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At Private Veterinary Specialties LLC, we focus on cancer treatment in New Jersey and eastern Pennsylvania. Our mobile department battles hemangiosarcoma, osteosarcoma and other forms of cancer in dogs, cats, and other beloved pets both large and small. We also believe that it’s important for you to understand the disease and how it can affect our pets.

Fifty percent of dogs over the age of 10 develop cancer at some point during their lives. Some of the most common forms include malignant lymphoma (a tumor of the lymph nodes), mast cell tumors (a form of skin cancer), mammary gland tumors (breast cancer), bone cancer, and soft-tissue sarcoma.

It’s important to know what to look for. Similar to humans, sometimes dogs with cancer present with a general malaise or fatigue. They just don’t seem to feel well and might not be acting like themselves. And, while many symptoms that could mean cancer usually can mean a multitude of other conditions, here are a few specific signs to watch for in your dog:

  • Weight loss and/or loss of appetite
  • Difficulty exercising or loss of stamina
  • Wounds that don’t heal
  • Persistent lameness or stiffness
  • Difficulty eating or swallowing
  • Swelling that doesn’t go away or gets worse
  • Difficulty breathing, urinating, or defecating
  • Bleeding or discharge from any body opening (often accompanied by an unpleasant odor)

We’re often asked – ‘how can I prevent cancer in my pet?” The reality is that you cannot, but you can take steps to reduce their risk of getting cancer.

  • Spay or neuter your dog early. In female dogs, you can dramatically reduce the risk of breast cancer by spaying before the first heat.
  • Take good care of your dog’s teeth. Good oral hygiene can reduce your pet’s risk of developing oral cancer.
  • A healthy diet and plenty of exercise go a long way. Just like humans, dogs that are active and eat right are prone to fewer diseases than their unhealthy counterparts.

If you have any questions, please let us know! We’re here to help.

Have questions?

Notice to our patients

After much thought and consideration, we have come to the challenging realization we are not able to provide your pet(s) the level of care they need on a consistent basis at Stark Street Pet  Hospital. Because of this, we have made the decision to join our veterinary clinic with our other local WellHaven hospitals. Merging our hospitals will allow us to solve staffing challenges while offering increased availability and dependable care for your pet(s).

Over the next couple of weeks, we will be open fewer days as we transition to closing. We ask for your patience and understanding during this difficult time for our team as we navigate through our day-to-day. Unfortunately, we will no longer be able to accommodate additional appointments. Our last day seeing patients at Stark Street will be February 24, 2022.

To obtain a copy of your pet’s medical records please email us at starkstreetpethospital@gmail.com so we can email your pet’s records directly to you, or the veterinary clinic of your choice.

If your pet has a Care Companion Plan (wellness plan) at Stark Street Pet Hospital you will no longer be billed for the plan as it has been canceled effective immediately. If you have additional questions about the wellness plan you can email: starkstreetpethospital@gmail.com.

We are so grateful for your support of our practice over the years and will greatly miss seeing all of you and your pets. Thank you for trusting us with the care of your pet(s), we wish all of you the best.