Ask Dr. Jenn: Should We Use Radiation for Our Older Dog Who Has Cancer?

Wow, at 16 ½ your dog, is old enough to get his driver’s license! Congratulations on taking such great care of him. After over sixteen years together, I am sure Rocco is more than just a pet, he is part of his family. I applaud you for thinking about what is best for him and his quality of life. 

This is a hard decision with a lot of factors to consider. First, you need to consider what grade the melanoma was given by the pathologist. They are graded as 1, 2, or 3. Grade one is the least aggressive with the longest survival rate and slowest to metastasize to other parts of the body. Grade 3 are the most aggressive. Radiation may stop it from recurring in the mouth, but there is still a good chance that it will spread to other parts of the body. Metastasis is often what affects their survival and quality of life. 

Rocco has cancer in his colon and in his lungs. Are these different types of cancer or metastatic spread of oral melanoma? If these lesions are metastatic melanomas, treating the tumor in the mouth may not improve his survival time. But if they are different types of cancer that carry a good prognosis and the oral tumor is a lower grade, radiation therapy may extend his life significantly. 

Unlike humans, dogs need to be anesthetized to receive radiation therapy. Radiation treatment protocols vary, and your pet may receive as many as five treatments a week or they may be weekly or every-other-week treatments. How is Rocco’s health overall? Can his heart, liver, lungs, and kidneys handle being anesthetized frequently if needed?  

Consider the treatment location. Radiation therapy in animals is a very specialized field and treatment facilities may be a long distance from your home. Does Rocco like car rides or is he anxious? For patients that need radiation daily, it is not uncommon for the dog to stay at the facility or a nearby boarding kennel during the weekdays and go home for the weekends. If needed, would Rocco tolerate boarding? 

Radiation therapy has side effects to the tissue being treated. It can cause burns, sores, and permanent damage to delicate tissue in the treatment field. Radiation oncologists develop a protocol that hones the radiation beams down to the smallest area possible, but depending on the location of the tumor, sometimes certain tissues can’t be avoided. 

When you asked this question, I am sure you were looking for an answer with more guidance, one that would list the benefits versus the risks, and give you more information about quantity of life versus quality. Unfortunately, there are so many variables between patients. Each case is different.   

My advice is to start with a consultation with the radiation oncologist.  They can tell you what treatment plan is best, whether Rocco’s body can handle the treatment, what side effects to expect, and give you an idea of how much time you would gain with Rocco. Then consider how all of this will affect Rocco’s quality of life in all areas – can he handle the car rides, the anesthesia, the side effects? Is the extra time worth it or would Rocco be happier being spoiled rotten for his remaining time?  

There is no right or wrong answer, it is not black and white. Once you have all the information, you and other trusted family members or friends can talk through the benefits versus risks of treatment. This will be the hardest decision you have to make .Regardless of whether you pursue treatment or not, know that you have given Rocco all he needs – a life filled with love. And I am sure he has returned the favor. 

“Dog’s lives are too short. It’s their only fault, really.” 

      -Agnes Sligh Turnbull