Pet Chemotherapy Tijuana — Affordable Cancer Treatment for Dogs and Cats

When Your Pet Is Diagnosed With Cancer

A cancer diagnosis is one of the most difficult moments a pet owner can face. Whether your veterinarian has found lymphoma, a mast cell tumor, osteosarcoma, or another form of cancer, the emotional weight is enormous. Then comes the financial reality.

In San Diego, a full course of chemotherapy for a dog can cost between $3,000 and $8,000 depending on the protocol, the number of sessions, and the oncologist. Many pet owners are forced to make impossible decisions — not because treatment is unavailable, but because it is unaffordable.

CBX Pet Care was created to solve this problem. We connect San Diego pet owners with experienced veterinary oncologists in Tijuana who provide the same chemotherapy protocols used in American clinics, at 50-80% less cost.

Chemotherapy Protocols We Coordinate

CHOP Protocol (Cyclophosphamide, Doxorubicin, Vincristine, Prednisone)

The CHOP protocol is the gold standard for treating canine lymphoma. It uses a rotating combination of four drugs administered over a series of sessions, typically 6-8 sessions spread across 16-25 weeks. This protocol achieves remission rates of 80-90% in dogs with multicentric lymphoma.

Each session involves a different drug combination, with regular bloodwork to monitor your pet’s response. The veterinary oncologist adjusts dosing based on your pet’s weight, blood counts, and tolerance. CHOP is the most commonly recommended protocol for B-cell and T-cell lymphoma in dogs.

COP Protocol (Cyclophosphamide, Vincristine, Prednisone)

The COP protocol is a three-drug approach that may be recommended for pets that cannot tolerate doxorubicin or for cases where a less intensive treatment is appropriate. While remission rates are somewhat lower than CHOP (approximately 60-70%), COP has fewer side effects and is often preferred for older animals or those with pre-existing heart conditions.

COP sessions are typically administered weekly for the initial induction phase, then spaced further apart during maintenance. The total treatment course usually runs 8-12 sessions.

LOPP Protocol (Lomustine, Vincristine, Procarbazine, Prednisone)

LOPP is a rescue protocol often used when lymphoma recurs after an initial CHOP response, or as a first-line treatment for certain T-cell lymphomas. It involves oral medications combined with injectable drugs, making it somewhat easier for pets who struggle with frequent injections.

Single-Agent Protocols

For some cancers, a single chemotherapy drug may be most appropriate. Doxorubicin alone is sometimes used for lymphoma, while carboplatin or cisplatin may be recommended for osteosarcoma, bladder tumors, or certain carcinomas. Single-agent protocols typically cost less per session and may have fewer side effects.

Cancers We Treat

• Lymphoma: The most common cancer in dogs. Multicentric lymphoma accounts for about 80% of cases. Highly responsive to chemotherapy with CHOP protocol.
• Mast Cell Tumors: Common skin tumors in dogs. Chemotherapy may follow surgical removal, especially for high-grade tumors or those with incomplete margins.
• Osteosarcoma: Aggressive bone cancer most common in large and giant breed dogs. Chemotherapy following amputation or limb-sparing surgery can extend survival by 6-12 months.
• Hemangiosarcoma: An aggressive cancer of blood vessel walls, often found in the spleen, heart, or liver. Chemotherapy with doxorubicin can extend survival time after surgery.
• Transitional Cell Carcinoma: Bladder cancer in dogs, treated with piroxicam and mitoxantrone or carboplatin.
• Melanoma: Oral melanoma in dogs may respond to carboplatin or other agents, sometimes in combination with the melanoma vaccine.

Complete Pricing Breakdown

Service	CBX Pet Care Price	San Diego Price
Initial chemotherapy session	$535–$565	$800–$1,500
Follow-up chemotherapy session	$415–$475	$500–$1,200
Bloodwork per session	Included	$150–$300 extra
Oncology consultation	$80–$150	$250–$500
Full CHOP course (6-8 sessions)	$2,600–$3,900	$5,000–$12,000

Pricing includes the chemotherapy drugs, administration, monitoring during treatment, and anti-nausea medication if needed. Bloodwork is included with each session to ensure your pet’s blood counts are safe for treatment.

A non-refundable $50 deposit secures your appointment. Zelle payments receive a 3% cash discount. See our full pricing page for all treatments.

What to Expect on Chemotherapy Day

Understanding exactly what happens on treatment day helps reduce anxiety for both you and your pet. Here is the complete timeline:

1. 7:00-9:00 AM — Drop-Off: You bring your pet to our meeting point at Walmart Supercenter in National City (1200 Highland Ave) or Chula Vista (75 Broadway). Our coordinator greets you, confirms your pet’s information, and loads your pet into our climate-controlled vehicle.
2. 9:00-10:00 AM — Border Crossing and Arrival: Our coordinator transports your pet across the border to the veterinary oncology clinic in Tijuana. Your pet is checked in and assessed by the veterinary team.
3. 10:00-10:30 AM — Pre-Treatment Bloodwork: A complete blood count is performed to confirm your pet’s white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets are at safe levels for chemotherapy. If counts are too low, treatment is postponed and you are notified immediately.
4. 10:30 AM — Check-In Call: You receive a phone call from our coordinator with the veterinary oncologist. You discuss your pet’s condition, the treatment plan, any concerns, and the oncologist answers your questions directly.
5. 11:00 AM-12:30 PM — Treatment: The chemotherapy drug is administered via IV catheter. Your pet is monitored throughout for any adverse reactions. Anti-nausea medication is given as a preventive measure.
6. 12:30-1:30 PM — Observation: Your pet is monitored for 30-60 minutes after treatment to ensure stability. The IV catheter is removed and your pet rests comfortably.
7. 1:30-2:30 PM — Return Transport: Your pet is transported back across the border to the meeting point.
8. 2:00-4:00 PM — Checkout Call and Pickup: You receive a second phone call with results, aftercare instructions, next appointment scheduling, and any medications to take home. You pick up your pet at the meeting point.

What to Bring on Treatment Day

• Your pet (fasted if instructed by the oncologist)
• Current medications your pet is taking
• Recent bloodwork results or vet records (if first visit)
• A comfortable blanket or familiar item for your pet
• Leash and collar (dogs) or carrier (cats and small dogs)

Managing Chemotherapy Side Effects

Chemotherapy in animals is generally much better tolerated than in humans. Veterinary oncologists use lower relative doses because the goal is quality of life, not cure at any cost. Approximately 80-85% of pets experience minimal to no side effects.

When side effects do occur, they typically appear 3-5 days after treatment and may include mild lethargy, decreased appetite, or soft stool. These usually resolve within 24-48 hours without intervention. Severe side effects requiring veterinary attention occur in fewer than 5% of cases.

Your aftercare instructions will include clear guidelines on what is normal, what requires monitoring, and what warrants an emergency visit to your local San Diego veterinarian. Our coordinators are available by phone and text after every session.

Client Experiences With Chemotherapy

Why Tijuana for Pet Chemotherapy?

Veterinary oncology in Tijuana is not a lesser version of what you find in San Diego. The clinics we partner with use the same chemotherapy drugs manufactured by the same pharmaceutical companies. Vincristine is vincristine. Doxorubicin is doxorubicin. The molecular structure does not change because of which side of the border it is administered on.

What does change is the cost of delivering that care. Veterinary clinic overhead in Tijuana — rent, staff, insurance, licensing — is significantly lower than in San Diego. This means the same quality treatment, administered by experienced veterinary oncologists, costs a fraction of the San Diego price.

Our partner oncologists are experienced in treating all common veterinary cancers. They use weight-based dosing protocols consistent with current veterinary oncology standards, monitor patients with pre-treatment bloodwork, and provide detailed aftercare instructions.

Border Requirements for Chemotherapy Patients

Dogs entering Mexico need a current rabies vaccination. Dogs returning to the United States need a microchip (ISO 11784/11785 standard) and a CDC Dog Import Form ($5 fee). CBX Pet Care fills out the CDC form for you. If your dog does not have a microchip, the clinic can place one during the first session.

Cats have no border requirements in either direction, making the process even simpler for feline chemotherapy patients.

For complete details, see our border crossing requirements guide.

When Chemotherapy May Not Be Right

Our coordinators and partner oncologists are honest about when chemotherapy is and is not appropriate. Treatment may not be recommended if your pet has severe organ failure, is in very poor body condition, or has a cancer type that does not respond to available protocols. In these cases, we can discuss palliative care options or help you make informed decisions about quality of life.

We also advise against travel for pets that are in acute crisis or severe pain. Your local emergency veterinarian in San Diego should always be your first call for urgent situations.

Frequently Asked Questions About Pet Chemotherapy

How many chemotherapy sessions will my pet need?

A full CHOP protocol for lymphoma typically involves 6-8 sessions over 16-25 weeks. COP protocols may require 8-12 sessions. Single-agent treatments vary based on the cancer type and response. The oncologist will provide a personalized treatment plan after the initial consultation.

Will my pet lose their hair during chemotherapy?

Most dogs and cats do not experience significant hair loss during chemotherapy. Some breeds with continuously growing hair (Poodles, Schnauzers, Old English Sheepdogs) may experience thinning or coat changes. Whiskers may fall out but will regrow after treatment ends.

Can I be present during chemotherapy?

Because the treatment takes place in Tijuana and you remain in San Diego, you are not physically present. However, the check-in phone call allows you to speak directly with the oncologist before treatment begins, and the checkout call provides complete results and updates.

How do I monitor my pet between sessions?

You will receive detailed written aftercare instructions after each session. Our coordinators are available by phone and text throughout the treatment course. If you notice anything concerning between sessions, contact us or your local San Diego veterinarian immediately.

What is the success rate of chemotherapy for dogs with lymphoma?

The CHOP protocol achieves complete remission in approximately 80-90% of dogs with B-cell lymphoma. Median survival time with treatment is 12-14 months, compared to 4-6 weeks without treatment. T-cell lymphoma has somewhat lower remission rates but still benefits significantly from chemotherapy.

Do you treat cats with chemotherapy?

Yes. We coordinate chemotherapy for cats with lymphoma (the most common feline cancer), mammary tumors, and other cancers. Cats have even simpler border requirements — no microchip or CDC form needed in either direction.

Is chemotherapy painful for my pet?

The IV catheter placement may cause brief discomfort, similar to a blood draw. The chemotherapy infusion itself is not painful. Most pets rest comfortably during treatment. Anti-nausea medication is given preventively to minimize any post-treatment discomfort.

Last updated: March 2026