Our thanks to our friends at PetCure Oncology for this article.
Receiving the news that your dog or cat has cancer can be devastating. You probably have a lot of worries, questions and concerns. Know that it’s ok to ask for help and further information.
Your pet is a member of your family, and their health and comfort are important to you. To give them the best care and make the most appropriate treatment decision, you need to have all the facts. It’s important for you to be able to talk candidly and openly with your pet’s cancer care team.
Utilize this worksheet when preparing for a visit with your veterinarian or specialist. Ask the right questions to get the answers you need to make the best decision for your pet’s cancer treatment.
Information to Share with Your Vet Prior to Your Visit
Bring your pet’s medical records to your appointment or share with them ahead of time, if possible. Veterinarians can better assess your pet’s treatment outcomes with their health history at hand
Share your concerns with your vet about the treatment options presented (i.e. “Will there be side effects associated with the treatment?” or “Will my pet experience a change in their ability to do daily activities (quality of life)?”)
Share what is important to you and what is best for your family (i.e. “I want more time with my pet” or “I want him/her to play at the beach again”)
Discuss the cost of treatment and share if you have pet insurance. Many insurance companies will cover the cost of treatment for cancer care. Payment options like CareCredit may also be available
Questions to Ask Your Vet When Your Pet Has Been Diagnosed with Cancer
Exactly what kind of cancer does my pet have?
Where is the cancer located? Has it spread?
What is the cancer grade? What does that mean?
What are my pet’s treatment options?
—Surgery —Chemotherapy —Conventional Radiation
—Drugs (comfort) —Immunotherapy —Stereotactic Radiation (SRS/SRT)
—Euthanasia —Other —Palliative Radiation
What are the risks and benefits for each treatment?
What is a reasonable outcome for my pet (survival time) based on the recommended treatment?
Does my pet need additional testing or evaluation?
Can I get a copy of my pet’s records and pathology report?
Questions to Ask Your Vet When You’re Deciding to Treat Your Pet’s Cancer
How much experience do you have treating this type of cancer?
Should my pet be referred to a board-certified specialist?
What are the signs that the cancer is progressing?
Do you have any specific concerns for my pet?
What are the risks and side effects for this treatment?
Where is this treatment available?
How long does treatment last?
How much does each treatment cost? Will pet insurance cover the fees? Can CareCredit be utilized?
Are there additional costs outside of treatment I should consider? Travel costs or boarding fees?
What are the chances the cancer will come back with this treatment?
If that happens, what’s the next step in treatment?
Questions to Ask Your Vet During Cancer Treatment
How do we know if the treatment is working? What should I look out for?
What can I do to manage the side effects for my pet?
What symptoms or side effects should I tell you about right away? What’s an emergency or a concern?
Will my pet need additional tests or imaging, and how often?
Should I change my pet’s diet?
Can my pet still exercise? Should I limit certain kinds of activity?
PetCure Oncology Pet Advocate Team
PetCure Oncology has launched a new, rapid-response call center for pet parents who may be struggling with a dog or cat’s cancer diagnosis. The “call” center is staffed by full-time Pet Advocates that are trained and ready to receive pet parent phone calls, emails, or form submissions. They will help talk through the nature of a pet’s cancer diagnosis and connect pet owners with educational resources to better manage their pet’s care.
The Pet Advocate Team is here to empower pet owners with the tools necessary to navigate their pet’s cancer diagnosis, explore treatment options and talk through the wishes and needs for their pet. The Pet Advocate Team is available at 833-PET-HERO or by visiting our website at PetCureOncology.com.
For more information and resources, visit PetCureOncology.com
