Companion Animal Welfare

Dog Cancer Pain Palliative Care

Cancer is the leading cause of death in older dogs - palliative care focused on quality of life enables good welfare through end of life.

Key Facts

Over 50% of dogs over 10 years old die from cancer
Osteosarcoma, lymphoma, and mast cell tumours are most common
Palliative care aims to maintain quality of life rather than cure
Gabapentin, tramadol, and NSAIDs form the foundation of cancer pain management
Quality of life assessment tools help owners and vets make end-of-life decisions

Welfare Considerations

Cancer pain in dogs is both real and manageable with modern palliative approaches. Good end-of-life care keeps dogs comfortable and maintains their quality of life until euthanasia is chosen - enabling a good death.

What You Can Do

Discuss palliative care options with your vet when cancer is diagnosed
Use quality of life assessment tools to guide end-of-life decisions
Ensure your dog has access to full pain management, not just standard NSAIDs