Canine and Feline Geriatric Oncology: Honoring the Human Animal Bond »

Alice Villalobos, DVM, is the 2005-2006 President of the American Association of Human Animal Bond Veterinarians, Director of Animal Oncology Consultation Service in Woodland Hills and Torrance, California. She is also Director of Pawspice, an end-of-life care consultation clinic in Norwalk, California, and Founder of the Peter Zippi Memorial Fund, which has placed over 11,000 animals in homes. Dr. Villalobos received the UC Davis Alumni Achievement Award and the Leo Bustad Companion Animal Veterinarian Award for her pioneering role in bringing oncology services to companion animal practice. She writes and lectures on veterinary cancer care at national and regional veterinary conferences worldwide, sharing her unparalleled 35 years of experience in this field.

Laurie Kaplan, MSC, organized and edited the work. Laurie is a medical animal writer and author of “Help Your Dog Fight Cancer: An Overview of Home Care Options.” She is the former editor-in-chief of Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine’s Catnip newsmagazine, a member of Dog Writers Association of America, Inc., and administrator of the Magic Bullet Fund, a program of the Perseus Foundation that finances cancer treatment for dogs.

Half the population of dogs and cats aged 10 and over will die of neoplasia. The bonds that clients have developed with their older pets are especially strong and drive the increasing demand for more proficient and highly compassionate medical treatment of companion animals diagnosed with cancer.

This book offers more than just a competent clinical approach to the most common tumors in dogs and cats. This book also offers a focus on the special needs of geriatric pets and their owners.

Amply illustrated with dozens of case studies representative of those regularly encountered in practice, Canine and Feline Geriatric Oncology will provide readers with the tools needed to diagnose and treat aging pets with cancer, and to help clients make the best decisions for themselves and for the animals with whom they share their lives.

Canine and Feline Geriatric Oncology is a unique resource. It is a useful oncology reference for specialists, veterinarians in general practice, veterinary technicians, and clinic staff. The many "what ifs" that the practitioner inevitably faces in interactions with clients and their aging pets with cancer are presented and discussed.

Special Features:

* Focuses on the special needs of geriatric pets and their caregivers;

* Offers direction in the diagnosis and treatment of aging pets with cancer;

* Addresses many of the "what ifs" that arise in interactions with clients and aging pets with cancer;

* Amply illustrated with full color throughout;

* A valuable reference for practicing veterinarians, technicians, hospital staff, and professionals involved in supportivecounseling for pet caregivers.

Preface.

Acknowledgements.

Introduction.

Part One.

Chapter 1 Molecular Biology of Cancer and Aging.

Chapter 2 What is Needed in Geriatric Oncology Aside from Treatment.

Part Two.

Chapter 3 Warning Signs of Cancer in Geriatric Dogs and Cats.

Chapter 4 Basic Types of Cancer and Biological Behavior.

Chapter 5 Generating the Diagnosis Part Three.

Chapter 6 Treating Cancer in Geriatric Patients.

6A Introduction to Cancer Care for Geriatrics.

6B Surgery for Geriatric Oncology Patients.

6C Chemotherapy for Geriatric Oncology Patients.

6D Adverse Effects From Chemotherapy.

6E Radiation Therapy for Geriatric Cancer Patients.

6F Immunotherapy, Vaccines, Gene Therapy.

6G Chemoprevention and Immunonutrition.

6H Integrative, Complimentary Medicine.

Chapter 7 Pain Control for the Geriatric Oncology Patient in Treatment.

Chapter 8 Decision Making with Advanced Stage Cancer and Recurrence.

Chapter 9 When and How to Decide That a Geriatric Cancer Patient is Terminal.

Chapter 10 Palliation and Pawspice Care.

Chapter 11 Euthanasia of the Geriatric Oncology Patient.

Appendix 1. Specific Tumor Protocols.

Appendix 2. Handouts for Clients.

Appendix 3. Cartoon Maps.

Index