What to know about your pet's

Medical Oncology

Over the years, there have been significant advances in oncology therapy that are helping to extend the length and quality of pets’ lives following the diagnosis of a malignant tumor (aka cancer).

This page is meant to educate you about the latest information in oncology and topics that may be discussed with your pet’s doctor. Please speak with your veterinary directly about treatment options that are ideal for your pet.

Our Approach to Care

At Thrive Pet Healthcare, we care not only for our pet patients, but also for the humans who love them. We understand that the cancer treatment journey impacts many people. Our oncology teams are here to help with clinical care, emotional support, and the coordination of logistical issues you may be facing as you dedicate time and resources to your pet's treatment. Because we have a nationwide community of veterinarians and hospitals, we have the ability to offer pets comprehensive treatment solutions. Our specialty referral centers and partnership with PetCure Oncology and Veterinary Cancer Group has helped grow our support with some of the most experienced oncologists in the world and leading veterinary specialty centers across the United States.

Which Pet Cancer Treatment Option Is Right for My Pet?

The decisions to make around cancer treatment can feel overwhelming. There are numerous factors that go into choosing an ideal treatment option for your pet. Our oncology specialists are here to ease the burden and walk you through the process. They will assess your pet's unique situation and help guide you through the best treatment options specifically tailored to their needs. Every plan is different, so your oncologist will consider the following factors when choosing a cancer treatment plan:

Specific type of tumor
Size of the tumor
Extent of disease
Your pet's medical history
Your pet's age and physical fitness
Your family's personal situation and preferences for treatment

Find A Location

Common Cancer Treatments For Pets

Each pet's cancer journey is unique, but these are the most common cancer treatments available for pets:

Surgery

Often the first line of treatment when localized cancer can be removed completely.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is used when cancers have a high risk of spread, have already spread, or are within the blood or immune system.
May be administered orally (pills), intravenously (through the bloodstream), or injected directly into the tumor.

Stereotactic radiation (SRS/SRT)

Radiation Therapy is a non-surgical procedure that requires only 1-3 treatments.
A higher dose of radiation can be delivered directly to the tumor with an unprecedented level of accuracy, sparing the surrounding healthy tissue to the highest extent possible.
Used to treat some cancers previously considered untreatable in sensitive areas like the brain, spine, or lungs.

Immunotherapy

Refers to treatments which utilize a patient's own immune system to fight cancer
Involves therapies to increase the immune response, vaccines made against cancer proteins or from a patient's own tumor, or novel agents

Pallative care (Comfort Care)

Families may choose not to treat cancer for a variety of reasons, palliative care is used to improve comfort and quality of life
May involve palliative oncology treatments, including chemotherapy or radiation therapy to reduce clinical signs
Most often involves the use of medications to control symptoms, including pain, nausea, inappetence, coughing and others

Electrochemotherapy

Uses electrical current to increase chemotherapy uptake into a tumor or scar

Veterinary Oncology FAQs

Due to the complicated nature of oncological services for pets, it's important that you direct all of your questions to your veterinary oncology specialist. Below are commonly asked questions.

Cancer in pets can come in many forms - all varieties that our veterinary oncology specialists are prepared to help you face the journey for. The most common forms of pet cancer are:

Lymphoma
Skin cancers including mast cell tumors and carcinomas
Bone cancer
Cancer of the spleen or liver
Lung cancer
Brain cancer
Mammary gland (Breast) 
Abdominal tumors
Muscle/nerve tumors

For some breeds of pet, especially dogs, their genetics can make them more susceptible to the potential for cancer in their lives: 

Bernese mountain dog 
Boxer 
Chow chow 
Cocker spaniel 
Collie 
Golden retriever 
Labrador retriever 
Pug 
Rottweiler 
Scottish terrier 
Shar-pei 
German Shepard
Persian cats
Siamese cats

Symptoms vary greatly, but can include lower energy, decreased appetite, weight loss, coughing, visible swelling or bump, lameness, vomiting or diarrhea.

Comprehensive insurance plans will usually cover treatment costs because they include coverage for illnesses. It’s important to note that insurance typically doesn't cover preexisting conditions, so if cancer develops before buying a policy, the treatment costs may not be covered. 

You can get the most accurate cost by calling the specialty hospital directly and asking them what they charge for consultations and follow-up appointments. Consultation fees for veterinary oncologists vary by clinic and location. An initial consultation can range from $200-300. 

Be sure to consult with your veterinarian directly to estimate the cost of treatments. Chemotherapy costs can vary widely depending on protocol, with a typical range of $500-3000 per dose. Radiation costs range from $2000-5000 for a palliative protocol and about $6000 to $12,000 for a curative intent protocol. Surgeries are dependent on tumor type and location.* 

*“Pet Owner Resources.” n.d. Veterinary Cancer Society. https://vetcancersociety.org/resources/pet-owners/pet-owner-resources

Medical Oncology

Over the years, there have been significant advances in oncology therapy that are helping to extend the length and quality of pets’ lives following the diagnosis of a malignant tumor (aka cancer).

Our Approach to Care

Which Pet Cancer Treatment Option Is Right for My Pet?

Specific type of tumor
Size of the tumor
Extent of disease
Your pet's medical history
Your pet's age and physical fitness
Your family's personal situation and preferences for treatment

Find A Location

Common Cancer Treatments For Pets

Each pet's cancer journey is unique, but these are the most common cancer treatments available for pets:

Surgery

Often the first line of treatment when localized cancer can be removed completely.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is used when cancers have a high risk of spread, have already spread, or are within the blood or immune system.
May be administered orally (pills), intravenously (through the bloodstream), or injected directly into the tumor.

Stereotactic radiation (SRS/SRT)

Radiation Therapy is a non-surgical procedure that requires only 1-3 treatments.
A higher dose of radiation can be delivered directly to the tumor with an unprecedented level of accuracy, sparing the surrounding healthy tissue to the highest extent possible.
Used to treat some cancers previously considered untreatable in sensitive areas like the brain, spine, or lungs.

Immunotherapy

Refers to treatments which utilize a patient's own immune system to fight cancer
Involves therapies to increase the immune response, vaccines made against cancer proteins or from a patient's own tumor, or novel agents

Pallative care (Comfort Care)

Families may choose not to treat cancer for a variety of reasons, palliative care is used to improve comfort and quality of life
May involve palliative oncology treatments, including chemotherapy or radiation therapy to reduce clinical signs
Most often involves the use of medications to control symptoms, including pain, nausea, inappetence, coughing and others

Electrochemotherapy

Uses electrical current to increase chemotherapy uptake into a tumor or scar

Veterinary Oncology FAQs

Due to the complicated nature of oncological services for pets, it's important that you direct all of your questions to your veterinary oncology specialist. Below are commonly asked questions.

Cancer in pets can come in many forms - all varieties that our veterinary oncology specialists are prepared to help you face the journey for. The most common forms of pet cancer are:

Lymphoma
Skin cancers including mast cell tumors and carcinomas
Bone cancer
Cancer of the spleen or liver
Lung cancer
Brain cancer
Mammary gland (Breast) 
Abdominal tumors
Muscle/nerve tumors

For some breeds of pet, especially dogs, their genetics can make them more susceptible to the potential for cancer in their lives: 

Bernese mountain dog 
Boxer 
Chow chow 
Cocker spaniel 
Collie 
Golden retriever 
Labrador retriever 
Pug 
Rottweiler 
Scottish terrier 
Shar-pei 
German Shepard
Persian cats
Siamese cats

Symptoms vary greatly, but can include lower energy, decreased appetite, weight loss, coughing, visible swelling or bump, lameness, vomiting or diarrhea.

*“Pet Owner Resources.” n.d. Veterinary Cancer Society. https://vetcancersociety.org/resources/pet-owners/pet-owner-resources

What to know about your pet's

Medical Oncology

Our Approach to Care

Which Pet Cancer Treatment Option Is Right for My Pet?

Common Cancer Treatments For Pets

Surgery

Chemotherapy

Stereotactic radiation (SRS/SRT)

Immunotherapy

Pallative care (Comfort Care)

Electrochemotherapy

Veterinary Oncology FAQs

What are the most common types of cancer?

Are certain pets more susceptible to cancer?

What are the signs and symptoms of pet cancer?

Does pet insurance cover medical oncology treatment?

What is the average cost of pet cancer treatment?

What to know about your pet's

Medical Oncology

Our Approach to Care

Which Pet Cancer Treatment Option Is Right for My Pet?

Common Cancer Treatments For Pets

Surgery

Chemotherapy

Stereotactic radiation (SRS/SRT)

Immunotherapy

Pallative care (Comfort Care)

Electrochemotherapy

Veterinary Oncology FAQs

What are the most common types of cancer?

Are certain pets more susceptible to cancer?

What are the signs and symptoms of pet cancer?

Does pet insurance cover medical oncology treatment?

What is the average cost of pet cancer treatment?