Veterinary Radiation Oncology for Pets | College of Veterinary Medicine

Precision radiation therapy for pets, delivered with expertise and compassion

Radiation therapy is an important part of cancer care for dogs, cats, and other pets. It is used to improve local tumor control, reduce the risk of tumor recurrence after surgery, or help relieve pain and other symptoms caused by cancer.

The Radiation Oncology Service at the UT Veterinary Medical Center works closely with pet owners and referring veterinarians to develop individualized treatment plans based on diagnosis, imaging, and overall health status.

Capabilities at a glance

Linear accelerator delivering X‑ray (photon) and electron radiation
Strontium‑90 applicator for select small, superficial tumors
Coordinated care with Medical Oncology, Surgery, Diagnostic Imaging, and Anesthesia

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Radiation Oncology FAQ

When is radiation recommended?

Radiation therapy may be recommended when:

A tumor cannot be completely removed surgically
Surgery would be too invasive or not feasible
Radiation is used after surgery to reduce the risk of recurrence
Treatment is needed to improve comfort and quality of life in palliative settings

Tumor types frequently treated

Mast cell tumors
Soft tissue sarcomas
Nasal tumors
Oral tumors
Brain/spinal tumors
Tumors causing pain or local clinical signs (e.g., osteosarcoma)

Treatment recommendations are always individualized based on tumor type, stage of the disease, and imaging findings.

A patient treated here with the medical oncology team and by radiation treatment, he recently graduated from treatment.

Radiation treatment options

We offer external beam radiation therapy using a linear accelerator and surface therapy using a strontium-90 applicator for select cases. Each treatment plan is designed to balance tumor control with protection of normal tissues.

External beam radiation therapy (linear accelerator)

Photon (X‑ray) radiation

Photon radiation is used to treat tumors deeper in the body or in anatomically complex locations such as the head, neck, or pelvis. Photon beams are shaped to conform to the treatment target while minimizing dose to surrounding normal tissues.

Electron radiation

Electron radiation is used primarily for superficial tumors when limiting dose to deeper tissues is especially important.

Treatment planning and delivery

Treatment planning is based on advanced medical imaging and individualized dose design. Techniques such as conformal planning and intensity-modulated approaches may be incorporated depending on the clinical situation to optimize tumor coverage while protecting nearby critical structures.

Custom positioning devices are used to support reproducible, comfortable positioning for the pet throughout the treatment course.

Strontium‑90 (Sr‑90) Applicator Therapy

The Strontium-90 applicator delivers a high surface dose with rapid dose fall-off, making it useful for select small, superficial lesions in carefully chosen locations. Whether this is a good option depends on tumor type, size, and depth.

Treatment goals

Radiation therapy may be used with different clinical goals:

Definitive: primary treatment for local tumor control
Adjuvant: post-operative treatment to reduce recurrence risk
Palliative: symptom relief and improved quality of life

What to expect

We aim to make the radiation therapy process clear, structured, and supportive for both families and referring veterinarians.

Consultation

The initial visit includes a review of medical records, imaging, and diagnosis to determine whether radiation therapy is a good option. Topics discussed may include:

Available radiation options and alternatives
Recommended staging or additional testing (if needed)
Treatment goals and expected outcomes
Expected side effects and home care
Logistics and treatment timeline

Staging and imaging (as needed)

Additional diagnostics may be recommended depending on tumor type and extent of disease. These can include:

Cytology or biopsy (if needed)
Bloodwork
Imaging such as CT, MRI, radiographs, or ultrasound

Treatment planning (CT simulation)

For many external beam cases, imaging-based treatment planning is used to define the tumor and surrounding normal structures. Custom positioning devices are created to support consistent and comfortable positioning throughout therapy.

Treatment and follow-up

Treatments are delivered in scheduled sessions based on the individual treatment plan and protocol
Patients are evaluated at each treatment visit for changes in health status and emerging radiation side effects
Clear home-care guidance is provided for families
Ongoing communication is maintained with families and referring veterinarians
Follow-up care is coordinated within the oncology team as part of ongoing patient management

Evaluation Appointment Information & Guidelines

What to Expect

Treatment effects and quality of life

Radiation therapy is a localized treatment, meaning side effects are generally limited to the area being treated. Individualized planning and daily setup are used to target the tumor while minimizing dose to surrounding normal tissues.

Short-term (acute) effects

Skin irritation, redness, or hair coat changes in the treated area (site-dependent)
Inflammation of the mouth, nose, or throat with head and neck treatments
Temporary discomfort or sensitivity in the treated area

Acute side effects vary depending on treatment location and protocol. When they do occur, they typically develop gradually during the course of therapy or shortly after completion and generally resolve within weeks. In some cases, treatment planning and dosing can be adjusted to reduce the severity of expected effects while maintaining treatment goals.

Late effects

Less common delayed effects can occur months to years after treatment. These depend on tumor location, surrounding tissues, and total radiation dose. Potential late effects are discussed during consultation in the context of each patient’s expected outcomes.

Supportive care

We provide proactive supportive care and clear home-care guidance throughout treatment, with the goal of maintaining comfort, function, and quality of life at every stage.

Is radiation right for my pet?

Radiation may be a good option if:

The tumor is localized and surgery is incomplete or not feasible
The tumor is in a location where we can treat while protecting critical structures
The goal is local tumor control or symptom relief
Your pet is stable enough for short anesthesia/sedation

Radiation may not be the best fit if:

Disease is widespread, and local therapy would not meaningfully improve comfort or function
Other treatment approaches better align with goals of care

We will review options openly so families can make an informed decision.

A patient recently graduated from treatment.

Information for referring veterinarians

We welcome referrals for definitive, adjuvant, and palliative radiation therapy planning.

Helpful records to send:

Signalment and clinical history
Cytology and/or histopathology reports with microscopic descriptions
Surgical reports (if applicable)
Imaging and diagnostic results
Current medications and lab work

What referring veterinarians can expect:

Staging and treatment recommendations
Radiation protocol overview and expected outcomes
Communication throughout treatment
Coordinated discharge and follow-up planning
Collaboration with Medical Oncology and Surgery

About the service

The Radiation Oncology Service at the UT Veterinary Medical Center provides individualized, evidence-based care delivered through a collaborative team including veterinary technicians, anesthesia, medical oncology, surgery, and diagnostic imaging.

Our focus is precise treatment delivery, clear communication, and support for patients, families, and referring veterinarians throughout the entire course of care.