If your pet has been diagnosed with a type of cancer that can be treated with radiation, your family veterinarian may refer you to the WCVM Veterinary Medical Centre's radiation oncology service for a consultation with a veterinary radiation oncologist — a veterinarian who specializes in treating patients with radiation therapy.
Your radiation oncologist and radiation therapist will discuss the details of your pet’s cancer with you, the role of radiation therapy in your pet’s overall treatment plan and what to expect from your pet’s treatment.
An American College of Veterinary Radiolology (ACVR) board certified veterinary radiation oncologist specializes in the treatment of cancer patients, using radiation as the main modality of treatment as opposed to a medical oncologist who uses chemotherapy as the preferred modality of treatment.
Radiation oncologists work closely with other specialists such as surgical oncologists, other surgeons, internal medicine subspecialists and medical oncologists. They may also rely on the expertise of medical physicists and dosimetrists.
Patient information was reproduced with permission from materials kindly provided by the American Society of Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology.
Having your pet diagnosed with cancer can bring on a flood of feelings and concerns. Learning as much as possible about the disease and treatment options can seem overwhelming and confusing. However, as you make decisions and prepare for treatment, it will help to learn as much as possible about what your pet may experience.
The following link provides information for people who are exploring radiation therapy as a treatment option for their pet. Radiation, alone or in combination with other cancer treatments, can be used to successfully treat many different types of cancer. Modern technology allows veterinary radiation oncologists to treat tumours more powerfully and precisely while sparing much of the healthy tissue that surrounds the tumour.
Remember, your pet’s radiation treatment team and your family veterinarian are the best people to make recommendations and answer questions about your specific problems.
If you have any questions about a referral patient, please contact:
To refer one of your patients for radiation therapy please complete the radiation oncology service referral form. Email it to radreferral@usask.ca or fax it to 306-966-7156.
To book a consultation, please call the VMC Small Animal Clinic at 306-966-7126 and speak to a receptionist.
The WCVM Veterinary Medical Centre is located on the University of Saskatchewan campus, on the east side of the South Saskatchewan River.
Our foster volunteer program matches our out-of-town patients with short-term, loving homes while they are undergoing treatment. Our foster volunteers generously donate their time and love to support patients through a difficult time. If you are interested in having foster care for your pet while he or she is in Saskatoon, please talk to us at the time of your consultation. Thank you to our wonderful volunteers
Dr. Monique Mayer
Associate Professor, Radiation Oncology
Residents, Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences
Login