Palliative care

Canine Arthritis Management (CAM) is an educational initiative set up by Sussex practitioner Hannah Capon to improve the quality of life for the 80% of older dogs in the UK with joint disease. Hannah spoke to Companion about efforts she and her team are making to dispense advice to pet owners to help them better recognize signs of pain, and advise their vets on how they can do more to remedy the problem.

When the time comes to make that difficult decision to end the life of a beloved pet, emotions run high and the process can leave owners and professionals alike feeling bereft. The Blue Cross offers that much-needed support when saying goodbye.

Until recently, there has been a tendency to consider the behaviour of animals as being separate from, and even immaterial to, their physical health. However, there is now strong evidence that the emotional state of both human and veterinary patients not only influences their behaviour, but also has a profound influence on the onset of, and recovery from, disease. This chapter explains Negative emotional states; Behavioural signs; The stress response; Emotional state, stress and disease; Negative emotional states in dogs in the veterinary practice and in long term care; Negative emotional states in cats in the veterinary practice and in long term care; and Other tools for reducing negative emotional states in dogs and cats.

The field of oncology covers myriad presentation with ever increasing numbers of strategies for management. Important distinctions can be made between cancer that is managed by curative surgery and that which is managed by palliative therapy (including non-curative surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy or a combination of these). . This chapter observes Owner considerations; Intercurrent disease; Risks of systemic chemotherapy to the patient; and Waxing and waning course of disease. Case examples: Osteosarcoma in a dog; Lymphoma in a dog; Oral tumour in a dog; Anal sac gland carcinoma and hypercalcaemia in a dog; Insulinoma in a dog; Leukaemia in a cat; Sarcoma in a cat; Pituitary tumour and acromegaly in a cat.