Companion Animals

Companion Dog Cancer Pain Management

Pain management approaches for dogs with cancer, maintaining quality of life through treatment.

Key Facts

Cancer pain is under-recognised and undertreated in dogs with oncological disease
NSAIDs, opioids, and gabapentin are commonly used in multimodal cancer pain management
Radiotherapy can provide significant pain relief for bone tumours
Complementary approaches including acupuncture may support pain management
Quality of life assessment guides decisions about continuing or ending treatment

Welfare Considerations

Cancer pain management is a fundamental welfare responsibility for owners and veterinarians, and multimodal approaches significantly improve quality of life for cancer-affected dogs.

What You Can Do

Discuss comprehensive pain management with your veterinary oncologist
Use quality of life assessment tools to monitor your dog through cancer treatment
Know that palliative care focused on comfort is a compassionate choice