Medical oncology It is the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. A veterinary oncologist has spent at least three years of additional training beyond veterinary school in an oncology residency program. Radiation oncology is an additional specialization which often requires an additional two years of training after being certified as a medical oncologist.
Cancer occurs in many forms. It is not a single disease; instead it is many different diseases lumped together and as a result there are multiple options and methods to treat cancers. Some of the treatment options available are surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy or a combination of treatments.
The Oncology Service provides contemporary diagnostic and treatment methods for many cancers in dogs and cats. Following patient evaluation, specific treatment plans are chosen. These may include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy or a combination of these modalities. Patient quality of life is always paramount
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy can be used to treat many different types of cancer. Its use is indicated in diseases, which are sensitive to chemotherapy such as lymphoma, multiple myelomas, mast cell tumors, osteosarcoma, soft tissue sarcomas, and hemangiosarcomas.
Chemotherapy is also used to treat systemic diseases such as metastatic cancers that can spread to many organ systems. Chemotherapy can also be used to treat cancers that cannot be seen or felt at the time of treatment, and to sensitize tissues for radiation therapy to be more effective. The main goal with chemotherapy is to prolong the survival of our patients by controlling their cancer and its spread, while maintaining a good quality of life for the patient. Most patients tolerate chemotherapy very well. This is important to understand because a misconception exists that animals will have the same severity of side effects as people while undergoing treatment. Animals tend to tolerate chemotherapy much better than humans and have far less severe side effects. Side effects can include vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, decreased, or lack of, appetite, low blood count that can lead to infection, or none of these. We can control most side effects with oral medications that can be given at home.
We see your pet for specific rechecks. A complete blood count is always performed prior to administering chemotherapy in order to evaluate whether the patient has enough white blood cellsand can be safely treated.
Northern California Veterinary Specialists, Inc.
7425 Greenhaven Drive
Sacramento, CA 95831
Phone (916)231-0696
Fax (916)231-0691
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Chemotherapy can be used to treat many different types of cancer. Its use is indicated in diseases, which are sensitive to chemotherapy such as lymphoma, multiple myelomas, mast cell tumors, osteosarcoma, soft tissue sarcomas, and hemangiosarcomas. 