Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is a treatment option for some types of cancer in dogs and cats. It involves using one or more drugs to manage some types of cancers. Chemotherapy can sometimes be combined with other treatments (e.g. surgery) to manage cancer.
In pets, chemotherapy is usually palliative. This means lower doses are used to slow the progression of the cancer, rather than higher doses which might stop the cancer altogether. This reduces the chance of side effects, which is important when we can’t explain to animals why they feel ill. Most vets do not prescribe chemotherapy lightly, but it can make a huge difference in some cases and may be an option after discussion with a cancer specialist (an ‘oncologist’).
Written by:
Dr Jnanee Krishnasamy
Dr Jnanee is a small animal veterinarian. She was born in sunny Singapore and spent her formative years there, before studying veterinary medicine at Massey University. Since graduating from vet school, Dr Jnanee has worked in a variety of settings that include private practice, shelter medicine, and veterinary telemedicine. Due to her varied experiences, she is well-informed on many aspects of the veterinary industry!
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