I’ve been a major slacker lately when it comes to writing articles. I blame the fact that a few months back, the staff at PetMD cut back on asking me for contributions, therefore reducing my incentive (read: deadlines) for completing my tasks. My absence doesn’t stem from a lack of thought. I still possess a … Continue reading Can’t you just give me the “chemo pill?”
During nearly every consultation, there comes a time where pet owners must make the decision whether to pursue chemotherapy or not. While a small number of people arrive assured that they will treat their pets, more frequently owners arrive with an open mind to the available options, searching for all possible choices before moving forward. … Continue reading When you can’t make up your mind…
I recently participated in an interview with a fellow writer for petmd.com on what pet owners need to know about chemotherapy in dogs. You can find the link to the full text here and a transcription of the article below. By: Carol McCarthy “Your dog has cancer” might be the four scariest words a pet parent can … Continue reading Chemotherapy for Dogs: Everything you need to know!
There’s a specific routine we follow for each pet arriving for a chemotherapy appointment. Owners arrive and are greeted by a technician, who will ask several questions about how their pet is doing and if any complications from a previous treatment arose. If all is “status quo,” the patient will be taken to our treatment … Continue reading When the remedy is the poison…
During the final year of my residency in medical oncology, I was required to give chemotherapy to my patients with cancer. One case that stands out is a cat I treated with intralesional chemotherapy for a recurrent fibrosarcoma. As a typical resident, I possessed an inappropriate level of enthusiasm about this task and I asked … Continue reading A surprising risk of chemotherapy you may never have considered…
In order for tumor cells to multiple and spread, they must develop their own blood supply through a process called angiogenesis. Angiogenesis inhibitor chemotherapy drugs work to stop or slow down this process, thereby controlling tumor growth. Metronomic chemotherapy is one example of angiogenesis inhibition treatment, which is becoming a popular treatment option for pets … Continue reading Metronomic chemotherapy – is it the right choice for your pet?
My eyes widened as they scanned over the title of the website I’d stumbled across. After pausing for a few moments to recover my composure and swallow a mild wave of nausea, I rolled my eyes sarcastically and thought ,“Yet another misinterpretation of sound medical research written in the name of Internet propaganda for the … Continue reading “Could cat feces help cure cancer?”
During chemo appointments, I always catch up with owners to find out how things are going since the last time I saw their pet. Since > 75% of our patients won’t have anything happen to them after a treatment, I’m usually just checking in to confirm all is going well. For about 20% of … Continue reading Chemo causes what???
1. What caused my pet’s cancer? The short answer to this question in many cases is “We don’t know”. I recognize this is a heated question in veterinary medicine and owners are inundated with theoretical causes of cancer (in people and an animals) in the media, in print, and on the Internet. In general, the … Continue reading Answers to the top 5 questions from owners of pets with cancer:
Growth Factors 