A cancer diagnosis in your family is a scary thing–including when that family member is one with four legs. Today more cancer treatments are available to dogs than ever before and, with that, more specialized cancer treatments so that dogs can live life to the fullest. Recently we reached out on our social media channels for your questions about canine cancer treatments, and we’re excited to bring you answers in this post sponsored by PetCure Oncology, specialists who bring their expertise to specialty vet hospitals around the country, creating a network of comprehensive cancer care for pets. Your questions were answered by Dr. Kelsey Pohlmann, Head of the Radiation Oncology Services at PetCure Oncology at Care Center in Cincinnati, Ohio, and Dr. Neal Mauldin, Chief Medical Officer at PetCure Oncology. Dr. Mauldin is triple board-certified in the fields of veterinary internal medicine, medical oncology and radiation oncology.
Should people get a second opinion when a pet is diagnosed with cancer?
In most cases, a primary care veterinarian will assess your pet and may have a suspicion of cancer. They may even perform a fine needle aspirate or biopsy to confirm this suspicion. The next step is usually a referral to a specialist, typically a local medical oncologist. A medical oncologist specializes in cancer care in pets and should be able to discuss your pet’s diagnosis, treatment options, and prognosis. It’s important to remember that a specialist’s training and experience are shaped by where and when they completed their residency. As a result, they may not be aware of newer treatment modalities and available clinical trials.
Consider writing down a list of questions ahead of your appointment so you are prepared to gather the information you need to make an informed decision for your pet. If you aren’t satisfied with your discussion with your medical oncologist, it is never wrong to seek a second opinion from another specialist.
Is chemotherapy as hard on dogs as it is on people?
Cancer care in pets is approached differently than it is in human medicine. An unfortunate reality about our canine companions is that their life expectancy is naturally much shorter than ours. When treating human cancer patients, we may hope to add decades (even a lifetime in the case of pediatric cancer) to that patient’s life expectancy. Because of that, it’s appropriate to treat human patients very aggressively and accept significant side effects – short term pain for long-term gain.
In veterinary medicine, most of our patients are diagnosed at a geriatric age, and so the time they have left may be limited by their natural life expectancy as well as their cancer diagnosis. Because of this, and because we can’t explain to our pets what they are going through, we approach veterinary cancer therapy differently. We are always working to find a balance between minimizing the risk for side effects and maximizing our opportunity for tumor control. The result is that approximately 20% of patients will have a side effect from chemotherapy. Only about 5% will have severe side effects that require hospitalization for supportive care. If your pet has significant side effects with his or her first dose of chemotherapy, a dose reduction will be recommended for subsequent treatments. The goal is to complete the recommended treatment protocol while still maintaining an excellent quality of life throughout treatment!
What are some of the new cancer treatments out there for pets?
Veterinary cancer therapy is always evolving, as is human cancer therapy. Scientists are constantly working to develop new therapies as well as optimize our use of the classic therapies. Immunotherapy and personalized/targeted therapy are two very hot topics right now on both the human and veterinary side of cancer therapy.
Radiation therapy is also constantly evolving, with improvements in technology that facilitate more targeted delivery of radiation. Stereotactic radiation therapy (SRT) or stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) is one of those improvements that is already widely used in human cancer therapy and is becoming more available for veterinary patients. SRS uses CT-guidance to deliver highly focused radiation to the tumor while blocking or sparing the surrounding organs. This means fewer radiation treatments, lower risk for side effects, and better outcomes for the patients. Compared to conventional forms of radiation that may require 15-21 treatments, SRS patients undergo only 1-3 total treatments. Fewer treatments, fewer anesthetic events. If radiation has been mentioned as part of your pet’s treatment plan, SRS may be an option!
What is the first thing pet parents should do if their dog gets a cancer diagnosis?
Once your pet has been diagnosed with cancer, it’s important to learn about their diagnosis. Try to work with your primary care veterinarian or medical oncologist to understand your pet’s diagnosis, treatment options, and prognosis. Your veterinary oncologist may recommend additional tests, called staging, to help facilitate this conversation. The internet can be helpful, but try to seek reputable sources such as academically-supported websites (veterinary schools) or those created by a veterinary practice, such as PetCure Oncology’s “Pet Cancer Diagnosis: What to Expect” article. Talk with your family about the treatment options, so you can make an informed decision for your pet. Never be afraid to ask more questions!
I live in an area with no specialty vet hospital nearby. What are my options for cancer treatments for my dog?
If your dog has been diagnosed with cancer, but a specialist is out of reach, consider using a consult service to acquire more information. If chemotherapy is the best treatment option for your pet’s type of cancer, your primary care veterinarian may be able to consult with a specialist to develop an appropriate treatment protocol that is administered locally.
PetCure Oncology offers free consultations regarding your pet’s diagnosis and treatment options through their website: https://petcureoncology.com/pet-families/faq/. If you decide to pursue radiation therapy, the PetCure Oncology team will be happy to help arrange accommodations for your travel. And if SRS is determined to be the appropriate course of treatment, you and your pet can travel for treatment and return home within the week.
Are clinical trials a good choice for dogs with cancers?
Participating in a clinical trial is a fantastic way to help advance veterinary cancer care. Our canine and feline counterparts serve as translational models for human cancer, so any breakthroughs achieved through veterinary clinical trials will undoubtedly contribute to the development of human cancer care. Choosing a clinical trial over standard-of-care practice is a very personal decision, and should be discussed with your veterinary oncologist so you fully understand the risks and benefits (as with any cancer therapy). There is wide variation in the scientific evidence behind clinical trials. Make sure you understand the goals and expected outcome for any clinical trial you are considering and compare that with standard of care therapy for your pet’s diagnosis.
PetCure Oncology is currently enrolling dogs for a clinical trial evaluating SRS for primary lung tumors. In human medicine, SRS has been shown to achieve as good or better outcomes compared to surgery in patients with non-small cell lung cancer. We are hopeful to show similar outcomes for our canine companions. The treatment protocol for this clinical trial is very similar to the standard of care treatment we would recommend for a patient with a primary lung tumor not participating in the trial. The biggest difference is the diligent follow-up required to facilitate data collection for publication. If your pet has been diagnosed with a primary lung tumor, please contact us to find out if your pet is a candidate for this trial!
Cancer treatments can be expensive. Does pet insurance cover cancer care?
Pet insurance coverage is growing and improving every day. Treatment for cancer is covered by most insurance plans. You should talk with your primary care veterinarian about insurance coverage and compare the options for your pet. It’s important to remember that most companies do not cover pre-existing conditions, so you should enroll your pet when they are young and healthy to get the most benefit from an insurance program. Most veterinary hospitals accept credit cards, including third-party financing through CareCredit. CareCredit is a credit card that offers six-months no interest for veterinary care and is easy to apply for online.
For More About PetCure Oncology:
- Website: https://PetCureOncology.com/
- Email: [email protected]
- Call Support Center: (773) 850-3400
PetCure Oncology Locations:
As of Summer 2019, PetCure Oncology is located in 6 cities in the United States. You’ll find contact information for all locations at: https://petcureoncology.com/locations/.
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