Medical Oncology
A cancer diagnosis for your pet is a scary and disheartening experience. However, as in human medicine, pets have oncologists on their side to provide multiple treatment options to improve their health, quality of life and extend their lifespan.
At TrueCare for pets oncology, your animals care will be provided by a board-certified veterinary medical oncologist. A board-certified medical oncologist has received comprehensive training in the subject of cancer along with completing a 3-year residency and passing rigorous examinations and publication requirements set forth by the American College of Veterinary Radiology (ACVR) and/or American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM). These specialists are experts in diagnosing cancer, developing custom treatment plans, and administering care.
The goal of cancer treatment in pets is to provide the best quality of life for the animal. This is done concurrently with minimizing pain and side effects from medication so they can enjoy the same lifestyle they did before diagnosis.
What to do if your Pet is Diagnosed with Cancer
When your primary veterinarian gives a cancer diagnosis to your furry friend our team is here for you immediately to assist in the next steps.
You will schedule a consultation with our oncologist who will perform a thorough examination of your pet, review their entire medical history, and then perform any additional diagnostic tests needed to confirm the correct diagnosis and better direct therapy.
We will then give you a detailed explanation of the diagnosis and answer each and every question you may have, so you can feel confident you understand the cancer we are facing together as a team.
If treatment is elected, the oncologist will then develop a customized plan for your pet which will work in concert with any treatments they may be receiving for other conditions. The oncologist will explain the various recommended options and assist you in selecting the best course of action. Our team will work with your primary veterinarian to monitor your pet’s overall health and care, and everyone will be kept up to date at every stage of the treatment process.
Treatment Options
Every pet, every families goal and each diagnosis is unique and requires a treatment that is developed accordingly. TrueCare for pets mission is to offer creative care for each and every animal (and owner) who comes to us for help. Our oncology team is armed with multiple treatment options including:
- Chemotherapy
- Palliative Care
- Surgery/Tumor Removal
- Radiation (Coming Soon)
Meet our Oncologist
Dr. Jennifer Pierro grew up in Sydney, Australia and California. She did her undergraduate work in psychology at UC Berkeley. She then moved to Providence, Rhode Island, where she developed her passion for both basic science and clinical research during her graduate studies at Brown University. She went on to complete her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree at Purdue University, during which time she discovered her fascination with oncology and cancer biology. She completed an internship and medical oncology residency at University of Georgia. During that time, she was fortunate to have the opportunity to run clinical trials and bench top studies using feline cancer cell lines.
Dr. Pierro’s interests include feline breast cancer, feline lymphoma, novel chemotherapeutics, and drug repositioning. Most importantly, her focus is treating cancer while promoting quality of life. She is very excited to be joining the team at TrueCare, and to be continuing the oncology program.
A cancer diagnosis, while frightening, doesn’t have to be debilitating for you and your pet. Early detection and a creative care treatment plan will help to create a positive outcome. Whether it’s providing a cure, managing the disease, or giving palliative care and the best quality of life possible, the TrueCare for pets oncology team will be here for you as a partner and support through the entire journey.