Once your dog has been diagnosed with spleen cancer, it is very important that you develop a plan for recognizing and responding to signs of pain. While there have yet to be conclusive studies about the levels of pain dogs suffer during cancer and cancer treatment, it is obvious that many dogs experience pain throughout. However, careful observation and treatment can help relieve the discomfort significantly.
Instructions
Look for symptoms. While some indications may vary, keep your eyes open for several common warning signs. These include hesitancy to move, loss of appetite, changes in your dog's demeanor, sad body language, whimpering or whining, increased attention to the painful area (licking, scratching, etc.), or heavy breathing. Also, watch to see if your dog's temperament changes. Consider that your dog's age and breed may play a role in how much pain it expresses. If you have a small dog, especially a toy breed, it will probably be more vocal about its pain than a larger breed. Older dogs are often less expressive than young dogs.
Provide your dog with a dietary supplement. This will help equip your dog's body to cope with the pain of spleen cancer. Both omega-3 fatty acids and bioflavinoids are especially helpful in relieving pain.
Familiarize yourself with the various medications available to your dog. These generally fall into four classes: nonopioid analgesics, steroids, weak opioid drugs, and strong opioid drugs, most of which are administered orally. Some common drug names include ketoprofen, acetominaphen, dexalone, and neurotonin. Your vet will prescribe one (or a combination) of these drugs depending on your dog's condition, breed, personality, and individual pain tolerance. You may also wish to speak with your veterinarian about any over-the-counter medications that are safe for your dog.
Stretch and massage your dog's muscles. As with any human, working the muscles helps to improve circulation and relieve soreness and tension. Since your dog is probably spending significantly less time exercising, it is especially important to take steps to encourage blood flow in the muscles.
Purchase a quality bed for your dog. A supportive mattress will help relieve your dog's pain and provide protection against any additional stiffness from sleeping on the floor. Some dog beds come complete with a heating pad and vibrating massage unit to help ease pain and increase blood flow.
Consider acupuncture. While some may be skeptical about this approach, a recent article published by the U.S. National Library of Medicine showed that dogs that undergo acupuncture experienced a decrease in pain by as much as 36 percent, compared with a 2 percent decrease with placebo.