By Connor Cyrus
BURLINGTON, VT
According to the Animal Cancer Foundation, roughly 6 million new cancer diagnoses are made in dogs and cats each year. Peak Veterinarian Referral Center in Williston is a place one might go to seek a diagnosis or treatment.
“I thought it was crazy they were giving chemotherapy to dogs and cats,” said Kendra Knapik, a veterinary oncologist.
She remembers back to her time in veterinary school before she learned the positive impacts chemo can have on our furry friends.
“Chemotherapy in dogs and cats is very different than it is in people, with a focus– even if the cancers are the same– our focus is on quality of life, and we don’t treat dogs and cats as aggressively,” Knapik said.
The purpose of chemo in dogs and cats is to prolong their quality of life. However, the treatment will most likely put a dent in your wallet. Knapik says treating a dog for lymphoma is typically 19 weeks of chemotherapy and that can cost $5,000 to $7,000.
Before it gets to that point, Knapik says there are some things pet owners should watch, and the signs of cancer might sound familiar.
“Any abnormal lump or bump that a pet experiences. When that happens it’s important to take a pet to a veterinarian and have that lump or bump evaluated,” Knapik said.
She says lumps and bumps in middle age, older dogs are common and can be benign, fatty or cystic lesions, but she also says the only way to know for sure is to get the lump tested, and a consultation is going to cost just over $100.
There are three cancers she sees regularly: lymphoma, mast cell tumor and osteosarcoma. If chemo is the right treatment option for your pet, Knapik says the side effects are often very mild.
“I tell owners that we see side effects in only 10 to 20 percent of our canine and feline population. It’s pretty low. It’s not zero,” Knapik said.
The first thing she will do is talk about the cancer in your pet and ways to treat it. Then, she will have some discussions about what the treatment options are and explain what cancer is in your pet.
Chemo is not the only treatment option; she also offers palliative care options.
From The Puppy Up Foundation Here are the 10 Early Warning Signs of Cancer in our Companion Animals
1. Lumps
2. Lesions
3. Lameness
4. Appetite Loss
5. Lethargy
6. Weight Loss
7. Loud Odor
8. Loss of Normal Body Functions
9. Bleeding or Bloody Discharge
10. Labored Breathing
If you discover any of these in your animal, please don’t wait. Visit your veterinarian.
