We work with compounding pharmacies such as Ballard Plaza Pharmacy
for the right formulation of chemotherapy or other medications for your pet.    

Please visit this website before purchasing any of your pet's prescriptions online. 

If a NSAID (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory) is included in your pet's protocol, please remember, these do have side effects. 

TREATMENT OPTIONS INCLUDE:
Surgery
If the cancer is localized to an area of the body, surgery is often recommended. The success rate for curative treatment with surgery increases when there has not been metastases or when spreading has not occurred. 
Sometimes, advanced imaging techniques such as CT or MRI are needed to determine how successful surgery is likely to be. If clean margins are not achievable due to location, we may be able to follow surgery with radiation or chemotherapy to effect longer term control.

Dr. Meleo does not perform surgeries. You will be referred to a board-certified surgeon at ACCES or back to your pet's primary veterinarian. 

Radiation Therapy


"Annie" post radiation therapy for nasal chondrosarcoma 
Sadly, we have lost Annie, but she lived another two years following treatment.

Radiation is the use of high energy x-rays or particles in an attempt to kill rapidly growing cancer cells.  Radiation is considered for tumors that cannot be (completely) surgically removed or if there is concern that the tumor may return after surgery. Radiation is most successful when the tumor is limited to a single site (no metastases) and is amenable to radiation reaching it.
Sometimes, advanced imaging techniques such as CT or MRI are needed to specifically determine the location and extent of the tumor for treatment planning purposes.

If radiation therapy is appropriate for your pet, further information regarding this process will be discussed with you in detail. 

       
 
 Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is used when a cancer has spread or has an increased likelihood of spreading. Chemotherapy comes in many forms and is frequently administered orally, intravenously or subcutaneously by our expertly trained technicians and assistants during your pet's regular appointment times. 
  Sometimes, at-home administration of oral chemotherapy will be appropriate. 
Please always follow the directions exactly, and if you have any questions, don't hesitate to call our office.

Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy is the use of the body's own immune system to fight cancer and is fairly new in the veterinary oncologist's  arsenal.  
The  Canine Melanoma Vaccine  is now available for purchase. If your dog has been diagnosed with melanoma, please visit Merial's Consumer Education Website for more information. Then please call the office for an appointment to have any additional questions you may have answered.

The vaccine is not appropriate in all situations
 

 Pain Management
While not all cancers carry a favorable prognosis, in cases where definitive treatment may not be feasible or appropriate, palliative care can provide meaningful improvement in quality of life, even in cases of advanced disease.   
Fortunately, combination therapies and newer strategies for pain management provide us with an opportunity to improve your pet's quality of life.