Pet Cancer Staging and Care in Shreveport, LA

University Veterinary Hospital offers several pet cancer treatment options including oncology consults, palliative therapy, excision and/or de-bulking of neoplasms, and staging diagnostics. Our goal is to enhance your pet’s quality of life while successfully treating their disease.

Please reach out to us at (318) 797-5522 if you’re concerned your pet may have cancer, or if you have questions that are not answered here. We’re happy to help!

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My pet has been diagnosed with cancer. What’s next?

There are many types of pet cancer, and the behavior and prognosis of each is unique to each patient. Your veterinarian will help you decide which course of action is best for your dog or cat. Depending on the type of cancer your pet has been diagnosed with, there may be several options in terms of treatment.

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How will I know my pet’s prognosis?

Your pet’s prognosis depends on several different factors including, but not limited to cancer type, cancer stage, and the grade of the cancer. These factors, along with your pet’s age and overall health, play a role in determining the prognosis.

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What is staging?

Staging is performed to determine if the tumor has metastasized (spread) from the primary tumor site. Staging consists of several different tests/diagnostics such as:

• Lymph node evaluation
• Chest x-rays
• Abdominal ultrasound
• Cytology and/or biopsy of the mass
• Blood work

In some cases a CT scan or MRI might be needed. In that case, we will refer you to a location where this can be performed.

What about my pet’s quality of life?

Your pet’s quality of life is extremely important to us. Our goal is to fight the disease allowing your pet a longer life, but we want to make that life worth living.

As with any treatment, there are potential side effects. We make every effort to keep those possible side effects mild and manageable. We will advise you of the possible side effects, so you know what symptoms to expect.

One big difference between human oncology and veterinary oncology is that canine and feline patients tend to handle/tolerate chemotherapy much better. In addition, quality of life is consistently evaluated, and treatment plans are tailored accordingly.