Oncology

A diagnosis of cancer in your pet can be a very difficult and emotional time, but despite this being a very serious problem, there are now many treatment options we can offer to help your pet continue to have quality of life. Although side effects are possible, they are rare. Our first priority is to maintain quality of life and ensure your pet remains comfortable and happy for as long as possible.

Cancer in our pets is not just one disease. Like in people, there are different types of cancers and also different subtypes that respond differently to various treatments. This means that each patient needs to be assessed as an individual with a treatment plan that is tailored to your pet’s specific needs.

Depending on the type of cancer, different diagnostic procedures may need to be performed to determine the best treatment strategy. Diagnostic tests may include a fine needle aspirate, biopsy and specialised pathology, bone marrow aspirate, radiographs or CT.

The treatment plan for your pet will then depend on the type of cancer, the stage it is at, pathological results and your individual wishes. Options may include palliation, chemotherapy, surgery or radiotherapy.

It is important to know that chemotherapy in animals is different to people. Our specialist oncologists use drugs and doses to minimise side effects like vomiting and diarrhoea. With most chemotherapy plans hair loss does not occur.

Some treatment plans require you to bring your pet to the hospital but others can be given at home. During the treatment protocol we will need to monitor your pet’s blood cells closely as these can be affected by the medication. We will liaise with your local vet if any of this can be performed at your local veterinary hospital.