Chemotherapy in veterinary medicine may be used alone for certain cancers, or in conjunction with other treatments such as surgery or radiation therapy.
It can be recommended for cancer that has spread to other parts of the body, for tumors occurring at more than one site, or for tumors that cannot be removed surgically. Chemotherapy can also be used to shrink large tumors before surgery or to remove microscopic cancer cells that have not been removed completely.
Miller Animal Hospital in Folsom, Louisiana offers the option of chemotherapy for patients who have cancer. Our caring staff will be there for you to help you understand the process and what to expect. After all, understanding how anti-cancer drugs work and what to expect from treatments is extremely important information for pet owners to have to help them decide on the appropriate therapy for their animals.
Compared to people, pets typically experience fewer side effects from chemotherapy. Veterinary oncologists use lower doses of drugs, do not combine as many drugs as in treatments for humans, and administer drugs at less frequent intervals.
The tissues of the body most sensitive to chemotherapy are the intestinal lining, the bone marrow, and hair follicles. Fortunately, these normal tissues continue to grow and repair themselves, and any injury caused by chemotherapy is rarely permanent.