Oncology

Cancer is the leading cause of death in older dogs and cats, but it does not have to be a death sentence. At AVES, we specialize in providing compassionate care for pets diagnosed with cancer, with the goal of extending lifespan and enhancing quality of life.

Veterinary Oncology Specialties

Diagnosis of Cancer

Cancer is a complex disease that doesn’t always present as a single tumor; it can often appear as multiple tumors throughout the body. There are also many different types of cancer that may be present. Our veterinary oncologists perform the appropriate diagnostic tests for each patient and develop a treatment plan tailored to enhance your pet’s quality of life.

During your pet’s initial visit, our oncologists will examine your pet, obtain a detailed history of signs and symptoms, review all medical records, laboratory results, and x-rays from your family veterinarian, and evaluate current or recent medications to begin the diagnostic process.

Staging of Tumors

During the initial diagnosis, our oncologists will assess the severity of the cancer, including its size and whether it has spread to other areas of the body. This process is called staging. Staging helps our oncologists plan the most appropriate treatment based on the known progression of cancer.

Development of Treatment Plans

Almost every pet diagnosed with cancer can receive some form of treatment that may extend their life and improve their quality of life. Once a diagnosis is made, our oncologist will discuss available treatment options and provide realistic expectations for the outcome. Treatment plans may include chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, novel therapeutics, and multimodality therapy.

Administration of Chemotherapy

Cancer treatment in pets is generally less aggressive than in humans. Due to the shorter lifespan of dogs and cats, chemotherapy is administered in lower doses, which often means pets tolerate the treatments better than humans. This allows them to avoid many of the side effects typically experienced by people.

Our veterinary oncologists will also work with you throughout the treatment process to ensure your pet remains as comfortable as possible. Pain management and nausea medications are often used to help your pet stay comfortable during treatment.

Radiation Therapy

Although not currently available at AVES, the goal of radiation therapy is to target and kill cancer cells while minimizing damage to normal tissues. Radiation is delivered as a beam of energy directed at a specific part of the body. Several approaches are used to shield normal tissue surrounding the tumor, limiting the side effects of radiation.

Radiation therapy is most effective when used as a follow-up to surgery or chemotherapy, and it can also be used to shrink tumors that cannot be surgically removed.

Surgical Oncology

Surgical oncology is a critical part of cancer treatment for pets and is often used to remove tumors or cancerous tissue. In many cases, surgery is the first line of defense, particularly when tumors are localized and accessible. The goal of surgical oncology is not only to remove the tumor but also to minimize the risk of cancer recurrence and maintain the pet's quality of life.

Our board-certified veterinary surgeons works closely with our oncologists to determine the best surgical approach for each individual case. Depending on the type and location of the tumor, surgery may be used in conjunction with other treatments, such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy, to provide the most effective cancer care.

In some cases, surgery may aim to reduce the size of a tumor or alleviate symptoms when complete removal is not possible. For example, debulking procedures may be performed to reduce the tumor load and improve the pet's comfort. Additionally, reconstructive surgery may be necessary to restore function or appearance after tumor removal.

Throughout the surgical process, our team ensures that your pet receives the highest level of care, focusing on minimizing pain and promoting a smooth recovery.

Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy enhances the body's immune system to protect against cancer by targeting and attacking malignant cells. It works by either stimulating the immune system to attack cancer cells or providing the immune system with the necessary tools, such as antibodies, to fight cancer.

Novel Therapeutics

Novel therapeutics represent an individualized approach to treatment, often involving new or experimental combinations of drugs and treatments tailored to each pet's unique condition.

Multimodality Therapy

At AVES, our oncologists use a multimodality approach, combining surgery and medical anticancer therapies to provide the best possible treatment plan for your pet.