Aug 29, 2022

Your Pet Has Cancer

Garden State Veterinary Specialists

“Your pet has cancer.” Those are sad, scary words. For many families, that is the end of their story, and they say their goodbyes to a beloved family member. For others, their journey is only beginning when they seek a consult with a veterinary oncologist. One of our GSVS family members made that journey with her dog, Dollo. 

Dollo was a special dog from the first day he met his family. Diagnosed with a heart murmur, his breeder sought a home for this special pup, and of course, during his cardiology appointment at GSVS, it was not hard to find one. Dollo went home that day with a staff member and became a part of the GSVS family. Life was good for Dollo. He liked people and tolerated other dogs, even in his own home.

Dollo was a Rottweiler and unfortunately, like some other full breed dogs, had a predilection toward cancer. Shortly before Dollo turned 8 years old, cancer reared its ugly head. Dollo was diagnosed with a nasal carcinoma by the GSVS oncology team. Faced with this diagnosis, his family considered their treatment options and most importantly what would be best for Dollo. 

Dollo had a tolerant personality and a love of life. If his family could maintain his quality of life, they were willing to pursue treatment of his cancer. And so, their journey began. Dollo had a particularly aggressive form of cancer, but he fought on. After one round of treatment, Dollo was fine for a time, but the cancer returned. Once again, his family was faced with the decision: to continue treatment or to stop. Dollo answered that question for them; he was happy and he enjoyed life, so they decided to continue the fight with him. 

Most cancers in pets have a good, though not an extremely long, response to treatment. Families are happy with the results, since for at least a time, they have their dog or cat back to where they were before the disease had impacted their quality of life. Unfortunately, the time does come eventually when the cancer beats even the most aggressive treatments and there is nothing more than can be done to continue the patient’s quality of life. For Dollo’s family, that time came when he would no longer eat, a sign many pets exhibit when they can no longer continue to fight their disease. Dollo eventually passed on in the loving embrace of his GSVS family who supported him and his family until he was ready to cross the rainbow bridge. 

The field of veterinary oncology is filled with loss but also with love, hope and sometimes even joy. Giving Dollo’s family and other families extra time with their beloved furry family members and preserving their quality of life is the ultimate objective of the GSVS oncology team. 

The information contained in this article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace the advice of your veterinarian.    

when they seek a consult with a veterinary oncologist. One of our GSVS family members made that journey with her dog, Dollo. 

Dollo was a special dog from the first day he met his family. Diagnosed with a heart murmur, his breeder sought a home for this special pup, and of course, during his cardiology appointment at GSVS, it was not hard to find one. Dollo went home that day with a staff member and became a part of the GSVS family. Life was good for Dollo. He liked people and tolerated other dogs, even in his own home.

Dollo was a Rottweiler and unfortunately, like some other full breed dogs, had a predilection toward cancer. Shortly before Dollo turned 8 years old, cancer reared its ugly head. Dollo was diagnosed with a nasal carcinoma by the GSVS oncology team. Faced with this diagnosis, his family considered their treatment options and most importantly what would be best for Dollo. 

Dollo had a tolerant personality and a love of life. If his family could maintain his quality of life, they were willing to pursue treatment of his cancer. And so, their journey began. Dollo had a particularly aggressive form of cancer, but he fought on. After one round of treatment, Dollo was fine for a time, but the cancer returned. Once again, his family was faced with the decision: to continue treatment or to stop. Dollo answered that question for them; he was happy and he enjoyed life, so they decided to continue the fight with him. 

Most cancers in pets have a good, though not an extremely long, response to treatment. Families are happy with the results, since for at least a time, they have their dog or cat back to where they were before the disease had impacted their quality of life. Unfortunately, the time does come eventually when the cancer beats even the most aggressive treatments and there is nothing more than can be done to continue the patient’s quality of life. For Dollo’s family, that time came when he would no longer eat, a sign many pets exhibit when they can no longer continue to fight their disease. Dollo eventually passed on in the loving embrace of his GSVS family who supported him and his family until he was ready to cross the rainbow bridge. 

The field of veterinary oncology is filled with loss but also with love, hope and sometimes even joy. Giving Dollo’s family and other families extra time with their beloved furry family members and preserving their quality of life is the ultimate objective of the GSVS oncology team. 

The information contained in this article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace the advice of your veterinarian.