Your dog has been diagnosed with cancer. It’s a scary situation and you want to learn everything you can about your dog’s condition and what the best treatment options are. You’ve heard that you should get a second opinion from a different veterinarian, but how does that work when your dog has cancer? I’m hereContinue reading “Should I Get a Second Opinion on My Dog’s Cancer Diagnosis?”
Category Archives: Managing Your Emotions
Coping and Grieving: Adults and Children Losing a Dog from Cancer
*Excerpts from ‘The Behavioral Side to Canine Cancer” written by Amber L. Drake (Chapter 8) Children are vulnerable enough already, and the whole idea of death is not something that they entirely understand. They are usually pretty close to our beloved dogs, as our children tend to spend a great deal of their time withContinue reading “Coping and Grieving: Adults and Children Losing a Dog from Cancer”
Decompensation in Dogs with Cancer
Diseases like cancer are not always as apparent as we think they are. Decompensation in dogs with cancer isn’t always gradually apparent. They do not knock on the door and notify you that they have started to take root. Sometimes signs and symptoms can start to show up after they have embedded themselves deeply intoContinue reading “Decompensation in Dogs with Cancer”
Signs Your Dog is Dying
This title itself may be enough to scare the living daylights out of you. After all, dogs are loyal companions that will stay by your side to love and comfort you until their last breath. Even the possibility of losing them can feel like an immense burden is weighing you deep into the ground. HereContinue reading “Signs Your Dog is Dying”
Your Dog’s Happiness and Cancer
Dogs with cancer should still exercise. Exercise helps physical and mental health. It can help eliminate or reduce stress. Exercise may also help to build or maintain muscle that has been affected or deteriorated from the cancer. Sleep is also key here. Exercise helps dogs sleep significantly better at night (since it gives them increasedContinue reading “Your Dog’s Happiness and Cancer”
Questions at Your First Vet Visit
You have now narrowed down who you want to work with to one to three veterinarians. When you arrive at your appointment for the first vet visit, you’ll want to absorb as much information as possible. Questions you may want to ask yourself include: Was the clinic easy to get to? What’s the parking like?Continue reading “Questions at Your First Vet Visit”
Logical Decisions at a Painful Time
I can be the first one to tell you; logical decisions are a bit ‘out the window’ once you hear those three words, “she has cancer.” Since making the right decision for you is so incredibly difficult, it’s best to write it out with a pen and paper under careful consideration. One of the bestContinue reading “Logical Decisions at a Painful Time”
Keeping a Dog Cancer Journal
One of the main activities I always encourage is…keep a journal. Writing in a journal is a great way to get organized, but it can be hard to know how to start. To help you out, here are some tips for making the most of your writing time: Make sure you have enough space inContinue reading “Keeping a Dog Cancer Journal”
Understanding In Home Euthanasia
Dogs are meant to be part of the family. They look in our direction when they need comfort and reassurance, especially when it comes to the vet’s clinic. This feeling gets even more heightened when they are sick and in need of the presence of their owners. You can see the confusion and heartbreak whenContinue reading “Understanding In Home Euthanasia”
Making Choices for Your Dog
Some clients I have encountered decide they don’t want to treat the cancer. What do I say? What does the veterinarian say in these cases? There’s no black and white answer when it comes to putting your dog through treatment. And, when it comes to our dogs, it generally doesn’t come down to the moneyContinue reading “Making Choices for Your Dog”