This information is not a substitute for veterinary care. Always follow the instructions provided by your veterinarian. Many people have witnessed a friend or family member battle cancer and are familiar with chemotherapy, radiation treatments, or surgery. However, when cancer is diagnosed in a pet, the course of action is suddenly unfamiliar and owners are often unsure of the next step to take. The answer depends on the situation.
Cancer is uncontrolled cell division and growth.
While cell division is a normal biological process, when cancer is involved, the cell divisions become abnormal. Instead of producing nicely organized cells that are all the same size and have the same function, cancer makes them different. Some cells are huge and some are small. Some cancer cells produce hormones while others continue to divide and produce more abnormal cells. This uncontrolled cell growth makes a tumor and allows the cancer to spread.