Prognosis

The word prognosis is translated as “educated guess.” Your dog’s cancer prognosis will include information about the stage and grade of the cancer, if known. It will also describe the likely course of the illness, including any life quality issues that might come up. It will often include an estimate of your dog’s lifespan, which is usually based on median survival time statistics.

You may see a prognosis on your dog’s charts or reports, hear it from your veterinarian, or both. Different veterinarians and veterinary oncologists might offer slightly different prognoses based on their own findings and their experience. The prognosis you get about your dog’s cancer should not be taken as the final word or a prediction.