Adding a Softer Side to Cancer Treatment

Facing the prospect of cancer treatment can be daunting. Images of sterile wards, harsh lights and the great unknown often disconcert even the most determined of owners. If you think that radiotherapy is like this, think again!

Right: 'Manman' Chung is a recent graduate from radiotherapy at SARC.

Luckily cancer treatment today is far more welcoming, with pets developing close bonds with vets, nurses and other patients as they progress through treatment. Patients undergoing chemotherapy or radiotherapy typically visit up to 15 times over weeks or months during which time they become ‘part of the family’.

Far from finding the Centre a harsh and impersonal place, many pets become comfortable and are very much at home between treatment episodes. Patients are housed in a communal ward where they are able to appropriately socialise while being closely monitored. The climate is kept quiet and comfortable and full thickness physiotherapeutic foam beds are provided for the length of each stay. Patients have the benefit of mixing with hand-picked staff pets if there are only a small number of patients attending on a particular day. In this way patients do not become bored and are able to benefit from constant interaction for the entirety of their stay.

Radiotherapy and chemotherapy patients also benefit from the option of 24 hour care should they be boarding. During the evening patients are encouraged to rest but are checked on regularly and are taken out for frequent walks. If concurrent medical conditions are present, patients can be moved to the main ward for closer monitoring.

At the culmination of treatment patients are added to the ‘wall of fame’ which covers an increasing amount of the radiation anteroom. Owners are also encouraged to revisit at any time should they have concerns, or just need to chat about life after cancer treatment. Both veterinary and nursing staff keep in regular contact with a significant number of owners after treatment to closely monitor progress.

SARC has now treated around 100 patients at its radiotherapy facility. If you are interested in learning more about where radiotherapy can be useful or have a case you wish to make enquiries about, please call the Centre on (03) 9532 5261.

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