For Pets with Cancer, Oncura Partners Initiates ‘QOL ON CHEMO’
In the United States pets are living longer, healthier lives and many pets now receive treatments for cancer.
October 31, 2007
Oncura Partners believes that much like in humans, pre-emptive care to manage side effects of cancer-related therapies is critical to the quality of life of pet patients. The limiting factor in many chemotherapy treatment plans is patient side effects — nausea, vomiting, and decreased appetite.
In the United States pets are living longer, healthier lives and many pets now receive treatments for cancer. In fact, 60% of dogs over the age of six will be treated for some form of cancer. For dogs over ten years of age, 50% will die from cancer.
“When we treat and prevent these visible and concerning symptoms in a pet, the families feel chemotherapy medications are not adversely affecting their pet”, according to Brian J Huber, DVM, ABVP and President of Oncura Partners. “This treatment step is critical to providing the opportunity to complete the care and enhance the patients’ response to chemotherapy. Pet families do not realize the full effects of chemotherapy, however, when their pet is comfortable and eating without nausea, the veterinarian is more successful in therapy recommendations, and families are happier with their decision to pursue chemotherapy for their pet. “QOL on Chemo” (quality of life on chemotherapy) for all pet patients is something that is supported by, Pfizer Animal Health makers of Cerenia a new once daily anti-emetic that has been proven to be very safe and effective for managing vomiting due to chemotherapy ” continued Dr. Huber.
Oncura Partners has integrated Cerenia information into all of its treatment plans for its pet patients. Realizing the “dual mode of action” of this anti-emetic and the “once daily” medication creates significant advantages over other medications currently in use.
Oncura Partners provides comprehensive cancer care for companion animals through its partnership with board-certified oncology professionals and the use of online tools and veterinary facilities, nationwide. Oncura Partners offers these resources to help improve patients’ quality of life using advanced techniques to treat cancer, while supporting the business of veterinary oncology.
