Caregiving

How to Care for and Comfort a Dog with Cancer

Recognizing Pain and Discomfort

• Difficulty breathing

• Loss of appetite

• Disinterest in favorite activities or people

• Limping, pacing, excessive panting, refusing to lie down

• Any unusual or abnormal behavior (pain is often subtle)

Alleviating Pain

• Vet-prescribed medications (oral, topical, or injections)

• Palliative radiation therapy

• Acupuncture for pain relief

• Comforting activities: short walks, quiet play, or simply cuddling together

Making Daily Life Easier

• Ramps: help dogs avoid stairs and reach beds/couches safely

• Diapers: improve quality of life; change often to prevent irritation

• Harnesses: provide support for weak hind legs or reduce neck pressure

• Wheelchairs: mobility support (consult a rehab vet first)

Diet & Supplements

• Feed high-quality food; avoid raw diets (cancer and treatment lower immunity)

• Cook fresh meat thoroughly to reduce infection risks

• Probiotics and supplements may support gut health and immunity

End-of-Life Care

• Pet hospice: focuses on comfort, stopping aggressive treatments, and maximizing quality of life

• Planning euthanasia: consider whether you prefer it at home or in a clinic, discuss early for your pet’s comfort and dignity

Treatment

Options for Managing Dog Cancer

Surgery

• Often the first line of treatment to remove tumors completely

• Can reduce tumor size for follow-up therapies

• Risks: anesthesia, wound complications, tumor recurrence

• Pain management needed during recovery

Chemotherapy

• Drugs (oral, IV, or injections) to kill cancer cells and slow growth/spread

• Commonly used for lymphoma, mast cell tumors, and osteosarcoma

• Side effects: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, lowered immunity

• Benefits: improves lifespan and quality of life

Radiation Therapy

• High-dose radiation damages cancer cells and shrinks tumors

• Can be conventional (multiple sessions) or stereotactic (high-precision, fewer treatments)

• Often used for nasal, brain, or large inoperable tumors

• Side effects: skin inflammation, oral ulcers, eye irritation, diarrhea

Immunotherapy

• Boosts the immune system to recognize and attack cancer

• Types: vaccines, checkpoint inhibitors, adoptive T-cell therapy

• Benefits: potential for remission, fewer side effects than chemo/radiation

• Limitations: only works for some cancers, still in clinical research, often very costly

Other Approaches

• Cryotherapy: uses extreme cold to kill small tumors (skin, eyelids, oral areas)

• Palliative Care: focuses on pain management rather than cure; may include low-dose radiation or medication to reduce suffering

Financial Considerations

• Surgery: ~$9,000

• Chemotherapy: ~$10,000 total (with each dose $150–600)

• Radiation: $6,000–10,000

• Treatments to extend life: ~$5,000

• Initial diagnosis: $1,000–2,000

• Financial aid may be available through nonprofit organizations (see Additional Resources page)