Getting your dog through chemotherapy can seem daunting. If your first thought is that you’ll be putting your pet through a difficult journey that only brings discomfort, you’re not alone. In a 2023 VCA Pet CancerCare Alliance survey, 66% of the participants believed that cancer therapy is cost-prohibitive, and 45% that treatments cause pain and adverse effects. Only 35% of the total claim to want to adhere to the veterinarian’s cancer treatment plan.
The treatment should never be worse than the disease.
Chemotherapy targets and kills rapidly dividing cells. In humans, it’s designed to be a strong hit to cure cancer and extend a patient’s life. It’s primary goal in pets isn’t to extend time in exchange for their health but to give them the best quality of life possible, longer than would otherwise be possible without treatment.
For this reason, veterinary professionals will ensure that the pet looks and feels good at every step of the process, applying the maximum tolerated dose to result in the fewest adverse effects. If a combination or treatment isn’t working, they will switch protocols, doses, or combinations until hitting the spot.
Dogs are incredibly good at tolerating chemotherapy and adverse effects are unusual, regardless of age, overall health, and even how advanced their condition is. The most common side effects are gastrointestinal upset, vomiting, and diarrhea, for which all owners are given medication beforehand; a temporary loss of appetite, and a drop in energy levels that can last for a few days after treatment. Hair loss is not as common in dogs as in humans because fur is not continuously growing, so dogs are unlikely to go bald during therapy. However, there are a few breeds that can experience hair thinning, like Poodles and Doodles, but only for a short period.
While chemotherapy may not be side-effect-free, monitoring and managing those side effects prevent the chemo from negatively affecting the pet’s quality of life. Although there may be more frequent veterinary visits due to treatment, pets receiving it lead relatively normal lives. They do not need to be separated from other humans or pets in the home, they can still sleep in their owner’s beds, exercise as they used to, and engage in many other daily activities. Multiple clinical studies that surveyed owners of pets on chemotherapy reported that 80-90% of these owners would choose chemo for their pets again.
Chemotherapy Is Not One-Size-Fits-All
One of the biggest stigmas with chemotherapy goes around the belief that it’s toxic to your pup. While it may collaterally affect healthy cells and tissue, the dose and exposition will never be close to affecting your dog in the long term, especially when dealing with hemangiosarcoma when it will be taken as a palliative measure for your dog to go through the disease feeling their best.
Treatment protocols typically happen every 2-3 weeks and last for about 4 to 6 cycles. The goal is to provide care as quickly and gently as possible to minimize your pet’s time in the hospital or clinic. Each oncologist may have a different approach, some may adopt a more aggressive treatment plan and be open to trying new protocols or drug combinations, while others might prefer a conservative approach that involves gradually increasing the dose using established protocols. There is no definitive right or wrong treatment strategy, whatever approach you choose with your team will always be helpful for your pup.
If you’re still afraid of the toll it may take or can’t stick to a schedule of frequent visits to the vet, you can always discuss with your team about metronomic therapy, which is given orally at home in lower doses over a longer treatment period.
While it is true that chemotherapy isn’t cheap, the cost can vary significantly depending on the protocol used and your team will help you tailor a plan to work for your pet’s sake and your financial situation. Additionally, there are always financing options like previously-owned pet insurance, angel funds, and clinical trials to help pursue treatment.
If you decide against chemotherapy, that’s okay too! Your team will give you a different path and all the information you need to make the decision that you feel works best for your dog.
Closing Thoughts
Every day brings new medical breakthroughs. Studies show that when treating hemangiosarcoma, a combination of therapies can work better and lead to longer survival times compared to standard treatments. As a caring pet owner, the best step you can take is to chat with specialists and oncologists, even when unsure. They’re there to answer your questions and help you navigate this journey, guiding you in giving your beloved companion the support they need.
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