The Treatment Journey

• Checklist of Questions for Your Consultation
• Glossary and Toxicity Profile of Chemotherapy Drugs Used in Veterinary Oncology
• Chemotherapy Safety at Home
• The WesternVet Cancer Centre Treatment Journey Guide (PDF)

Point of Excellence

- We've created a Treatment Journey Guide which includes much of the information you may need to help you anticipate and manage your pet's care and recovery throughout the treatment journey. WVCC believes the more you know, the better.

This Treatment Journey Guide is based on our many years of experience assisting the families of the dogs and cats that we treat for cancer. It will help you manage your pet's care and recovery at every stage of the journey, with fewer unexpected twists. The key is clear communication and active participation.

• Write things down: Write down questions you may have before each visit. Take notes during all discussions with the veterinary health care team about your pet's disease or treatment options. Recite information back to ensure that you understand completely.
• Seek support: Bring a friend or spouse with you when you talk to the veterinary health care team.
• Include the whole family: All discussions about your pet should involve everyone who loves your pet, including your children. Allow everyone to ask questions and express their opinions.
• Ask for printed materials or information: Use all the resources available to help you understand your pet's disease and treatment options, including books, magazines, pamphlets and the internet. However, it is always important to ask your health care team to help you assess the reliability and accuracy of all the information you obtain.
• Understand there are no incorrect decisions: You must not worry about what other people will think. You know your pet better than anyone else in the world. Once you have gathered all of the information you need, listen to your heart and you will make the right decisions.