For example, you can ask us how a donation to our Veterinary Comparative Oncology Research Foundation can go toward an individual patient’s treatment costs. Feel free to say no, but I’m here if you need help walking the dog or running errands. Is there any way I can help you all out? For pets with cancer, there are often multiple treatment options, including euthanasia. Live in the Moment With Your Friend. Suggest Getting Another Pet. Alison and Brian of From Me to You, a letter-writing cancer charity, have graciously provided some expert tips to help make your holiday card preparation a little less daunting. 2001-2021  Finding the right words is so hard for anyone whose life cancer touches, whether you're the patient yourself or someone who loves a person with the disease. It can be difficult to know what to do or say when you find out that a friend’s pet has cancer. The news that your beloved dog or cat having cancer can be shocking and heart-breaking. Bring Up the Age Issue. See Additional Information ›. I’ll be praying for your family. Offers of help and support flood in when a human loved one is ill but this isn’t always the case when a pet is sick. So mentioning an animal's age isn't helpful to someone who's struggling with a pet’s mortality. For many people, the grief can be as intense as that experienced when losing a family member. Today it’s common to find people whose dogs have been treated for cancer. But when it comes to supporting someone whose pet has a potentially life-threatening illness, such as cancer, there aren't too many primers out there to tell you what you should and should not do — or even say. Powered by Brightspot. Be There — and Mean It. Rather than saying, “let me know if you need anything,” offer tangible support to your loved one, such as: Cost can be a touchy subject, but it’s also something that you can help with. Like this article? While there are treatments and methods for achieving remission or even curing cancer … It is perfectly normal to be sad and upset about the situation, and not know what to do, but it’s … The best part of this simple message? Rather than saying. Powered by Brightspot. She grieved his loss especially hard throughout the winter. Has your cat or dog been recently diagnosed with cancer? With pets living longer than ever, cancer has become a diagnosis that we see more commonly in older dogs. "I'm thinking of you." I would just say you're really sorry about what's happened to her dog - and assure her that she's done the best thing by going to the vet. Ponsulak/Shutterstock. Veterinary Website by Beyond Indigo Pets. It can be very difficult to find the right words that will provide comfort. offer tangible support to your loved one, such as: Keeping your friend company in the veterinary office waiting room, Picking up the pet’s prescription so your friend can stay at home with their dear four-legged friend, Watching the children while your friend takes his or her pet to an appointment, Offer to check on the pet while your friend is at work or away from the home, Cost can be a touchy subject, but it’s also something that you can help with. What Not to Say to a Cancer Patient . This peer-to-peer support is crucial in allowing survivors, fighters and supporters/caregivers to share firsthand experiences about treatment, side effects, long term effects and more.  If you’d rather not offer funds directly to your friend, but you’d still like to contribute to the pet’s veterinary care, consider a donation in that pet’s name. If you notice that your friend’s pet is shaved or bandaged, ask if she feels up to talking about the obvious health issue. But, she says, try to keep your own feelings in check and focus on the person who has been diagnosed. – You can’t fix your friend’s pet’s cancer but you can say, “I’m sorry” and offer a shoulder to cry on. How to Write a Card to Someone with Terminal Cancer; You can use one or more of the messages below as-is, or take inspiration from these examples to create your own heartfelt card. However, there may be a lot of needs that are unmet. What Not to Say or Do . "Every dog I pull has a medical deadline," she said, which means the animal needs medical attention fast. So we rounded up our top dos and don'ts for helping a friend or family member through this tough time. Wonder which dog or cat best fits your lifestyle? We’ve got the skinny on which foods are OK to feed him. September 19, 2016 Take our breed quiz to find your next pet. "It's frightening to hear someone talk about cancer, and we automatically think about ourselves," says Sarah Kelly, L.C.S.W., coordinator for older adult programs at CancerCare, a free cancer support resource center in New York City. Vetstreet does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. – Show your support by taking a few moments to research the pet’s particular condition and treatment protocol and by looking up pet cancer support groups in your area to refer your friend to if necessary. For many pet owners, it's comforting just to know that there's someone whom they can call to assist them with administering medications, or someone who can spend an afternoon with them in the vet’s office. But turning that desire … Read on for some must know tips on how to do the best for your pet (and yourself) in this most difficult time. Sometimes the best intentions can backfire and hurt more than help. Offer to watch the kids or walk the dog. Please enter an address, city and/or zip code. Tribute gifts are an excellent way to show your support, especially if the money goes toward canine or feline cancer research or to an animal shelter. – Cancer treatment can be costly but you can assume your friend has already discussed the financial responsibilities associated with the treatment protocol with his or her veterinarian and family. Veterinary oncology has progressed amazingly in the past two decades. It’s more hurtful when people ask … However, when they do get a new pet, celebrate the news without comparing that animal to the old one. "Your dog has cancer" is something that no one wants to hear, but as dogs are living longer than ever, cancer is something that many pet owners will face. It's Childhood Cancer Awareness month, and it got me thinking about how when we hear that someone we know has cancer, along with feeling scared and worried, what we usually feel is a desire to help. 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