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Dogs with cancer: How to tell if they’re in pain
Dogs with cancer: How to tell if they’re in pain
For dog owners:
Owners may think they know their pets — but can they really tell when they’re in pain?
A veterinarian-developed questionnaire has helped dog owners who are coping with chemotherapy for their pet to analyze and understand the animal’s quality of life, a new study has found.
of Michigan State University, created a simple rating system to rank quality of life, signs of anxiety, appetite, mobility, play activity and perceived pain level.
In each of the 29 cases in her final study, the dogs’ primary owners and the veterinarians completed the questionnaire for six months before the illness started, then at three and six weeks into chemotherapy.
“There was a need for owners and clinicians to find a common ground,” she told the Toronto Star. “This did help owners see what is really going on with the animal.”
Among her findings:
Owners were less likely to euthanize the dog prematurely or delay the decision too long once they could use the questionnaire to evaluate their pet’s behaviour.
Both owners and clinicians who used the questionnaire agreed on the dogs’ quality of life through the treatment.
“It was a good way to validate the study,” said Iliopoulou. The owners “agreed with a science point of view.”
Stress levels of owners in the midst of “a very tough task” did not influence their assessment of their pets.
The questionnaire identified the three most significant indicators of quality of life in dogs undergoing chemotherapy for cancer: changes in play behaviour, clinical signs of disease and happiness as perceived by the owner.
“Dogs are individuals. Some are couch potatoes, some are very active. Changes in their behaviour will not be the same.”
She pointed out that chemotherapy for dogs, unlike humans is usually palliative rather than curative.
In this study, two-thirds of the dogs survived. But all of the owners, she said, reported their dogs had a better quality of life after six weeks of treatment for pain.
The original study group started with 81 dogs and their owners, but became whittled to 29 as owners opted out of the study or out of chemotherapy itself.
Her next step, said Iliopoulou, will be to configure a bigger study over a longer duration to see how the findings of this initial study are borne out.
The study is published in the current Journal of the American Veterinary Association.
Read the Toronto Star’s series on pet health and medical care.
https://www.thestar.com/life/2013/06/17/dogs_with_cancer_how_to_tell_if_theyre_in_pain.html
Dogs with cancer: How to tell if they’re in pain
For dog owners:
Owners may think they know their pets — but can they really tell when they’re in pain?
A veterinarian-developed questionnaire has helped dog owners who are coping with chemotherapy for their pet to analyze and understand the animal’s quality of life, a new study has found.
of Michigan State University, created a simple rating system to rank quality of life, signs of anxiety, appetite, mobility, play activity and perceived pain level.
In each of the 29 cases in her final study, the dogs’ primary owners and the veterinarians completed the questionnaire for six months before the illness started, then at three and six weeks into chemotherapy.
“There was a need for owners and clinicians to find a common ground,” she told the Toronto Star. “This did help owners see what is really going on with the animal.”
Among her findings:
Owners were less likely to euthanize the dog prematurely or delay the decision too long once they could use the questionnaire to evaluate their pet’s behaviour.
Both owners and clinicians who used the questionnaire agreed on the dogs’ quality of life through the treatment.
“It was a good way to validate the study,” said Iliopoulou. The owners “agreed with a science point of view.”
Stress levels of owners in the midst of “a very tough task” did not influence their assessment of their pets.
The questionnaire identified the three most significant indicators of quality of life in dogs undergoing chemotherapy for cancer: changes in play behaviour, clinical signs of disease and happiness as perceived by the owner.
“Dogs are individuals. Some are couch potatoes, some are very active. Changes in their behaviour will not be the same.”
She pointed out that chemotherapy for dogs, unlike humans is usually palliative rather than curative.
In this study, two-thirds of the dogs survived. But all of the owners, she said, reported their dogs had a better quality of life after six weeks of treatment for pain.
The original study group started with 81 dogs and their owners, but became whittled to 29 as owners opted out of the study or out of chemotherapy itself.
Her next step, said Iliopoulou, will be to configure a bigger study over a longer duration to see how the findings of this initial study are borne out.
The study is published in the current Journal of the American Veterinary Association.
Read the Toronto Star’s series on pet health and medical care.
https://www.thestar.com/life/2013/06/17/dogs_with_cancer_how_to_tell_if_theyre_in_pain.html
Anonymous69
Senior Member
- Joined
- May 28, 2013
- Messages
- 1,211
Just like most humans :biggrin2:
“Dogs are individuals. Some are couch potatoes, some are very active. Changes in their behaviour will not be the same.”
“Dogs are individuals. Some are couch potatoes, some are very active. Changes in their behaviour will not be the same.”
Dog owners are like parents. They automatically know and feel if something is wrong with them.
Without question.
Great post Beer. Interesting read.
I had to make that devastating decision with my old dog. It was tough. Playing your own needs - wanted them to be around and the dog to be happy with their quality of life / pain and the difficult question of what their quality of life would be after the pain / treatment.
I am not looking forward to that with my new dog. He is only 2 so hopefullly those decisions will be a long way off.
I had to make that devastating decision with my old dog. It was tough. Playing your own needs - wanted them to be around and the dog to be happy with their quality of life / pain and the difficult question of what their quality of life would be after the pain / treatment.
I am not looking forward to that with my new dog. He is only 2 so hopefullly those decisions will be a long way off.
oldguyzer
Reviewer
- Joined
- Jun 19, 2011
- Messages
- 15,067
My last dog, a Doberman, was my best friend for 13 years. In the end, he was diagnosed with tumors and while he soldiered on, it became obvious his quality of life suffered and that's no way to treat a friend. Putting him down was the best, and worst thing I ever did for him. Damn, I miss him every day, even six years later.
L
LadyTY2Uall
Guest
- Thread starter
- #733
Mine was a German Shephard, she was 16. She was whining in her sleep but when awake still tried to drag herself around to follow me. Hardest thing I ever did was have her put to sleep. That was ten years ago and like you, I miss her every day.
W
Wanker
Guest
- Thread starter
- #734
That is a long time to miss her. Did you get another dog?.
L
LadyTY2Uall
Guest
- Thread starter
- #735
I rescued a Beagle a couple of years ago, she was a sweetheart but not a replacement for my Bear. I don't think I could ever find another one like her.
Gave the beagle to some people that had one already, they were better for her. Apartment living is not conducive to some breeds. One day, if/when I have a real 'home' I will think about another rescue animal. A home just is not the same without a dog in it.
L
LadyTY2Uall
Guest
- Thread starter
- #736
Chevy said:
ROFLMFAO I am SO glad I swallowed my coffee before seeing this.
L
LadyTY2Uall
Guest
- Thread starter
- #737
Sticky said:
ima boop your nose bwahahahahaaaaaa
Bosco this one is perfect for your next capture this thread :biggrin2:
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