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Like us, animals such as dogs, cats, ferrets, and rabbits can get cancer. Fortunately, cancer is frequently treatable or manageable — and recent advancements in chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgery mean many pets are living longer, healthier lives following a diagnosis. At Broadway Veterinary Hospital, our Sacramento, CA oncology services are designed to give your pet every possible advantage with compassionate guidance at every step.
Early detection remains one of our strongest tools, as most cancers cannot be prevented. Contact us right away if you notice lumps, sores that do not heal, vomiting, diarrhea, or changes in eating habits. According to Morris Animal Foundation, roughly 12 million dogs and cats are diagnosed with cancer each year — making awareness and early action essential for every pet owner.
Don't wait until you find a tick on your pet to take action. Protect them with expert prevention from Sacramento's trusted veterinary team.
Pet cancer occurs when cells begin to grow uncontrollably in the body of a dog, cat, or other animal, affecting any part of the body — from skin and bones to internal organs. Early detection is one of the most important factors in successful treatment, and veterinary oncologists board certified by organizations like the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine play a crucial role in diagnosing and managing these complex conditions.
Common treatment options include radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and surgery, with the right approach depending on cancer type, stage, and your pet’s overall health. Pet owners should watch for symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, unexplained weight loss, or behavioral changes, and seek veterinary care promptly if anything seems unusual. With the right treatment plan and early intervention, many pets can continue to enjoy a good quality of life.
Veterinary oncology is the branch of veterinary medicine dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of cancer in animals. A veterinary oncologist is a veterinary internal medicine specialist with additional training in veterinary . A veterinary oncologist evaluates the individual characteristics of each pet’s cancer and works with your veterinarian to develop the most appropriate treatment plan for your companion’s specific situation. The treatment plan will depend on the type and stage of cancer, the overall health of your pet, and your goals as an owner. Medical oncology focuses on drug-based therapies including chemotherapy and immunotherapy, while radiation oncology addresses tumors that respond to targeted radiation. Together, these specialists and services give patients in Sacramento access to a comprehensive range of modern cancer care.
At Broadway Veterinary Hospital, we work closely with veterinary oncologist specialists and internal medicine consultants to ensure Veterinary oncologists frequently serve as consultants to veterinarians in private practice, and general practitioners may refer complex cases to these specialists for advanced diagnostics and treatment. Whether your pet requires a straightforward surgical removal or a more involved combination of chemotherapy and additional therapies, our team helps you understand every treatment option availableyour pet receives coordinated, expert care. so you can make confident, informed decisions.
Chemotherapy is one of the most widely used treatments in veterinary oncology, particularly for blood-based cancers such as lymphoma and tumors that have spread or are at high risk of doing so. As noted by NC State’s College of Veterinary Medicine, chemotherapy drugs used in pets are often derived from natural substances, and treatment protocols are structured to optimize anti-cancer benefits while managing side effects. Most treatments are administered intravenously or subcutaneously and are often managed on an outpatient basis.
Dogs and cats generally tolerate chemotherapy significantly better than human patients. Most veterinary chemotherapy protocols carry only a 5% incidence of severe complications, and the majority of pets experience only mild, manageable side effects such as temporary nausea or lethargy. Our veterinarians and oncologist partners monitor every patient closely throughout treatment to ensure comfort, safety, and the best possible response.
Veterinary oncology offers a broad range of treatment options tailored to the type and stage of your pet’s cancer. Staging is an important process where veterinary oncologists assess the extent and progression of tumors to develop appropriate treatment plans. Our Sacramento, CA oncology service supports access to the following therapies, used independently or in combination:
Surgery — Often the first line of treatment for localized tumors that can be removed completely. Surgery may be used alone or alongside chemotherapy and radiation oncology therapies depending on the diagnosis.
Chemotherapy — Drug-based treatment administered orally or intravenously to target cancer cells throughout the body, most commonly used for lymphoma, mast cell tumors, and other systemic cancers.
Radiation Oncology — Targeted radiation therapy used to shrink or destroy tumors that cannot be fully removed by surgery, often delivered over several weeks in coordination with a veterinary oncologist.
Immunotherapy — An emerging treatment option that works by stimulating your pet’s own immune system to recognize and fight cancer cells, representing one of the most exciting advances in modern medical oncology. The ONCEPT Canine Melanoma Vaccine is the first commercially available vaccine for the treatment of canine melanoma, specifically for melanoma in the mouth and digits, using a needle-free transdermal delivery system.
Palliative Care — When remission is not the goal, treatment focuses on managing pain, maintaining quality of life, and keeping your pet comfortable throughout the course of their disease.
The exact combination of therapies recommended will depend on your pet’s diagnosis, tumor type, stage of disease, and individual health profile. Our veterinarians take the time to walk you through every treatment option so that your decisions reflect both your pet’s needs and your own goals.
Your pet’s health is our expertise, which is why local news outlets like Fox40 News and Good Day Sacramento regularly invite Dr. Sam Varon to share essential pet care information, from emerging health concerns to answering everyday pet questions. When you choose Broadway Veterinary Hospital, you’re choosing care backed by expertise that Sacramento trusts.
Reaching an accurate diagnosis is the critical first step in any oncology treatment plan. Our Sacramento animal hospital uses advanced diagnostics — including digital radiography, diagnostic ultrasound, and in-house laboratory testing — to evaluate tumors and assess the overall health status of cancer patients. A veterinary oncologist typically requires a cytologic or histopathologic diagnosis to fully understand the tumor type and stage before recommending a treatment plan. Bloodwork, urinalysis, and imaging help our veterinarians diagnose underlying conditions and determine which therapies are most appropriate for your pet’s unique situation.
If your primary veterinarian has identified a suspicious mass or suspects cancer, do not delay scheduling an appointment. Early diagnosis consistently improves outcomes across virtually every type of veterinary oncology case. Sacramento, CA pet owners can reach our team to schedule an appointment by contacting our office directly.
Our veterinarians provide clear, honest guidance about what each treatment involves, what to expect, and how to support your pet’s comfort at home between appointments. Dr. Sam Varon, whose special interests include oncology and surgery, leads our oncology service with the depth of expertise Sacramento pet owners trust.
Dr. Sam is a UC Davis graduate regularly featured on Fox40 News and Good Day Sacramento to share expert veterinary guidance with the community. Together with our full team, he ensures every cancer patient receives individualized care from diagnosis through recovery. To learn more or schedule an appointment at our Sacramento, CA clinic, please contact our team today.
Don’t wait any longer to forge a lifelong relationship with your friendly veterinarian.
Common signs of cancer in dogs and cats include unexplained lumps or bumps, sores that do not heal, sudden weight loss, changes in appetite, persistent vomiting or diarrhea, unusual odors, and lethargy. Because pets often mask discomfort, subtle behavioral changes can also be early warning signs. If you notice anything unusual, scheduling a veterinary appointment promptly is the most important step you can take for your pet’s health.
Yes, chemotherapy is generally well tolerated in veterinary patients. Unlike in human medicine, veterinary oncology protocols are specifically designed to preserve your pet’s quality of life. Most dogs and cats experience only mild side effects such as temporary nausea or fatigue. According to UW Veterinary Care, most veterinary chemotherapy protocols carry only a 5% incidence of severe complications — and many pets show no side effects at all throughout treatment.
A treatment plan is developed based on your pet’s specific cancer type, tumor stage, overall health, and your goals as an owner. A veterinary oncologist evaluates all available diagnosis information — including biopsy results, imaging, and bloodwork — and recommends the most appropriate combination of therapies. Treatment options may include chemotherapy, surgery, radiation oncology, immunotherapy, or palliative care, depending on what will best serve your pet’s well-being.
Medical oncology focuses on drug-based cancer therapies such as chemotherapy and immunotherapy, which are used to treat cancers that affect multiple areas of the body or have spread beyond the original tumor site. Radiation oncology uses targeted radiation beams to shrink or destroy localized tumors, often in combination with surgery or chemotherapy. Your veterinarian and veterinary oncologist will recommend which service or combination of therapies is most appropriate following a thorough diagnosis.
Contact Broadway Veterinary Hospital directly to schedule an appointment with our oncology service team in Sacramento, CA. If your pet has received a cancer diagnosis from another veterinarian, bring all available records, imaging, and biopsy results to your first appointment so our team can begin building the most informed treatment plan possible. We are here to guide you through every stage of the process with expertise and compassion.
Our fully equipped veterinary hospital brings together advanced medical technology and skilled veterinary expertise to handle all your pet’s healthcare needs.
Whether it’s preventive care or complex procedures, we’re here to provide exceptional treatment at every stage of your pet’s life.
