| Case Profile |
The oncology service seeks referrals of patients with previously diagnosed or suspected neoplasia.
Diagnostic procedures performed by the oncology service include surgical biopsy, ultrasound guided biopsy, and cytological sample collection. Patients requiring surgical, medical (chemotherapy), or radiation therapy are also treated by the oncology service.
Consultations are provided to the other clinical services of the Small Animal Teaching Hospital. |
| Making a Referral |
Referring veterinarians should contact the Auburn University-Small Animal Teaching Hospital Appointment desk for available appointments.
If a timely appointment is not available, special arrangements can sometimes be made on a case by case basis at the discretion of the attending clinician. In such cases, an attending clinician will contact the referring veterinarian by telephone to discuss the case and possible arrangements. |
| Referring an Emergency Case ASAP |
An attending clinician will attempt to accommodate same day emergency referrals of genuine medical emergencies.
Referring veterinarians should contact the appointment desk and indicate that a same day referral is requested. You will be put in contact with an attending clinician as soon as possible. |
| What about work completed prior to referral? |
Recent blood work (within last week), 3 view chest radiographs, and histopathology reports should accompany referral of patients with previously diagnosed neoplasia.
For all referral cases, a completed referral form and case summary should accompany the referral. An on-line referral form is available at the bottom of this page for convenience.
In most cases, it is desirable to have owners withhold food on the morning of appointment day. |
| Important Owner Information About Referral |
Generally, a diagnostic work-up is performed over a two to three day period and typical costs range from $400 to $600.
Owners wishing to pursue chemotherapy through the oncology service will be asked to schedule outpatient appointments on Tuesdays or Thursdays. Outpatient chemotherapy visits are usually completed within 2 to 4 hours.
Radiation therapy occurs on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays for 10 to 13 consecutive treatments. Outpatient scheduling (2 to 4 hours per visit) or hospitalization options are available for radiation therapy patients. Costs for a full course of radiation therapy range between $2500 and $2800 depending on the number of treatments recommended and the number of hospitalization days. |
