Canine and Feline Geriatric Oncology

Alice Villalobos, DVM, is a past President of the American Association of Human Animal Bond Veterinarians, President Emeritus of the Society for Veterinary Medical Ethics, Fellow Emeritus of the National Academies of Practices, and a Founding Member of the Veterinary Cancer Society. She is Director of Animal Oncology Consultation Service in Hermosa Beach and Woodland Hills, California, USA. She is also Director of Pawspice, an end-of-life care consultation clinic.

Laurie Kaplan, MSC, is a medical animal writer in Ossining, New York, USA, founder and administrator of the Magic Bullet Fund, and author of Help Your Dog Fight Cancer: Empowerment for Dog Owners.

Foreword ix
Preface xi
Acknowledgements xiii
Introduction xv
Part One
Chapter 1 Molecular Biology of Cancer and Aging 3
Chapter 2 Caring for Geriatric Cancer Patients: The Concept of Pawspice and What Is Needed Aside from Medical Care 23
Part Two
Chapter 3 The Warning Signs of Cancer in Geriatric Pets 43
Chapter 4 Basic Types of Cancer and Their Biological Behavior 89
Chapter 5 Generating the Diagnosis and Prognosis of Cancer in Geriatric Pets 103
Part Three
Chapter 6 Treating Cancer in Geriatric Pets 137
Principles and Philosophic Perspective 137
The Role of Surgery in Cancer Management 144
Chemotherapy in the Management of Geriatric Cancer 152
Adverse Effects of Cancer Therapy in Geriatric Pets 165
The Role of Radiation Therapy in Cancer Management 184
Immunotherapy, Cancer Vaccines, and Gene Therapy 190
Chemoprevention and Immunonutrition 195
Integrative and Alternative Medicine 204
Electroporation and Electrochemotherapy
Chapter 7 Pain Control for the Geriatric Cancer Patient 213
Chapter 8 Decision Making with Advanced and Recurrent Cancer in the Geriatric Patient 241
Chapter 9 When and How to Decide That a Geriatric Cancer Patient Is Terminal 277
Chapter 10 Palliative Care: End of Life "Pawspice" Care 293
Chapter 11 Euthanasia for the Geriatric Cancer Patient 319
Chapter 12 The Veterinary Professional/Client Relationship: Supporting Your Clients Supporting Yourselves
Chapter 13 Professional Support: The Wellbeing of the Veterinarian and the Team
Appendix 1 Specific Tumor Protocols 335
Appendix 2 Handouts for Clients 351
Appendix 3 Cartoon Maps 361
Index