Resource for pets battling cancer: Up-to-date and current
March 08, 2011 • Health & Wellness
By: Kelly Farnan, Fetching Communications
Pet owners seeking complete online information and veterinarians needing an up-to-date resource for the treatment of a patient with cancer are now able to turn to The Cancer Center at CARES at www.vetCARES.com. The Cancer Center at CARES, which is made up of a select group of trained veterinary specialists, has its home base at The Center for Animal Referral and Emergency Services (CARES) in Langhorne, PA. The website, www.vetCARES.com provides one of the most comprehensive online information resources on cancer care for pets written entirely by board-certified veterinary oncologists. It is a comprehensive resource for anyone needing answers about the treatment options, care, and support available for a pet with cancer.
“Part of our job is to educate pet owners and veterinarians,” explains Dr. Jennifer Baez, who co-wrote the website’s information, along with Dr. Beth Overley. Both doctors are board certified in oncology by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine. In addition, Drs. Baez and Overley also provide the latest and highest quality of care, treatment, and support for cancer patients in and around the tri-state area of Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware. Both are members of clinical trial consortiums and cancer research societies, such as the Veterinary Cancer Society (VCS) and the Veterinary Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG), which provide opportunities for their patients to participate in the latest clinical trials. Their active participation in the veterinary oncology community ensures that referring doctors and their patients have access to the latest treatments and diagnostics available. “We know cancer and cancer treatment is frightening; therefore, it is critical that pet owners know all of their options so they can make an educated decision that fits their specific situation,” adds Dr. Baez. “www.vetCARES.com is meant to be the resource for answers about cancer in pets.”
www.vetCARES.com answers many questions about veterinary oncology, including how it is different than human oncology. Visitors to the website also have access to printable patient handouts explaining specific types of cancer (lymphoma, carcinoma, mast cell tumors, melanoma and many more). The website also offers information about all aspects of caring for a pet with cancer, including sections on quality of life and nutrition. Drs. Baez and Overley share specific advice on what a cancer patient should and should not be consuming, and how to remain at optimal health. Other sections of the website, include:
A “Cancer Dictionary” detailing medical terminology
Complementary medicine versus alternative medicine
Treatment options such as chemotherapy, surgery, palliative care, radiation, novel approaches and clinical trials
Pet loss support
The website also includes patient “tales” of real life pet patients treated at The Cancer Center at CARES. Readers can explore the heartwarming story of Roxy, an American Staffordshire Terrier and Clementine the cat, who both battled lymphoma. Visitors to the site can also learn about Bailey, a thirteen-year-old Chow/Rottweiler mix who overcame canine oral melanoma. There are many wonderful stories that pet parents, whose pets are battling cancer, will relate to.
“Our goal is to make cancer treatment and care as stress-free and pleasant as possible for the patient and their family,” says Dr. Overley. “We hope to continue to expand www.vetCARES.com and provide the best available resource for pet owners and veterinarians.”
You can keep up with the CARES team on their website at www.vetcares.com as well as on Facebook at: www.Facebook.com/CARESvet where pet owners are invited to “Like” the page and upload their favorite photo of their pet!
