Writing in your Dog Cancer Journal can make a world of difference in not only your dog’s life, but your own life, and your veterinarian/oncologist’s life. The purpose of the Dog Cancer Journal is to jot down as many details as possible regarding your dog’s cancer journey.
When you hear the words, “your dog has cancer,” your heart drops into your stomach and it can be simple to not only forget about small details, but also the large ones. The journal allows you to keep track of all details so you’re able to physically view what medications your dog is taking, any adverse effects to medication, progress or lack of progress, their routine, and their diet.
Why the Dog Cancer Journal is Important
All of those details you are keeping track of in your Dog Cancer Journal will allow you to notice even small steps of progress or your dog slowing down. You will notice side effects much easier or that extra walk you went on yesterday. The following benefits are also helpful:
- Everything is in the same place for you to remember
- Your veterinarian or veterinary oncologist has all the details they need to better assist your dog in their fight
- Keep track of dates of past and future appointments
- Better gauge to make decisions
What to Include in Your Dog Cancer Journal
We already discussed a few items to include in your Dog Cancer Journal, but you should also include the following and keep it mind:
When you first receive your journal, jot down as many details as possible about how your dog is right now, at this moment. The journal should start at the beginning. Favorite activities? Favorite toys or treats? Favorite place to be in the house? Current medications? This will give you a starting point for the journey you are about to undertake.
- If your dog is already in their dog cancer journey, you should still begin the day you receive the journal. Make today your starting point.
- Don’t forget to write dates and times.
- Jot down the name of your veterinarian and/or veterinary oncologist.
- What is their treatment protocol? Conventional therapies? Alternative therapies?
- Any changes in your home that may affect your dog whether positive or negative. This can be as large as a new baby coming in the home or as small as moving the couch.
- Update your treatment protocol every time it’s changed.
P.S.- Bring your journal everywhere you go.
Don’t Forget Behavioral and Physical Changes
Regardless of if you have an appointment upcoming or not, or even if you have chosen not to treat, you should be writing in your Dog Cancer Journal every day. Take note of the following:
- Appetite: What did your dog eat today? What time did they eat? How much did they eat?
- Daily Medication: Jot down any conventional or alternative medication your dog has taken that particular day as well as the times.
- Side Effects: This may be more difficult if your dog is on a long protocol, but note any side effects you notice and the time they were noticed.
- Skin and Coat Health: How does your dog’s coat look? Is their skin healthy? Is the fur shiny or dull? Grade it on a scale of 1-10… what would you rank it at this point in time?
- Poop Monitoring: What did their feces look like? How many times did they go out? What color was the feces? Was it solid or watery?
- Coughing: Was there any coughing? If so, what did it sound like?
- Tumors: Have you noticed any differences in the tumor? Is it smaller, larger, hindering movement? Write down how you would describe it. What can you compare it to?
- Gum color: Check your dog’s gums. What color are they?
Get started today! Of course you can use an empty notebook if you choose, but we have developed a low-cost journal to remind you what to include here: