Hearing that your dog has cancer can feel overwhelming. At CTAC, we understand the difficult emotions that come with this diagnosis, and we’re here to help you explore every option available. If a Stem Cell Transplant (SCT) is something you’re considering, it’s important to contact our team as soon as possible.
We will work closely with your veterinarian to ensure your dog is properly prepared for SCT. This may include adjustments to their current cancer treatment plan to align with the transplant protocol. Our goal is to provide a seamless, supportive experience as you navigate this challenging journey with your beloved companion.
After reaching out to CTAC, you will have an initial consultation with our oncologist, who will guide you through every step of the process. If a donor is needed, we’ll discuss the potential options.
Following this consultation, you and the oncologist will decide together whether pursuing the transplant is the best path for your dog.
Before beginning the SCT process, your dog will need a high dose of cyclophosphamide (chemotherapy) to help eliminate as many cancer cells as possible and to prepare its body before stem cell collection. This treatment is typically administered about two weeks prior to admission at CTAC and can be coordinated through your local oncologist.
Your dog will undergo a comprehensive evaluation to ensure they are healthy enough for the procedure. This includes:
These tests can be performed locally or at CTAC upon arrival.
At the time of your dog’s admission, you and your family will participate in an informed consent conference with the oncologist.
This is an important opportunity to ensure you fully understand every aspect of the transplant process and have all your questions answered.
If your dog is receiving an autologous transplant, they will need to arrive at CTAC five days before stem cell collection. For allogeneic transplants, both your dog and the matched donor will be admitted, with the donor typically able to return home the same day or the following day after stem cell collection.
Immediately following radiation therapy, the harvested stem cells are transplanted through an IV catheter by our radiation oncologist, with the goal of killing all the cancer cells in your dogs body (autologous) or making space for the donor cells (allogeneic).
Within hours of the transplant, the newly transplanted stem cells will travel to the bone marrow and begin the process of engraftment.
To prioritize your pet’s safety, visits can be discussed, but access will be restricted for the first week or so before becoming less limited. If in person visits are determined to be too high of a risk, we can facilitate virtual visits for you to check up on your pet. You can feel confident knowing they are being carefully monitored and lovingly cared for.
Once your dog is cleared to go home, they will still require rest to support their full recovery. Follow-up care includes regular blood work rechecks with your primary veterinarian to monitor progress and ensure a smooth recovery. Our team will provide detailed instructions to help your dog transition safely back to their home environment.
At CTAC, we’re committed to providing the highest level of care and support for both you and your dog throughout the SCT process. If you’re ready to take the next step or simply want to learn more about how we can help, our team is here to answer your questions and guide you every step of the way.
