Oncology

Medical Oncology Department at Toronto Animal Health Partners in North York

Dogs and cats are commonly affected by cancer. In fact, 1 in 5 cats and 1 in 4 dogs will be affected by cancer in their lifetime. Just like in people, cancer is a disease managed by oncologists. However, our goal is to minimize the side effects and achieve a prolonged remission for the best quality of life for your beloved pet. Those that discuss and treat with medical therapy are called veterinary medical oncologists. Those that are trained and perform specific surgeries related to cancer are called veterinary surgical oncologists.

Toronto Animal Health Partners houses advanced imaging, including Ultrasound, CT scan and a high-field 3T MRI which is useful for diagnosing, monitoring and treating patients with cancer. We also have a private chemotherapy suite for our patients that provides a calm and private environment for their care. We utilize a closed-chemotherapy delivery system for the administration of chemotherapeutic drugs to ensure the safety of our patients and staff. Bisphosphonate therapy and immunotherapies (i.e., the melanoma vaccine) are available at our location.

We will always discuss all options with you and your family, including medical therapy, surgical treatment, and radiation therapy. Educating your family on the options available, care, and communication are fundamental to our team. Cancer care is enhanced by a collaborative team approach, and we will always work in direct collaboration with our Internal Medicine specialists, Pathologists, Surgeons and Surgical Oncologists, as well as Radiologists, to ensure the best for your pet’s cancer care journey. We also offer close collaboration with the Radiation Oncology Service at the University of Guelph when required.

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Medical Oncology Services

• Consultation with board-certified oncologist
• Administration by injection, infusion or oral systemic chemotherapy
• Management of chemotherapy side effects
• Immunotherapy with melanoma vaccine
• Education, advice and collaboration in treatment decision making
• Palliative care and quality of life discussion for cancer patients

Common Reasons for Consultation

• Diagnosis and staging of any cancer
• Discussion of treatment options available
• Discussion of prognosis related to your pet’s diagnosis
• Chemotherapy treatment, prescription and side effect management
• Palliative care consultations
• Post-surgical recommendations after a diagnosis of cancer