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Decision Making in Small Animal Oncology is a first edition released by Wiley-Blackwell in 2008. The authors David J. Argyle, Malcolm J. Brearley, and Michelle M. Turk, assisted by a diverse group of contributors, have written a manual providing a realistic and balanced approach to small animal oncology from diagnosis, treatment, to decision making during the patient care process. Small animal veterinarians are increasingly being asked for treatment options and assisting in management of cancer patients in their private practices as well as large specialty settings. This manual aims to guide the veterinary student, and private practitioner through the process of diagnosing and managing small animal cancer patients to achieve the best possible result.
The manual introduces the concept of cancer biology and its often far reaching effects, called paraneoplastic syndromes. Extensive tables and algorithms introduce and explain the interactions of the cancer itself on the animal’s natural homeostasis and the alterations which are often observed. Management of the paraneoplastic effects can be challenging in addition to dealing with the underlying cancer itself. Tables and charts aimed at managing some of the syndromes are outlined and explain the medication or treatment, and mode of action as well as comments and suggestions. Hypercalcemia for instance, is one of the most common metabolic emergencies in small animal cancer patients. It is often a consequence of several types of cancer with devastating and far-reaching effects on the patient. The manual clearly summarizes the pathophysiology of hypercalcemia in malignancy, provides concise charts of clinical signs associated with hypercalcemia, and treatment decision trees to lead the practitioner in providing excellent care for the animal.