Cancer is the leading cause of death in older dogs, and welfare management during diagnosis, treatment, and end-of-life care is a critical and evolving field with significant new treatment options.
Dogs with cancer face welfare challenges at every stage: diagnostic procedures, treatment side effects, and declining end-of-life quality. Modern veterinary oncology prioritises quality of life alongside survival time. Palliative care that manages pain and maintains appetite and activity can provide months of good-quality life even when cure is not possible.