Frequently Asked Questions about Cancer in Pets

Common questions regarding caring for your pet with cancer.

Pet

What is the difference between PET and PET/CT? Question I need to know What is the difference between PET and PET/CT? Is it better to get the PET/CT? Answer James Metz, MD, OncoLink Editor-in-Cheif, responds: A PET scan (positron emission tomography) looks at the biologic activity of a tumor, not the shape and size of a tumor. A CT scan give anatomic information like exact location, size,
PET Scan for Lung Cancer Question I am a medical student. I heard a lot of discussion of using PET scans as a diagnostic tool for staging non small-cell lung cancer. Can you provide me more information? Thanks! Answer Li Liu, MD, OncoLink editorial assistant, responds: Lung cancer is the leading cause of death from cancer for both men and women in the United States.
PET Scan for Small Cell Lung Cancer I would like to know the role of PET scan for small cell cancer. I was told by my doctor that small cell cancer not sensitive to FDG avidity. Please advise, thank you. Peeyush Bhargava, MD, Assistant Professor of nuclear medicine physician at both St. Luke's Roosevelt Hospital Center at the University Hospital of Columbia University College of
PET Scan in Lung Cancer Follow-up Question Can you address the use of PET scans for follow up after surgery? Answer Charles B. Simone II, MD, Radiation Oncologist at Penn Medicine, responds: There are no recommendations that are widely agreed upon for how to follow patients once they have completed therapy for lung cancer. The options are to use chest x-rays, CT scans, or CT-PET
Raw Diet for Pets with Cancer Question I've read that a diet free of grains may slow the cancer, is this accurate? what are the panel's thoughts on the Budwig diet or flax oil/cottage cheese combination? Erika Krick, VMD, DACVIM, Veterinary Medical Oncologist, University of Pennsylvania, responds: Answer There are no clinical studies of grain free diets in dogs with cancer.
Common Symptoms of Pet Cancer Question What are signs and symptoms that my pet may have cancer? Erika Krick, VMD, DACVIM Veterinary Medical Oncologist, University of Pennsylvania, responds: Answer Some common signs of cancer in pets include a lump that you can see or feel, wounds that do not heal, and unexplained weight loss, decreased appetite, or loss of energy. More
Radiation Therapy for Pets Question My dog's oncologist recommended radiation therapy (I didn't even know they did that in animals!) How can you get them to stay still? And what kind of side effects should we expect? Lili Duda, VMD, MBE, DACVR Veterinary Radiation Oncologist- University of Pennsylvania, responds: Answer Radiation therapy is a standard treatment for many
Tests to Diagnose Cancer in a Pet Question My dog has a new lump growing on his leg. What tests can be done to find out if it is cancer? Can they be done economically? Erika Krick, VMD, DACVIM Veterinary Medical Oncologist, University of Pennsylvania, responds: Answer Tests that your vet may recommend (after examining the lump and your dog) include a needle aspirate or a
Dealing with Cost of Cancer Treatment for Pets Question This treatment must be expensive. Does pet medical insurance cover cancer treatments? What if I don't have insurance for my pet- how do people afford this? Christina Bach, Oncology Social Worker at Penn Medicine, responds: Pet insurance is a fairly new and rapidly developing and changing business. There are many plans available, and
How Frequent is Cancer Treatment in a Pet Question How frequently (number weeks or days per week?) will a dog have to get radiation or chemotherapy? Erika Krick, VMD, DACVIM Veterinary Medical Oncologist, University of Pennsylvania, responds: Answer That depends on the type of cancer and treatment options. Learn more about treatment options for animals with cancer. This question and
Is My Pet Suffering? Question How do I know if my pet is suffering? Lili Duda, VMD, MBE, DACVR Veterinary Radiation Oncologist- University of Pennsylvania, responds: Answer Suffering is a hard thing to define and quantify, whether it is happening in a pet or a person. For our veterinary patients, we assume that if something would hurt or distress a person, it would
Children Around Pets Getting Cancer Treatment Question If a pet is getting treated for cancer, can he be around my small children? Erika Krick, VMD, DACVIM Veterinary Medical Oncologist, University of Pennsylvania responds: It depends on the type of treatment your dog is receiving. The potential concerns would be any exposure of your children to vomit, urine, or feces after a pet has been
Pain Management for Pets with Cancer Question My dog was just diagnosed with primary bone cancer (yesterday in fact). She is already 3 legged so amputation is not an option and the vet said that the best we could is to just keep her comfortable until we feel it is time to put her out of her pain. Could you address pain management options and any suggestions as to how/ when to make
Common Cancers in Pets Question What are common types of cancer in pets? Erika Krick, VMD, DACVIM Veterinary Medical Oncologist, University of Pennsylvania, responds: Answer Lymphoma is common in both dogs and cats. Other common cancers in dogs include mast cell tumors, bone cancer, hemangiosarcoma, and mammary tumors, and other common cancers in cats include
When to Stop Treatment in a Pet Question How do we know when it is time stop any treatment and to say good-bye to my pet? Christina Bach, Oncology Social Worker at Penn Medicine, responds: Knowing when to stop treatment and say good-bye to your pet is a challenge. It is important to talk with your veterinarian about signs and symptoms to be aware of that could mean your
Hospice Care for Pets Question Do they have hospice for dogs? He is older and I don't want to put him through chemotherapy, but I also don't want him to be in pain. What can I expect it to cost to keep him comfortable? Christina Bach, Oncology Social Worker at Penn Medicine, responds: Veterinary Hospice is also relatively new and still developing. It is not offered
Bereavement Support for Pet Owners Question Is there bereavement support for pet owners? Christina Bach, Oncology Social Worker at Penn Medicine, responds: Bereavement support is available through many veterinary offices and hospitals as well as through private practice. Many large academic veterinary hospitals offer pet loss support groups. Here is a listing of pet loss
Helping Kids Cope with Loss of a Pet Helping Kids Cope with Loss of a Pet Question How can I help my kids cope with the loss of a pet? Christina Bach, Oncology Social Worker at Penn Medicine, responds: It is important to be open and honest with your children about what has happened to their cat/dog, while be age appropriate. Young children (under 4) don't always understand the
Coping with Pet Loss: Hotlines Question Are there any hotlines to call and talk to someone about Pet Loss? Christina Bach, Oncology Social Worker at Penn Medicine, responds: There are hotlines available for pet loss support. Here is a helpful link to pet loss hotlines: http://vet.osu.edu/vmc/pet-loss-support-hotlines-and-helplines This question and answer was part of the
Donating a Pet's Body to Science Question Can I donate my pet's body to veterinary science? Lili Duda, VMD, MBE, DACVR Veterinary Radiation Oncologist- University of Pennsylvania, responds: Answer Many veterinary schools have Educational Memorial Programs through which owners can donate their pets' bodies to veterinary medical science. Typically these donations are used to
Foods to Avoid for Pets with Cancer Question For a dog with a history of mast cell tumors, are there any foods that should be avoided? I've read that there are certain foods that contain high levels of histamine? Lili Duda, VMD, MBE, DACVR Veterinary Radiation Oncologist- University of Pennsylvania, responds: Answer There are no specific diets we recommend for prevention or
Are pets a concern during cancer treatment? Dear OncoLink "Ask The Experts," I was just diagnosed with colon cancer and I am about to begin chemotherapy. Will my "house pets" (cat) cause any problems during chemotherapy? Carolyn Vachani, MSN, RN, AOCN, OncoLink's Medical Correspondent, responds: The reason that pets may be a concern to patients undergoing chemotherapy
PET/CT for Ovarian Cancer Dear OncoLink "Ask The Experts," I was diagnosed with fallopian cancer January 2006 had surgery and 6 chemo treatments ending July 2006. My Gynecologic Oncologist ordered a PET/CT in February 2007. My insurance company is refusing to pay for the scan saying it is not a proven for my type of cancer. I'm looking for research data that will support
Exposure of Other Pets to Chemotherapy Dear OncoLink "Ask The Experts," My 5-year-old Border Collie/Lab mix Annie was recently diagnosed with stage III lymphoma. We started chemotherapy treatments with Asparaginase (Elspar), Prednisone, and Vincristine, followed by 4 days of Cytoxan and 6 daily doses of Prednisone, which will eventually scale back to once every other day. So far Annie
Use of Anti-oxidants with Chemotherapy in Pets Dear OncoLink "Ask The Experts," Would you please comment on the administration of antioxidants (vitamins A, C, E) as supplementation to doxorubicin chemotherapy for canine mammary gland tumors, namely the ranges of allowed doses and routes of administration? Karin Sorenmo, VMD, Director of the Medical Oncology division at The Ryan Veterinary
Clinical Trials for Pets Dear OncoLink "Ask The Experts," How can I find clinical trials for my dog who has been diagnosed with cancer?Lili Duda, VMD, Section Editor of the OncoLink Veterinary Oncology Menu, responds: That's a good question. Clinical trials can give you access to new therapies and help those animals who are diagnosed in the future - including humans, as
Immunizations and Boarding for Pets with Cancer Dear OncoLink "Ask The Experts," Can a pet receiving chemotherapy for lymphosarcoma receive regular immunizations? Can they be boarded?Lili Duda, VMD, Section Editor of the OncoLink Veterinary Oncology Menu, responds:In general, cats and dogs receiving chemotherapy for lymphoma or any other cancers should have their routine vaccinations deferred
PET for breast cancers and melanoma Dear OncoLink "Ask The Experts," Can you explain why PET is used in breast cancer and melanoma? Peeyush Bhargava MD, Chief Fellow in the Department of Nuclear Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, responds:PET scans are very useful in both patients with breast cancers and patients with melanoma. In patients with breast cancers,
The role of PET scanning in lymphoma Dear OncoLink "Ask The Experts," I would like to have some idea about the role of PET scan in lymphomas. Should we use PET even if CT scan is normal? Does a negative PET Scan exclude and positive confirm residual disease? Peeyush Bhargava MD, Chief Fellow in the Department of Nuclear Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, responds:PET
PET scan for evaluation lung nodules Dear OncoLink "Ask The Experts," I have a nodule in my right lung. Please tell me about the advantages of having a PET Scan test done to determine if this nodule is cancerous or not. Is this a painful test? Please tell me what will be done to me during this test - Is similar to a CAT Scan, hopefully not similar to the MRI of which I fear going
The Role of PET in Melanoma Dear OncoLink "Ask The Experts," My Aunt (age 58) just got diagnosed with Malignant Melanoma on the back of her shoulder. I think it is a good idea for her to get tested to make sure it did not spread to her lymph nodes and lungs. Would a PET scan be the best way to detect the spread of cancer to my Aunts lymph nodes and lungs? Are there any
Usefulness of PET scans Dear OncoLink "Ask The Experts," I have heard that there is a new scan for cancer patients? that is called a PET scan. They say that it lets doctors detect the exact location of the cancer. This keeps patients from having to have surgery to locate the cancer. Can you tell me more? Peeyush Bhargava, MD, Chief Fellow in the Department of
Measuring the SUV (Standardized Uptake Value) for PET scans Dear OncoLink "Ask The Experts," I have had three PET scans for my malignant melanoma. My first one was April 2000 to evaluate me for Interferon; it was negative. The second was October 2001 because I had another lymph node swollen. That PET was negative except for that node. My last one June 2002 showed low activity in legs and neck. What is
Can cancer patients be evaluated annually with PET scanning? Dear OncoLink "Ask The Experts," Why can't cancer patients be evaluated annually with PET scanning? If it is simply a matter of cost, can't a patient pay for one his/herself? It would be worth the cost for the peace of mind gained. Peeyush Bhargava, MD, Chief Fellow in the Department of Nuclear Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania,
FDG PET for Sarcoma Dear OncoLink "Ask The Experts," Is pet imaging helpful for people with scarcoma? 8 weeks ago I had a large uterine leiomyoscarcoma tumor removed. Peeyush Bhargava, MD, Chief Fellow in the Department of Nuclear Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, responds:Although Medicare does not reimburse for PET imaging in patients with sarcoma, it
F-18 FDG PET in the Evaluation of Hepatocellular Cancer Dear OncoLink "Ask The Experts," I just found out that I have liver cancer and the oncologist wants to do a PET Scan. She told me the reason for this test, but I'm not sure I understand. Can you explain? Peeyush Bhargava, MD, Chief Fellow in the Department of Nuclear Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, responds:PET scans using FDG have
PET Scans with a Pacemaker Dear OncoLink "Ask The Experts," My 88 yr. old mother is scheduled to have a PET scan this week but has a pacemaker. Can this test be performed on a patient with a pacemaker?Peeyush Bhargava, MD, Chief Fellow in the Department of Nuclear Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, responds:Patients with metallic implants, prostheses, pacemakers, or
PET Sensitivity and Lymph Nodes Dear OncoLink "Ask The Experts," I am from Australia and I was hoping you may be able to point me in the direction of any relevant research articles (or give your advice). My husband had a PET scan before his surgery for squamous cell carcinoma of his lung. The PET scan did not identify any lymph node involvement, but when he had the surgery, 4
Can PET Scan Tell Type of Tumor? Dear OncoLink "Ask The Experts," My father had a surgery for stomach cancer three years ago. Recently, he was found to have some tumor around his neck. His PET scan result shows that he has tumor. Can the PET test check out whether the tumor is malignant or not? Can it also tell whether the tumor around the neck indicates the same stomach cancer
PET Scan after Surgery or Radiation Dear OncoLink "Ask The Experts," I know a woman who had a lobectomy after being diagnosed with lung cancer. She was told that she did not need adjuvant chemotherapy. She just had a PET scan which showed at least one lymph node that was "glowing". She has been told that the PET should not have been done so soon after surgery and that the
PET Scan Sensitivity for Colon Cancer Dear OncoLink "Ask The Experts," My husband was diagnosed with Stage 3 signet ring cell adenocarcinoma in December 2005 and had 5 months of chemotherapy. Within the past month, his CEA level has risen from 1.5 to 3.4. His doctor ordered a PET scan, and the results came back clear. It showed absolutely nothing. Are there any cancers that don't show
Pet Scan and Lung Cancer Size Dear OncoLink "Ask The Experts," How large does a lung nodule have to be for a PET scan to be accurate or the test of choice? Anil Vachani, MD, Attending Physician at the University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, responds:Pet is generally not recommended for lesions under 8mm. See Pulmonary Nodule on CT for more information.
PET Scans Following CRC Treatment Dear OncoLink "Ask The Experts," My father (60 year old male, reasonably healthy, diabetic) underwent a colon resection and removed a tumor from the rectosigmoid junction. His cancer is graded Stage IIIB and he got chemotherapy after. His follow up is with CT scans- Is this reliable? Would a PET scan be more sensitive? His doctors have indicated a
Side Effects of Chemotherapy in Animals Question What side effects could I expect my dog to have from chemotherapy? When do they start and how long will they last? Are there medications to treat these or make them not as bad? Erika Krick, VMD, DACVIM Veterinary Medical Oncologist, University of Pennsylvania, responds: Answer The most common side effects of chemotherapy in dogs
Clinical Trials for Animals with Cancer Question Are there clinical trials for pets with cancer? If so, how do you find them? Erika Krick, VMD, DACVIM Veterinary Medical Oncologist, University of Pennsylvania, responds: Answer There are multiple ongoing clinical trials for pets with cancer. You can go to the Veterinary Cancer Society website at vetcancersociety.org for more
What NSAID is commonly recommended? Question What NSAID is commonly recommended? My vet is currently recommending Neurontin and gabapentin. Might Tramadol be a better option in your experience? Lili Duda, VMD, MBE, DACVR Veterinary Radiation Oncologist- University of Pennsylvania, responds: Answer We typically recommend a combination of medications, with frequent monitoring and
Considering Surgery for Sarcoma Question My dog has a soft tissue sarcoma just distal to his stifle. It is about the size of the end of your small finger. I am concerned about having surgery and not getting all the margins...is surgery the best option? Lili Duda, VMD, MBE, DACVR Veterinary Radiation Oncologist- University of Pennsylvania, responds: Answer When considering
Euthanasia at Home Question Can my pet be euthanized at home? Christina Bach, Oncology Social Worker at Penn Medicine, responds: The availability of in home euthanasia varies state to state based on laws and regulations. You should talk with your veterinarian if this is an option for you (if he/she can provide this or if he/she knows someone who does). There is
Cancer Prevention Research in Animals Question Is there any research into cancer prevention in animals? Erika Krick, VMD, DACVIM Veterinary Medical Oncologist, University of Pennsylvania, responds: Answer Most research related to cancer in veterinary patients focuses on cancer causes and treatment, not prevention yet. Currently there is no specific recommendation to prevent cancer