Pet Oncology 101
By David Hunley, DVM, DACVIM (Oncology)
Board Certified in Veterinary Oncology
Remember: This information does not replace consultation with and physical exam by a veterinarian. Always consult your veterinarian for advice about your specific pet. When in doubt about an emergency, call our VSEC emergency service and we can help guide you anytime, day or night: (914) 315-4600.
It is always difficult to hear a diagnosis of cancer, whether it is in our human, canine, or feline family members. The word cancer carries with it a stigma that is different than most other illnesses, and it can seem like there is no hope once this diagnosis is made. The important thing to remember, however, is that there are many different forms of cancer, and no two cancers are exactly the same. Just as there are some situations where we are dealing with an aggressive cancer that has few treatment options, there are also many times when we can effectively treat, control, and sometimes cure cancer.
The role of a veterinary oncologist is to evaluate the individual characteristics of each dog’s or cat’s cancer and help make a plan for the best course of action moving forward. This plan will be determined in part by the type of cancer that is found, in part by the health of your pet, and in part by your comfort level with the treatment options that are available. There are some situations where no treatment is needed or when surgical removal of a cancerous mass is likely to control the cancer long term. Other times, medical treatment is recommended. Medical treatment options may include chemotherapy or other cancer-fighting medications.
Learn more about our board-certified veterinary oncologists at VSEC, Dr. Hohlman and Dr. Hunley.
What is Chemotherapy?
Chemotherapy is a word that is generally associated with negative thoughts and feelings. This is because we know chemotherapy drugs can cause unwanted side effects. However, it is important to remember that there are many different types of chemotherapy and many different ways that chemotherapy can be administered. Also, certain types of cancer are more likely to respond to chemotherapy than others, so in some cases, it is reasonable to risk side effects while in others it may not be. It is often said that dogs and cats tolerate chemotherapy better than people do, and this is true in many instances, but this is partly due to the fact that we tend to be less aggressive with the chemotherapy dose and intensity in veterinary patients in order to avoid problems as much as possible. Despite this strategy of treatment, we still do see severe side effects in some dogs and cats, but the side effects in most veterinary patients are mild and tolerable, and there truly are many dogs and cats who have no side effects at all.
For many cancers, there are medical treatment options other than chemotherapy that may be less likely to cause side effects. These options vary depending on the type of cancer and the details of the disease, but they can be a more desirable approach for some situations. If less aggressive options are available, they will always be discussed during an oncology consultation.
Our Approach to Cancer Treatments
Since each dog or cat is an individual, their cancer is unique, and their potential response to treatment is also unique. Therefore, it can help to discuss your pet’s diagnosis and your thoughts and concerns with an oncology specialist to make sure you have the most detailed information about your pet’s diagnosis and that you are comfortable with your decisions moving forward. While our VSEC oncology team in Westchester is committed to giving you the best medical advice, we are also committed to providing all options and helping you to make the decision that is best for you and your pet.
Learn more about Veterinary Specialty & Emergency Center’s oncology service.
