Private Practice Oncology: Viewpoint on End-of-Life Decision-Making

Veterinary oncology has evolved rapidly over the past 30 years, with combinations of surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and radiation therapy now representing standard practice for managing pets with cancer. Recently, additional effort has been directed toward optimizing palliative strategies for mitigating clinical signs associated with advanced-stage disease, thereby reducing patient morbidity as pet owners navigate end-of-life decision making. This is a multi-dimensional, individualized process, which demands attention to the primary neoplastic condition, concurrent diseases, and emotional needs of the family. An approach to oncologic referral and end-of-life care is described, with attention to the dynamics between oncologist, referring veterinarian, and client.