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Veterinary Oncology

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Our board certified veterinary oncologist specializes in diagnosing and spearheading advanced treatment plans in all pets with suspected or diagnosed cancer.

Cancer is the one of the leading causes of death in both dogs and cats, and while no one wants to be faced with a cancer diagnosis in their pet, we are here to empower you, by educating you on all of your options and providing the best care possible. Not all cancers are the same and while some may be untreatable there are many that can be cured or controlled while still having an excellent quality of life. We are here to fight for your family member, and will not leave any stone unturned. Our oncology service utilizes a combination of surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, electrochemotherapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapy in cancer patients to provide them with comprehensive care, addressing every and all concerns that impact their quality of life while living with cancer.

VRCCO Oncology
62889 NE Oxford Ct.
Bend, Oregon 97701
541-209-6960
Directions

WHAT TO EXPECT

Diagnosis & Treatment

Staging is the process of determining how much cancer is within the body, and if it has spread. Typical tools utilized to determine stage include imaging (x-rays, ultrasound, CT scans), to determine whether metastasis (cancer spread) is present and measurement of the primary tumor. Results of staging diagnostics and tumor measurements will help determine an appropriate treatment plan for your pet, and can have an impact on their prognosis (expected outcome).

While surgery to remove a mass can be very straightforward, it can also be quite complex, depending on the location, size, and nature of the mass and its proximity to vital organs and structures. The Oncology service works closely with our board-certified surgeons to establish the ideal surgical plan, which may include advanced imaging with our 64-slice CT to more critically evaluate the extent of the mass and create an appropriate surgical plan. If/when recommended, surgery is often the first treatment step in a pet’s fight against cancer.

Chemotherapy includes delivery of oral or injectable medications, with the goal of killing cancer cells inside the body, and is recommended for many different types of cancer. Any chemotherapy protocol that is recommended will be specifically tailored to your pet’s needs, with a focus on providing the best quality of life possible. Chemotherapy doses utilized in veterinary medicine tend to be significantly lower than what is provided in human medicine, which allow us to optimize quality of life and reduce side effects. Less than 20% of dogs and cats receiving chemotherapy will experience side effects – in fact, many dogs you see in our waiting room, bouncing off the walls or running up to greet their team member are likely pets receiving chemotherapy! If your pet were to experience side effects to any chemotherapy protocol, changes will be discussed to reduce the side effect profile, and in some cases, treatment may be stopped completely to prioritize your pet’s quality of life.

A treatment plan will be provided for any recommended diagnostics and/or treatments. An initial payment will be required for any procedure, surgery, or diagnostic work-up over $600. We gladly partner with CareCredit and Scratchpay to offer financing services to our clients. Please ask our team for more details. We are also happy to assist with submission of pet insurance claims to your pet’s insurance provider. We provide a 10% discount for pet parents in military service.

We accept cash, VISA, Mastercard, Discover, CareCredit and Scratchpay. Personal checks and American Express are not accepted.

Additional New Therapies

Immunotherapy & Targeted Therapy

The Oncology department stays current emerging treatment options, including immunotherapy and targeted therapy options. They are able to review your pet’s case and determine whether they would qualify for any of these experimental treatments, and help direct treatment as safely as possible.

Radiation Therapy

While a radiation treatment facility is not yet available in Central Oregon, we work closely with radiation treatment facilities in Portland, Pullman, and Northern California to be able to include this treatment modality if/when needed.

Electrochemotherapy

Electrochemotherapy is a novel form of treatment, utilized to help prevent local regrowth of tumors following surgical resection or in some instances, to treat tumors in locations that cannot be surgically excised safely. This typically involves an intravenous injection of chemotherapy while under a light plane of general anesthesia, followed by electroporation of the site of concern.

Dr. Kristn Couto Bend veterinary oncologist
DVM, DACVIM ONCOLOGY

Dr. Kristen Couto

Dr. Kristen Couto always had the dream of becoming a veterinarian, growing up in the household of a veterinary oncologist who mentored her through her years of vet school at The Ohio State University. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from Ohio State (Go Buckeyes!) in 2013 and went on to complete a small animal medical and surgical internship at North Carolina State University in 2014, which solidified her love for the “family business” of veterinary oncology.

Dr. Kristen Couto is delighted to be Bend’s first board-certified veterinary oncologist! She always had the dream of becoming a veterinarian, growing up in the household of a veterinary oncologist who mentored her through her years of vet school at The Ohio State University. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from Ohio State (Go Buckeyes!) in 2013 and went on to complete a small animal medical and surgical internship at North Carolina State University in 2014, which solidified her love for the “family business” of veterinary oncology. She then completed a residency and became board-certified in medical oncology at the University of California, Davis in 2017, and stayed in the greater Sacramento Valley for 3 years. During her years on the West Coast, she quickly realized her love for the outdoors, which prompted her interest in Central Oregon.

In the clinic, Dr. Couto strives to provide first-rate care for all cancer-related matters, with a focus on prioritizing the human-animal bond and helping families through every aspect of cancer diagnosis and treatment. She also has a special interest in providing oncology-specific education to neighboring veterinarians and had the honor of authoring chapters in the 6th Edition Small Animal Internal Medicine textbook, which is utilized globally by veterinary students and clinicians.

What Pet Parents Are Saying

VRCCO Oncology is located at our Emergency & Specialty Veterinary Hospital in Bend. To learn more or schedule an appointment call 541-209-6960 or email us at info@vrcvet.com

VRCCO Oncology
62889 NE Oxford Ct.
Bend, Oregon 97701
541-209-6960