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My Dog Has Cancer: In Order To Treat It Should I Go to a Vet or Specialist?

by Dr. Lauren Brickman

Q: I just found out my dog has cancer. Can my normal vet treat her or do I need to take her to a specialist?Q: I just found out my dog has cancer. Can my normal vet treat her or do I need to take her to a specialist?

A: Unfortunately, there are many different kinds of cancers that can affect animals. Each type of cancer has its own affects, treatment options, and prognosis. Certain forms of cancer are extremely malignant and cannot be treated. Others can be cured or controlled with surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, or a combination of these treatments. Veterinary oncologists specialize in cancer and its treatment. While your normal vet can guide you and discuss options with you, they may want to refer you to a veterinary oncologist, especially if radiation or chemotherapy is an option for your pet.

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Dr. Lauren Brickman Dr. Brickman started as a veterinary technician at Garden City Park in 1997 and went on to…

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Comments (1)

michelle (Unverified)
Added 04-13-2011 10:12pm
my dog has cancer, she has a mass in her chest that is pressing on her windpipe causing her to coughing an have breathing problems, she also has an enlarged liver that i'm told is cancer too, the vet has put her on meds to try an keep her comfortable for as long as we can, she's on the max doseage for her body, an other than that i've gotten nowhere as to what to expect out of her through this, so far she still coughs but not like she did, an shes been having some bloody stools also, can anyone help me i need to know what all to expect so it dont put me in more shock than already in.
Anonymous (Unverified)
Added 01-24-2012 02:02pm

Just like with "people," pets require specialty veterinarians, and in this case, Board Certified Oncologists. The blood in the stool is a serious indication and should be addressed with the appropriate medication as Step #1, then the cancer has to be typed and evaluated along with the Staging, an indication of how advanced. Time is thy enemy!

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