BluePearl Pet Hospital
Durham, NC
Oncology

Emergency and Specialty
Emergency:
Mon 7 am-Fri 6 am
Please call ahead before visiting
Specialty:
By appointment

Pet oncology by BluePearl.

Advanced cancer care to help your pet live a longer and better life.

We understand that seeing your pet experience unusual symptoms or act out of the ordinary can be stressful – especially if you don’t know what’s wrong. Fortunately, our veterinary oncology team is made up of experts in diagnosing and treating cancer, and we’re here to help. 

Our commitment is not just to treat illnesses; it’s to enhance the well-being of your pet and be with you every step of the way.

A vet tech prepares for oncology exam

Conditions we treat.

A BluePearl anesthesiology and pain management vet prepares to fix an anesthetic facemask on a yellow lab while a vet tech helps hold the dog on the exam table.

If your pet has cancer, you’ll have an entire oncology team helping to improve your pet’s quality of life so you can get back to what matters most – spending precious moments together.

  • Bone cancer
  • Liver and spleen cancer
  • Lymphatic system cancer
  • Mammary (breast) cancer
  • Skin cancer
  • Soft-tissue cancer
  • Thyroid cancer
  • Tumors
  • Urinary system cancer

Services we offer.

Your pet will receive unparalleled medical care during their time at the hospital (and they’ll be spoiled with love and attention, too).

Advanced diagnostics

Your pet can’t tell us what’s wrong, so we use sophisticated diagnostics and imaging tools to uncover the source of the problem.

  • Radiography (x-rays)
  • Ultrasound
  • Blood testing
  • Biopsy
  • Cytology

Treatment plans

Just as no two patients are the same, neither are their treatment plans. Our oncology team has experience with a range of advanced procedures and minimally invasive options to get your pet on the path to wellness, including:

  • Chemotherapy
  • Radiation therapy
  • Surgery

Our board certified specialists and oncology team.

Experience makes all the difference. 

Our oncology team is made up of veterinarians, vet technicians and assistants, and support staff with rigorous training and experience in specialty medicine. The team works hand in hand to provide the comprehensive, compassionate care your pet needs and deserves. Because we’re a multidisciplinary hospital, the team can consult the expertise of other specialty departments, too.

Karri Miller

DVM, MS, DACVIM (Oncology)
Board Certified in Veterinary Oncology

Oncology
On the job

Dr. Karri Miller obtained a master’s degree in veterinary science with a focus on oncology and currently collaborates on veterinary oncology projects with NCSU and Sentinel Biomedical. Her clinical interests include lymphoid cancers, cytology and surgical oncology principles.

Education
  • Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (Oncology)
  • Residency, Medical Oncology, University of Florida, Gainesville
  • Master of Science, Veterinary Science, University of Florida, Gainesville
  • Internship, Oncology, Regional Veterinary Referral Center, Springfield VA
  • Internship, Small Animal Medicine & Surgery, Texas A&M University, College Station
  • Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville
  • Bachelor of Science, University of Florida, Gainesville
Off duty

Dr. Miller loves watching sports, especially college football, and supporting her Gators. She also enjoys spending time with her husband and daughter, as well as her three dogs, two Cavaliers and a Dachshund.

David Ruslander

DVM, DACVIM (Oncology), DACVR-RO
Board Certified in Veterinary Oncology
& Radiation Oncology

Oncology
Radiation Oncology
On the job

Dr. David Ruslander is interested in multimodality management for veterinary oncology patients, meaning treatment that involves surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy and/or immunotherapy to achieve the best outcome and quality of life.

Education
  • Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Radiology-Radiation Oncology
  • Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (Oncology)
  • Residency, Oncology, Tufts University, North Grafton MA
  • Internship, Small Animal Medicine & Surgery, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada
  • Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca NY
  • Bachelor of Science, Cornell University, Ithaca NY
Off duty

Dr. Ruslander enjoys spending time with his wife, three children, two cats, dog and parrot.

Susan Shapiro

PhD, DVM, DACVIM (Oncology)
Board Certified in Veterinary Oncology

Oncology
Servicing locations

On the job

Dr. Susan Shapiro is passionate about delivering personalized medicine and comforting end-of-life care; her favorite part of being a vet is getting to know pets and their families and helping them through difficult times.

Dr. Shapiro’s special interests include urothelial carcinoma in dogs, cancer genetics, cytology and molecular aspects of cancer, particularly how environmental exposures may relate to disease.

Education
  • Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (Oncology)
  • Residency, Medical Oncology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh
  • Internship, Small Animal Medicine & Surgery, Colorado State University, Fort Collins
  • Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh
  • Doctor of Philosophy, Comparative Biomedical Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh
  • Bachelor of Science, Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville
Off duty

Dr. Shapiro lives with her husband, son and their dog, a sheltie named Gibita, who happens to be a cancer patient herself. In her free time, Dr. Shapiro enjoys singing, biking, running, international travel, good food and drinks.

Carly Stevens

DVM
On the job

Dr. Carly Stevens has worked in both a cell biology and genetics lab. Her clinical interests include treating histiocytic sarcoma, lymphoma, hemangiosarcoma and tumors.

Education
  • Residency, Medical Oncology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh
  • Internship, Medical Oncology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh
  • Internship, Small Animal Medicine & Surgery, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
  • Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis
  • Bachelor of Science, Cell Biology, University of California, Davis
Off duty

When not working, Dr. Stevens enjoys bicycling, hiking, listening to podcasts, trying new recipes and watching movies. She has a mixed-breed dog adopted in California and named after a local beach.

What to expect.

We want you to be prepared for your pet’s visit to the oncologist, so you have one less thing to worry about. Our entire BluePearl team will be with you every step of the way.

Before your visit

  • Make an initial appointment by calling us directly or via referral from your pet’s primary vet. 
  • We’ll request records from your primary or emergency vet before your first visit and collaborate with them to discuss your pet’s history and current condition.

During your visit

  • When possible, we’ll examine your pet with you by their side to make them more comfortable. If additional tests are needed for a diagnosis, we’ll discuss those options with you.
  • You’ll have plenty of time and opportunity to ask questions as we go over your pet’s diagnosis together.
  • Before you leave, you’ll receive a detailed treatment plan, discharge instructions and any recommended medications. We’ll schedule a recheck appointment and make sure you’re aware of any symptoms you should watch out for at home.

After your visit

  • Our team will continue to partner with your primary veterinarian as part of the ongoing management of your pet’s care.
  • You know your pet better than anyone, and you play a crucial role in their treatment plan. If you have any concerns about providing care at home (such as giving medication, maintaining a specific diet or monitoring your pet’s symptoms), let us know – we’re here for you.