The Dog Cancer Survival Guide (73 page)

“As our Jack Russell Terrier, Gorilla, starts to age and his health decline, we had to adjust his exercise, but we still insist on getting him out for some controlled exercise every day. Meditation, visualization exercises and massage are also a big part of our life. Our little “G-man” loves his Reiki sessions especially. He also gets great benefits from regular acupuncture and from the occasional hydrotherapy swim session.”

-Lola Michelin, Shoreline, Washington

“I have seen a difference in my puppy’s energy level and overall wellbeing. He seemed to chew at his feet a lot and he has completely stopped doing this. I am a true believer in the home-cooked meal.”

-Tina Holloway Johnson, Surprise, Arizona

All of these strategies engage the power of the body-mind connection to heal, reduce stress and elevate happiness. Engaging your dog in these activities might help him get an edge on cancer and it also bonds the two of you, which is guaranteed to make him feel better. I urge you to consider adding at least one to your daily routine. Now, it’s time for you to take a look at yourself, your budget, and your dog’s cancer case and do some serious analysis. When you’re ready to start, turn to the next chapter.

In this part of the book, you will begin to formulate your own Full Spectrum cancer care plan. To start, I will answer some questions that are frequently asked at this stage. We’ll also discuss pain and pain management, other life quality issues, and see some statistics on life expectancy in purebreds and mixed breed dogs. You’ll answer a series of questions, which will help you to identify your overall philosophy about cancer care and guide your treatment choices. We’ll work through each of the five Full Spectrum steps in a treatment plan analysis, and you’ll get you my best advice about how to take that plan to your veterinarian or oncologist. We’ll also cover working with loved ones who may be involved in your dog’s life, and you’ll learn how to keep a journal to stay organized. We’ll discuss outside-the-box ways to finance cancer treatments and, if you need it, there is a section dedicated to hospice care, euthanasia, and saying your final goodbyes.

I
want to take a moment now to congratulate you for getting this far. We’ve covered a tremendous amount of material and you’ve absorbed a lot of information. Even if you don’t yet have a firm plan in place, your dog will benefit from your research. You can be, and should be, proud of yourself for taking this time for education.

One of the most difficult things for many guardians to accept is the fact that there is no “one right way” to treat dog cancer. Depending upon the cancer, there may be too few treatments or too many – and not knowing which one will definitely benefit your dog can be tough.

This section is designed to help you take a step back and analyze what you’ve learned, so you can make confident decisions about your dog’s cancer. Obviously, although I cannot consult with you through the pages of a book, I can tell you how to consult yourself, and give you some advice about how to work with your vet or oncologist.

First, I’ll answer two very common questions guardians ask me at this point:

How do I know whether this treatment is really worth it?

I know I would do almost anything to help my dog. How do I know if treatment is for my dog, or really, for me?

These are important questions to consider before you draft a plan for your dog, so, let’s look at them now.

Sometimes guardians ask this when they have a limited budget, limited time to devote to nursing their dog or when they feel their dog may be very near the end of his life. They often recognize that treatment might help, but they are not sure whether they can provide it.

The sad truth is that cancer far too often wins, in the end. I firmly believe in, and have personally experienced, dogs who beat the odds, sometimes by large margins. Of course, I cannot predict that your dog will be among them.

“Learning about canine diet was one of the most important things I took away from my experience with canine cancer .... The change in food definitely helped keep my dog strong during chemotherapy because she wanted to eat the delicious, nutritious food. Her legacy lives on in the health of my other dogs because they are benefiting from what i learned from Dr. Dressler. This dietary improvement has made a positive difference for my elderly dog who suffers from arthritis, too.”

– Sarah N. Bertsch, Hudson, Wisconsin

Answering the question “is treatment really worth it?” tears at the heartstrings, no matter who you are. Contemplating the “worth” of your dog’s remaining time can seem cold and callous, and some guardians don’t even want to consciously contemplate the question.

It’s actually an excellent question and this section of the book will help you to answer it for yourself. No one else can do it for you. The “right” answer is as individual as your fingerprint and as unique as your dog.

The next part of this book will address all of the relevant issues, so that you can make a decision that truly is best for you and for your dog. Please read it with care.

Some guardians worry that, because they love their dogs so much, they will proceed with treatments that are not ultimately in their best interest. It’s true that some of us have a hard time differentiating between our own needs and the needs of our dogs. This is understandable, especially when there is a close and loving relationship in place. The best advice I have for you is to work the question from both angles.

I suggest writing down how your dog’s cancer and possible treatment looks from your own point of view, totally excluding your dog’s point of view. Get it all down. Are you worried about your dog’s dying? ...that you are somehow failing your dog if he doesn’t get better? ...that you won’t have tried everything possible? Are you worried about the logistics of getting to the vet for multiple treatments, taking time off from work or paying the bills? What about negatives, like wasting money or that a treatment won’t work? Write down everything you can.