Canine and Feline Geriatric Oncology: Honoring the Human–Animal Bond

"Excellent job of teaching the art of dealing with terminal illness...made me rethink how I approach cancer patients and owners...helped me, my patients and clients."
VIN Reviews

"A wealth of case histories. These are instructive and touching, demonstrating the value of an individualized approach to each patient and owner."
Compendium

This new edition, written by a recognized pioneer in canine and feline oncology and end–of–life care, provides a complete clinical approach to the most common neoplasias in geriatric dogs and cats. Emphasizing the human–animal bond, the book features numerous vignettes and case studies to bring the clinical realities to life. Canine and Feline Geriatric Oncology: Honoring the Human–Animal Bond, Second Edition helps practitioners and their staffs to understand and fully address the special needs of geriatric pets in cancer care and their owners.

Provides the tools needed to diagnose and treat aging pets with cancer and to help clients make the best decisions for themselves and their animals Addresses the "what–ifs" that often arise during interactions with clients of aging pets with cancer and helps to determine when a pet should enter the hospice phase Features many vignettes and real–life case studies to demonstrate the issues faced by clinicians and owners dealing with older dogs and cats with cancer and end–of–life issues Fully updated and expanded with new and revised information, including new knowledge on palliative and hospice care and self–care techniques for carers

Canine and Feline Geriatric Oncology is an indispensable reference for practicing veterinarians, technicians, hospital staff, and professionals involved in supportive counseling for pet carers.

Foreword ix

Preface xiii

Acknowledgements xv

Introduction xix

Part One

Chapter 1 Molecular Biology of Cancer and Aging 3

Chapter 2 Caring for Geriatric Cancer Patients: The Concept of Pawspice and What Is Needed Aside from Medical Care 29

Part Two

Chapter 3 The Warning Signs of Cancer in Geriatric Pets 53

Chapter 4 Basic Types of Cancer and Their Biological Behavior 101

Chapter 5 Generating the Diagnosis and Prognosis of Cancer in Geriatric Pets 117

Part Three

Chapter 6 Treating Cancer in Geriatric Pets 153

Principles and Philosophic Perspective for Treating Geriatric Cancer Patients 153

The Role of Surgery in Cancer Management and When is It Too Much Surgery 162

Chemotherapy in the Management of Geriatric Cancer 171

Adverse Effects of Cancer Therapy in Geriatric Pets 188

The Role of Radiation Therapy in Cancer Management 208

Immunotherapy, Cancer Vaccines, and Gene Therapy 216

Chemoprevention and Immunonutrition for Cancer Patients 223

Integrative and Alternative Medicine 234

Electrochemotherapy (ECT)/Electroporation (EP) 239

Metronomic Chemotherapy in Dogs 246

Chapter 7 Pain Control for the Geriatric Cancer Patient 265

Chapter 8 Decision Making with Advanced and Recurrent Cancer in the Geriatric Patient 301

Chapter 9 When and How to Decide That a Geriatric Cancer Patient Is Terminal 345

Chapter 10 Palliative Care: End of Life Pawspice Care 367

Chapter 11 Euthanasia for the Geriatric Cancer Patient 399

Chapter 12 The Veterinary Professional/Client Relationship: Supporting Your Clients Supporting Yourselves 419

Chapter 13 Professional Support: The Well–Being of the Veterinarian and the Team 443

Appendix 1 Specific Tumor Protocols 451

Appendix 2 Handouts for Clients 465

Appendix 3 Canine and Feline Anatomy 477

Index 485

The authors

Alice Villalobos, DVM, is a past President of the American Association of Human Animal Bond Veterinarians, President Emeritus of the Society for Veterinary Medical Ethics, Fellow Emeritus of the National Academies of Practices, and a Founding Member of the Veterinary Cancer Society. She is Director of Animal Oncology Consultation Service in Hermosa Beach and Woodland Hills, California, USA. She is also Director of Pawspice, an end–of–life care consultation clinic.

Laurie Kaplan, MSC, is a medical animal writer in Ossining, New York, USA, founder and administrator of the Magic Bullet Fund, and author of Help Your Dog Fight Cancer: Empowerment for Dog Owners.