End of Life Care in Dog Cancer
Dr. Demian Dressler is internationally recognized as “the dog cancer vet” because of his innovations in the field of dog cancer management, and the popularity of his blog here at Dog Cancer Blog. The owner of South Shore Veterinary Care, a full-service veterinary hospital in Maui, Hawaii, Dr. Dressler studied Animal Physiology and received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of California at Davis before earning his Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from Cornell University. After practicing at Killewald Animal Hospital in Amherst, New York, he returned to his home state, Hawaii, to practice at the East Honolulu Pet Hospital before heading home to Maui to open his own hospital. Dr. Dressler consults both dog lovers and veterinary professionals, and is sought after as a speaker on topics ranging from the links between lifestyle choices and disease, nutrition and cancer, and animal ethics. His television appearances include “Ask the Vet” segments on local news programs. He is the author of The Dog Cancer Survival Guide: Full Spectrum Treatments to Optimize Your Dog’s Life Quality and Longevity. He is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, the Hawaii Veterinary Medical Association, the American Association of Avian Veterinarians, the National Animal Supplement Council and CORE (Comparative Orthopedic Research Evaluation). He is also an advisory board member for Pacific Primate Sanctuary.
Updated: December 7th, 2018
The end of life stage can be very hard on everyone. It often is gut-wrenching to see your dear companion start to say goodbye.
Like any weighty decision, sometimes the emotions involved can paralyze our ability to choose.
During these times it is so important to gain some clarity by seeking support in counselors, support groups, spiritual leaders, old friends and the like.
For more on gaining some clarity during these difficult times, see The Dog Cancer Coping Guide.
If a decision is made to try to make your dear friend comfortable during the departure stage (as opposed to letting him or her go), I would like to go over a few items.
a. Diet: at this point we forget about the standard dog cancer diets. Most dogs in this state don’t want to eat much and appetite stimulants (B complex, prednisolone, anabolic steroids, cyproheptadine) don’t do much to help. Go ahead and tempt your dog with the good (tasty) stuff.
b. Pain control: essential. Try Tramadol, amantadine, NSAIDs like Metacam or Deramaxx, gabapentin, fentanyl patch, and long-acting morphine. Combinations must be used, and these drugs require veterinary supervision.
c. Hydration: you want to give your dog about 1 ounce per pound in a 24 hour period. So a 12 lb dog gets 12 oz over 24 hours. Try flavoring with a little low sodium broth or bullion. Have your vet teach you how to give subcutaneous fluids if you can’t hand-hydrate.
d. Prevent bed-sores: decubital ulcers (bed sores) happen in large dogs who don’t move much laying on hard surfaces. Roll your dog over, by rotating the legs under the belly/chest to flip, at least every 8-12 hours. Pad the surface well.
e. Prevent urine scald and fecal soiling: sponge bath at least two times daily if your dog cannot make it outside.
f. Improve life quality: bring your dog outside, go for a drive, massage, brush, stroke, talk to, sing to, tell your dog his or her life story from start to finish, and play with toys if possible. Apologize for anything and everything you could have done better. Touch therapies and acupuncture are options too.
This is a very tough time. However, if you are able to take the time to do things the right way, your dog’s goodbye can seem more like a farewell for now, my friend.
All my best,
Dr. D
Dr. Demian Dressler is internationally recognized as “the dog cancer vet” because of his innovations in the field of dog cancer management, and the popularity of his blog here at Dog Cancer Blog. The owner of South Shore Veterinary Care, a full-service veterinary hospital in Maui, Hawaii, Dr. Dressler studied Animal Physiology and received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of California at Davis before earning his Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from Cornell University. After practicing at Killewald Animal Hospital in Amherst, New York, he returned to his home state, Hawaii, to practice at the East Honolulu Pet Hospital before heading home to Maui to open his own hospital. Dr. Dressler consults both dog lovers and veterinary professionals, and is sought after as a speaker on topics ranging from the links between lifestyle choices and disease, nutrition and cancer, and animal ethics. His television appearances include “Ask the Vet” segments on local news programs. He is the author of The Dog Cancer Survival Guide: Full Spectrum Treatments to Optimize Your Dog’s Life Quality and Longevity. He is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, the Hawaii Veterinary Medical Association, the American Association of Avian Veterinarians, the National Animal Supplement Council and CORE (Comparative Orthopedic Research Evaluation). He is also an advisory board member for Pacific Primate Sanctuary.
This was such a beautiful piece. Thank you for your compassionate writing.
I can’t believe it but my girl, Brandy, was diagnosed last week with histiosarcoma. We just lost Sam February 23rd. I cannot believe this has happened. My poor sweet girl.
Dear Lona
I am very sorry to hear about your Brandy. I’m sending you my thoughts and condolences. 🙁
It can be very hard to believe that it is actually happening. Dog cancer is very common though, not that it makes it any easier for you during this hard time.
Maybe this post will help:
https://www.dogcancerblog.com/blog/grief-can-be-complicated/
https://www.dogcancerblog.com/blog/grief-not-a-four-letter-word/
https://www.washingtonpost.com/blog/national/health-science/the-death-of-pet-can-hurt-as-much-as-the-loss-of-a-relative/2012/02/21/gIQALXTXcS_story.html
Sending you my best
Dr D
I lost my sweet Sam yesterday. He started crashing Thursday night, and Friday he had trouble getting up. We were able to help him outside twice that day, and then he actually ate TWO cans of AD for dinner. He asked for food. But during the night things changed. I slept little, and felt him deteriorating. By Saturday morning he was suffering with very difficult breathing and was unable to get up or move. I held him for hours, talking and loving him, gave him some meds to help with confort, and held him as a blessed equine vet who lives around the corner came over and gently helped him cross the Rainbow Bridge. No local small animal vet in this area does house calls and I refused to have Sam’s last moments be of being sick in the car, (he got car sick very quickly). God sent this wonderful young woman to us and I will always be grateful. Sam is buried in a beautiful casket in the yard, between two big trees next to the screened gazebo where he used to sit for hours waiting in vain for the critters who made dens underneath to come and volunteer to be his treat. I have ordered a headstone for him, and buried him covered with a soft blanket and with the last chewie that he wouldn’t let go of Friday night. There is an aching hole in my heart. I cannot stop weeping. I will treasure the sweet, fun and funny memories always, and am grateful that his best friend Brandy is still with me.
I feel for everyone who has written here. I have been caring for my sweet 10 year old boy Sam as he has been dealing with lymphoma since his diagnosis late last June. I have been blessed to be able to provide any and all medications suggested by the oncologist who is caring from him, but to be honest I would happily give everything to find a cure. He is my world. He has been having chemo since diagnosis, was in remission twice, but does have some enlarged nodes again. We thought we were going to lose him 10 days ago when he took a serious step backards 3 days after a dose of LSPAR. Now we think that may have been tumor lysis. We just aren’t sure. I had been able to maintain his weight until very recently with canned AD, lots of homemade chicken and rice, chopped chicken livers, eggs and any tidbit he cared to have. He loves my homemade spaghetti and meatballs! He hasn’t tasted dog food, except for the AD, since he was diagnosed, and most of the time I hand feed him. I am blessed to be self employed and able to take the time he needs to care for him and take him to his doctor visits, which are about 50 miles away. I am now basically at the point where I have turned my house into a “puppy hospice”. I am determined to care for and love him in any way I can, and most importantly to keep him comfortable. I cannot bear the thought of having to end his life, and pray that he will pass quietly. I don’t know if I can make that call. He is truly part of me. I have loved other animals of all kinds, domestic and wild, but Sam is special. We have a unique bond; he found me and adopted me in 2005, and I simply cannot picture my world without him. I was diagnosed last year, and am now cancer free. I would happily trade places with my boy. I will keep you and your loved dogs in my prayers and ask that you do the same for me.
Hi I have a Sheltie mixed her name is Coco
She was dianosed with mast cell cancer back in Nov she had her leg amputated
In Nov! She started healing and then got vertigo
2 weeks after amputation. She healed from that and
We found two more tumors recently. Yesterday
She was eating and drinking and using the bathroom
Today Feb 14th she stop eating and drinking
She has no energy at all she’s been in one spot she’s has not
Moved. Vet has her on predisone she won’t even wag her tail
I’m heart broken Coco has Been in our lives since
2000 our children were young ! Now their 22,20 and 18
They are just so upset now we need to know if its
Time. Coco has only Been on Meds for two days we force feed her and force water in her what should we do we’re just lost 🙁
I AM WRITE TO ASK QUESTIONS THEY TOOK X-RAY of are shih-tzu and that was few week go and everything was good now i took her back to have her recheck and they did other x-ray and it show up that livercancer lung are basicaly cutin 1/2 of the breathing tumor is on lungs ,and she 17 year old ,and put her on meds but she still drink water and eat soft food because her teeth ,i would like to know what i can do to save her, please help me if you can .
Dear Ann,
that is a very large question to answer…here is a post to get you started:
https://www.dogcancerblog.com/blog/an-overview-of-what-else-can-i-do/
Best
Dr D
I just found out today, after about 9 months of false treatment that my dog Tia has Lymphoma Cancer at the side of her neck. They say she has two weeks left (if lucky), and i’m going to do as much of this as i can (as for im only 17). I always sing to her and talk to her. She falls asleep when i do. I hope i can have more time with her, we only just started connecting as best friends. Because me and her are like sisters, I’ve had her for almost 12 years. She is just like my older sister (horrible, smelly and annoying) but about 10 months ago we finally became best friends. I know nearly everything about her cancer now, and every morning when we both can’t get back to sleep i explain it to her, and i tell her how i wont let her suffocate to death. When i know that the time is here, i will tell my dad. She seems to understand me. They also say “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks”, this is a true fact. But ever since I’ve started re-teaching her we’ve had a great bond. She’s the one reason my family sticks together. Because my mum abandoned us, she turned into a mum, kind’of anyway. We got pet cats, and we can’t tell them off because their hers haha. She tells them off, then tells us off for telling them off. She’s a strange girl. Me and my dad said, if wolves can live long by just eating meat and herbs, then why not feed her like a wolf, and treat her like a princess. The cancer she has is so aggressive, the labs couldn’t identify the actual type of Lymphoma, the cells just died right infront of their eyes. Thanks for the article, it was beautiful (:
Dear Charlotte,
Thank you for sharing your experience. I hope it helps others going through similar experiences.
Best
Dr D
HI im INEED OF HELP 2 WEEKS AGO I HAD 2 HIFGT BREED WOLF WELL A WEEK AGO MY MALE WOLF WAS FALINNG DOWN AND JUST VERY WEEK AND OLD HE WAS 18 AND DOCK TOLD ME IT WAS TIME IT IS SO HARD AND NOW I THOUGHT MY FEMAL WAS MORNING BUT TODAY I WENT TO DOCTOERS BECASE SHE WASENT BRETHING TO GOOD AND THEY TOOK XRAY AND YES THERE WAS TUMERS BACK IN OCT THEY TOOK OFF A BIG BACE BALL THING ON HER BREST AND IT SPRED THEY SAID WELL NOW SHE HASENT EAT SENCE BEFOR HE DIED FOR THE LAST 3 DAYS SHE TAKES LIKE 5 LILBITES A DAY UTS SO VERY HARD NOW HER TOO SO I GOT ON THE COMPUTER AND FOUND THIS SITE I WANT TO THANK U BECASE I JUST WANT TO MAKE HER COMFORTABLE AS POSABLE AND U HELPED SOME THANK U DOES ENY ONE KNOW IF I CAN DO ENYTHING TO MAKE HER BRETH BETTER I LOV HER SO VERY MUCH AND WANT THE BEST FOR HER I KNOW ITS ABOUT THAT TIME SHE JUST IS SO TIRED AND WEEK SHE JUST DONT WANT TO GET UP ENY MORE I HAVE TO HELP HER UP TO TRY AND GET HER TO GO TO BATHROOM IM VERY GREATFUL FOR THE DOCTOR TELLIMG ME I CAN TAKE HER HOME FOR CUPPLE DAYS BUT I KNOW ITS ALL MOST TIME I JUST WISH SHE WOULD EAT WHAT TO DO JUST DONT KNOWU KNOW I HAVE 5 CHUHAWA PUPS THERES ONE THAT JUST WONT LEAVE HER ALONE AS A MATER FACKED SHES RIGHT NEXT TO HER NOW LAYING DOWN SO VER SWEET I THINK THE LORDS SENDING HER TO HER TO HELP SOUNDS FUNNY BUT I DO BELIVE IM SORRY THIS IS HELPING ME VENT JUST A LIL I WANT TO THAK U FOR UR ADD AND THANK U FOR LETING ME WRIGHT THIS AND ITS JUST SO HARD TO LOOSE UR BEST FRINDS THAT LOV U NO MATER WHAT THERE THER FOR U AND LOVING U I LOV U BEAR AND ILL SEE U SOON AND I LOV U PRESHESS UR MY HEART MOM LOV U 2 LIFE WONT BETHE SAME
Thank you for this article and your blog I am currently losing my best friend and companion of more than 13 years to an aggressive bone cancer and also has bad arthritis. I have been keeping her happy and comfortable and will say goodbye to her on Friday from when she will be a part of everything new again and free of her pain, I just want to be fair on her and of course do the right thing which can be so hard. I am thankful she has got more than her avg years being a large breed ridge back staffy cross and was spoilt rotten for all of them but still devastated regardless. 🙁
My heart goes out to anyone losing their loved ones and advise anyone with pets to check their food and treats are not imported as they generally radiate all such products.
Hi
My family and I are dealing with the loss of our 10 year old baby, Grizzly, a German Shepard cross. We had to let him go on the 24 November, so its just been a few days. He was diagnosed with spindle cell sarcoma on the 1st of November and things just spiralled out of control, so fast. We made his last days as comfortable as we could but there was nothing we could do to save him…it still feels like a dream, a nightmare.
He was perfect…in every way and had so much of love and happiness to spread around…
Thanks for the article..
And…my condolences to everyone that lost a baby to cancer…it hurts like hell!!!!!
Dear Renira,
sending you our condolences for your loss of Grizzly.
Remember the good times you shared…
Dr D