Can Cancer Be Treated in Pets? Common Medications for Pets With Cancer

November is Pet Cancer Awareness Month, and during this month many pet owners realize something that they didn't know – that cancer in pets can actually be treated. Over the last several years, veterinary medicine has made leaps and bounds when it comes to managing and treating cancer in pets.

Cancer treatment varies for all pets and greatly depends on the type of cancer and how far it has progressed at the time of diagnosis. For many, treatment involves a variety of approaches that might include surgery, dietary modifications, holistic therapies, prescription medications, and medications to ease the pet's symptoms.

6 Prescription Medications Commonly Used to Treat Cancer in Pets

1. Leukeran (Chlorambucil)

An immunosuppressant medication, Leukeran is used to treat Hodgkin's disease, leukemia, and other cancers such as lymphocytic leukemia, lymphoma, multiple myeloma, and ovarian cancer. This medication is not a cure, but it can help to ease symptoms and slow the progression of the disease.

2. Dexamethasone (Azium, Decadron, Dexameth-a-Vet, Per-Derm III)

This medication is a type of corticosteroid that is used as an anti-inflammatory used to relieve pain by reducing swelling and irritation by inhibiting inflammation.

3. Rimadyl (Novox, Carprofen)

A non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), Rimadyl is used to reduce the pain associated with certain cancers and other medical issues such as arthritis.

4. Previcox (Deltasone, Firocoxib, Sterapred)

Previcox is another NSAID used for mitigating pain and inflammation. It can also help support kidney health, platelet production, and the health of the stomach lining.

5. Gabapentin (Neurotonin)

This medication is an anticonvulsant that is commonly used to treat seizures and epilepsy. It's also commonly used to treat chronic pain caused by cancer.

6. Sucralfate (Carafate)

Sucralfate is used to address ulcers (sores) that can develop throughout the gastrointestinal system as a result of cancer.

Pet Cancer Medications Compounded for Easy Administration

Whether your pet has been prescribed medications for treating cancer and/or managing their symptoms, making sure your pet takes their medication as prescribed is extremely important to ensuring its efficacy. Sometimes, though, getting a dog or cat to take a pill can be, well, a tough pill to swallow.

With PetScript, however, our pharmacy can help simplify medication administration by compounding your pet's meds into an easy-to-administer form whether that be a perfectly flavored treat or a topical. We welcome you to contact us to find out how your pet's medication can be transformed for easy administration.