When discussing yearly checkups and whether or not to give certain vaccinations, clean the teeth now or later, you and your vet probably speak pretty much the same language. But when cancer comes into the picture, you may run headlong into a communication gap. Clear communication with your vet is critical when your pet is diagnosed with a serious illness.

Do you want to be involved in the decision-making process about your pet's treatment? If so, be sure that your veterinarian understands this. State clearly that y ou do not want him or her to decide what treatment to provide and then simply inform you. You want to be informed of all of the treatment options, their success rates and side effects and probably also the comparative costs of the various treatments.

There are many tests that can be done to determine the exact type, subtype, stage and grade of a cancer. As long as a firm diagnosis can be made and a treatment plan devised, further tests may only deplete your finances and traumatize your dog without any benefit. In other words, there is a point after which further testing is academic. It will not clarify the disease or alter the treatment plan. Since the amount of money you spend on your dog's medical care is not indicative of how much love him, talk to your vet about each test before it's done, and "Just say no" to tests that will not improve your dog's chances of survival.

You may not fully understand all of the medical lingo regarding types of cancer, stages and grades and treatment protocols, and there is a limit to how much new medical information you will be able to process. But you do not have to become a veterinarian to play a role in your pet's treatment! All you need is a veterinarian who understands that you want to be able to make informed decisions and who will help you to do that by discussing all test results, procedures and options with you in plain English.

Perhaps your vet is not forthcoming with explanations and discussions of treatment options. Perhaps your vet doesn't  ask you to help decide what treatment to provide for your pet. Many people are not interested in the medical details of their pet's illnesses or treatment. They simply want their vet to provide treatment and then they take their pet home. Be sure your vet knows that you are one of the clients who DOES want all of the explanations and who does want to discuss treatment options.

Your medical team members should be aware of your personal sentiments about your pet's tolerances and your own. There is often a range of treatment aggressiveness that you can determine with your vet. The more aggressive the treatment, the higher the likelihood of side effects and the higher the likelihood of treatment success. It's like walking a tight-rope. It's a gamble and then it's a roller coaster ride, so be prepared to wage war against cancer for your dog.

Your veterinarian will want to know your preferences about the aggressiveness of the treatment that will be provided, based on your intimate longterm knowledge of your dog's tolerance for discomfort and also based on your own tolerance for seeing him in discomfort.

And remember that your decisions can be revised at any point - but you need a place to begin.