If your pet has been diagnosed with cancer, your veterinarian may recommend radiation therapy for pets as part of their treatment plan. For many families, this can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re unsure of what to expect and what the process involves.

The AERA radiation oncology team explains what you can expect before, during, and after radiation therapy for pets, so you can feel confident choosing a treatment plan and providing your furry pal with the unique, customized care they need.

Before treatment

If your pet has been diagnosed with cancer, they may be referred to a board-certified veterinary oncologist, like those at AERA. The oncology team will collect information about your pet’s history and cancer type and discuss all treatment options that could help. If radiation is part of the treatment plan you and the team decide on together, the planning stage can begin.

The first step for planning is a CT scan. This advanced imaging test helps the team create a custom radiation delivery plan by mapping the tumor’s exact size, shape, and location. The team will also design custom positioning devices, molded to your pet’s exact body shape, to ensure they remain in the same position during treatment as for imaging.

Next, the veterinary radiation oncologist works closely with a multi-disciplinary team to design a protocol that targets the tumor with high-energy beams while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue.

During treatment

Radiation therapy for pets is delivered via a linear accelerator, a large, highly advanced machine with built-in imaging technology to ensure proper placement of radiation beams. Some pets may receive small doses spread out over several weeks (i.e., fractionated therapy), while others receive high doses in fewer visits using stereotactic radiation therapy (SRT).

Here’s what happens during each session, which generally takes less than 30 minutes:

• Veterinary team members safely anesthetize your pet to ensure your pet stays still during treatment.

• The oncology team positions your pet using the custom molds or supports created during the planning stage.

• The machine rotates around your pet, delivering radiation from multiple angles to protect normal tissues.

• The session typically lasts 15 to 30 minutes, with most of the time spent on preparation and safety checks. The actual radiation doses are delivered in just a few minutes.

• Pets recover from anesthesia and can go home the same day.

Depending on the type of cancer and type of radiation therapy the radiation oncologist decides on, your pet may need daily treatments for a few weeks or only a few sessions. Whether you are trying to cure your pet’s cancer (i.e., definitive treatment), relieve pain (i.e., palliative treatment), or achieve temporary tumor control also matters.

After treatment

Most pets do well, but side effects are possible because surrounding tissues may be damaged during radiation treatment. Most short-term effects occur in the skin or mucous membranes, such as the mouth or the inner lining of the stomach or intestines. The energy from radiation therapy can “burn” or irritate your pet’s tissues, which typically regenerate in about four to six weeks.

In some cases, side effects develop much later after treatment stops. Veterinary oncology teams design radiation therapy treatment protocols to minimize side effects. They will discuss the risks and benefits with you to help you decide on the best treatment plan for your pet and situation. Long-term effects could include scarring of tissues and normal cells, altering their function.

Ongoing cancer care and support

After completing radiation therapy, your pet will continue to visit the oncology service for checkups. They might complete another round of radiation therapy or undergo surgery or chemotherapy for additional care. Physical exams, imaging, and lab work can help them monitor the treated area and determine whether treatment is working, the tumor has grown in size, or the cancer has spread (i.e., metastasized). You and your pet’s care team will decide together at each stage how to proceed.

Preparing for the pet cancer journey

The idea of radiation therapy for pets may seem intimidating, but understanding the options for cancer treatment helps ensure you make the right decision for your pet and family. A skilled radiation oncology team can provide a care plan that minimizes side effects, allowing radiotherapy to improve your pet’s quality of life and potentially give them more time.

AERA is one of the few veterinary facilities to use the Varian Halcyon linear accelerator, which enables us to deliver exceptionally precise doses of radiation while sparing healthy tissues. Contact us to learn more about cancer treatment options or to schedule a consultation for your pet.