs and 32% of cats. There are over 100 types, and you should start educating yourself after the veterinarian’s diagnosis. Ask plenty of questions and learn the terminology so you’ll know what’s going on with your pet’s health.

The diagnosis and treatment period can be a trying time, so build a support network. Your pet’s animal hospital may be able to direct you to groups, or you can turn to friends and family to help you.

Treatment Options

Your veterinarian will want to begin treatment right away, and there are several options to explore. A veterinarian can perform surgery to remove the tumor and cancerous cells by hand. Your pet can undergo chemotherapy, which infuses cancer-killing chemicals into the body. Another option is radiotherapy, which uses radiation exposure to kill cancer cells.

The different treatment options may be used together depending on the type of cancer. A lot of side effects can come with these treatments, so consider the likelihood of your pet recovering and the financial burden. It may be best to provide hospice care for them instead.

Improving Quality of Life

You’ll want the best possible care for your pet at home regardless of your decision. Make sure you’re providing medication as advised, and learn to recognize cancer-related or treatment-related pain. You’ll want to provide a healthy diet to support their immune system and to ensure they receive plenty of nutrients. In some cases, low-carb/high-fat diets are helpful and will prevent malnutrition. You should also ensure they drink plenty of water and provide veterinarian-recommended nutritional supplements if needed.

Create a comfortable place at home for your pet to relax. A quiet, stress-free environment will keep them happy and give you plenty of time to spend together.

 

If you have concerns about your pet’s health, turn to a veterinarian at Carolina Veterinary Hospital in Sanford, NC. This practice maintains a warm, welcoming environment for pets. They offer a wide scope of services, including pet grooming, medical care, and pet surgery. Visit their website to explore their services and call (919) 258-3349 to schedule a checkup. You can receive more pet care tips by connecting on Facebook.

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