Pet Cancer Specialists Open First San Diego-Area Clinic

Veterinary Cancer Group has opened its first San Diego-area location in La Mesa, California, bringing specialized cancer care closer to home for families across San Diego County.

The new practice is called Veterinary Cancer Group La Mesa. It is the group's fifth location in California and its first in the San Diego region, according to Thrive Pet Healthcare, which operates the specialty practice. Best of all, the clinic is co-located with the Pet Emergency and Specialty Center at 5232 Jackson Drive, Suite 101. It offers cancer diagnosis and treatment for dogs and cats alike.

Now, a cancer diagnosis is one of the hardest moments a pet parent can face (I've been there, done that!) and Veterinary Cancer Group La Mesa aims to make that experience less isolating. "Cancer can be an overwhelming diagnosis for a pet owner, and having specialized care close to home can make a difficult time a little easier," said Dr. Tokaj Kozak, the veterinary oncologist at the new practice. Her goal, she added, is for families to understand what a diagnosis means, what treatment options exist and how the team can support a pet's quality of life.

Every plan starts with the pet. The practice builds treatment around each animal's diagnosis, overall health and the family's circumstances, tailoring the approach case by case. Chemotherapy is among the options. It may be used on its own, after surgery or radiation therapy, or as part of palliative care. The specific medication, how it is administered and the treatment schedule all depend on the type of cancer and the individual animal, with the team coordinating alongside primary care and referring veterinarians throughout.

"Every patient and family comes to us with different needs and goals," Dr. Kozak said. She described her approach as developing a plan that fits the individual pet while keeping both the family and the referring veterinarian informed throughout treatment.

Dr. Kozak is originally from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada where she earned a Bachelor of Science in animal science from the University of Alberta and her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from St. George's University. After she completed her clinical year at Cornell University, a rotating internship at the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, and a three-year medical oncology residency at Iowa State University, Kozak settled in California to bring care and comfort to pets and their people.

Veterinary Cancer Group now operates five California locations — Culver City, La Mesa, Torrance, Tustin and Woodland Hills — along with a practice in Las Vegas, Nevada.