Appointments are scheduled with the surgical oncology staff if growths have not been biopsied or removed, and scheduled with the medical oncology staff when additional surgery is not needed. Should a problem occur after normal business hours, the department is covered by the Animal Emergency and Critical Care Center.

Many of the treatment modalities developed for humans are also available for pets undergoing treatment for cancer. Advanced removal techniques and sophisticated equipment found at human hospitals opens options for patients once thought to have "inoperable" cancer. Adjunctive therapies can often prolong both length and quality of life in many pets with cancer.

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Chemotherapy is the most effective single treatment for some types of cancer, offering the best opportunity for remission, while maintaining good to excellent quality of life. Chemotherapy is sometimes used in conjunction with radiation therapy in certain circumstances. Chemotherapy treatments can be coordinated as scheduled appointments or as morning day-admits with afternoon releases. Ask our medical oncology staff clinicians about this convenient service.

Family members are contacted by the oncology staff doctors between 9 and 11 a.m. Additional contacts are made if a significant change in status occurs at any other time. Visitation is generally discouraged during brief hospitalizations because of stress experienced by the pets associated with the family's departure. In certain circumstances, visitation can be arranged, but must be approved by the primary oncology clinician and prearranged by the oncology department staff. In general, visits are often after clinic hours between 7 and  9 pm, are limited to less than 30 minutes, and may be shortened or terminated if the attending doctor finds it medically necessary.

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Understanding Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy refers to any drug that is toxic to cancer cells, thus suppresses cancer growth. Chemotherapeutic drugs may be given intravenously, intramuscularly, subcutaneously or orally and in general do not cause the severe side effects seen in human patients. The purpose of chemotherapy is to extend both length and quality of life.

• How does chemotherapy work?

Cancer cells generally divide or grow very rapidly and chemotherapy works by damaging the ability of these rapidly growing cells to divide eventually killing them.

• What are the benefits of chemotherapy?

1. Chemotherapy is the most effective single treatment for some types of cancer, offering the best opportunity for remission, while maintaining good to excellent quality of Iife. An example of a type of cancer which is best treated by chemotherapy is lymphoma.
2. Chemotherapy can often be used in the post-operative setting. The purpose of chemotherapy in this setting is to kill any remaining cancer cells that have evaded the surgeon or to prevent the spread or metastasis of the cancer after surgery.
3. Chemotherapy can be used in conjunction with radiation therapy. In some instances chemotherapy can actually help the radiation kill cancer cells. In other instances, the chemotherapy is used to kill metastatic cells while the radiation is used to kill the local tumor.
4. Chemotherapy can also be used to treat some cancers that are not amenable to surgery or radiation therapy. In most of these cases, chemotherapy is used to improve the quality of life, rather than to cure the pet.

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There are some risks involved with any type of treatment. Some normal cells can be injured or killed by the chemotherapy. The most common side effects are mild vomiting, diarrhea, and anorexia (loss of appetite). These side effects are due to the effects of chemotherapy on the other rapidly dividing cell populations in the body; the cells lining the intestines and the bone marrow. In most cases the side effects are mild or self limiting, and the benefits of the chemotherapy far outweigh the side effects. When the lining of the intestines are affected by the chemotherapy, vomiting, diarrhea or anorexia may occur. These signs are usually mild and can be treated with supportive care at home. In some instances more serious side effects can occur that will require your pet to be hospitalized for intravenous fluids, nutritional support and antibiotics. These severe reactions are however, uncommon. If chemotherapy damages the bone marrow, where the white blood cells that fight infection are made, the result can be serious. In these rare cases, the pet is at risk for overwhelming infection. Your pet will need to be hospitalized and placed on intravenous antibiotics if this happens. White blood cell counts are monitored on all pets receiving chemotherapy to try and prevent this side effect from occurring.

Hair loss, a common side effect in people receiving chemotherapy, is usually very minor in the dog and cat. There are certain breeds which are predisposed to hair loss because of the manner in which their hair grows. These breeds include: poodles, Old English Sheepdogs, schnauzers, pulis, Lhasa apsos, shihtzus, or malteses. If hair loss does occur, it will usually occur in the initial phases of chemotherapy and will eventually grow back once the treatments are spread out. Cats do not generally lose their hair, although many will lose their whiskers.

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After Hours

Should a problem arise after normal business hours, the Oncology Department is covered by the Animal Emergency and Critical Care Center at Long Island Veterinary Specialists. It is always best to call in advance when possible, however, if problems arise, do not hesitate to bring your pet in immediately. This facility is staffed 24-hours by veterinarians and nurses ready to assist you and your pet.

Your cooperation and understanding will help us focus our energies on patient care.  We are available to answer any questions you may have during our daily patient updates.

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