Dog Cancer Answers

Vomiting can be caused by a variety of things, ranging from eating garbage to a serious illness. It can also be a side effect of chemotherapy treatment. In most cases, vomiting once isn’t a big concern. If the dog vomits multiple times within a single day, vomits for several days in a row, or has other symptoms of illness in addition to the vomiting, it’s time to seek veterinary care. Dr. Nancy di...

Integrative oncologists Dr. Kendra Pope and Dr. Trina Hazzah discuss the current state of integrative and holistic oncology for dogs and their hopes for the future. Topics include: The shift in veterinary medicine toward a more integrative approach; The need for education of vets on dosing and using cannabis (and ongoing legalization issues); Clinical trials to prove effectiveness of integrative t...

Getting a cancer diagnosis is devastating. We’ve been there, and we know how overwhelming this time can be. In this episode we’ve compiled all of the best resources that we have available to help you help your dog fight cancer. Learn more about: The Dog Cancer Survival Guide; Dog Cancer News, a three-times-a-week newsletter; Dog Cancer Blog, a treasure trove of articles on dog cancer that is const...

Shaking and trembling in dogs have many causes… most of which have nothing to do with health! Some potential causes of shaking and trembling include cold, anxiety, pain, neurological disorders, some immune disorders and electrolyte imbalances. Dr. Nancy Reese goes over how to figure out what is causing your dog to shake and quiver, and when to seek veterinary attention. About Today’s Guest, Dr. Na...

Three veterinary oncologists discuss how Laverdia works and where it might fit into treatment plans for dogs with lymphoma. Links Mentioned in Today’s Show: Anivive Lifesciences - Laverdia Anivive Lifesciences – Clinical Trials How Laverdia Works video Veterinary Cooperative Oncology Group-Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (VCOG-CTCAE v2) following investigational therapy in dogs and...

The only thing worse than your dog having diarrhea is your dog having bloody diarrhea. Nasty! The good news is, one episode of bloody stool is not usually anything to worry about, and cancer is not a common cause. If your dog’s stool has blood in it or is black (a sign of bleeding in the stomach or small intestines), let your vet know. If it only happens once your dog may not need treatment, but t...

Transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) is the most common bladder cancer in dogs. While there is no cure, Dr. Nancy Reese does consider this cancer to be treatable and you can dramatically improve your dog’s comfort and quality of life with medications. TCC can also be diagnosed with a special urine test, which is much easier to do and less stressful for your dog than a surgical biopsy (not to mention...

Losing a beloved dog is always hard, but it can be even more heartbreaking during the holiday season. But while we as humans put a lot of value in specific dates and times, our dogs do not. Your dog will not mind if you celebrate a favorite holiday with him a few weeks early because his health is failing – after all, every day spent with you is a holiday to him. You are not alone if you have had t...

Bleeding can be a minor inconvenience or a medical emergency. Dr. Nancy Reese recommends methods to stop minor bleeding at home as well as how to bandage a more serious wound to control bleeding on your way to the veterinary hospital. Most bleeding in dogs is due to trauma, from cutting a paw on a rock to being hit by a car. The easiest way to stop bleeding is to prevent it from happening in the f...

Your dog made it through surgery without any issues… now what? Veterinary technician Kate Basedow has the answers. In this episode we cover: What to expect the night after your dog’s surgery Tips to get your dog to eat What the incision and surrounding area will look like as it heals Restricted activity When to be concerned The next 10-21 days will be annoying at points as you walk your dog on a l...

Your dog having surgery can be stressful and knowing what to expect on the day of your dog’s surgery can give you peace of mind. Veterinary technician Kate Basedow goes over what a typical surgery day looks like, as well as what to bring with you when you drop off your dog … and when to expect a phone call with an update. Set yourself and your dog up for success by remembering NOT to feed your dog...

Taking your dog in for surgery – no matter how "small” -- is stressful. But there are things you can do ahead of time to reduce anxiety and upset for both you AND your dog. To make sure your dog is ready, get bloodwork ahead of time and any x-rays that your veterinarian recommends to check for heart problems and other important medical issues. To make sure that YOU are ready, make sure that you: -...

Dr. Jerry Klein, the Chief Veterinary Officer of the American Kennel Club, joins us today to discuss things to look for when choosing a breeder to increase the odds of having a healthy puppy. All dogs can carry genes for health problems, so health testing is critical for dogs of any breed or mix that are being bred. If seeking a purebred dog, visit the AKC “parent club” website for that breed to l...

In this week’s episode Dr. Nancy discusses the herb artemisinin: what it is, what it has been able to do in the lab, and how to discuss adding it to your dog’s treatment plan with your vet. Artemisinin has shown promise in studies as an adjunctive treatment for a variety of cancers, including bone cancer. It targets several of the hallmarks of cancer, has potential to help destroy cancer cells, an...

Today’s episode touches on the challenge of diagnosing cancer, and then dives into diet-related dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). In 2018 the FDA reported an increase in DCM in dogs that do not fit the typical profile for breeds predisposed to this heart condition, and a correlation with grain-free, boutique diets that are high in legumes. Research is still ongoing to find out exactly why these diets...

When your dog is diagnosed with cancer, you have lots of information to process and lots of decisions to make. What is the prognosis? Can the tumor be removed with surgery? Will chemotherapy or radiation help to extend your dog’s life, and are they worth the cost, both financially, physically and emotionally? And how are you going to pay for this? According to Dr. Demian Dressler’s Dog Cancer Copi...

When your dog is diagnosed with cancer, you have lots of information to process and lots of decisions to make. What is the prognosis? Can the tumor be removed with surgery? Will chemotherapy or radiation help to extend your dog’s life, and are they worth the cost, both financially, physically and emotionally? And how are you going to pay for this? According to Dr. Demian Dressler’s Dog Cancer Copi...

When your dog is diagnosed with cancer, you have lots of information to process and lots of decisions to make. What is the prognosis? Can the tumor be removed with surgery? Will chemotherapy or radiation help to extend your dog’s life, and are they worth the cost, both financially, physically and emotionally? And how are you going to pay for this? According to Dr. Demian Dressler’s Dog Cancer Copi...

What is your priority when choosing treatment options for your dog with cancer? Whether you are an Action-oriented go-getter, Comfort-first caretaker, or someone who likes to Balance all of your options, your personality type impacts how you approach these important decisions. According to Dr. Demian Dressler’s Dog Cancer Coping Guide, dog lovers tend to fall into three personality categories when...

We've been helping folks fight dog cancer since 2008, and over the years we’ve seen dozens of fads come and go. There’s always a new "cure” being touted. The ones that actually DO help tend to stick around. So here we are in 2021, and the latest internet sensational promise we see is a “protocol” that uses Benadryl and Tagamet to “cure” dog cancers. All dog cancers, is the story. Is that a true st...

Today’s episode is a monster – a full hour with Dr. Demian Dressler, author of The Dog Cancer Survival Guide focused on supplements for dog cancer. Dr. Dressler touches on the hallmarks of cancer, and then reviews supplements that counteract them. He talks about supporting normal and natural apoptosis (also known as cell suicide). He also talks about immune compromise, inflammation, the importance...

When is a dog too old for surgery? Dr. Nancy advises John, parent to a 13-year-old Jack Russell Terrier, about whether to go ahead with surgery for his dog. There are some specific questions she’d ask BEFORE making the decision. Today’s episode is sponsored by the book The Dog Cancer Survival Guide written by Dr. Demian Dressler and Dr. Sue Ettinger. Links Mentioned in Today’s Show: The Dog Cancer...

So, Debra’s dog really perked up on colostrum. Is this her imagination? Dr. Nancy Reese, our chief medical editor, answers this and more. It turns out that colostrum is not snake oil – it’s very helpful, for energy and even some anti-cancer effects. Today’s episode is sponsored by the book The Dog Cancer Survival Guide written by Dr. Demian Dressler and Dr. Sue Ettinger. Links Mentioned in Today’s...

There are some specific questions you should find out from your veterinarian before you decide to use cold laser therapy for your dog. Dr. Dressler goes over the factors that should influence your decision about whether cold laser helps or hurts your dog’s specific tumor. Dr. Demian Dressler is the author of today’s sponsor, The Dog Cancer Survival Guide: Full Spectrum Treatments to Optimize Your...

Many oncologists are skeptical of integrative medicine, even though pet parents REALLY want to use it. Kendra Pope is no skeptic. She’s a board-certified oncologist who practices in Red Bank, New Jersey. She uses oncology, but also acupuncture, herbs, and nutrition to fight dog cancer. Her results speak for themselves. She joins us to discuss the treatments she uses in her own practice that she le...