At the Animal Medical Center in Manhattan, Chick Weisse recently began administering chemotherapy directly into cancerous tumors through arteries, allowing him to deliver as much as 30 to 50 times the standard dosage, since the cancer-destroying chemicals do not affect the rest of an animal’s body. He is now experimenting with chemoembolization, injecting chemicals into arteries with tiny beads that prevent the chemicals from entering the venous system and spreading throughout the body.
“I think the biggest change has been in mindset,” said Marilyn Koski, a veterinarian at the University of California. “We now take an integrative approach. Rather than thinking in terms of a specific medication or procedure, we’re talking about following up with physical therapy, pain management, nutritional management — after all, many of our patients are obese. I’m excited to see all the disciplines working together.”
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