Nursing the Cancer Patient

A five-part learning series for nurses with Linda Ryan RVN.

Cancer is a common cause of death and illness in older pets. Up to one-in-four cats and dogs over eight years old will die from it, and many more pets live with chronic cancer conditions. Therefore veterinary nurses in all types of practice are seeing cancer patients daily. Whether or not they consider themselves be oncology nurses: everyone is an oncology nurse! VNs are perfectly placed to provide key aspects of patient care, as well as being the primary liaison between veterinary surgeons and the pet’s family.

The series will begin with a brief overview of oncology diagnostics and treatment protocols before moving on to cover the safe administration of chemotherapy. We will also discuss the other key elements of oncology nursing: pain management, nutritional needs of cancer patients, management of treatment side-effects, owner support, maintenance of the quality of life and the human-animal bond.