Dog cancer treatment decisions are rarely easy. And they can be as hard on veterinarians as they are on owners. Researchers from Cornell University surveyed over 400 veterinarians, and 99% of them said they have experienced clients wanting to pursue futile care for their pets. So what is futile care,…
Petco Love has invested $18 million in dog cancer funding, and continues to expand their offerings to help dogs. Petco Love is a nonprofit organization (previously known as the Petco Foundation) that offers several programs to help dogs and the people who love them. Petco Love’s President, Susanne Kogut, explains…
Is that soft lump on your dog just a fatty tumor… or is it something more sinister? Caller Jenny brings attention to how malignant cancers can look harmless. Jenny’s dog had some soft, squishy lumps that her vet said were simple lipomas, but after she kept pursuing the matter, turned…
Dunbar’s no cat, but he does seem to have nine lives. With the help of his loving owners and great veterinary team, he has been fighting cancer since 2019. When Dunbar coughed up blood in October 2019, Tara knew things were about to get rough. He was soon diagnosed with…
Listen in for the dog cancer stories and information you can expect from us this fall! As well as dog cancer treatment information like a deep dive into medicinal mushrooms, this fall Dog Cancer Answers will also feature some True Tail stories about real-life dogs and their cancer journeys and…
Thanks to a little dog named Poppy, we now have a blood test that can detect dog cancer before the dog experiences any symptoms. Listen in to learn how the OncoK9 blood test by PetDx uses next-generation sequencing to determine if your apparently healthy dog has cancer DNA floating around…
We’re taking a couple weeks off this summer, but we still have plenty of dog cancer resources available 24/7. Listen in to get a sneak peek at some of our upcoming episodes (hint: next week’s interview is a game-changer for dog cancer screening!) plus to hear about some of the…
Are the changes in your older dog part of aging, or are they signs of cancer? Dr. Mary Gardner weighs in on how to support senior and geriatric dogs. Whether your dog is a super senior or a gentle geriatric, she is probably going to experience some issues with cognitive…
- What kills brain cancer cells, takes only 5-7 minutes, and provides pain relief from osteosarcoma? Radiation therapy. Radiation therapy can sound very scary to many dog lovers. But it can be extremely useful for dog cancer, both to destroy tumors and to provide pain relief. Jenny Fisher is a…
A dog with mammary cancer has three problems: her tumor is very large, she has started chewing at the tumor, and her surgery isn’t for another week. Gio called in to our Listener Line about his dog with a mammary mass. Unfortunately, his dog has started to chew on the…
When it comes to lymphoma and bladder cancer, environmental pollution plays a role in causing dog cancer. Double board-certified veterinarian Dr. Lauren Trepanier has lost three Boxers to lymphoma, and she’s not letting that slide. She is currently studying the impact of carcinogens caused by environmental pollution on lymphoma in…
Nationwide is combing through their pet insurance claims to learn about cancer risk. Listen in for popular breeds with the highest risk – and lowest! Dr. Jules Benson of Nationwide Pet Insurance breaks down the data from their first two white papers on dog cancer – Oodles of Doodles, which…
Caller Janet wants to know what guidelines there are for catching dog cancer early. 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…
Not sure what a vet tech does at the oncologist office? Listen in for the scoop, plus the story of a patient who changed one tech’s life. When your dog has cancer, there are a lot more people on her care team than just you and the oncologist. Veterinary technicians…
The Darwin’s Ark Cancer Project is a free, easy way that all of us can contribute to dog cancer research for better prevention, detection, and treatment. Have a dog with cancer and wish there was something you could do – right now – to help other dogs avoid this disease?…
The AKC Canine Health Foundation provides funding for a LOT of dog cancer research! Learn how this organization benefits our beloved dogs. 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…
Scientists have developed a vaccine to prevent dog cancer, and it is being tested out right now in Colorado, Wisconsin, and California. 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…
Bone cancer is a brutal disease, but ELIAS Animal Health has an immunotherapy protocol that is making headway. 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…
Confused about dog cancer staging and grading, and not sure if the tests are worth the cost? Oncologist Brooke Britton explains the ins and outs. 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…
Until recently, most vets didn’t get any classes on euthanasia in vet school. Learn about the growing focus on hospice and end-of-life care for dogs. 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…
Oncologist Brooke Britton breaks down what mitotic index means for your dog with cancer, and when having this number can be helpful. 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…
Board-certified veterinary nutritionist Lindsey Bullen weighs in on all things dog nutrition, from general rules to follow to customized diets. 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…
Dr. Vargas shares her fascinating backstory and how she integrates both traditional cancer treatments and alternative therapies to help her patients. 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…
Can lymphoma really be cured? This intense treatment is not the right fit for every dog, but can have a happy ending. 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…