Dog Cancer Answers

Like most vets, Dr. Janet Roark didn’t have any faith in essential oils. Her doubts were nursed by the number of shady products on the market. But when a good essential oil rapidly cured her debilitating headache, her curiosity was piqued. How had voodoo treatments triumphed after months of conventional drugs’ failure? Dr. Roark then dove into the burgeoning medical literature behind essential oil...

If we think that our dog is sick, we may naturally jump online to check for symptoms. While internet research can be easy and helpful, there are risks that affect our pets if the source is incorrect. Our guest, Dr. Alex Avery, veterinarian and founder of Our Pets Health, knows that it doesn’t take much time online to come across harmful pet health advice and recommendations. In this week’s episode...

When the vet recommended amputation for their dog, Rene and Jim were terrified. Little did they know that this diagnosis would help them do a 180 and start living life to the fullest again.  As it turns out, three legged dogs don’t just thrive—they can teach us a lot about this adventure called life. Rene and Jim tell us about their RV lifestyle, writing two books, meeting Mutts artist Patrick McD...

Cancers that affect our dog's limbs, like Osteosarcoma, often result in amputation. The aftercare and recovery process can seem daunting, however there are alternative approaches to rehabilitation that can improve your dog’s mobility and ultimately their quality of life. In this episode, Dr. Erica Ancier talks with us about hydrotherapy treatment and other ways you can build strength and stamina i...

Should I enroll my dog in the Vaccination Against Canine Cancer Study (VACCS)? What else can I do to prevent my dog from getting cancer?  We all love the idea of a cancer vaccine, even when it’s way too early to start celebrating. Dr. Demian Dressler discusses the hopes, fears, and realistic expectations of the VACCS dog cancer vaccine study. He also addresses other cancer preventative measures, i...

Dog cancer treatments often seem frighteningly invasive. That’s partly why Dr. Tori Countner believes in a holistic approach and treatments to help alleviate your dog’s anxiety and pain. She works alongside standard Western treatments to increase quality of life through acupuncture, cold laser therapy, nutrition, supplements, and lifestyle changes.  By looking at the whole picture of your dog’s si...

Do cannabis and CBD have benefits for dog cancer? Why doesn’t my vet recommend products? How do I know which are worth my money? Yes, there are benefits, for sure. But a thorny wall of legal, economic, and pharmaceutical complications make it harder for vets to share the growing knowledge. Dr. Gary Richter walks us through the benefits, hazards, and far-reaching implications of this uncharted terr...

“You cannot treat your own dog’s cancer,” said the veterinary oncologist. “You’re looking at months,” she said. Lauren respectfully disagreed. Over the next year she gathered her veterinary care team and treated Sage’s squamous cell carcinoma. She also decided bacon-wrapped steak could be a cancer treatment. This True Tail is one for the ages! Lauren Ebbecke is a dynamic, positive, kind of amazing...

Jen’s dog Devin hasn’t eaten in days, and keeps sniffing his food and then walking away. What is going on? Should she worry? Dr. Demian Dressler answers and has some ideas about how to help dogs who won’t eat, eat.  Links and Resources from Today’s Show: The Dog Cancer Survival Guide: Full Spectrum Treatments to Optimize Your Dog’s Life Quality and Longevity The medications Dr. Dressler mentioned...

Phyllis is giving her dog a bunch of supplements for cancer and wonders – which ones are worth keeping, and which ones should go? Dr. Demian Dressler has three strategies for how to make the decision. In this Question & Answer episode, he also explains how we know if a dog is in remission or not.  Links and Resources from Today’s Show: The Dog Cancer Survival Guide: Full Spectrum Treatments to Opt...

Think veterinary oncologists are just about chemo, radiation, and surgery? Well, Dr. Lori Cesario is about those and much more. This is a fascinating glimpse into the mind of an oncologist who treats the “whole dog.”  Dr. Cesario explains the unique perspective her specialty brings to the table, not just in treating cancer, but in evaluating your dog’s overall condition and quality of life. And as...

How do we know when to say goodbye to our pets? And how do we say goodbye? Dr. Demian Dressler thinks we need rituals around our dog’s end of life, too.  In this admittedly weepy Question & Answer episode of Dog Cancer Answers, Mary is clearly struggling with questions about the end of her dog’s life. Dr. Demian Dressler throws her a rope with some important guidelines for this very personal choic...

Are veterinarians “just in it for the money” or are they bleeding heart softies? Or are they just human, like all of us? Well, let’s see:  Imagine starting your day by telling a family their beagle has lung cancer. Follow that with a routine cat spay, some stitches, and putting down a favorite patient—all before lunch, and without a chance to process any of those feelings. Vets carry heavy emotion...

If your dog has amelanotic melanoma, will Oncept, the melanoma vaccine, help? Dr. Dressler answers this important listener question.  Links Mentioned in Today’s Show: The Dog Cancer Survival Guide: Full Spectrum Treatments to Optimize Your Dog’s Life Quality and Longevity. You can reach out to Dr. Demian Dressler directly on his veterinary hospital’s website: https://VetinKihei.com. To join the pr...

Is a high-protein, low-carb, high-fiber diet for dog cancer meat-based? Dr. Ernie Ward says it doesn’t have to be – and maybe shouldn’t be. Listen in on this fascinating Deep Dive episode with the author of The Clean Pet Food Revolution.  Other topics covered in this wide-ranging conversation: Why veterinarians don’t have a lot of nutrition education from school. Why keeping your dog lean and fit...

Severe food allergies make it hard for this little poodle to keep any food down. Dorothy wants to know – what happens if the wild-caught salmon no longer sits well with her dog? Also, is it safe to give so much fish over the long term? Dr. Dressler has an answer. Links Mentioned in Today’s Show: The Dog Cancer Survival Guide: Full Spectrum Treatments to Optimize Your Dog’s Life Quality and Longevi...

Pred: miracle drug, or side effect nightmare? It’s used for dozens of problems, including several cancers. And there’s a lot to know to use it wisely and well. Let’s do a Deep Dive and find out about when and how it’s used, what the common and long-term side effects are, and how to make solid choices for YOUR dog.  Links Mentioned in Today’s Show: Our podcast sponsor is: The Dog Cancer Survival Gu...

How long is too long, when it comes to prednisone use in our dogs? Debbie asks, and Dr. Dressler answers. Links Mentioned in Today’s Show: The Dog Cancer Survival Guide: Full Spectrum Treatments to Optimize Your Dog’s Life Quality and Longevity. You can reach out to Dr. Demian Dressler directly on his veterinary hospital’s website: https://VetinKihei.com.  To join the private Facebook group for re...

Is your dog in pain, even though she’s not crying? Maybe! Is she anxious? Probably! Can you treat one without the other? Let’s find out. Dr. Dressler brings us up to date on pain management for dogs.  This is a must-listen Deep Dive episode, where Dr. Dressler covers the ins and outs of pharmaceutical and herbal approaches to pain management, as well as hands-on techniques. Links Mentioned in Toda...

Should I euthanize my dog, or let her die on her own terms? Such a simple question. But the answer is anything but. Dr. Demian Dressler gives us much-needed food for thought. Listen in on his thoughtful answer to Renny’s most agonizing question. Links Mentioned in Today’s Show: The Dog Cancer Survival Guide: Full Spectrum Treatments to Optimize Your Dog’s Life Quality and Longevity. You can reach...

“My dog won’t eat” is one of the worst things a dog lover can face. It makes us feel desperate, like our dogs are dying in front of us. Even oncologists feel that way, it turns out, when it’s their own dogs. Dr. Sue Ettinger offers medical AND non-medical tips to help your dog start eating again in today’s Deep Dive episode.  Links Mentioned in Today’s Show: Dr. Sue Ettinger’s the co-author with D...

Would Tanovea have given Effie more time if it had been around in 2015? Is Tanovea good for dogs with lymphoma? Oh, and, one more question, one we ALL want to know the answer to: did I cause my dog’s cancer??  Dr. Demian Dressler helps untangle a bunch of questions posed by Deborah about her dog’s cancer and her own contribution. This is a great episode to listen to if you’ve ever played the “what...

How often does a dog really need chemo? Is there flexibility? What if I don’t have time? What if my dog hates the vet? Will my budget be taken into account? What are the side effects? Dr. Sue Ettinger, veterinary medical oncologist, answers your most burning questions about chemotherapy in today’s Deep Dive episode.  The fact is that there are many myths and misunderstandings about chemotherapy fo...

Sue’s little terrier has bone cancer, and the vet wants to amputate his leg. And Sue wants to know: is amputation REALLY necessary? It’s a super-common question that any dog lover facing osteosarcoma or another bone cancer will have to face. Dr. Dressler answers with some ideas about how to reassure yourself before you make the decision for your dog.  Links Mentioned in Today’s Show: The Dog Cance...

There is evidence that CBD has anti-cancer effects, anti-inflammatory effects, anti-anxiety effects, anti-seizure effects, and even anti-glaucoma effects. So why aren’t more vets recommending it? Well, for lots of reasons, it turns out. Host James Jacobson guides us through a wide-ranging and fascinating Deep Dive episode with guest Dr. Demian Dressler, co-author of our podcast sponsor, the book T...