Oncology Vet Services
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy may be used to manage canine or feline cancer, either as a first line of treatment or following a surgical procedure. GARS’ expert veterinary oncologist is available to provide comprehensive services to facilitate cancer diagnosis and develop tailored treatment plans for each pet.
APAVAC Vaccine
This is an individualised cancer vaccine which is made from a patient’s own cancer and used to prime the immune system to help attack the cancer. This technology is used commonly in humans in the fight for cancer and is available through our oncology service.
Electrochemotherapy
This involves the use of intravenous chemotherapy and the use of a small electrical current applied to the tumour to increase the uptake of the chemotherapy into the tumour. This can improve the response of the tumour or treatment and can be used in cases of inoperable tumours or when tumours have not been completely removed.
What is Oncology, and how can a veterinary oncologist help my pet??
Oncology is the discipline-specific to both the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. An oncologist is an expert in this field. Having trained for 3-5 years postgraduate in an approved Oncology training program, their knowledge, experience, and compassion are second to none!
Cancer diagnosis and treatment for pets is a rapidly evolving field. At GARS animal hospital, we offer comprehensive work-up options to facilitate diagnosis and treatment for your pet. This may include blood tests, ultrasound, radiographs, vet CT, MRI, endoscopy and biopsies. The information acquired from these tests is used to create the best treatment plan for your pet. Medical, surgical, chemotherapy, vaccine/gene technology, radiation or a mixture of treatment modalities may be recommended to achieve the best outcomes. Most of these treatments can be carried out at GARS centre for animal referral and emergency right now.
Just as our beautiful furry friends are unique, so too are the customised treatment plans developed to achieve the best health outcomes for our patients. At our referral animal hospital, the oncology, imaging, surgery, medicine and ECC teams work side-by-side to achieve the best outcomes for pets with cancer. We believe it is time to reframe the conversation around cancer in animals and move away from negativity and pessimism. Our priority is about ensuring our patients’ quality of life, for as long as possible.
As science continues to improve and treatment options advance, GARS (and MARS) vet hospital is bringing optimism to veterinary oncology. The darker aspects of cancer will not be dismissed but discussed openly and honestly with families to provide clarity and certainty. We understand this is a difficult time and we are here to support you and your pet by providing the options and care necessary.