86 W Juniper Ave #5, Ste 5, Gilbert, AZ 85233 United States
https://www.arizonaveterinaryoncology.com/
Open now:9:00 am - 6:00 pm
Top Healthcare in your area
(194) · Emergency Pet Hospital
14870 N Northsight Blvd Suite #101
(480) 368-1741About
Specialties Arizona Veterinary Oncology is fully staffed with board-certified medical and radiation oncologists, serving the greater Phoenix area. Our doctors are dedicated to providing up-to-date therapies and treatment protocols tailored to each individual pet. Our 3-location veterinary oncology group is the only one in the Phoenix metro area that can provide complete oncological care, including diagnostics, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. By providing all modalities within our oncology group, we can offer outstanding quality and continuity of care. Our locations also work closely with other specialties to make diagnoses and form treatment plans based on each pet's individual needs. A
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Jill K. on Birdeye
2 years ago
05/05/2021, 21:01 PM
I am deeply thankful for Dr. Arkens at the Glendale location for taking this case quickly and advocating for a quick CT and stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS). Although I didn't know it at the time his oral tumor was "large"-and from their standpoint I don't think this case for them has/had a good prognosis because of the extent of it occupying my vizsla's right jaw. I knew it was a Hail Mary and I appreciate Arkens taking a chance on us. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Otherwise, my goal in writing this review is in hopes that patients will read it and be better prepared for cancer, cancer treatment and how this office operates. That's my only intention here, to help others navigate this deeply sad, confusing and complex life challenge of having a pet with cancer. Here are 3 key components to grasp, followed by some humble advice on how to succeed where I didn't.
1...The first thing you have to recognize is that pet oncology is Big Medicine-and this office is no different. What that means is that layers of poor communication, clinical culture and a general lack of understanding of the pet (and their owner) pervade your treatment here. This is because SRS equipment and those trained to use it are not common-so in this case you have Pet Cure Oncology (a corporation of investors), MidWestern University (a massive training facility for vets) and Arizona Veterinary Oncology are all part of your animal's care with different competing demands. $12,000 is the entry price for treatment and an SRS machine costs millions. These all add up to varying constraints that can preclude these 3 entities from seeing you as a unique patient and more like...well...a service they perform.
2...These are specialists (and I have a met several) and NOT working vets. A working vet typically owns their own practice and is a generalist that works 6 days a week, calls you personally at 8PM to prescribe, soothe your anxiety, and generally care for your dog/cat. Their is an empathetic and caring connection to you as the owner. Not to generalize but you can recognize specialists by how they dress. Yes, they wear tailored skinny pants and dress shoes and well...look cool and professional (I worked in medicine and I looked like this as well!) In general they don't work weekends, they speak in unhelpful and unsympathetic clinical language and relay information through young vet techs even when your pet is seriously ill-but NEVER after 5PM (are you crazy the work day is finished-LOL). There is lots of explanations for this but I imagine delegation is believed to alleviate the demands of endless clients seeking specialists. You work with lots of young women techs at this practice (many who don't know your pet) to rope off the vet for competing demands that sadly don't apparently include you.
3...There is sparse after-care following SRS. In fact, Arkens chose to never see my pet before or during treatment. Part of this is understandable, in human hospitals radiation is not performed by the oncologist, it's by a highly-trained tech. They recognized that their will be side effects but their was no planning for the medications that were 100% NECESSARY to alleviate the suffering my dog experienced after 3 rounds of radiation. I did my best using baby aspirin, numbing throat spray before my working vet stepped in to put my dog on a strong pain killer, antibiotic, and anti-inflammatory. Thank God for him.
OK so what to do-
1. Accept the limitations described above-SO YOU CAN focus on the outcome of your pet getting better. If you want SRS or any oncology treatment, your options are very, very limited. Just know what you want for your pet and stay true to it. This mind trick will keep you on track to advocate for your pet while being treated instead of feeling victimized by the process.
2. You don't know what you don't know. So you have to ask as many questions as you can (even when you are sad or overwhelmed by your animal's care). Please see full review on Yelp.
Kris Walt on Facebook
2 years ago
09/01/2020, 14:41 PM
The staff has been nothing but amazing with our pup who has two kinds of skin cancer. Before we started fostering him he went through chemo with Dr Beaver. Unfortunately his cancer returned and he had to have invasive surgery to do a penile amputation to remove the cancer. After the surgery Dr Boshoven did his radiation treatments. We had to go through another surgery that was totally unexpected and Dr French did the surgeries and we loved her. Everyone who has met Harley has fallen in love with him from the vet techs Andrea, Jen, Frank, and Melanie. Everyone there is so great and has been wonderful through this whole cancer experience. Hoping we won’t have to go back for a while 😊 except for general checkups. This has been a scary experience and they made it so much better. Harley and mom and dad say thank you from the bottom of our hearts!
Samantha Klaseen on Facebook
3 years ago
07/29/2020, 20:03 PM
Dr. Beaver, Andrea and Denia were all amazing to work with for our girl, Olive, who was battling Lymphoma. They were so compassionate, caring and loving to Olive which we really appreciated since she was a shy girl. Dr. Beaver was so knowledgeable, communicative and honest about treatments and expectations of outcomes which we really appreciated it. There was so much we had to learn and do so quickly but she made it all manageable. We can't thank Dr. Beaver and the staff enough for all of the help, care and effort they've given us. We will always sing high praises of her and her staff at AVO.
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Ashley Stanley on Facebook
3 years ago
05/14/2020, 08:07 AM
All of the staff is really compassionate and kind. My cat was well cared for during his stay for hyperthyroidism. He has come home in good spirits! Highly recommend :)
Vanessa Spartan on Facebook
3 years ago
02/18/2020, 08:28 AM
The staff are so kind. Our dog never seems anxious being there which is a huge relief.
Vanessa Spartan-Platt on Facebook
3 years ago
02/18/2020, 00:53 AM
The staff are so kind. Our dog never seems anxious being there which is a huge relief.
Heidi Morrison on Facebook
3 years ago
01/15/2020, 11:06 AM
We treat our cat here and we highly recommend them! They have been patient and thorough with our baby and we wouldn't take her anywhere else!
Dagmar Marie Rose on Facebook
3 years ago
12/06/2019, 06:36 AM
Dr.Boshoven and the Staff are fantastic. Great care for my Sally. New diagnosis of Melanoma. Driving up from Tucson, we'll get it done. She's so sweet and deserves the best. She has a busy Mom and they are so accommodating, helping me make it work with my crazy schedule and working nights. So appreciative of it all. I am hoping and praying to beat the odds and having her a lot longer then the. Statistic states. Thank you everyone so much all you do. Sally and I appreciate it.
jeramia j. on Birdeye
3 years ago
12/04/2019, 22:51 PM
My dog was diagnosed with anal sac adenocaecinoma. A small tumor was surgically removed and my dog was completely fine aftwards. Then I took my dog to AZ Vet Oncology in Gilbert to receive 1 dose of stereotactic radiation followed later with chemo. Thereafter, radiation caused my dog to developed severe colitis, straining to defecate that resulted in anal strictures that caused fecal blockage that led to perineal hernia. Later, my dog had to wear diapers and was in severe pain during bowl movements. After 8 months of my dog suffering in pain and straining and unable to pass a bowl movement, dog had to be put down. I regret the radiation option that was presented to me because Stereotactic Radiation should never be used on a tumor that has been surgically removed prior. I wish I has known that because my dog would probably still be alive today healthy.
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