Why Compounding Matters in Veterinary Oncology Care

If it feels like you’re caring for more cancer patients these days, you’re right.

With one in four dogs and one in five cats experiencing the disease in their lifetime, managing oncology cases in general practice is more common than ever.

Along with this rise comes an increased need for individualized and nuanced care, demanding more time and attention from general small animal veterinary practices. In this article, we explore how veterinary compounding eases the burden and helps empower veterinarians to deliver next-level care by serving as a reliable and trusted solution for oncology medications.

Cancer treatment is complex—especially when many of the necessary medications aren’t produced for veterinary use or are only available in limited formulations or dosages. These challenges make it difficult to source and administer appropriate medications, potentially affecting efficiency, accuracy, and compliance.

Compounding pharmacies address these barriers by providing expanded treatment options for veterinarians, pet owners, and veterinary patients through:

• Customized dosing and concentrations — Tailored dosing based on species, size, and tumor type can reduce toxicity and adverse effects, improve tolerance, and support better outcomes.

• Combination therapies — Combining complementary medications simplifies administration, reduces caregiver burden, and improves compliance.

• Formulations — Specialized forms (e.g., transdermal, flavored, or slow-release) simplify administration and the veterinary patient’s quality of life.

• Quality control — Compounding pharmacies like Wedgewood follow strict quality standards, with specially trained pharmacists who understand the precision required for veterinary cancer treatments. This consistency and expertise ensure reliable dosing throughout long, complex therapy regimens.

Read on: The Feline Opportunity: Closing the Care Gap for Cats

Medication noncompliance is a well-documented challenge in companion animal health. General studies report nonadherence rates as high as 39% among cat owners and 47% among dog owners.^1,2  In oncology care—where consistent, long-term treatment is critical—these gaps can seriously impact veterinary patient outcomes and quality of life.

Simplifying treatment with compounded preparations supports both patient well-being and pet owner satisfaction by reducing medication-related stress. Options like TinyTabs®, MediMelts®, flavored suspensions, chewables, and transdermal gels make administration easier, especially for pets undergoing prolonged therapy or experiencing side effects like nausea or inappetence.

When dosing and formulation are tailored to each patient’s individual needs and preferences, compounding pharmacies help drive better adherence, and with it, stronger treatment outcomes.

Cancer treatment isn’t just about treating the disease; it involves supporting the patient at every stage of therapy, including the management of side effects. Adverse effects like nausea, inappetence, and GI upset can negatively affect the veterinary patient’s well-being and the pet owner’s outlook. Left unchecked, these challenges can impact the pet parent’s willingness to continue their pet’s cancer care.

Compounding pharmacies offer flexible, patient-specific solutions for supportive care medications, including compounded preparations of anti-nausea drugs, appetite stimulants, and pain management therapies. Through pet-friendly formulations and precise dosing, compounded medications support a holistic approach to oncology care.

Having commonly used supportive medications available as office stock adds another layer of comfort and convenience—allowing veterinarians to respond quickly when side effects arise. This seamless access helps maintain a low-stress, high-comfort experience for pets and pet owners throughout the treatment journey. When side effects are managed proactively and medication struggles are minimized, clients can focus more on the bond with their pet—not the disease.

Learn more: 5 Ways Veterinary Compounding Supports Better Patient Outcomes

In veterinary medicine, no two patients are exactly alike. The large and small differences—including size, breed, health, and species—between individual patients can make standardized treatments difficult or risky. This is especially true when it comes to chemotherapeutic medications.

In circumstances like these, compounding pharmacies provide essential value. By creating compounded preparations tailored to each patient, compounding pharmacists allow veterinarians to adjust the strength and dosage form to meet any pet’s needs. Whether that’s compounding chlorambucil into a tuna-flavored treat for a five-pound cat or preparing cyclophosphamide for a fractious Chihuahua, compounding helps reduce the risk of under- or overdosing—improving safety, efficacy, clinical confidence, and client compliance.

Few conversations in veterinary medicine are as emotionally charged as those discussing a cancer diagnosis. Recognizing the emotional toll of this news on the pet parent and their ability to receive and retain complex information can help veterinary teams have more effective and empathetic conversations.

Having a framework can help ensure nothing gets missed and that pet parents feel supported and informed about their next steps. This may include:

• Using plain language — Medical jargon can make pet owners feel overwhelmed or left out. Speak in simple, everyday terms to explain their pet’s diagnosis, treatment options, and next steps.

• Providing written information for at-home review — In emotional moments, pet parents may struggle to absorb everything discussed. Supplying handouts or digital resources gives them a chance to revisit the information when they’re ready.

• Creating space for silence — Pet owners need time to digest the information. Allow silences and pauses in the conversation to give pet parents room to think, absorb the news, and ask important questions.

• Introducing compounding as part of the treatment plan — Cancer treatment can feel daunting. Educating clients about the benefits of compounding pharmacies can ease fears and help pet parents feel supported and empowered through tailored medications, alternative formulations, and convenient home delivery.

• Practicing compassion — By fostering strong, empathetic relationships through clear communication, veterinary teams become a trusted source of guidance and reassurance—helping clients feel supported, heard, and confident in each step of the treatment journey.

A cancer diagnosis can turn your client’s world upside down and place unique demands on your team. Veterinary compounding pharmacies help practices and clients navigate the journey by making care more personal, accessible, manageable, and effective. From tailored dosing to pet-friendly formulations, compounded medications can support better compliance, improve quality of life, and empower clients to stay engaged in their pet’s cancer care.

Wedgewood is committed to being your trusted compounding partner, delivering reliable, high-quality solutions for every aspect of veterinary oncology care.

1. Odom, Thomas F., et al. “Medication Compliance by Cat Owners Prescribed Treatment for Home Administration.” Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, vol. 39, no. 1, 2025, article e17298. https://doi.org/10.1111/jvim.17298.

1. Odom, Thomas F., et al. “Factors Associated with Medication Noncompliance in Dogs in New Zealand.” Animals, vol. 14, no. 17, 2024, article 2557. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14172557.