Surgical Oncology

Hours & Appointment Scheduling

Office hours: 8am – 5pm, Monday - Friday
Patient visits by appointment only.
For an appointment, please call (614) 292-3551
After hour emergencies: (614) 292-3551

Service Highlights

Our surgeons are board-certified with the American College of Veterinary Surgeons as well as being ACVS Fellows of Surgical Oncology. We also have one of four ACVS Fellowship Programs for surgical oncology.

What to Expect When My Pet Needs Cancer Surgery 

Surgery for your pet will be scheduled following an initial consultation appointment with our Integrated Oncology clinicians. Surgeries are scheduled within a few days to up to 1-2 weeks after this initial examination, depending on availability and clinical need. Prior to surgery, important tests such as computed tomography (CT) or abdominal ultrasound may need to be performed to help plan surgery or to check for any spread of cancer (staging).

The day before surgery, you will have a drop-off appointment to answer questions and finalize the treatment plan with the surgeon. Your pet will need to spend a minimum of 2 nights in the hospital, but more may be necessary depending on the surgery and your pet's recovery. You will be given an estimation of the duration of your pet's hospital stay during this appointment.

If an early drop-off is scheduled (7:30 am) the day of the surgery, it is important that you arrive promptly to this appointment so that we have time to answer any of your questions. Please do not feed your pet after 10 pm the night before surgery (unless specific recommendations are provided by the clinician).  Your pet may have access to water until the morning of surgery. Your pet will need to spend a minimum of 2 nights in the hospital, but more may be necessary depending on the surgery and your pet's recovery.

If your pet is receiving medications and/or special diets, please bring these to your drop-off appointment.  If you already have an e-collar, please bring it to your drop-off appointment.

To optimize the post-surgery recovery, no visits are allowed the day of surgery.  A member of the surgical oncology team (student, resident, fellow or faculty) will call you soon after surgery and at least twice daily (week days) or once daily (weekends) during your pet's stay. You will be called if any significant changes in your pet's health status occur. This communication could occur at any time, including overnight, so it is important that we have the best contact numbers for you and that you are available at all times.

Visits (15-20 min) during your pet's hospitalization can be organized in advance. Please don't hesitate to ask for a visit at the time our team provides you an updated about your pet.

Your pet will recover in our intensive care unit (ICU) or in our hospital ward and will be closely monitored throughout their hospital stay. Results of any tissue or tumor biopsies collected during surgery are usually available within 7-10 days after surgery.

As owner, we value you as a key member of your pet's oncology care team. Our goal is to provide an environment where every family feels supported throughout each stage of their pet's cancer journey. The clinician assigned to lead the case will discuss your pet's condition in detail, answer any questions you may have, and work together with you and your veterinarian, as well as other members of the surgical oncology team, to implement a personalized treatment plan to your satisfaction. The surgical oncology team consists of the faculty member, the surgical oncology fellow, a surgery resident, a 4th year veterinary student, and the surgical oncology technician (nurse).

Clinical Trials

The Surgical Oncology Service is often recruiting patients for clinical studies for which your pet may be eligible. For a list of current trials please click here. If you have any questions regarding your pet's eligibility, please contact the Blue Buffalo Clinical Trials Offfice (cvm-clinicaltrials@osu.edu).