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Any experience with chemo for dogs?

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methomps

methomps

an imbecility, a stupidity without name
Anyone have a dog go through chemo? I'm naturally skeptical that it is the right thing to do given quality of life return and expense, but a little research on the intertubes says that dogs fair better with chemo (less symptoms). I don't know why this would be true and I wonder if it really accounts for pain given that animals are very good at hiding pain.

So anyone have any experience with it before I reject the possibility?
 
BTN had a feature on this on a half hour show this past week. I think the show was called OSU Showcase or OSU Campus Programming. They talked about the treatment and research on dogs with cancer at tOSU's James Cancer Hospital.
 
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I can't really fathom the possibility of doing chemo on a pet. I would hate to have to put a dog down because he had cancer, but I think I would have to. Seems to me it would be cost prohibitive for one, probably torturous to the dog (that is, the Dog has no idea why he's being injected with poison - unlike a person who can reason), and unlike - as you say - to result in a quality of life for the animal in the future.

Of course, all that said, I've never explored the possibility either. It just strikes me as a bit of a scam, I guess. I'm sorry about your dog, though. Sucks hardcore.
 
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I don't have personal experience, but cancer treatments with some friends' pets (none that I knew well enough to give you detailed advice) seemed to be pretty brutal and miserable on all parties involved.

As you've touched on, it's more than just life or death, it's about how miserable that life is while you prolong the fight against that death. It might be successful, it might not, but either way it's going to be awful for your dog along the way :sad2:

Think about how much most dogs hate going to the vet for a mild little shot or having their rump plugged with a cold thermometer. I can't even fathom a multiplier to use to make that equal the realization of yet another medical torture treatment :(



I believe the 'less side effects' claim hinges a lot on the lower dosage they use for pets vs human chemo treatment.
 
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Buckeyeskickbuttocks;1737582; said:
I can't really fathom the possibility of doing chemo on a pet. I would hate to have to put a dog down because he had cancer, but I think I would have to. Seems to me it would be cost prohibitive for one, probably torturous to the dog (that is, the Dog has no idea why he's being injected with poison - unlike a person who can reason), and unlike - as you say - to result in a quality of life for the animal in the future.

Of course, all that said, I've never explored the possibility either. It just strikes me as a bit of a scam, I guess. I'm sorry about your dog, though. Sucks hardcore.
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My sentiments exactly. :(
 
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Stay tuned... I will have a post after conferring with experts... I think I know... but before I post anything remotely wrong... I will make sure...

Pet cancer is much more significant here in Jersey than I ever experienced or was aware of in Ohio...
 
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My wife is a vet, and I can't think of a time when she's told me about a patient where she's suggested chemo, but I'm sure that she has suggested it in certain circumsances. Usually the stories that she tells me about pets with cancer either involve surgery, or having the "quality of life" talk with the owners. I'll ask her what her experiences are and get back to you.
 
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As you'd expect... there are no perfect answers... very similar to chemo and humans... chemo works and it doesn't...

Owners/doctors know in 2 or 3 sessions whether the dog is responding... the stronger the dog and often, the younger the dog.. the better the chances...

One younger dog has virtually kicked it and has lived 6+ years with no effects since her treatment

I have a house full of critters and it gets rough because it's such an emotional bond... I have a gorgeous female collie that is a nutcase... and the most adorable and affectionate animal I have ever been around...

IronBuckI's input should be equally edifying... it'll be quality...
 
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methomps, I emailed your post to my wife, and this was her response.

Chemotherapy is used differently in dogs and people. People have a much longer lifespan and chemo therefore is often used in more aggressive ways and in higher doses. They are willing to put a person through a few years of misery in order to destroy the cancer and have them live a longer life afterwords. Dogs on the other hand have much shorter lifespans. We would not put a dog through aggressive treatments for years only to have them die just a few years later. In dogs, chemotherapy is used at levels at which we can maintain quality of life while at the same time fighting the cancer. Some cancer may go into remission with treatment, or the chemo may be used more as palliative care--to keep the dog feeling good as long as possible. If a certain treatment is causing the pet to lose quality of life, it is likely that the treatment protocol will be changed.

Hope that helps,
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