Dog Cancer Answers

Caller Janet has found that in her breed, checking the anal glands every six months after the dog turns six years old can be really helpful for catching anal gland carcinomas early, and wonders if there are other things that owners can do for other cancers. Oncologist Brooke Britton discusses the importance of routine wellness visits with your veterinarian, as well as screening tests that can be d...

When your dog has cancer, there are a lot more people on her care team than just you and the oncologist. Veterinary technicians – including ones who specialize in oncology – are another layer of medical professionals ready to help your dog. Jenny Fisher, Registered Veterinary Technician and Veterinary Technician Specialist in Oncology, was the Head Technician in Oncology at Louisiana State for 14...

Have a dog with cancer and wish there was something you could do – right now – to help other dogs avoid this disease? Enter Darwin’s Ark. The Darwin’s Ark Cancer Project is a free, survey-based project that is looking for trends that could pinpoint why some dogs get cancer and why others don’t. Some of the participants will also get a free genome sequencing and/or a silicone tag to help pick up po...

The AKC Canine Health Foundation was founded in 1995 and is now an independent organization that gives grants to researchers studying health problems in dogs. Their website also features a variety of educational resources for dog lovers and veterinarians alike! Learn about where the money comes from, how they select which studies to fund, and some of the fascinating studies underway that will help...

The Vaccination Against Canine Cancer Study (VACCS) is testing out a vaccine that will hopefully prevent dogs from getting eight of the most common cancers. As of June 1st the study finished enrolling 800 healthy dogs, each of whom will be followed for five years after getting the initial vaccination series. Listen in to hear Dr. Jenna Burton, one of the oncologists working on the study, explain h...

Immunotherapy is becoming increasingly important in human cancer treatment, and more and more companies are bringing this technology over to dogs! The ELIAS Cancer Immunotherapy (ECI) system is still experimental, but they are already seeing positive results in the approximately 200 dogs that have been treated so far. CEO Tammie Wahaus explains how ECI works, the role of a healthy immune system in...

When your dog is diagnosed with cancer, suddenly you find yourself dropped into a world of medical jargon. Two terms you might hear are staging and grading. In this episode, Dr. Brooke Britton explains what staging and grading are and what they can mean for your dog’s prognosis. Staging in particular can help indicate the best treatment plan for each case. Dr. Britton also goes over how to work wi...

Lap of Love is a company dedicated to hospice care and home euthanasia for ill pets. Founder Dr. Dani McVety shares her insight on how to talk to your vet about hospice care for your dog, the “four budgets” that you need to consider when deciding whether or not to pursue euthanasia for your dog, and what to expect during a euthanasia appointment. She also has an amazing alternative to the dreaded...

Mitotic index is one of the many complicated-sounding medical terms that may be thrown at you after your dog is diagnosed with cancer. At its most basic, mitotic index is the count of how many cells in your dog’s tumor are actively dividing, or reproducing. But what does this mean for you and your dog? Dr. Britton breaks down how mitotic index can help determine the prognosis for your dog, as well...

What’s the difference between a vet and a vet nutritionist? Both have an in-depth knowledge of the diseases that can affect our dogs, but nutritionists focus on food as the basis of their treatment plans. Dr. Bullen explains how every patient is a puzzle with unique nutritional needs, and how she uses chemistry, math, and both patient and owner preferences to come up with solutions that can help d...

Finding something that works is the first priority of every dog lover who has a dog with cancer. Dr. Mitsie Vargas knows exactly how you feel, both as a pet owner herself and a veterinarian, parent, and daughter. Her experiences with her own pets and family members – as well as a chance event in vet school – have led her to incorporate natural and alternative therapies alongside the more classical...

Bone marrow transplants, also called total body radiation, are a fairly common procedure in human cancer treatment. Dogs can benefit from this procedure too! And the results are thrilling – about 30% of treated dogs are considered completely cured. Dr. Steven Suter, the leading expert on bone marrow transplants in dogs, explains everything that goes into this procedure – and we mean everything. Th...

Lymphoma in dogs is very responsive to chemotherapy, but it also often relapses. Each time a dog comes out of remission, the cancer often gets harder to beat. Because of this, researchers are constantly looking for new treatments that can either get long-lasting results from the start or be used to beat back the cancer in those difficult cases. Meet rabacfosadine, known by the brand name Tanovea....

SearchLight DNA is a test offered by the company Vidium Animal Health. This test sequences the genome of a dog’s tumor, and then compares that genotype to a database of mutations known to be associated with cancer… and the treatments that target them. The best part? SearchLight DNA can be done with a simple fine needle aspirate, no surgical biopsy required. The team at Vidium is made up of oncolog...

While working in an oncology specialty center, Dr. Rachel Venable kept feeling like there were patients she couldn’t reach – or rather, that couldn’t get to her. So she decided to start her own business, doing oncology consults online. Telemedicine laws can vary state to state, but most states allow teleconsulting. Your vet probably already uses one type of teleconsulting: sending x-rays out to a...

Dr. Stephanie Culler and the rest of her team have been studying differences in the gut microbiome of healthy people and people with cancer to find biomarkers that can detect or predict cancer development. After all, the gut plays a key role in the immune system So where do dogs come in? Dogs and humans share 60-80% of their gut microbiome with humans! Because of this combined with dogs’ shorter l...

Caller Bevan has a dog with mast cell tumors, and his vet recommended giving vitamin E as part of their treatment plan. Vitamin E is an antioxidant, which protects cells from damage. Chemotherapy is a pro-oxidant, with the intent to damage cells – specifically, cancer cells. Dr. Nancy Reese explains how these conflicting mechanisms of action can be problematic in some cases, but coexist peacefully...

Veterinary oncologist Megan Duffy joins us to explain and ins and outs of dog cancer economics. A consult with an oncologist can run a couple hundred dollars… but that money gets you the full attention of an expert who focuses on dog cancer and has reviewed your dog’s individual case ahead of time. The oncologist should also be giving you a rundown of different treatment options to help you figure...

Caller John just got a new Sheltie puppy, and he asks a question that many dog lovers have wondered about: can he protect his puppy from cancer by feeding him a particular diet? There is no simple answer. Feeding a quality diet with minimal dietary carcinogens and added vegetables can help to keep the body healthy, but there are many other factors that come into play to cause a case of cancer. Dr....

Veterinary oncologist Craig Clifford loves clinical trials. Why? Because they give him early access to some of the newest treatments and therapies, and provide cutting-edge care to patients at a decreased cost - or even completely free. Dr. Clifford goes over how to find clinical trials and how to evaluate if a particular trial is the right fit for you, from covered expenses to how placebos are us...

Dog lovers frequently wonder if there is a more natural option that could be used instead of pharmaceuticals to treat their dogs. The answer is… sometimes! Bam Bam has elevated calcium levels in his blood, and his human wants to know if she can swap out some of his medications. Dr. Nancy Reese breaks down how the medications prednisone, Lasix, and Palladia work and why they might have been chosen...

That first oncology consult can be overwhelming. Veterinary oncologist Megan Duffy says to expect the consult to take an hour or more – and most of that time is talking over your dog’s case and your treatment options. This is YOUR time to ask all of the questions you have about your dog’s diagnosis and treatment plan. Once you have an appointment scheduled, ask all of the veterinary offices that y...

If your dog has died or just doesn’t need a particular medication any more, you might find yourself with some extra pills. Keeping them around the house isn’t ideal due to risks to kids and pets, but what CAN you do with them? Dr. Nancy Reese discusses why flushing leftover meds is not a good idea, and offers advice on finding a local drug takeback program or asking your veterinarian to dispose of...

Oral Melanoma is one of the more aggressive cancers in dogs. The gold standard of treatment for this cancer is radiation to shrink the tumor, followed by the canine melanoma vaccine to train the dog’s immune system to attack the cancer cells. But what do you do when this treatment fails? Dr. Nancy Reese discusses the typical treatment progression for oral melanoma, as well as some additional thera...

FETCH a Cure was founded by Mike Holland, Tonie Stevens, and Ryan Traylor after Mike’s dog was diagnosed with osteosarcoma back in 2006. At that time there were few resources for dog cancer in the Richmond, VA area. Since its humble beginnings as a back-room operation in a catering business, FETCH a Cure now provides continuing education opportunities for veterinarians, funding for dog cancer trea...