About Cancer in Companions

Companions are living longer, healthier lives thanks to advances in veterinary medicine, preventive care, and nutrition. As the lifespan of our companions increases, however, so does their risk for developing cancer. Unfortunately, cancer is becoming more common in dogs and cats, and the number of cases continues to rise. The good news is, many cancers can be successfully treated, and the outcomes are often positive. Seeking treatment from a veterinary cancer specialist as soon as a companion is diagnosed with cancer has been shown to lead to an improved outcome—much like with humans. In fact, advances in veterinary oncology parallel those in human medicine, and today there are many options available for treatment. It is important to remember that while cancer generally affects older animals, they are often able to tolerate many of the same treatments as younger animals, bringing new hope to owners for a positive experience.

If your companion is diagnosed with or suspected of having cancer, we recommend that you schedule a visit with our veterinary medical oncologist who will create a tailored program of expert care to achieve the best possible outcome.

A Diagnosis of Cancer Doesn’t Always Mean Goodbye

Early detection and consultation with a veterinary oncologist leads to positive outcomes in most cases. Remember that cancer is not just one disease; there are hundreds of different tumor types, and they all respond uniquely to treatment. Even with the most aggressive cancers, we can help to provide comfort, pain control, and support for you and your companion.

Cancer Care Options Offered by Our Oncology Service at CTVRC:

Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy is often used to treat cancers that have spread, or have a high likelihood of spreading, to other parts of the body. Chemotherapy drugs are most commonly administered intravenously or orally. Chemotherapy treatment is given on an outpatient basis, and our team will schedule appointments based on the protocol determined by our Oncology specialist. For most companions, chemotherapy is very well tolerated with much fewer side effects in animals than in humans. Animals generally see good results with chemotherapy treatment. The number and frequency of treatments will depend on the type of cancer diagnosis and overall treatment goals.

Immunotherapy: Immunotherapy is another commonly used form of cancer treatment in veterinary medicine. Immunotherapy is a treatment that stimulates the companion’s immune system to fight off particular cancer cells.

Surgery: Surgical intervention is often used to control or eliminate local cancer mass to improve the companion's quality of life. The best chance to achieve complete removal of cancer during surgery is during the first procedure.

Palliative Care: Palliative care is a therapy that focuses on providing relief from the symptoms and discomfort associated with cancer. Since our main goal is to improve the quality of life for your companion, palliative care may be a good treatment option to consider. Palliative care may include pain management, medications to stimulate appetite, and medications to help with nausea, vomiting, and/or diarrhea.

Additional Options: Radiation therapy is another common treatment option for companions with cancer. Our oncologist may discuss radiation therapy and other options during your consultation and can refer you and your companion to a veterinary radiation oncologist.

Request an Appointment

If you are interested in scheduling a consultation with our oncologist, please fill out our 'contact us' form linked below so we can coordinate a referral from your primary care veterinarian.

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Meet our Oncology Team

Dr. Rebecca Bernstein along with her highly skilled team, oversees our oncology department. She graduated from Ross University in 2017, and spent her final year as a veterinary student at Royal Veterinary College in the United Kingdom. She completed a specialty internship in Oncology at Mississippi State University, a Clinical Trials internship at the University of Illinois, and then her residency in Oncology at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.