Cancer is the leading cause of death in dogs over 10 years old, and navigating treatment decisions requires careful attention to quality of life throughout the process.
Dog cancer welfare management requires ongoing quality of life assessment, not just oncological monitoring. Treatment decisions should account for the dog's experience throughout: clinic visits, medication administration, side effects, and overall vitality. Evidence-based quality of life tools help owners and vets make consistent, welfare-focused decisions that reflect the dog's experience rather than just clinical tumour response. The appropriate goal is maximising quality of life during the time available, not simply extending survival at any welfare cost.