Oncology

Your pet's life is worth fighting for.

In the past, there was very little hope when it came to a cancer diagnosis for our pets. Thankfully, with huge advances in veterinary cancer therapy there are now innovative cancer treatments available that are helping to extend the length and quality of pet's lives following diagnosis with a malignant tumor

Within Thrive, our partnership with PetCure Oncology has helped grow our network of some of the most experienced veterinary radiation oncologists in the world, with leading veterinary specialty centers across the United States.

We care not only for our pet patients, but also for the humans who love them. We understand that the cancer treatment journey impacts the entire pet family. Our 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.

Which pet cancer treatment option is right for my pet?

Not only have you just found out your furry friend has cancer - you're now faced with many overwhelming decisions in their care.

There are numerous factors that go into choosing the best treatment option for your pet. Our 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
Location of the tumor
Early or late detection of the cancer
Your pet's medical history
Your pet's age and physical fitness
Your family's personal situation and opinions for treatment

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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

Used when cancers have spread or are within the blood cells
Powerful drugs administered orally (pills), intravenously (through the bloodstream), or injected directly into the tumor

Stereotactic radiation (SRS/SRT)

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

Pallative care

Used to increase a pet's comfort and quality of life instead of treating the cancer
Sometimes pet owners opt to not treat pet cancer for several reasons, particularly if remission is not realistic.
Typically delivered in weekly low-dose radiation treatments over 3-6 weeks, the goal is to relieve symptoms such as pain, bleeding, and decreased mobility.

Immunotherapy

A biological therapy that uses antibodies to boost the body's natural defenses against the cancer cells.

Cryotherapy

Uses extreme cold temperatures to kill cells
Works best on small, superficial tumors in areas like the skin, eyelids, mouth, and anus

Radioactive iodine I-131

The only option to treat dysfunctional thyroid tissue with minimal impact on normal tissue.
90-95% of cats will have a non-cancerous thyroid tumor that produces excessive thyroid hormones, leading to a dysfunctional thyroid and hyperthyroidism.

Pet Oncology FAQ

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

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:

Skin
Mammary Gland (Breast)
Head & Neck
Lymphoma
Testicles
Abdominal Tumors
Bone

For some breeds of pet, especially dogs, their genetics can make them more exposed to the potential for cancer in their lives. Below is the list of dog breeds most susceptible:

Bernese Mountain Dog
Boxer
Chow Chow
Cocker Spaniel
Collie
Golden Retriever
Labrador Retriever
Pug
Rottweiler
Scottish Terrier
Shar-pei

Oncology

Your pet's life is worth fighting for.

Which pet cancer treatment option is right for my pet?

Not only have you just found out your furry friend has cancer - you're now faced with many overwhelming decisions in their care.

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
Location of the tumor
Early or late detection of the cancer
Your pet's medical history
Your pet's age and physical fitness
Your family's personal situation and opinions 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

Used when cancers have spread or are within the blood cells
Powerful drugs administered orally (pills), intravenously (through the bloodstream), or injected directly into the tumor

Stereotactic radiation (SRS/SRT)

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

Pallative care

Used to increase a pet's comfort and quality of life instead of treating the cancer
Sometimes pet owners opt to not treat pet cancer for several reasons, particularly if remission is not realistic.
Typically delivered in weekly low-dose radiation treatments over 3-6 weeks, the goal is to relieve symptoms such as pain, bleeding, and decreased mobility.

Immunotherapy

A biological therapy that uses antibodies to boost the body's natural defenses against the cancer cells.

Cryotherapy

Uses extreme cold temperatures to kill cells
Works best on small, superficial tumors in areas like the skin, eyelids, mouth, and anus

Radioactive iodine I-131

The only option to treat dysfunctional thyroid tissue with minimal impact on normal tissue.
90-95% of cats will have a non-cancerous thyroid tumor that produces excessive thyroid hormones, leading to a dysfunctional thyroid and hyperthyroidism.

Pet Oncology FAQ

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:

Skin
Mammary Gland (Breast)
Head & Neck
Lymphoma
Testicles
Abdominal Tumors
Bone

For some breeds of pet, especially dogs, their genetics can make them more exposed to the potential for cancer in their lives. Below is the list of dog breeds most susceptible:

Bernese Mountain Dog
Boxer
Chow Chow
Cocker Spaniel
Collie
Golden Retriever
Labrador Retriever
Pug
Rottweiler
Scottish Terrier
Shar-pei

Oncology

Which pet cancer treatment option is right for my pet?

Common Cancer Treatments For Pets

Surgery

Chemotherapy

Stereotactic radiation (SRS/SRT)

Pallative care

Immunotherapy

Cryotherapy

Radioactive iodine I-131

Pet Oncology FAQ

What are the most common types of cancer?

Are certain pets more susceptible to cancer?

Oncology

Which pet cancer treatment option is right for my pet?

Common Cancer Treatments For Pets

Surgery

Chemotherapy

Stereotactic radiation (SRS/SRT)

Pallative care

Immunotherapy

Cryotherapy

Radioactive iodine I-131

Pet Oncology FAQ

What are the most common types of cancer?

Are certain pets more susceptible to cancer?