oncology

Overview

 Our team is led by Nina, our residency-trained oncology clinician, and Deborah, our dedicated oncology nurse.

The ChesterGates Veterinary Oncology service works in close collaboration with our Internal Medicine, Soft Tissue Surgery and diagnostic imaging teams to create individualised treatment plans for each patient.

What we do

We partner with referring veterinary surgeons and our internal medicine service to diagnose cancers and perform comprehensive staging in patients with confirmed or suspected neoplasia. Our state-of-the-art facilities, combined with specialist-level expertise, enable us to develop and discuss evidence-based treatment plans with pet owners. Multiple treatment approaches are often available, including combination chemotherapy protocols and tailored palliative care plans, which can be thoroughly discussed and adapted throughout each patient’s cancer journey.

What will happen when I come for an appointment?

Your pet’s care begins before your visit, as we carefully review all medical history provided by your veterinary surgeon. During your 60-minute consultation, we take time to understand your pet’s symptoms and perform a comprehensive examination. Together, we’ll discuss diagnostic and treatment options, explaining the benefits, risks, and costs to ensure the care plan aligns with your pet’s specific needs and your expectations.

Where possible, we aim to complete investigations and staging procedures on the same day to minimise stress and reduce hospital stays. Should hospitalisation be required, our team is fully equipped to provide comprehensive inpatient care.

Following diagnosis, we will discuss treatment options specific to your pet’s cancer type and individual circumstances. We have access to all necessary equipment for chemotherapy delivery and various palliative treatments. While we do not offer radiation oncology on-site, Nina’s training at an institution with this capability enables informed discussion of this treatment modality and appropriate referral to centres offering radiotherapy services.

Services we offer include:

• Investigation of suspected cases of cancer, masses and lumps.
• Staging of cancer cases with advanced imaging, sentinel lymph node mapping and minimally-invasive biopsy techniques
• Counselling owners on the disease process, prognosis and available treatments
• Chemotherapy clinic, offering the most modern oral and injectable chemotherapy treatments
• Targeted anticancer therapy
• Immunotherapy
• Surgical oncology procedures including complex reconstructive techniques as well as keyhole techniques (with our soft tissue surgery service)

Referring Veterinary Colleagues

We welcome referrals for suspected or confirmed neoplasia cases. Our service provides comprehensive staging, treatment planning, and ongoing case management whilst maintaining clear communication with referring practices. We are happy to discuss cases prior to referral and provide ongoing support throughout the treatment process.