VCA Animal Hospitals
PCC Logo
Find VCA Pet CancerCare Center
Pet Cancer Care Banner Image
Diagnosis
See how VCA Pet CancerCare oncologists arrive at a diagnosis that helps them build the optimal treatment plan options for your pet.

How we determine the type, location and stage of your pet's specific cancer.

With a thorough physical examination of your pet and most often blood tests, we are able to get a detailed picture of what’s going on inside your pet with no need for invasive procedures. When required, we use diagnostic imaging including radiography (X-rays), ultrasound, CT scans or MRI imaging. In some cases, minor surgery may be required to arrive at the precise diagnosis necessary to devise a treatment plan.
FAQs
A pet cancer diagnosis can be overwhelming. VCA veterinary oncologist Barbara Kitchell, DVM, DACVIM, explains how our VCA Pet CancerCare team of specialists will approach testing and diagnosis in order to devise the optimal treatment plan for your pet.
VCA veterinary surgical oncologist Emily Manor, DVM, DACVIM, explains the first oncology consultation. The veterinary oncologist will have looked thoroughly at your pet's records and will conduct a phsyical exam and discuss treatment options, schedule, prognosis and potential side effects.
VCA veterinary emergency specialist Mike Mallard, DVM, DACVECC, talks about how pet owners know their own pets well and can generally tell when something is not right. It is better to be safe than sorry, and get your pet checked out if you feel something is off.
VCA veterinary medical oncologist Cecilia Lopez, DVM, DACVIM, explains that it's very important to monitor our pets for subtle signs of pain such as being more withdrawn or decreased appetite, and report any unusual behavior to your veterinarian or veterinary oncologist.
VCA veterinary radiation oncologist James Custis, DVM, MS, DACVR/RO, explains how lumps and masses on cats could be benign or malignant, so any new growth should be checked by your primary care veterinarian to determine if it needs a sample or biopsy to rule out a cancerous tumor.
During the diagnostic process, a sample may need to be taken from your pet to test for different types of tumor. VCA veterinary oncologist Philip Treuil, DVM, MS, DACVR, explains the difference between aspirate and biopsy sampling.
What happens if my pet has cancer?
What can I expect in an initial consultation with my pet's oncologist?
How do I know if I should bring my pet into the ER?
Is my pet in pain?
What should I do if I find a lump on my cat?
What is the difference between an aspirate and a biopsy?
Home