What is a Veterinary Oncologist?
A Veterinary Oncologist is a veterinarian that specializes, after years of training, in cancer medicine for animals. After becoming a veterinarian, a one year rotating internship in medicine and surgery is done. An oncology residency is then performed at a university or under the guidance of oncologists in specialty practice. This is typically a 3 year process in which one sees oncology cases, learns about cancer biology and research is undertaken. Lectures, writing research papers, learning cytology (microscope work) and presentations are often a part of this process. Upon completion of the residency training and publication of a pertinent cancer study, a 2 year (internal medicine then oncology) set of exams must be taken and passed. At this time, one becomes a Board Certified Veterinary Oncologist.
Oncology:
We are excited to announce that we have added oncology referral services. Beginning soon, Renee Alsaraff, DVM, DACVIM (Oncology) and her associate, Seth Glasser, DVM, Practice Limited to Oncology, will be seeing oncology cases at Animerge one day per week.
Dr. Alsaraff has been practicing in New Jersey for fifteen years. Originally from Michigan, she graduated from Michigan State University Veterinary School in 1991. While there, she established MSU's Pet Loss Support Group. Designed to provide support to those who have lost a beloved pet, the group still helps bereaved owners today. Following veterinary school, Dr. Alsaraff completed an internship as well as an oncology residency, research and radiation therapy training at the Animal Medical Center in NYC. She conducted research at Memorial Sloan Kettering and had additional training in radiation at the University of Kansas. Dr. Alsaraff has authored several journal articles and chapters and has most recently participated in clinical cancer studies with Cornell University.
Dr. Glasser was born in Manhattan and raised primarily in Sullivan County, New York. After attending Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, Dr. Glasser conducted pharmaceutical research and development. He attended Tufts University Cumming's School of Veterinary Medicine where his interest in medical oncology developed. Dr. Glasser did an internship at the University of Minnesota and came back to the Northeast for a three-year oncology residency at the Animal Medical Center and Animal Specialty Center in Yonkers.
Both doctors have a very similar practice and treatment philosophy - to practice the highest standard of medical care with sincere compassion in a collaborative, team-oriented manner, which makes them a perfect addition to Animerge. They will work hand-in-hand with our other specialists and emergency veterinarians and, as always, with you, the primary care veterinarian.
Please do not hesitate to call us with any question you may have or to schedule a consultation for a client. We look forward to providing you and your referrals with this beneficial service.
Common Cancers Treated:
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How We Treat Cancer
There are many different modalities or ways in which we treat cancer in veterinary patients. Decisions on the best option for your pet depends on the pet’s type of cancer, his/her overall health, ease of treatment, side effects, costs and possible prognosis. Sometimes one modality is employed, other times a multi-modality approach will be recommended. And, sometimes, the best option may be no treatment at all. These will all be discussed with you at your initial visit with Dr. Alsarraf or Dr. Glasser and throughout any follow up visits.
Chemotherapy: a systemic approach (treating the whole patient) in the form of pills or injections
Radiation Therapy: a local therapy, typically treating one site more intensely
Surgery: used to obtain a diagnosis, debulk a local mass, biopsy lymph nodes to check for metastasis (spread) of cancer
Vaccine/immunotherapy: stimulating the body to combat the cancer
Multimodality approach: combining 2 or more of the above treatment options
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Animerge
21 US HWY 206
Raritan, NJ 08869
908-418-4476