Today, I am going to discuss something very close to my heart and very difficult to talk to any client about.

As you all know, I work closely with canine cancer as it is one of my specializations. Most of the time, I handle the behavioral or homeopathic side of canine cancer (as the dog is undergoing medical treatments), but there are times when a pet parent decides not to treat the cancer medically. This could either mean the pet parent does not want her dog to live out his last days on anti-cancer medication or the cancer has simply gone too far.

There’s no right or wrong decision here. And, this is not an easy decision by any means. This is a time-sensitive decision, though. The more time that goes by, the more time the cancer has to spread.

NO GUARANTEE

Unfortunately, with any treatment, there is no 100% guarantee it will work. Some cancers are less aggressive than others, though. And, some dogs can go into remission and live many more years comfortably. It’s a chance, a risk, that you have to be willing to take whether you choose to treat or not to treat.

NATURAL OPTIONS

Even if you decide not to treat medically, there are things you can do to make the process easier and potentially slow down metastasis (spread of cancer). I want to disclose here, I work alongside a veterinarian so I am able to handle your dog’s behavioral side (happiness, joys of life, any behavioral issues, etc). Any medical questions (chemo, anti-cancer drugs, etc.) must be discussed with your veterinarian.

EXPERIENCE

The veterinarian I have alongside is Dr. Demian Dressler out of Maui. If your dog has cancer, and even if he does not, I highly recommend grabbing his book. I have learned so much from him as the ‘dog cancer vet,’ and his book is extraordinary (no, I do not gain any profits from this). His book is called ‘The Dog Cancer Survival Guide’ and you can find it at dogcancerblog.com. If you look around, you will also see my writings on there to our insanely large clientele.

Unfortunately, one in two dogs (one in three in some studies) will have a cancer diagnosis in their lifetime.

TREATMENT

My dog had esophageal cancer. She was Pembroke Welsh Corgi and she died at ten years old. She had an amazing life, she was my very best friend growing up and she went everywhere with my friends and I. She was even a part of my wedding and wore a veil! I did all I could to help her, but I wish I knew then what I know now about the behavioral side of cancer. I treated the medical side the best I could with help from my veterinarian, Dr. Inkely in Randolph (highly recommend his practice).

When I was picked up by Dressler, I had no idea what he had in store for me. But, wow, I learned the behavioral side of treatment is equally as important because that’s what controls the joys of your dog’s life in her last days. The behavioral side also explains what she is permitted to do, what she isn’t permitted to do, what can help her, mental stimulation, etc.

There are an unbelievable number of aspects on the behavioral side of cancer and I am incredibly grateful for all he has taught me in regard to this. And, I am so proud to have learned from the veterinarian coined ‘the dog cancer vet.’

I have talked to hundreds of clients who have dogs with cancer. I have heard their success stories, I have listened to them cry, I have cried with them. Your dog being diagnosed with cancer is a terrible experience, but please understand you can make their last days incredible even if you decide not to treat. And, please, never feel guilty about your decision. You know what is best for your dog.

That’s all the space I have for today. Please feel free to follow my work at Facebook.com/specialistamberdrake. I do my best to post all of my articles on there as they are written. If you are searching for a particular article written in the past, you may want to review my portfolio at TheAmberDrake.org.