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 Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) 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 BMT. 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.
Following this consultation, you and the oncologist will decide together whether pursuing the transplant is the best path for your dog.
For an autologous BMT, your dog will need to receive high dose cyclophosphamide (chemotherapy) at your local oncologist to help eliminate all cancer cells from the blood, since the stem cells will be collected from their blood two weeks later. This step is not needed for an allogeneic BMT, since the matched donor dog does not have lymphoma.
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 BMT, they will need to arrive at CTAC five days before cell collection. For allogeneic transplants, both your dog and the matched donor will be admitted, with the donor typically able to return home the following day after cell collection.
Immediately following TBI, the harvested stem cells will be infused via an IV catheter by our medical oncologist. This is the last step in the BMT protocol.
Once the previously collected stem cells are infused, they 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 your dog is 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 BMT 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.
We understand that patients and their families may have many questions regarding our services, policies, and procedures.
