
Integrative Veterinary Oncology
We offer complementary integrative therapies for pets with cancer, including mistletoe therapy, ozone therapy, acupuncture, and herbal medicine, to support healing, manage symptoms, and improve quality of life.
Integrative Veterinary Oncology is where science intersects with compassion to assist pets during cancer.
Time stands still when a your pet has been diagnosed with cancer. There’s the heaviness of diagnosis, all the strange vocabulary, the not-knowing. But along with all those things comes something else: a need to make them feel better.
Dr. Priya Bhatt is an expert in integrative veterinary oncology complementary therapies. She uses thoughtful, evidence-guided practices that brings together modern veterinary oncology with supportive care using advanced Chinese Veterinary Medicine. Our vision: to enable pets to battle cancer without compromising their quality of life.
What Is Integrative Veterinary Oncology?
As an integrative veterinarian, Dr. Bhatt works with traditional oncologists to strengthen the pet’s body as they receive cancer treatment. We collaborate with your regular veterinarian or veterinary cancer specialist to provide therapies that minimize side effects, facilitate healing, and restore equilibrium gently. We have seen firsthand how this integrated approach can make dogs and cats feel better for a longer period of time—and remain closer to the joys of daily life.
Pet parents also have the choice to use Dr. Bhatt’s integrative therapy protocols. For example - one client brought her dog with brain cancer to Dr. Bhatt, making her the primary doctor. Where traditional veterinarians had said the dog only had 3 months to live, Dr. Bhatt helped her live for a whole year - all with Chinese veterinary medicine - herbs, laser therapy, acupuncture, food therapy and more. She only incorporated medications when the dog’s condition worsened at the end.
What Are Integrative Therapies?
If your pet has undergone chemotherapy, radiation, or surgery, you may already be seeing the toll—fatigue, a dwindling appetite, nausea, and pain. Integrative therapies can help lighten that load and offer your pet a better chance to truly enjoy life again.
Picture your dog’s tail wagging again after days of listlessness. Or your cat eagerly leaping up for breakfast because the nausea has finally let go.
That’s exactly what we work toward.
Advantages of Integrative Oncology for Animals:
Fewer digestive upsets and nausea
Enhanced appetite and energy levels
Less pain and inflammation
Immune system support and healing
Stress relief for pets (and their pet parents)
Therapies That Fall Under Integrative Oncology
We treat each animal as an individual—no cookie-cutter plans here. Every pet comes with a unique body, medical background, and way of responding to treatment. That’s why we begin with a thorough consultation, getting to know your pet’s history, diagnosis, and everyday experience.
Some of the therapies we often turn to when supporting pets with cancer include:
Veterinary Acupuncture
This therapy helps ease pain, nausea, and inflammation. It also promotes circulation and calms the nervous system. We often see our oncology patients relax visibly within minutes—some even drift off to sleep mid-session.
Chinese Herbal Medicine
We incorporate formulas rooted in classical Chinese medicine, enhanced by modern research. Certain herbs can help shrink tumor inflammation, support liver detox during chemotherapy, and strengthen immune defenses.
Food Therapy and Nutritional Support
We don’t believe in one-size-fits-all diets. Instead, we design nutrition plans that reflect your pet’s unique condition, constitution, and cancer type. For example, pets with lymphoma may benefit from meals that limit carbs and focus on clean proteins and anti-inflammatory ingredients.
Laser Therapy
Laser therapy is non-invasive treatments that help relieve pain, reduce inflammation, and promote tissue repair. They’re especially useful after surgery or when tumors cause localized discomfort or swelling.
Ozone Therapy
Ozone therapy works at the cellular level to boost oxygen delivery, which supports detoxification, healing, and immune health. We’ve seen powerful results using it with pets battling conditions like hemangiosarcoma and osteosarcoma. It doesn’t just ease symptoms—it can help improve comfort and resilience during and after treatment.
Bodywork and Emotional Support
Cancer doesn’t just affect the body—it takes an emotional toll, too. Many pets experience fear, clinginess, or unease during their treatment journey. We incorporate calming massage, safe essential oils, and a quiet, welcoming space to help pets feel grounded and safe. Sometimes, a gentle touch and a peaceful room make all the difference.
Is Integrative Oncology Right for My Pet?
If your pet is facing cancer, they deserve every possible advantage—not just to get through the illness, but to truly live during it. Whether they’ve just been diagnosed or have already started treatment, integrative care can make a meaningful difference.
We regularly support pets with a wide range of cancers, including:
Lymphoma
Osteosarcoma
Hemangiosarcoma
Mast cell tumors
Soft tissue sarcomas
Transitional cell carcinoma
Mammary tumors
Liver and spleen cancers
Some families come to us early on, wanting to prepare their pet’s body before chemo begins. Others join us midway, looking for help managing side effects. And some come after conventional treatments are finished, seeking recovery support and prevention tools.
No matter where you are in the journey, we’re here to walk alongside you.
You’re Not Alone in This
Hearing that your pet has cancer is heartbreaking. The questions, the fear, the feeling that you're suddenly in a world you didn’t ask to enter—it’s overwhelming. And it’s okay to feel lost, scared, or frustrated by the choices in front of you.
At Bhatt Integrative Veterinary Specialty, we’re not just here to treat your pet—we’re here for you, too. We’ve walked this path with many families. We’ve witnessed difficult diagnoses, remarkable turnarounds, and quiet moments filled with hope.
What we’ve learned is this: when thoughtful care meets unconditional love, powerful things can happen.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will you replace my vet or oncologist?
No—we work as part of your pet’s care team, not instead of it. Integrative oncology is about collaboration. We complement the work your primary veterinarian or specialist is already doing by offering supportive therapies that can ease side effects and enhance overall wellbeing.
How soon after diagnosis should I start integrative care?
The sooner, the better. Early support can help strengthen the immune system, manage inflammation, and improve how your pet responds to conventional treatments like chemo or radiation.
Is acupuncture safe for pets with cancer?
Yes, absolutely—when done by someone trained in veterinary acupuncture. Our team has extensive experience working with oncology patients, and every session is tailored to your pet’s specific condition and comfort level.
Do you treat cats as well as dogs?
We sure do. We care for both cats and dogs, including seniors, anxious pets, and those who need extra-gentle handling. Every animal gets the care that feels right for them.
Let’s Give Your Pet the Best Possible Chance
If your pet has been diagnosed with cancer, you’re probably wishing for one thing: more good days. More tail wags. More quiet evenings with them curled at your feet. That’s our goal, too.
Let’s talk through your options. We’ll build a personalized care plan that aligns with your pet’s needs and your values—one that brings together science, compassion, and a deep respect for the bond you share.
Schedule a consultation today.
We’ll meet you right where you are and walk this path with you—step by step.