My dog has Cancer. What now?
You just heard your veterinarian utter that awful word. The big C. CANCER. She outlines treatment options and costs, but your mind is a whirl.
- How could this have happened to my best friend?
- Is this a death sentence?
- Can I afford treatment?
- What should I do now?
I know the feeling. I’ve been there multiple times with my dogs. Kaylee and Cassie have provided me with many learning opportunities about caring for dogs with cancer.
Canine Cancer Concerns provides information on caring for your dog.
After receiving Kaylee’s diagnosis of osteosarcoma, a fast growing bone cancer, I read story after story of dogs dying within a few months. Finally, I found one short comment on a forum page about a dog living for two years. That one post gave me hope that I want to pass onto you.
Kaylee did indeed live exactly two years from when she started showing symptoms, during which I learned a tremendous amount about caring for handicapped dogs. Some of these techniques I applied eleven years later when Cassie developed a brain tumor.
Send me your stories
Please submit your stories about caring for your cancer stricken dogs. My goal for Canine Cancer Concerns is to provide a source of information for everyone who ever hears these dreaded words from their veterinarian. Please leave comments, let me know what products or methods have worked for you, and send your dog’s story and a photo through my contact page.
Sandy Kubillus
You can also visit my Enviro-Dog website and my freelance copywriting website at Kay9Environmental.
My friend’s dog had cancer, and she went to the best doctors for treatments. His life was happily prolonged because of the care he got.
That’s great to hear! So often it’s such a hard decision to make especially if cancer strikes a senior dog.
Cancer is such a scary word, I hope this will become a wonderful resource for people when they need it most.
I hope so too!
I only had 1 month until I lost my previous cat from her cancer diagnosis. She was a senior cat and had been so healthy until that last 6 months. I knew something was wrong with her, but the vets kept saying they couldn’t find anything wrong.
Cancer can often be very hard to diagnose, especially when it is very deep. My vet thinks that is what happened with my cocker spaniel, Chipper.
I’ve never had experience with a dog with cancer but as unfortunately as it is that you’ve had not one but two dogs with cancer I’m sure your stories will be so helpful to parents who just found out about their dogs cancer and are looking for that glimmer of hope that you found!
Thank you. Chipper, my cocker spaniel also likely had cancer. We just never were able to fully diagnose what type since he became anemic and surgery was no longer an option. Over 50% of older dogs die from cancer. You have been very lucky.
We are from Willowbrook and we had a very loyal and loving Golden Retriever named Max. His playful nature and wagging tail brought joy to everyone. One day, we noticed he wasn’t his usual energetic self. After a visit to the vet, we received the heartbreaking news – Max had cancer. Determined to give him the best care, we embarked on a journey of providing regular treatments and unwavering affection. We stood by him through his toughest days. Despite the challenges, Max’s spirit remained resilient. In the end, cancer took its toll, and Max passed away surrounded by the love of his family. Though grief-stricken, we found comfort in knowing we had given him a life filled with love and happiness. Max’s memory lives on, forever etched in our hearts as the brave and cherished friend who taught us the true meaning of unconditional love.
Thank you for sharing. It’s very hard to lose a dog to cancer. They try so much to please us, even when they are in pain. I’m sorry for your loss.