Tagamet and Benadryl for Dogs | Nancy Reese, DVM, MPVM, PhD #130

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 story, or a hopeful wish?

Dr. Nancy Reese, our chief medical editor and resident epidemiologist/veterinarian, turns her big brain to the topic to help us understand why people hope these over-the-counter drugs can help their dogs … and how they actually can support our efforts.

Diphenhydramine (brand name Benadryl) and cimetidine (brand name Tagamet) are both antihistamines that work to block histamine receptors on cells. They have their place, in certain cancers. Listen in to find out the why and the how.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Show:

The Dog Cancer Survival Guide: Full Spectrum Treatments to Optimize Your Dog’s Life Quality and Longevity by Dr. Demian Dressler and Dr. Susan Ettinger.

About Today’s Guest, Dr. Nancy Reese:

Dr. Nancy Reese is a small animal veterinarian with over 30 years of clinical experience taking care of cats and dogs and other critters in the Sierra Nevada foothills. She is also a perpetual student and researcher, as evidenced by her many degrees. In addition to her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the University of California, Davis, she earned a Masters in Preventive Veterinary Medicine at UC Davis and then a Ph.D. in Epidemiology at UC Davis. If you string all her letters out after her name it looks like this: Nancy Reese, DVM, MPVM, PhD. In her spare time, she volunteers to help evacuate and shelter animals caught up in disasters, and she’s currently training to help in human search and rescue efforts. Dr. Reese lives in a log cabin with her husband, her 13-year-old golden retriever, and her two 13-year-old cats. Her hobbies include boosting the quality of life and longevity for all animals in her care, hiking, travelling, and cross-country skiing. Oh, and lots of dog walking.  degree from the University of California at Davis before earning his Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from Cornell University.

Other Links:

If you would like to ask a dog cancer related question for one of our expert veterinarians to answer on a future Q&A episode, call our Listener Line at 808-868-3200.

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