Perhaps the most frightening word to any pet owner is cancer.  Whether we have had personal experience with it, or simply know of someone who has dealt with it, cancer is perceived as a hopeless and devastating disease. 

It is true that cancer is considered to be the number one natural cause of death in geriatric pets. But, within the last 10 years, veterinary medicine has made tremendous advances in the areas of control, support, pain management and even cure of the cancer patient.   One aspect of cancer treatment involves the use of specialized drugs that target cancer cells, this is known as chemotherapy.  Most chemotherapy can be performed here at Eden Pet Hospital.

Philosophy of Chemotherapy: There is an important distinction regarding chemotherapy in pets versus people.  In people, very high doses are routinely used in hopes of a cure.  But it also leads to fairly unpleasant side effects.  A person undergoing such therapy is aware of the severity of their disease and can understand the need for aggressive treatment.  This knowledge helps them to deal with the treatment they most undergo and focus on the ultimate goal, a cure. 

This is not the case with cats and dogs in the same situation.  Since they do not understand their disease, the experience of side effects would be too overwhelming for them.  For this reason, the veterinary community has made an ethical decision to use lower doses in our canine and feline companions.  The goal of therapy is a pain free remission from disease.  A remission is different from a cure.  It means that the cancer has been halted (and even reversed) in its tracks.  The lower doses allow for quality of life, but must be continued long term to keep the cancer suppressed.