Electrochemotherapy (ECT)

Advanced Electrochemotherapy for cats and dogs
A Limb-Sparing, Tissue-Preserving Cancer Treatment at Evolution Veterinary Specialists
When surgery is not possible—or when preserving normal tissue is essential—electrochemotherapy (ECT) offers an advanced treatment option that can dramatically improve local tumor control while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue.
ECT combines a chemotherapy medication, typically Bleomycin, with precisely delivered electrical pulses that temporarily open cancer cell membranes, allowing significantly greater uptake of the drug directly into tumor cells. The result is highly targeted treatment with minimal systemic side effects.
Now offering electrochemotherapy for select canine and feline cancers.
Common Reasons Your Veterinarian May Recommend ECT
  • Margins were incomplete after surgery
  • Tumor is located where surgery would be disfiguring
  • Radiation therapy is unavailable or declined
  • Previous tumor recurrence
  • Older patients that may not tolerate aggressive surgery
  • Need to preserve function or cosmetic appearance
Our Comprehensive Cancer Care
At Evolution Veterinary Specialists, electrochemotherapy is integrated with:
  • Surgical Oncology
  • Medical Oncology
  • Advanced Imaging
  • Internal Medicine
  • Emergency & Critical Care
Our multidisciplinary team collaborates to determine the best treatment plan for every patient.
Request a Consultation
If your cat or dog has recently been diagnosed with cancer—or if surgery alone may not provide the best outcome—we would be happy to discuss whether electrochemotherapy is an appropriate option.

Why Choose Electrochemotherapy?

Conditions We Treat:

Electrochemotherapy may be appropriate for many superficial and locally invasive tumors, including:
  • ♦Soft Tissue Sarcomas
  • ♦Mast Cell Tumors
  • ♦Squamous Cell Carcinoma
  • ♦Perianal Tumors
  • ♦Oral Tumors (selected cases)
  • ♦Cutaneous Carcinomas
  • ♦Recurrent Tumors after Surgery
  • ♦Incompletely Excised Tumors
  • ♦Tumors in Challenging Surgical Locations
Every patient receives an individualized treatment plan based on tumor type, location, and stage.
Preserve Normal Tissue
ECT allows treatment of tumors while minimizing removal of surrounding healthy tissue.
 
Limb-Sparing Alternative
In some patients, ECT can reduce the need for aggressive surgeries or amputation.
 
Excellent Local Tumor Control
Studies have demonstrated high local control rates for appropriately selected tumors.
 
Minimal Systemic Side Effects
Because chemotherapy is concentrated inside tumor cells, patients typically experience far fewer systemic side effects than traditional chemotherapy.
 
Fast Recovery
Pets typically return home the same day with relatively quick recovery times.

What to Expect

  • A board-certified specialist evaluates your pet, reviews diagnostics, and determines whether electrochemotherapy is appropriate.
  • ♦Treatment Planning-Advanced imaging and surgical planning help determine the ideal treatment protocol.
  • ♦ Procedure-Under deep sedation and rarely inhalant anesthesia, chemotherapy is administered followed by specialized electrical pulses delivered directly to the tumor.
  • ♦ Recovery-Patients typically return home the same day with pain management and home care instructions.
  • ♦ Follow-Up- Rechecks allow us to monitor healing and assess tumor response.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is Electrochemotherapy?
Electrochemotherapy is an innovative cancer treatment that combines:
  • Low-dose chemotherapy
  • Specialized electrical pulses
The electrical pulses temporarily increase the permeability of cancer cell membranes (electroporation), allowing chemotherapy to enter tumor cells far more effectively than chemotherapy alone.
This creates a powerful local anti-tumor effect while limiting exposure to the rest of the body.

Is electrochemotherapy painful?

The procedure is performed under deep sedation or anesthesia to allow precise targeting, but it is not typically painful with the machine we use. Mild soreness afterward is typically well controlled with medications.

Will my pet need multiple treatments?

Some tumors respond after a single treatment while others benefit from staged therapy. Recommendations are individualized.

Is ECT chemotherapy?

ECT uses chemotherapy, but in a very different way than traditional systemic chemotherapy. The electrical pulses dramatically increase uptake by tumor cells while reducing exposure elsewhere in the body.

Is my dog or cat a candidate?

Many pets are excellent candidates, particularly those with localized tumors or tumors in difficult surgical locations. A consultation is the best way to determine eligibility.

Why Evolution Veterinary Specialists?

Comprehensive Specialty Hospital-Your pet benefits from collaboration among surgery, oncology, internal medicine, emergency, and advanced imaging specialists.
Advanced Technology-We offer state-of-the-art electrochemotherapy equipment alongside advanced diagnostics and surgical capabilities.
Individualized Treatment Plans-Every cancer is different. Every patient deserves a customized approach.
 

How can I schedule an appointment? 

Give us a call at 720-510-7707 Contact us today to learn if a rhinoscopy is the right next step.

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