When we focus too much on specific prognostic factors, we lose sight of the bigger picture. Cat Nutrition: What Makes a Nutritional Cat Food? Dogs with nasal tumors who experience nosebleeds have a significantly shorter survival time than dogs without nosebleeds (88 days vs. 224 days). I would argue that a bleeding nose is a negative prognostic factor for a dog with a nasal tumor primarily because the nosebleed is perceived as producing a negative impact on the pet’s quality of life. If your dog is diagnosed with lung cancer due to an immediate respiratory crisis as a result of the cancer, their prognosis is poor. What Does Prognosis Mean? Vimeo,  A particular characteristic determined to be a statistically significant prognostic factor in one study can be refuted with additional study. They predict the likely course of the cancer, and ultimately, your pet's prognosis, or final outcome. The nosebleed also negatively impacts the owner’s lifestyle, as these events can be dramatic, messy, and difficult to manage. He was only 8 and a boxer mix. Most of us are 1) in total shock and terror when we hear that, and 2) most of us don't have medical expertise. This is one of the most severe and life-threatening of the fungal diseases, and the prognosis for your dog is guarded to grave. Guarded prognosis means there is a small chance that your cat may be cured or live. New and better treatments are helping people diagnosed with breast cancer live longer than ever before. Sign in to receive recommendations . I hope you can take some solice in the fact that so many people are feeling the way you are at this exact moment, and we all want to remember our loved ones together. Much weight is given to the statistical significance of prognostic factors and they largely influence meaningful medical decisions, including those related to life and death. It's normal for a new rescue dog to be guarded when you first bring her home. Good Luck. Metacafe,  It is unknown whether the dog will or will not survive. Prognostic factors have value, but they certainly aren’t the bottom line. A Guarded Prognosis. YouTube,  I think a "very guarded" prognosis means it's likely pretty bad, but not impossible for it to be ok. My understanding is that they can't definitively diagnose hemangiosarcoma without removing the spleen & tumor and doing the pathology. He didn't have a snowball's chance in hell. Large images may take a few minutes to appear. Veterinary patients exist on an enormous spectrum of shapes and dimensions, therefore tumor size must be interpreted in light of patient size. It commonly appears in news releases, particularly those describing the medical condition of some currently hospitalized famous person. Some owners will therefore base their decision to pursue treatment based solely on the result of the phenotype testing. This type of patient usually will require critical care, or some other treatment in the hospital’s intensive care unit (ICU). Many dogs will improve following oral anti-fungal medication. The last one I really have trouble with is the issue of “how many years do I have left?” I’ve been out of medical school for 16 years and I’m still baffled about how this prediction is made. Sweetmeli, I hope you are finding peace. I’m also humble enough to remember that every animal is a uniquely created organism with unpredictable responses and outcomes, and that treating the individual is far more important than treatments based solely on statistics and probabilities. Prognostic factors could help estimate a patient’s survival time, chance of success with a particular treatment plan, or risk for recurrence of disease following surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy. That is exactly what I needed. When a patient has a guarded prognosis, he or she has an acute illness. I always consider known prognostic factors when making recommendations about my patients' care. Oh, you probably *didn't* ask every possible question right after they dropped that bombshell into your life. Easily create a Forum Website with Website Toolbox. When the pancreas … If your URL is correct, you'll see an image preview here. When their quality of life declines, owners may consider euthanasia to end their suffering. At first glance, one might assume dogs with nosebleeds have more aggressive tumors, or are sicker from their disease. I have witnessed many animals survive much longer than many have predicted. We’ll use the term stable somewhat frequently, especially with individual disease states, but try to avoid pigeonholing patients into grave, critical and serious. Understanding Veterinary Lingo: What is a 'Prognostic Factor'? Most studies investigating various cancers in pets include an analysis of specific prognostic factors in some capacity. Feeding Kittens 101: What to Feed, How Much, and How Often. My instructor wasn't there and the unit was busy so it wasn't a good time to ask the nurses. Logic dictates that although tumor size would be important, so would the size of the mouth hosting the tumor. Prognostic factors are designed to help owners and veterinary oncologists decide on the need for additional testing, potential treatment options, and also to provide a realistic expectation of outcome. However, I am clear that most of those dogs are euthanized because of the physical issues caused by the nosebleed itself, rather than because of outward signs of pain, illness, or other concerns. Prognostic factors are characteristics possessed by a patient, its tumor, or both. I have yet to meet a physician or nurse who knew what the term “guarded condition” meant. I know it is tough to second-guess the decisions because I too have done this. His ultrasound showed tumors in his lungs, heart, liver and spleen. prognosis would be poor, guarded or grave to meet this definition): (1) have a behavioral or temperamental characteristic that poses a health or safety risk or otherwise makes the animal unsuitable for placement as a pet, and are not likely to become Your prognosis is your outlook or your chance of recovery from breast cancer. For example, age was shown to be a prognostic factor for dogs with osteosarcoma in one research study, but had no impact on survival in another. There are many new medications and technologies today. Nothing anyone can say will take away this pain, but being new to this message board, so many comforting words have really helped me. My patients are more than a simple set of descriptive values or categorical characteristics. I'm unable to discuss what happened in real life, so being able to sob and type at the same time is an easier sense of release. “critical” means that their injuries are so severe, they could die at any moment. Leer esta página en español. Supported videos include: The cobblestone type of rectal tumor is a wide-ba… Source(s): vet tech for 10 years. Guarded prognosis, serious condition mean the same. For example, immunophenotype is a prognostic factor for dogs with lymphoma. Yet clinically, my observations tell me this is untrue. guarded. However, relapses are seen often, especially if therapy is not followed through to completion or is shortened. Many people think of a guarded prognosis as another way to say that the patient is in poor or serious condition. I went to the hospital today to collect my pt assignment/information for clinical tomorrow and I read in the doctor's notes that the pt's "prognosis is guarded." Thanks guys. They predict the likely course of the cancer, and ultimately, your pet's prognosis, or final outcome. Generalizations are valuable to an extent, but they cannot predict individual response. The chances for improvement are small. Prognostic factors are designed to help owners and veterinary oncologists decide on … They have a questionable outlook. They have a questionable outlook. Does this mean I offer the same prognosis for a tiny Chihuahua as I would for a Great Dane if both were diagnosed with a 2cm oral melanoma tumor? I think a "very guarded" prognosis means it's likely pretty bad, but not impossible for it to be ok. Prognostic factors could help estimate a patient’s survival time, chance of success with a particular treatment plan, or risk for recurrence of disease following surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy. I'm so sorry for your loss. Facebook. I urge owners to keep this in mind when considering pursuing treatment for their pet with cancer. Hi all, wondering if anyone could tell me what it means to have a guarded prognosis? Save as Favorite. Many dogs will improve following oral anti-fungal medication.