PetCure Oncology

03/31/2026

🐾A cat’s liver does a lot more than you might think.

It plays a major role in digestion, metabolism, and filtering toxins from the blood—making it essential to overall health.

💡The good news?
Primary liver cancer in cats is rare, affecting only about 1% of cats.

When it does occur, it’s typically seen in older cats (10+ years), and factors like breed or s*x don’t seem to increase the risk.

➡Not all liver tumors are cancerous, and treatment options can vary depending on the diagnosis. These may include:
• Surgery
• Radiation therapy
• Chemotherapy

⭐The most important factor?
Early diagnosis and the type/stage of the tumor.

Many cats respond well to treatment and can continue to do well for a year or more 💛

As is the case with other mammals, a cat’s liver is both vital and versatile. It plays an integral part in many functions that contribute to good health. These include digestion, metabolism of nutrients and the filtering of blood, and that’s just for starters. Fortunately, among the types of can...

03/30/2026

Happy Monday! 😁☕

03/28/2026

Meet Lamar! 🐾This 12 year old Airedale Terrier was treated for nasal adenocarcinoma with stereotactic radiation (SRS/SRT) by the PetCure Oncology Team at Thrive Pet Healthcare Specialists - San Antonio

Lamar was setting up for the St. Patrick's Day Party at PetHero Headquarters and wonders if you like the decor 🎊🍀

Congratulations Lamar! 🎉

03/25/2026

Meet Lina! 🐾This 13 year old Dachshund Mix was treated for transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder with stereotactic radiation (SRS/SRT) by the PetCure Oncology Team at Thrive Pet Healthcare Specialists - San Antonio

Lina has been eyeing those boots in the back and wonders if they have them in her size 👢🤠👀

Congratulations Lina! 🎉

03/24/2026

🐾 Let’s talk about feline lymphoma…

Lymphoma is a cancer of the lymphocytes (a type of white blood cell), and it’s actually the most common cancer we see in cats, making up about 30% of new diagnoses.

It can show up in different areas of the body, most commonly the GI tract, chest, liver, spleen, or bone marrow, which means the signs can look a little different from cat to cat.

✨ What to watch for:
• Decreased appetite
• Lethargy
• Weight loss
• Difficulty breathing (in some cases)

Because lymphoma can affect different organs, symptoms aren’t always obvious right away, which is why paying attention to subtle changes matters.

🐱 Who is at risk?
Lymphoma doesn’t seem to favor a specific breed or gender, but age does play a role. Most cats diagnosed are around 10–12 years old.

An exception is mediastinal lymphoma (in the chest), which tends to affect younger cats (around 5 years old) and has been linked to feline leukemia virus (FeLV), although any form of lymphoma can be associated with FeLV.

🧬 Not all lymphoma is the same
We classify it by:
• Location (where it’s found)
• Cell type (small, intermediate, or large cell)

In general, small cell lymphoma tends to grow more slowly, while larger cell types can be more aggressive.

📍 Common types you may hear about:
• Alimentary (most common): affects stomach & intestines
• Renal: affects the kidneys (can involve the nervous system)
• Multicentric: involves multiple organs
• Mediastinal: found in the chest (often younger cats)
• Lymph node–only: less common in cats

💛 The takeaway:
Lymphoma is common, but it’s also something we can often treat and manage, especially when caught early.

If something feels “off” with your cat... even if it’s subtle, trust your instincts and have them checked. Early detection truly makes a difference.

Lymphoma is a cancer of the lymphocytes, which is a type of white blood cell. It is the most common cancer seen in felines, and it accounts for about 30% of new cancer diagnoses in cats. Some of the most common areas of the body that can be affected by this cancer are the gastrointestinal tract, che...

03/23/2026

Happy Monday! 💟☕😼

03/22/2026

Meet Tessa! 🐾 This 10 year old American Bulldog was treated for a mass on T-10 (T-spine) with stereotactic radiation (SRS/SRT) by the PetCure Oncology Team at BluePearl Pittsburgh Pet Hospitals

Tessa has been monitoring the weather report and thought it was supposed to be a bright and sunny day 😎😳

Congratulations Tessa! 🎉

03/21/2026

Meet Milo! 🐾 This 13 year old Domestic Shorthair was treated for a sarcoma of the ventral neck with stereotactic radiation (SRS/SRT) by the PetCure Oncology Team at Veterinary Radiosurgery and Imaging Center, Clifton, NJ.

Milo has been looking for his bow tie everywhere and is so thankful you were able to find it for him 😺🕵️‍♀️

Congratulations Milo! 🎉

03/21/2026

Meet Blair! 🐾 This 14 year old Pekingese Mix was treated for nasal carcinoma with stereotactic radiation (SRS/SRT) by the PetCure Oncology Team at Thrive Pet Healthcare Specialists - San Antonio

Blair has been working on smile and has officially perfected it in time for the PetHero League Rodeo Invitational 😁🐶🤠

Congratulations Blair! 🎉

03/18/2026

Meet Grayson! 🐾 This 4 year old American Bulldog was treated for a brainstem tumor with stereotactic radiation (SRS/SRT) by the PetCure Oncology Team at BluePearl Pittsburgh Pet Hospitals

Grayson has been mistaken for a stuffed animal before and we can see why🧸🐶

Congratulations Grayson! 🎉

03/18/2026

Meet Rabbit! 🐾This 13 year old Domestic Shorthair was treated for an oral squamous cell carcinoma with stereotactic radiation (SRS/SRT) by the PetCure Oncology Team at Thrive Pet Healthcare Specialists - San Antonio

Rabbit wants you to know that this is her first rodeo, and it's exhausting 🐎😴

Congratulations Rabbit! 🎉

03/17/2026

🐾 Did You Know Dogs Can Develop Nerve Tumors?

Just like humans, dogs have two main parts to their nervous system:
• The central nervous system (brain and spinal cord)
• The peripheral nervous system (nerves throughout the body)

Peripheral nerves are protected by special coverings called nerve sheaths, which act like insulation around electrical wires. In some cases, cells within these sheaths can develop tumors known as peripheral nerve sheath tumors.

These tumors are considered a type of soft tissue sarcoma in dogs and may also be called schwannomas, named after the Schwann cells that help form the nerve sheath.

The encouraging news?
✨ Metastasis (spread to other organs) is uncommon, and many dogs can experience long-term control or even curative treatment, especially when the tumor is detected early.

Even benign tumors can cause problems if they grow large enough to press on nearby nerves, which may lead to pain or discomfort.

🔎 Why early detection matters:
Recognizing changes early can help your veterinarian diagnose and treat these tumors before they cause significant nerve damage.

If your dog shows signs such as:
• Unexplained pain or sensitivity
• Limping or weakness in a limb
• Muscle loss in one area
• A noticeable lump along a limb or near the spine

…it’s best to schedule a veterinary exam.

Early evaluation can make a meaningful difference in treatment options and outcomes.

🐕 When it comes to cancer, catching changes early can help give dogs the best chance at successful treatment.

💾 Save this post to remember the signs.

Just like humans, dogs have both a central nervous system and a peripheral nervous system. The latter includes the nerves throughout the body that are not within the brain or spinal cord. These peripheral nerves are enveloped and insulated by sheaths, similar to a sleeve covering your arm. Ironicall...