Veterinary Oncology
in Charlottesville, Virginia
When a pet is diagnosed with cancer, the world feels like a scary place. If you are stepping into the cancer journey with your pet, our oncology team is here for you.
Oncology is a subspecialty of internal medicine dedicated to treating patients with cancer. Studies suggest that approximately 1 in 4 dogs and 1 in 5 cats will develop cancer within their lifetimes. Your companion is far from alone in this diagnosis, especially with our oncology team at your side.
Our Oncology Team
Our board-certified oncologist, Dr. Courtney Mallett and our team of experienced nurses work to offer your beloved companions the utmost care, compassion, and expertise throughout their cancer journey.
Modern advancements in cancer diagnostics and treatment mean we can offer a personalized approach to cancer care. This helps lead to more successful outcomes for our veterinary cancer patients.
Dr. Mallett and the oncology team work together to lengthen and preserve the quality of life for dogs and cats with cancer. Our state-of-the-art, USP 800-compliant oncology suite is optimized for the safety and comfort of our patients.
Services Offered
At Virginia Veterinary Specialty & Emergency, we offer the following cancer treatment services:
- Comprehensive consultation and examination
- Diagnostic tests for cancer staging and monitoring
- Follow-up and recheck exams
- Traditional chemotherapy
- Targeted chemotherapy
- Immunotherapy (including the ONCEPT® melanoma vaccine)
- Coordination for oncologic surgery
- Basic discussion and external referral for radiation therapy
- Management of treatment and disease-related side effects/symptoms
- Palliative care recommendations
We understand that you and your pet are going through a difficult time, and we are here for you. To best serve our patients, the oncology department sees patients by appointment only. We also require a definitive cancer diagnosis, and a referral from a current, local primary care veterinarian.
For more information about veterinary oncology, please visit:
Oncology Department Hours at VVSE
The oncology team is in the office Monday through Thursday from 8:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. We welcome you to give us a call at (434) 202-2987 if you have a question or would like to schedule an appointment. Please note that we do not offer remote cancer management or telemedicine services at this time.
Frequently Asked Questions
A: Unlike human oncology, veterinary chemotherapy is typically administered at lower doses to minimize side effects. Most pets tolerate treatment very well and maintain a good quality of life. If side effects occur, they are usually mild and manageable.
Oncologist
Courtney Mallett, DVM, Diplomate ACVIM (Oncology)
Dr. Mallett grew up in West Virginia and received her undergraduate degree from Clemson University in 2002. She then graduated from The University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine in 2006. After graduation, Dr. Mallett completed a 1-year internship in small animal medicine and surgery at Florida Veterinary Specialists (BluePearl Tampa) in 2007, followed by a 3-year residency in medical oncology at The University of Georgia in 2010.
Dr. Mallett is board certified in oncology by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) and has been in private specialty practice for the past 10 years. In addition to lecturing regionally and participating in clinical trials and research, Dr. Mallett has enjoyed mentoring interns and residents throughout her career. She has served on both the ACVIM Exam Rating and Private Practice Advisory Committees and has been a past reviewer for Veterinary Pathology. In 2018, Dr. Mallett volunteered for the Puerto Rico hurricane relief campaign through Lucky Dog Animal Rescue in Washington, DC.
Dr. Mallett enjoys all aspects of veterinary oncology, with particular interests in hematological and oral cancers. She strives to provide patients with treatment plans tailored to meet the needs of each individual family while providing an excellent quality of life throughout the treatment process.
In her spare time, Dr. Mallett enjoys reading, traveling, and spending time with family and friends, including her dog, Huckleberry.
