Veterinary Oncology Services in Santa Fe, New Mexico
Veterinary Cancer Care provides advanced veterinary oncology services in Santa Fe for dogs, cats, and companion animals diagnosed with cancer. Care is led by Dr. Jeannette M. Kelly, one of the few board-certified veterinary oncologist in the Santa Fe region, offering treatment options that go beyond standard protocols.
Treatment plans combine modern oncology with integrative therapies that support the whole patient. Services include personalized cancer diagnostics, targeted therapies, immunotherapy, chemotherapy, and holistic care designed to protect your companion’s quality of life during treatment. No referral is required, and urgent appointments are often available the same day.
services we offer
Advanced Treatment Options
- Electrochemotherapy
- Integrative & Holistic Care
- Immunotherapy
- Chemotherapy
- Prevention & Early Detection
- Cryosurgery
- Palliative & Hospice Care
- Targeted Cancer Treatment Through Advanced Diagnostics
- Radiation Referral Note
Electroporation
Electroporation works by applying a short electrical pulse directly to the tumor. The pulse temporarily opens pores in the cancer cell membranes, allowing therapeutic substances to enter more effectively. These may include chemotherapy drugs, vaccines, or immunomodulatory agents. Because the treatment is localized, it can target cancerous tissue precisely without significant impact on surrounding healthy tissue. This makes it a useful option for non-surgical tumor reduction. Dr. Kelly uses electroporation as part of a broader cancer treatment plan when traditional surgery is not the best option.
Common situations where electroporation may be considered include:
For dogs with osteosarcoma, electroporation can also be used alongside bisphosphonates, offering an option to retain the limb when amputation is not preferred or not possible. Electroporation is not widely available in general veterinary practices. Veterinary Cancer Care provides this therapy as part of its commitment to offering advanced veterinary oncology services in Santa Fe.
Integrative Veterinary Oncology
Integrative veterinary oncology combines conventional cancer treatments with evidence-based holistic therapies. At Veterinary Cancer Care in Santa Fe, Dr. Kelly uses this approach to treat the whole patient while managing cancer. Cancer affects more than one system in the body. An integrative plan supports immune function, reduces inflammation, and helps pets tolerate treatment while maintaining day-to-day comfort and energy. This approach allows Dr. Kelly to combine treatments such as chemotherapy or immunotherapy with supportive therapies that address nutrition, inflammation, and underlying health conditions.
Integrative care at Veterinary Cancer Care may include:
Dr. Kelly also evaluates conditions that can weaken the immune system or create chronic inflammation, including:
Addressing these conditions is part of the broader treatment plan. The goal is to support the body while managing the cancer so pets can maintain the best possible quality of life during cancer treatment.
Indirect Vaccines (Immunocidin)
Immunocidin is a veterinary biologic that stimulates the immune system to respond more aggressively to cancer cells. The product is derived from Mycobacterium phlei and acts as an immune system activator. When administered, it signals the body to mount a stronger immune response that can help slow or control tumor growth.
Immunocidin may be administered:
It is sometimes used alongside other cancer treatments to support immune activity during therapy.
Autologous Cancer Vaccines
An autologous vaccine is created using a sample of the pet’s own tumor.Laboratory specialists process the tumor cells and convert them into a vaccine designed to teach the immune system to recognize that specific cancer. Once administered, the immune system begins identifying those cells as a threat and targets them.
The typical protocol involves:
Because the vaccine is derived from the individual tumor, it is highly specific to that pet’s cancer.
Immunotherapy for Dogs and Cats
Immunotherapy helps the immune system recognize and attack cancer cells. Veterinary Cancer Care offers several forms of veterinary immunotherapy for dogs and cats as part of personalized cancer treatment plans. Unlike chemotherapy, which targets rapidly dividing cells, immunotherapy works by strengthening the body’s own ability to identify cancer cells as abnormal and destroy them. This targeted approach can sometimes control cancer with fewer side effects than traditional treatments. Dr. Kelly evaluates each case carefully to determine when immunotherapy for dogs or cats may be helpful, either alone or combined with other treatments.
Melanoma Vaccine (ONCEPT)
The ONCEPT melanoma vaccine is designed for dogs diagnosed with malignant oral melanoma. This therapy is typically used after the primary tumor has been controlled with surgery or another local treatment. The vaccine then helps the immune system attack any remaining melanoma cells that may still be present in the body. ONCEPT is most often recommended for dogs with stage II or stage III oral melanoma after the initial tumor has been addressed.
Chemotherapy for Dogs and Cats
Chemotherapy is one of the most common and effective treatments for cancer in pets. At Veterinary Cancer Care in Santa Fe, chemotherapy protocols are designed to control cancer while allowing pets to continue normal daily activities. Many families are concerned about chemotherapy because of what they have seen in human medicine. The approach used in veterinary oncology is different. Treatment plans are adjusted so that pets generally tolerate therapy well and continue eating, playing, and interacting with their families.
Chemotherapy works by using medications that target rapidly dividing cancer cells. These medications may be delivered:
Most pets experience few side effects. When side effects occur, they are usually mild and temporary. Some pets may have decreased appetite, fatigue, or mild digestive upset for a short period after treatment. Dr. Kelly carefully monitors every patient and adjusts protocols when needed to protect quality of life throughout treatment.
Metronomic Chemotherapy
Metronomic chemotherapy (Remission Retaining Therapy) is a low-dose form of treatment given on a continuous schedule. Instead of high doses spaced weeks apart, small amounts of medication are given regularly. This method works by blocking the development of blood vessels that tumors need to grow. Without an adequate blood supply, cancer cells have difficulty expanding.
Metronomic chemotherapy may be recommended for:
Because the medications are often given orally, many pets can receive metronomic chemotherapy at home under the guidance of Dr. Kelly and the Veterinary Cancer Care team.
Cancer Screening and Early Detection
Early detection improves the chances of successfully managing cancer in pets. Veterinary Cancer Care offers screening and diagnostic services that help identify cancer as early as possible. Some cancers develop long before visible symptoms appear. Screening tests and diagnostic evaluations can identify problems earlier, which allows treatment to begin sooner.
In addition to blood-based screening, Dr. Kelly may recommend diagnostic testing such as:
Screening and diagnostics are especially valuable for:
Veterinary Cancer Care also takes a preventive approach by addressing chronic conditions that contribute to inflammation and immune stress. Managing problems such as periodontal disease, chronic pain, and allergies helps support overall health and may reduce cancer risk over time.
Cryosurgery is a treatment that destroys abnormal tissue by freezing it. At Veterinary Cancer Care in Santa Fe, this method may be used to treat certain small or superficial tumors. During the procedure, extremely cold temperatures are applied directly to the tumor. The freezing process damages cancer cells and causes them to die.
Cryosurgery may be recommended for:
Because the treatment targets a specific area, it can sometimes provide an effective option for tumor control with minimal impact on surrounding tissue.
Not every cancer diagnosis leads to curative treatment. In some situations, the focus shifts to comfort, dignity, and preserving meaningful time with family. Veterinary Cancer Care provides palliative and hospice care for pets with advanced cancer. Dr. Kelly works with families to create care plans that prioritize comfort and quality of life.
Palliative care may include:
For families facing end-of-life decisions, hospice care focuses on helping pets remain comfortable while preparing for the final stage of life. The Veterinary Cancer Care team helps guide these decisions with honesty, compassion, and respect for each family’s wishes. Every situation is different. Dr. Kelly takes time to explain options and help families determine what is right for their pet. If you are unsure what the next step should be, speaking with a veterinary oncologist can help clarify the choices ahead. Talk with our team about care options for your companion animal.
Vetomics Comprehensive Genomic Profiling (CGP)
Vetomics Comprehensive Genomic Profiling examines the DNA of a tumor to identify mutations that drive cancer growth. This genomic testing looks for specific genetic changes within cancer cells. When a mutation is identified, targeted therapies may be available that focus on that exact pathway.
Benefits of genomic testing include:
Genomic profiling brings the same precision medicine strategies used in human oncology into veterinary cancer care for dogs and cats.
ImpriMed Personalized Prediction Profile
The ImpriMed Personalized Prediction Profile is a laboratory test that measures how a pet’s cancer cells respond to different chemotherapy drugs. Cancer cells from your pet’s tumor are analyzed in the lab and exposed to a range of medications. The test evaluates which drugs are most effective at stopping those cells from growing.
Why this matters for pet cancer treatment:
This testing approach gives Dr. Kelly more information before treatment begins, helping guide decisions about dog cancer treatment and cat cancer treatment.
Targeted Cancer Treatment Through Advanced Diagnostics
Every cancer behaves differently. At Veterinary Cancer Care in Santa Fe, treatment begins with advanced diagnostics that reveal how a specific tumor is likely to respond to therapy. Instead of relying only on standard chemotherapy protocols, Dr. Kelly uses precision diagnostic tools that evaluate cancer cells and tumor genetics before treatment begins. These tests help identify therapies that are more likely to work for your companion animal while avoiding treatments that may not be effective. This approach supports personalized cancer treatment for dogs and cats, giving families clearer information when making decisions about care.
Radiation Therapy Referral
Veterinary Cancer Care does not provide radiation therapy on site. When radiation is part of the recommended treatment plan, Dr. Kelly refers patients to trusted specialty centers and coordinates care with those teams to ensure continuity of treatment.
Schedule a Consultation
A cancer diagnosis can leave families with many questions about treatment options and what comes next. Veterinary Cancer Care offers advanced veterinary oncology services in Santa Fe so pets and their families have access to a wide range of treatment approaches.
Dr. Kelly works with families to develop treatment plans that reflect the pet’s medical needs, overall health, and quality of life.
No referral is required to schedule a consultation. Same-day appointments are often available for urgent cases. Veterinary Cancer Care serves patients from Santa Fe, Albuquerque, Taos, Las Cruces, and surrounding regions, with many families traveling from Texas, Arizona, Colorado, and California for specialized care.
