KHTS Radio Santa Clarita Radio – Santa Clarita News
Lymphoma or various types of tumors on cat or dogs bodies could be an early indicator of cancer. Santa Clarita Veterinarian Jaimie Ronchetto recommends pet owners to have check-ups for any new lumps and bumps your pets may have.
Sponsored Articles
“It’s always good idea to get any new lumps or bumps checked out,” Ronchetto says.“They could be nothing, but we want to check them and make sure that they’re nothing.”
Ronchetto understands it can be a scary process, which discourages pet owners from wanting to be informed about skin bumps or lumps.
“If they’re anything that we need to worry about, if they’re going (to the restroom) quickly, changing (behaviors), if (the bump is) bothering the pet, getting red and angry,” Ronchetto says. “Those are the kinds we would want to remove and actually test at the lab to let you know what to expect.”
Ronchetto advises it’s better to have all the information possible to be able to know what to expect and to help the quality of your dog or cat’s life in the best way possible.
Related: Tick, Flea Season Expected To Hit Hard In Santa Clarita After Wet Winter
“Cats are a little trickier — they don’t typically get skin growths that you see like dogs do,” Ronchetto says. “That would make you want to bring them in and get them checked.”
Ronchetto cautioned that older cats may have intestinal cancers, or intestinal lymphoma, which would present more as potential weight loss, vomiting, diarrhea and the chronic nature of just not doing the greatest and that would take more diagnostics than just an exam to get to the bottom that problem.
“That’s all the more reason to try to bring them in at least annually so we can see them more often,” Ronchetto says. “(To) know when there (are) changes and we can catch them earlier.”
Some cancers, if they’re a tumor type are able to be removed once, and they won’t reoccur again. But if diagnosed with a different type, Ronchetto recommends seeing an oncologist.
“A lot of people are turned off with chemo because they think of it like how we use it with (people)” Ronchetto said. “It’s different with pets because we can’t tell them, you’re going to feel (sick) but this is why we’re doing it.”
Although chemotherapy and radiation therapy seems harsh for dogs and cats, Ronchetto advises that we do “dial it back” for the pets so they don’t have as many side effects as people do.
There are many types of chemotherapy for pets, you can even give them the medication orally at home, they don’t require an intensive visit, while others do.
“It’s all about their quality of life,” Rochetto says. “So we want to see them feel good while going through treatment.”
Annual check-ups are recommended for pets by Ronchetto, even if it’s nothing, or if it is cancer, it’s best to see the problem earlier, than later.
“I always encourage to at least go for the consult,” Ronchetto says. “And see what your options are before making your decision.”
Ed. Note: This article is a KHTS Feature story based on a recent radio interview with Cinema Veterinary Centre.Dr. Jaimie Ronchetto, DVM, is a Santa Clarita veterinarian who opened her own veterinary hospital in Valencia after spending several years in private practice as an associate veterinarian at other SCV hospitals. Ronchetto and the staff at Cinema Veterinary Centre strive to give every dog, cat and pocket pet outstanding quality care in the areas of medicine and surgery. A Hart High School graduate, Ronchetto earned her BS degree from UC Davis and graduated with Honors from Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine.
23460 Cinema Drive
Valencia, CA 91355
(661) 253-9300
Do you have a news tip? Call us at (661) 298-1220, or drop us a line at [email protected].
