FAQs
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If I come in for a consultation, do I have to treat my pet?
No. The purpose of the consultation is to allow Dr. Fulmer to perform a thorough physical exam on your pet and review your pet's medical record. She will then discuss your pet's specific diagnosis and give you as much information as possible about the type of cancer that has been diagnosed. She will discuss the need for further tests that may be required such as an ultrasound or radiographs of the chest, as well as the costs of these tests. She will then outline all available treatment options for your pet and provide estimated costs for each option. You will be informed of the expected outcome of each of those reatment plans as well. You will receive a typed summary of the discussion at the end of your visit for you to review at home. You may then use this information to determine if you would like to begin therapy. In many cases, we are able to begin therapy on the day of your appointment if you are ready to make that decision, or if you are still considering your options we can begin therapy at a later time.
What happens at each chemotherapy visit?
Chemotherapy treatments can be performed either through a recheck appointment (you stay and wait for your pet to finish treatment) or a drop-off appointment (you drop your pet off in the morning and we call you to pick them up when they are finished with treatment). At each visit, Dr. Fulmer performs a complete physical examination and the appropriate blood work is evaluated to ensure that your pet is responding well to chemotherapy and is able to receive treatment on that particular day. If everything is acceptable on exam and blood work, your pet will be treated and sent home that day. In most cases, pets can be discharged immediately after receiving their treatment. There are occasional treatments that require some observation for a few hours following treatment.
How is chemotherapy given to my pet?
Chemotherapy can be administered in several different forms and through various routes, so the administration to your pet depends on what type of cancer is diagnosed and what therapy is chosen. Most chemotherapy agents are administered intravenously, which means directly into the vein. A small catheter is placed in the leg and the drug is administered over a short period of time. Your pet will go home with a small bandage on that leg that may be removed when you arrive home. Your pet, with very rare exceptions, will not be sedated for any treatments, and the treatment is not painful or uncomfortable for your pet in any way.
Some chemotherapy agents are oral tablets. On rare occasions, some of these oral agents may be prescribed for you to administer at home, but most of these are still administered in the hospital because a physical exam and blood work are required before administration.
Will chemotherapy make my pet sick?
Chemotherapy has the potential to cause side effects for any pet that is receiving it. however, chemotherapy side effects in dogs and cats are much less severe than those experienced by people who are undergoing treatment. In general, the most common side effects are gastrointestinal in nature and include nausea or vomiting, diarrhea, or loss of appetite. Gastrointestinal side effects usually occur 3-5 days following therapy. These side effects are generally short-lived and can almost always be managed at home with oral medications. Rarely, side effects are severe enough that your pet may need to be evaluated in hospital or even hospitalized for a short time.
Another possible side effect of chemotherapy is a low white blood cell count, and particularly a low neutrophil count. This generally occurs 7-10 days following therapy, although it can occur as late as 21 days with some chemotherapy agents. For some protocols, your pet will have a CBC (complete blood count) performed each week and therefore we will be able to detect a low neutrophil count. For other protocols, we may have you visit your primary care veterinarian one week after treatment to have a CBC performed. This will allow us to ensure that your pet does not need to receive antibiotics to prevent a secondary infection. Pets that develop a low white cell count may exhibit clinical signs of lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, or have a fever. If you notice any of these signs about 7-10
days following a chemotherapy treatment, you should consult Dr. Fulmer or your primary care veterinarian.
Will chemotherapy make my pet bald?
Chemotherapy does not result in significant hair loss in most dogs and cats. Dogs with continuously growing hair coats such as Lhasa Apsos, Bichons, Poodles, and related breeds will experience the most significant hair loss during the course of their chemotherapy, and rarely will experience almost complete baldness. Dogs with short to medium hair length (Labradors, Golden Retrievers, German Shepherds, etc...) may lose larger amounts of hair than usual throughout their protocol, or lose hair in spots such as around the eyes, around the lip margins, or on the stomach. Cats will often lose the guard hairs in their coat and develop a softer hair coat, and they often lose their whiskers. Hair loss is simply a cosmetic difference and is not harmful to your pet in any way, and once chemotherapy is completed the hair will regrow quickly.
How often is chemotherapy administered and how much does it cost? Does pet insurance pay for chemotherapy?
The number and frequency of chemotherapy treatments administered depends on whether
your pet is a cat or a dog, the type of cancer that is diagnosed, and the protocol that we decide works best for you and your pet. Chemotherapy may be administered as frequently as once a week, while other protocols require treatment every 2 to 3 weeks. The number of treatments generally ranges from 5-16 treatments for dogs, and 5-8 treatments for cats (or up to 40 treatments for cats diagnosed with lymphoma). Oral chemotherapy may be administered daily at home for months or even years of time.
The cost of chemotherapy varies significantly with the drug(s) that are administered, the number of treatments that are required, and the additional tests that are required for your pet's recheck. At the time of your initial consultation, you will be provided with a specific treatment estimate for your pet's treatments that outlines the total cost and what to expect financially. Payment is rendered at the time of each visit, not as an “all at once” cost.
Pet insurance does provide payment for cancer therapy, although the amount of compensation depends on your particular carrier and your specific policy. Please contact your insurance company for detailed information regarding coverage for cancer care.
Where to Find Us:
VESC Carytown
3312 West Cary Street,
Richmond, VA 23221
(p) 804.353.9000 (f) 804.353.9271
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VESC Midlothian
2460 Colony Crossing Place
Midlothian, VA 23112
(p) 804-744-9800
(f) 804-744-4842
Get Directions | Email Us
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