Did you know? Genetic Testing can help your pet better fight cancer!

Did you know...
DNA Genetic Testing is used to help pets with cancer!

Let’s delve into DNA genetic analysis! What exactly is it?

Genetic testing, also referred to as DNA testing, involves the use of technology or DNA sequencing to identify abnormal changes in genes, chromosomes or proteins. These changes, termed mutations or variants, often contribute to the formation and progression of cancer. DNA genetic testing is routinely used in human medicine and is anticipated to become a standard in veterinary oncology.

How can DNA genetic testing help my pet with cancer?
When DNA mutations or variants are identified through genetic testing, chemotherapy drugs that specifically target the identified mutations can be recommended as treatment for your pet’s cancer. Although DNA genetic testing is not perfect and may not always yield results, it can often help you and your veterinary oncologist make informed treatment decisions and can provide additional insights into prognosis for your pet. This precision allows veterinary oncologists to use precise and targeted chemotherapy to treat cancer, which decreases the risk of chemotherapy side effects.

DNA genetic testing can be especially helpful in challenging cases in which treatment options are limited. Ultimately, our goal is to extend your pet’s survival time past what is expected with conventional chemotherapy. By specifically targeting the mutations identified in your pet’s cancer, many times, targeted chemotherapy and conventional chemotherapy can be safely combined.

What samples are necessary for DNA genetic analysis?
Samples required for DNA genetic testing are typically obtained non-invasively. Depending on the specific test, blood, fine needle aspirates, or biopsy samples are necessary.

Is DNA genetic testing available for both dogs and cats?
Unfortunately, DNA genetic testing is exclusively available for dogs. However, there is hope that it will soon become accessible for cats.

My dog has been diagnosed with cancer. Is DNA genetic testing the next step?
Maybe! Not all cancers are treated equally, and chemotherapy is not always the chosen course of action. Sometimes, surgery alone might suffice for treating your pet’s cancer.

It is the goal of our Oncology Service is to help you explore the best treatment options for your pet and ensure treatment is focused on improving their quality of life. Learn more about our VCA Pet CancerCare Center and how our experts are here to care for your pet.

Dr. Irene Vazquez is a gifted and dedicated veterinarian who leads our Onolcogy department with a primary focus on improving quality of life for every pet that is diagnosed with cancer.

To schedule an appointment and to learn more about Dr. Vazquez, visit our website and watch this video.

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Advanced Cancer Care for the World's Most
Important Pet: Yours

At VCA, it is our goal to help treat your pet’s cancer, giving you and your pet more quality time together. At our VCA Pet CancerCare Centers, our oncology teams design individualized treatment plans for each patient using the most advanced and effective treatments available—much like those used in human medicine.

Learn about the VCA Pet CancerCare difference and watch the stories of pets we've helped after a cancer diagnosis.

Meet Roxy!

OUR SPECIALTY TEAM IS HERE WHEN YOU NEED US!

 

Specialty Care Appointments

We understand the challenges your clients can face in finding appointments for the advanced care you recommend. We are here to help. What we are doing. Our Advanced Diagnostic Imaging Department has expanded to provide greater availability for Ultrasound and CT services. Advanced Diagnostic Imaging Services available Mon-Sat.  Internal Medicine & Dermatology With the growth of our Internal Medicine Department, Dr. Randi Fishkin, DACVECC, DACVIM and Dr. Melody Chen (Practice Limited to Internal Medicine) are able to provide IM consultations typically within five days of your referral. Internal Medicine Service is available Tues-Sat. Our Dermatology Department is currently booking appointments 6 weeks out. However, to ensure every dermatology client can be seen as soon as possible, we have a well-established waitlist protocol in place. Dermatology Service is available Tues-Sat. Oncology & Emergency and Critical Care Our Oncology Department's renovations are complete. Your clients are now welcomed into a state-of-the-art USP 800-compliant oncology suite, thus ensuring the safest administration of cancer care available.  Oncology Service is available Mon- Thurs. Our Emergency & Critical Care Department, overseen by  Dr. Randi Fishkin, DACVECC, DAVCIM is staffed 7 days a week for referrals.  Emergency and Critical Care Service is available 24/7, Sun-Sat. Our Surgical Service is available 5 days a week, Tues-Sat.

Mast Cell Tumors Beware! Our Oncologist has a mark on you!

Mast Cell Tumors Beware! Our Oncologist has a mark on you!   

When looking for advanced veterinary care, we are here for you with cutting edge treatment options. Dr. Irene Vazquez, our board certified oncologist is your neighborhood pet cancer specialist.

STELFONTA is a prescription medicine used in dogs to treat mast cell tumors on the skin or in the tissues just under the skin. Given as an injection directly into your dog’s tumor, it destroys the tumor by breaking down cancer cells and starving their blood supply. A “pocket” or wound is left at the injection site where the tumor was. This is generally a healthy wound ready for skin and hair to grow back in a few weeks.
Pretreatment involves oral medications, including corticosteroids and antihistamines, prior to the injection of STELFONTA. These medications are very important to reduce the risks associated with inflammatory substances that can be released from the tumor as the mast cells are destroyed. Premedication is given 2 days pretreatment and continues until 7 days post treatment. It is essential that you give all medications as prescribed.

Most dogs do not need sedation or anesthesia during the procedure although occasionally, dogs may be sedated.

Side effects reported in dogs treated with STELFONTA were generally mild and short lasting, but they can be severe, especially if not treated in a timely manner.

The most common adverse reactions included wound formation, injection-site pain, lameness in the treated limb, vomiting, diarrhea and hypoalbuminemia (low levels in the blood of the protein albumin). Although most side effects/adverse reactions seen in clinical studies were mild, the most serious side effects occurred in the first 4 days. Excessive pain, lameness, tiredness, refusal to eat for more than one day, repeated vomiting or diarrhea, trouble breathing, changes to the treated tumor site (including increased or excessive swelling and bruising, extensive wound formation, increased irritation) or any other symptoms should be examined immediately and treated accordingly.

When looking for advanced veterinary care, we are here for you with cutting edge treatment options. Dr. Irene Vazquez, our board certified oncologist is your neighborhood pet cancer specialist.

Irene Vazquez, DVM, MS, DACVIM (Oncology)

New Treatment for Mast Cell Tumors (MCT)-STELFONTA

New Treatment for Mast Cell Tumors (MCT)-STELFONTA

VCA Hollywood Animal Hospital now offers STELFONTA as a cutting edge treatment for Mast Cell Tumors (MCT). STELFONTA is a prescription medicine used in dogs to treat mast cell tumors on the skin or in the tissues just under the skin. Given as an injection directly into your dog’s tumor, it destroys the tumor by breaking down cancer cells and starving their blood supply. A “pocket” or wound is left at the injection site where the tumor was. This is generally a healthy wound ready for skin and hair to grow back in a few weeks.

Pretreatment involves oral medications, including corticosteroids and antihistamines, prior to the injection of STELFONTA. These medications are very important to reduce the risks associated with inflammatory substances that can be released from the tumor as the mast cells are destroyed. Premedication is given 2 days pretreatment and continues until 7 days post treatment. It is essential that you give all medications as prescribed.

Most dogs do not need sedation or anesthesia during the procedure although occasionally, dogs may be sedated. 

Side effects reported in dogs treated with STELFONTA were generally mild and short lasting, but they can be severe, especially if not treated in a timely manner. 

The most common adverse reactions included wound formation, injection-site pain, lameness in the treated limb, vomiting, diarrhea, and hypoalbuminemia (low levels in the blood of the protein albumin). Although most side effects/adverse reactions seen in clinical studies were mild, the most serious side effects occurred in the first 4 days. Excessive pain, lameness, tiredness, refusal to eat for more than one day, repeated vomiting or diarrhea, trouble breathing, changes to the treated tumor site (including increased or excessive swelling and bruising, extensive wound formation, increased irritation) or any other symptoms should be examined immediately and treated accordingly. 

Irene Vazquez, DVM, MS, DACVIM (Oncology)

Medical Oncologist
VCA Hollywood Animal Hospital

Pet CancerCare Center

vcahollywood@vca.com

Lumps and bumps in the skin, should you be concerned?

The answer is not always, but an examination by your veterinarian is needed to determine this.

As pets grow and get older, they can develop lumps and bumps throughout their body. Although it is more common for older pets to develop skin masses, younger pets can develop them too. On many occasions skin masses are classified as benign. Sometimes, however, they can be malignant and cause problems. The best course of action to determine whether a lump or bump in your pet’s skin is benign or malignant is to have it evaluated by your veterinarian.

More than likely, a fine needle aspirate for cytology evaluation will be recommended to determine if further medical care is needed.A non-invasive technique that can be used to determine whether a skin mass is benign or malignant is a fine needle aspirate. This technique involves obtaining samples from the mass or abnormal tissue using a small needle. The sample obtained is then gently expelled onto a clean glass slide with the help of an empty syringe and examined with a microscope. This technique does not require sedation and can be rapidly performed.

Examples of benign masses in the skin include fatty tumors (also known as lipomas), sebaceous cysts, sebaceous adenomas, warts, skin tags, and benign tumors such as histiocytomas, among others. Unless they are causing a problem for your pet, such as impacting mobility or causing skin irritation, these don’t always require additional medical care and can be closely monitored. 

Examples of malignant masses in the skin include certain types of cancer such as mast cell tumor, carcinoma, melanoma, soft tissue sarcomas, and hemangiosarcoma, among others. Because malignant masses can be locally aggressive and spread to other locations in the body, such as the lymph nodes and the lungs (also known as metastasis) further medical care such as surgery and possibly chemotherapy are usually needed as well.

It is definitely scary to find a lump or bump in your pet’s skin. Having them examined right away will ultimately let you and your veterinarian know the appropriate next steps to take.

Learn more about Pet Cancer Care at VCA Hollywood Animal Hospital @

Irene Vazquez, DVM, MS DACVIM (Oncology)

We Can-cer-vive Cancer! Meet Charlie!!!

Meet cancer survivor Charlie and learn how a team approach to health care is so important when it comes to your pet's health. 

Charlie is a very adorable 14 year old cat that was diagnosed with an ear canal cancer known as ceruminous gland adenocarcinoma. This type of cancer is one of the most common ear canal cancers seen in both cats and dogs. Clinical signs associated with this disease include excessive cerumen accumulation, discharge, swelling, itchiness, and recurrent infections. In order to obtain a diagnosis, advanced imaging such as a CT scan is usually required. 

Most commonly, ear carcinomas are locally invasive and have a low chance of spreading to other locations. The treatment of choice for this type of cancer is surgical resection, which involves completely removing the ear canal (TECA- total ear canal ablation). 


A TECA or in Charlie's case a TECABO is a Total Ear Canal Ablation or Total Ear Canal Ablation Bulla Osteotomy. This procedure involves the complete removal of the ear canal middle ear, leaving only the ear flap remaining. 


Although this type of surgery may sound like a lot for your pet to go through, they tend to feel so much better once it is performed and it gives them the best chance at achieving a long survival time. With successful surgery and no identified negative prognostic indicators, patients can live a long time after removal of their cancer. 

Charlie was initially evaluated by Dr. Irene Vazquez at our the Oncology Service and had a CT scan performed, which showed he had a mass within his ear canal. The mass was sampled and the results were consistent with carcinoma. Charlie was then evaluated by Dr. Andrea Clark at our Surgery Service and had surgery performed to remove his tumor. 

Charlie on his 5 month anniversary cancer free!

Since his surgery, Charlie has been doing great at home and is currently cancer free. He continues to come in for routine evaluations to make sure his cancer is not spreading and so far, he's been doing amazing! He is the sweetest boy and our hearts melt every time he comes in. 

We wish Charlie the best of luck and the longest survival time! Our VCA Hollywood family is SO proud of him 💙.


Contributors: Irene Vazquez, DVM and Andrea Clark, DVM

Charlie after surgery. 

We Can-cer-vive Cancer! - #VCAHollywoodPetCancerCareCenters

 

Oscar is a 10 year old Shih Tzu that was diagnosed with intestinal lymphoma on September 23, 2019.


Lymphoma is a type of cancer that originates from the abnormal growth of lymphocytes, an important cell of the immune system. Lymphoma in dogs most commonly affects the lymph nodes, but it can also affect the lymphatics within the intestinal tract. Although intestinal lymphoma is not a disease that can be cured, treatment with chemotherapy can help keep the cancer at bay for a period of time, prolong their lifetime, and most importantly, greatly improve their quality of life.




Oscar underwent 15 weeks of chemotherapy with the *CHOP protocol and received his last chemotherapy treatment today! He did great throughout his chemotherapy protocol and experienced minimal to no side effects.

He's our little trooper and a chemo rock star! We are so proud of him and will miss seeing him through our Oncology Service.  We wish he and his family the best of luck!




VCA Hollywood's Oncology Department applies a team approach to cancer care using the strength & expertise of all of our on site specialists Surgery, Internal Medicine, Cardiology, Dermatology, Radiology and Emergency & Critical Care departments to provide the very best care

Dr. Vazquez joined our team in July of 2019 after completing her Oncology Residency at Auburn Univeristy. For Dr. Vazquez, the most important thing in dogs and cats after a diagnosis of cancer is that  treatment is focused on improvement of their quality of life.






* CHOP is the 'gold standard' of  treatment for dogs with multicentric lymphoma consists of a multi-agent, CHOP-based chemotherapy protocol incorporating several injectable and oral drugs given on a more-or-less weekly basis for a period of several months.