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Part II<\/a> of this blog covered treatment options for mast cell tumors and factors to include in your decision-making process. This final installment will cover monitoring your pet\u2019s health, appreciating the time you have together, grief support resources, and I\u2019ll provide an update on my dog, Sally.<\/p>\n If your pet has had one or more mast cell tumors, you will be assigned a recheck schedule by your pet\u2019s family veterinarian or oncologist. It will probably involve appointments to check for lumps and bumps every three weeks to three months, depending on your pet\u2019s medical history and whether <\/span>complete surgical margins<\/i><\/strong> were obtained (see Part II<\/a> of this blog for more on that.) At home, thoroughly examine your entire pet for new growths at least once a month. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Since gastrointestinal signs can also be a sign of undetected cancer, reach out to your veterinarian if your pet has diarrhea<\/a>, vomiting<\/a>, loss of appetite<\/a>, or bloody stool. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n If <\/span>you\u2019re<\/span> like me, your pet\u2019s cancer scare may have you thinking about making the most of the time you have left with your pet. Even if your pet\u2019s cancer was <\/span>essentially cured<\/span> by surgical removal of the mass, you may have had an unwelcome glimpse into your pet\u2019s mortality. Instead of allowing that fear to paralyze you, consider that none of us are guaranteed a certain lifespan, and it is incumbent upon us to make the most of the one life we have.<\/strong> Here are some ideas to get your creative juices flowing on how we can do that <\/span>regarding<\/span> our pets:<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n You can give your pet the most peaceful passing by considering in advance how you will know when <\/span>it\u2019s<\/span><\/strong> time to choose euthanasia<\/a>.<\/strong> This way, you can make clearer, more rational decisions <\/span>regarding<\/span> your pet\u2019s quality of life. Your pet\u2019s veterinary team can talk you through your pet\u2019s specific prognosis and expectations, but you can also <\/span>utilize<\/span> tools and resources such as the \u201c<\/span><\/span>Five Favorite Things Rule<\/span><\/span><\/a>\u201d and a <\/span><\/span>Quality of Life<\/span> Scale<\/span><\/span><\/a> to help you better recognize and prepare for when it may be time to consider end-of-life care.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n If your pet passes away from their cancer, one of the most important things you can do is show yourself compassion, acknowledge that you\u2019re grieving<\/a>, and give yourself permission to feel how you feel.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n It can be challenging to go through deep loss alone. Consider sharing your experience with a trusted friend or family member. At AERC, we offer a Pet Loss Support Group that meets virtually once a month. You can find other groups, including in-person ones, as well as quality of life scales, counseling services, and other resources on our Pet Loss Support page<\/a>. <\/span>You can also find blogs about the topic of pet loss on our website by typing \u201cpet loss\u201d in the search bar on the homepage<\/a>. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Remember, grieving is a personal process, and everyone experiences it differently.<\/strong> It\u2019s important to take the time to work through your own personal sorrow.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Sally receiving Electrochemotherapy with Animal Emergency & Referral Center of Minnesota’s Oncology Service.<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n Sally received both of the electrochemotherapy treatments<\/strong> AERC\u2019s Oncology Service<\/a> recommended.\u00a0 Electrochemotherapy<\/strong> involves injecting chemotherapy systemically into a vein, then administering electropulses around the surgical incision to increase the likelihood that remaining cancer cells will absorb the chemotherapy. The skin around the surgical incision is covered with clear, protective jelly to help ensure it won\u2019t get burned by the electropulses, and the pet is under anesthesia during the whole process. Sally\u2019s treatments went smoothly. Afterwards, she was prescribed medications for nausea, diarrhea, and pain. She experienced all three for about 12 hours, then she was back to her normal, happy self.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Unfortunately, via the bloodwork that we had done prior to Sally\u2019s surgical appointment, it was discovered that Sally also has chronic kidney disease. It remains to be seen how serious it is, and more data points are needed before coming to any conclusions about how Sally\u2019s lifespan will be affected. In the meantime, we have switched her food to an early renal diet to support her kidneys\u2019 need for a lower protein diet while also trying to balance her muscles\u2019 need for protein support.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n While this situation with Sally\u2019s multiple illnesses sometimes feels overwhelming and unusual, I suspect that it is not uncommon. These animals that we love so dearly are not unlike elderly humans in that sometimes, while we\u2019re managing one disease process, another one crops up, seemingly out of the blue. I have had to accept that regardless of my plans for her to live to a ripe old age, Sally\u2019s body may not be able to hold her here as long as I would prefer. But we will cross that bridge when we come to it, together. In the meantime, I am appreciating every moment I have with her. If your pet has cancer, I hope you can do the same.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Learn more about Animal Emergency & Referral Center of Minnesota’s Oncology Service here<\/a>.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n More Reading:<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\nMonitoring Your Pet\u2019s Health after Treatment<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n
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<\/p>\nAppreciating the <\/span>Time<\/span> You Have with Your Pet<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n
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<\/p>\nGrief Support Resources<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n
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Update on Sally<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n
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