Dog Cancer Answers

Renee’s dog has mesothelioma, and she’s got a nagging question. Why did it take so long for her veterinarian to get the diagnosis right? Dr. Dressler explains why some cancers – especially rare ones like mesothelioma – can take longer to diagnosis. He also outlines a treatment plan to start with for mesothelioma using his Full Spectrum approach to cancer care. Dr. Demian Dressler is the author of...

The Morris Animal Foundation has been around for over 70 years. They are the leader in researching not just dog health, but cats and wild animals, as well. Over three thousand dogs have participated in their Golden Retriever Lifetime Study. It’s the largest, most comprehensive canine health study in the U.S. What are they looking for? Answers. Why do so many Goldens get cancer? And do these factor...

When you can’t afford surgery for your dog, have to pay vet bills with money you don’t have, or can’t afford to go to the vet at all, it feels awful. And others can judge you, making everything worse. So what do you do if you can’t afford – or don’t want to spend your money on – dog cancer treatments? Molly Jacobson joins us to discuss outside-the-box financial help … and also how to handle the di...

It’s Memorial Day, the day when Americans honor servicemembers who never made it out of their uniforms. So we’re taking a break from our regular schedule to bring you the astonishing story of a true War Hero, Sgt. Stubby. JT Doyle crafted this story while an intern here at Dog Podcast Network. He tells Sgt. Stubby’s story with the help of author Ann Bausum. Sgt. Stubby is a perfect example of why...

Dr. Dressler fields in a Listener Line call from Betsy about her dog Remy. Poor Remy came into her life as a senior rescue right at the start of the pandemic ... and now he has prostate cancer. Was his late-life neuter partly to blame? Also, can she use EverPup alongside the other supplements in the dog cancer diet? Dr. Demian Dressler is the author of today’s sponsor, The Dog Cancer Survival Guid...

There are multiple clinical trials going on for dogs with cancer right now. Are they worth enrolling in? What if you don’t live near a big university? How do you start researching clinical trials? What should you ask your veterinarian? What should you ask the researchers? What are the things you need to know you would never think to ask? Dr. Trina Hazzah, an integrative oncologist in the Los Angel...

Dr. Trina Hazzah, integrative oncologist, is concerned about loss of appetite. When a dog won’t eat, it’s a sign that something is wrong … but what? It could be any number of things. And the cause of the appetite loss is important. Because if you treat the wrong thing, your dog will still refuse to eat. Dr. Trina walks us through some of the probable causes … and the best ways to treat them using...

Is dog testicles haven’t dropped, is that a risk for future cancer? If the veterinarian can’t find dog testicles when they neuter … should we keep looking? It’s a conundrum for Kim from Sequim, our caller for today’s Question and Answer episode. Dr. Trina Hazzah, integrative oncologist, solves it for her. Also discussed: early spay and neuter and possible increased cancer risk. Today’s show is spo...

Sharon calls in to our Listener Line with a question. Her corgi’s getting closer to the prognosis timeframe the surgeon predicted. Now he’s gagging a few times a day. Is this the cancer coming back, or invading his lungs? If he’s not eligible for more surgery, what can she do at home? Dr. Trina Hazzah, integrative oncologist, helps Sharon understand what could be going on with her boy. She makes a...

Susan calls in with a question about the dog cancer diet. Can it be used with a dog with pancreatitis? Or is it too high in fat? Dr. Nancy Reese, our chief medical editor, outlines the general modifications she would make to the dog cancer diet – and what she would be sure to add as a fat source. It’s good news, because you can do it in alignment with the dog cancer diet. Note: remember that any a...

Our grandmothers used to say “go to bed and stay there,” whenever someone got sick. Medical science is now saying that was better than good advice. It may be the best advice we can take. And it also applies to our dogs, maybe especially our dogs with cancer. In today’s show, Dr. Dressler talks about melatonin, the powerful hormone that pumps out when we are sleeping in total darkness. A lack of me...

A reader asks why his veterinarian didn’t wait for a biopsy before suggesting amputation for his dog’s cancer. Dr. Demian Dressler explains why that probably was. The discussion that ensues covers a wide range of topics related to osteosarcoma and other bone cancers. This plain-language episode is a must-listen for anyone ready to hear the hard truths about bone cancer, how it arises, how it’s tre...

Nessa was surprised by how quickly her dog passed during euthanasia. She felt unprepared and sad that she didn’t get more time to hold her and say goodbye. Nessa is very kind, so she left a message on our listener line. Her question: can you describe the process, so others will be more prepared than I was? And … was my experience typical? Dr. Nancy Reese, our chief medical editor, joins us for thi...

If your dog is in pain, they yelp. Right? Wrong! Most often they just don’t “talk” about their pain. So how do we know if our best friend is OK? Dr. Demian Dressler joins us to discuss the many signs of pain. Some are subtle, and some you have to seek out. A must-listen episode for any dog lover! Dr. Demian Dressler is the author of today’s sponsor, The Dog Cancer Survival Guide: Full Spectrum Tre...

Kelly in Houston has three dogs. One has lymphoma and is on the CHOP protocol. Naturally, Kelly wants to prevent her other two from getting cancer in the future. One of her dogs has severe skin allergies, and the only thing that is keeping her from scratching is a drug called Apoquel. But now, Kelly is reading that it might cause cancer! What to do?? Dr. Nancy Reese, our chief medical editor, join...

Depending upon what is causing a dog to die, symptoms vary. But there are two things that Dr. Demian Dressler has observed that often show up when our dogs near the end of their life. Justin’s question sparks a deep conversation about the things that dogs may experience as they get ready to pass from this life. Dr. Demian Dressler is the author of today’s sponsor, The Dog Cancer Survival Guide: Fu...

Sandy calls in to our Listener Line to ask her question. She wonders: is Panacur for cancer in dogs a good idea? She read about it online. And some folks seem to think it really helped their dog (and their own) cancer. And others think it just made things worse. So … what’s the deal with this dewormer, officially named fenbendazole, and cancer?? Dr. Nancy Reese, our chief medical editor, answers t...

The still hazy legal status of cannabis makes advising clients about it darn near impossible. Dog lovers are left to figure out what to do on their own. With only product manufacturers to advise them, they can easily get bad, incomplete, or inaccurate advice. Cannabis in Veterinary Medicine a Critical Review, a brand-new publication, helps professionals sort fact from fiction. One of the paper’s a...

In this episode, listeners will learn the common signs and symptoms of many types of dog cancers. This episode is also designed to be a valuable tool when creating a symptom checklist, that can be taken to your next vet appointment for further evaluation from your dog’s veterinarian.  Links Mentioned in Today’s Show: The Dog Cancer Survival Guide: Full Spectrum Treatments to Optimize Your Dog’s Li...

For many years, DNA sequencing has been a first line option for diagnosing and treating many human cancers, in a treatment that is often referred to as, targeted therapy. Targeted therapy works by directly inhibiting the growth and replication of the cancer cells in certain types of tumors, and because of its targeted action it has shown high rates of tumor responsiveness in people. So, what happe...

In this week’s episode of Dog Cancer Answers, Dr. Nancy Reese discusses plasmacytoma tumors. She explains that most vets who find plasmacytoma tumors in their patients, will locate them as solitary, non-aggressive, pink growths on the surface of the skin that can be resolved using surgical removal. These kinds of tumors are called cutaneous plasmacytomas and make up approximately 86% of all plasma...

This episode is from one of our sister podcasts, Dog Edition: On this, our inDOGural episode of Dog Edition, we chase some fascinating tales of presidential pups. Co-hosts James Jacobson and Pamela Lorence dig into how dogs can impact a president's image and what we can expect from the newest four-legged inhabitants of the White House, Major and Champ. With interviews from historians, a marketing...

Could you imagine being able to build an open relationship with your vet? One where you feel comfortable discussing the use of herbs and supplements in place of chemicals and drugs? Believe it or not, it is possible, and this week’s episode tells our listeners how they can do exactly that. Dr. Judy Morgan discusses how pet parents can build stronger relationships with their dog’s medical care team...

This week we are celebrating a decade (10 years) of Dog Cancer Answers. To ring in this milestone, we are revisiting the episode that started it all in 2011. Filmed between host James Jacobson and principal author of The Dog Cancer Survival Guide, Dr. Demian Dressler—the interview is overflowing with time-tested, rock-solid dog cancer recommendations and advice. Aimed to help you focus, plan, and...

Has your dog been diagnosed with a perianal or an anal sac tumor? Has it left you feeling overwhelmed with unanswered questions? If this sounds like you, you’re in luck because this week’s episode features Dr. Demian Dressler and Dr. Sue Ettinger, as they share their experience and expert knowledge behind the causes of rectal tumors, how to diagnose them, as well as how your veterinarian or veteri...