Nutrition for cats and dogs diagnosed with cancer.

Cancer-associated weight loss
Cancer cachexia (a term referring to progressive severe weight loss) is frequently observed in both humans and pets
diagnosed with cancer. Pets with cancer lose weight partly because of lack of appetite and partly because of poor
absorption of nutrients from the digestive tract. Some of the causes for decreased appetite are related to the cancer itself
(for example, tumors may physically interfere with food chewing, swallowing, and digestion process) and some may be
related to the side effects of cancer treatment (for example, some drugs cause nausea and vomiting).

The severity of weight loss will depend on the tumor type, the stage of the disease and will also vary from one pet to
another. As the cancer 'steals' nutrients from the pet, the pet's body will be forced to use its own tissues (e.g. fat and
muscle) as an alternative source of energy to survive. The impact of severe weight loss can be quite devastating on the
pet's quality of life as well as its ability to tolerate and respond to cancer treatments. In addition, progressive cancer
cachexia can lead to abnormally low levels of proteins, delayed wound healing, immunosuppression, reduction in
pulmonary and cardiovascular function, and ultimately death. Proper nutrition while undergoing cancer treatment is
essential to maintain your pet's strength. In human cancer patients, malnutrition can increase the risk of complications
and decrease survival rates whereas good nutritional status is associated with an improved response to therapy and
better quality of life. It seems likely that the results would be similar for pets.

Feeding pets with cancer
There are three basic sources of energy found in food: proteins, carbohydrates (sugars) and fats. Many commercial pet
foods are high in carbohydrate content, which are not ideal to support cancer patients. There is a variety of both
prescription and over-the-counter pet foods that may be appropriate to support a pet diagnosed with cancer. The specific
food brand will depend on the level of the pet's malnutrition, the specific tumor type, existence of other medical conditions,
and overall health of the pet. Some pets with a particular cancer may require additional nutritional supplements, and pet
owners should work closely with their veterinarian to develop an appropriate nutritional plan for their pet during and after
treatment.

To help Pet Cancer Center conduct more clinical trials across the United States to evaluate whether particular dietary
supplements help prevent or treat cancer in pets, please

Feeding pets during cancer treatment
The pet may lose its appetite while undergoing cancer treatment, and nutritional support becomes especially important
during this time. For example, radiation therapy may temporarily blister the pet's mouth and throat, making swallowing
difficult. Chemotherapy may cause temporary nausea, decreasing the pet's appetite. Surgery on the pet's mouth may
take a while to heal, preventing the pet from being able to eat and drink. In these cases, alternative methods of feeding
must be applied to continue adequate nutritional support.

Methods of feeding
Voluntary intake
Voluntary intake of food is the preferred method of feeding, however, the pet's lack of appetite will frequently limit the
caloric intake. As a result, the pet will not meet the minimum nutritional requirements and some form of assisted feeding
will have to be implemented. The first option is to try hand feeding of small, tasty frequent meals. If that fails, other options
include administration of appetite stimulating drugs, use of feeding tubes or intravenous feeding.

Appetite stimulating drugs
The use of drugs is convenient and cost effective, however, special care has to be taken to make sure that the drugs are
actually effective and the pet has indeed increased its nutritional caloric intake.

Feeding tubes
Feeding tubes are typically used in pets whose intestinal tract is still functional but cannot use their mouths and throats.
The placement of a feeding tube may be either short-term or long-term, depending on the pet's overall condition and
nutritional needs. The pet's overall health and prognosis have to be carefully evaluated prior to insertion of a feeding
tube, and the pet owners should discuss in great detail the risks and benefits of the procedure.

For short term nutritional support, the veterinarians will typically install the nasogastric feeding tube, which is placed
through the pet's nose down to the stomach. The pet typically wears an Elizabethan collar around its neck to prevent it
from using its paws to move the tube. For long term nutritional support, the veterinarian can decide to install an
esophagostomy tube or a gastric feeding tube. The esophagostomy tube is placed under short general anesthesia
through the side of the pet's neck into the esophagus. The gastric feeding tube is also placed under general anesthesia,
and placed directly into the stomach through an opening made to the abdomen.

The veterinarian will prescribe special diet that is specifically formulated for tube feeding. The tube feeding should start
very slowly (to prevent 'refeeding syndrome' which can, in severe cases, lead to cardiovascular collapse and death), and
if the initial recommended regimen is well tolerated, the pet will eventually receive its full caloric intake in 4 to 6 daily
feedings. Some pets can be managed by their owners at home but critically ill pets should be hospitalized during the first
few days after feeding tube installation.

Intravenous feeding
Intravenous feeding is reserved for only a small subset of pets in whom the intestinal tract is not functional or who cannot
undergo general anesthesia for placement of feeding tubes. The pet's condition should be carefully evaluated to ensure
that it fits the subset of animals for whom this type of feeding is appropriate.

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