Dog Cancer Knowledge Base

These knowledge base articles are the core of DogCancer.com. Every article is carefully vetted. Each one is researched, written, and medically reviewed by at least four independent experts (veterinarians, cancer researchers, and science journalists. The result is organized, easy-to-understand explanations of everything relating to dog cancer. Whether you need to find out more about a prescription drug, a supplement, a food, or a medical procedure, these knowledgebase articles will give you medically sound, nuanced, and complete information. We update articles regularly, so you can always rely on the information you find.

Latest Articles

Bladder cancer in dogs and transitional cell carcinoma in dogs

Bladder Cancer in Dogs, Including Transitional Cell Carcinoma

With new technology for early detection and multiple treatment options available, most dogs diagnosed with bladder cancer, including transitional cell carcinoma, can expect good quality of life for up to two years.  read full article

Pharmaceuticals in drinking water are a problem, especially for dogs who play in open waterways.

Pharmaceuticals in Drinking Water

There is a growing concern among pet owners about the levels of pharmaceuticals in their drinking water and the wetlands where dogs play. The good news is studies have shown that drinking water in our... read full article

Can Asbestos Affect Dogs?

Can Asbestos Affect Dogs?

Dogs are exposed to asbestos in the same ways we are. Unfortunately, asbestos also affects dogs the same way it does people. Mesothelioma in dogs is rare, but it does occur. Make sure you protect... read full article

Can Plastic Cause Cancer in Dogs?

Can Plastic Cause Cancer in Dogs?

Plastic use is ubiquitous throughout our daily lives, but plastics can be packed with some hard-hitting chemicals known to be dangerous for human (and canine!) health. Even concerted efforts to minimize plastic use and make... read full article

Every dog's death is unique to that dog's health and circumstances. However, there are some signs your dog is dying to be mindful of.

Signs Your Dog Is Dying

Just knowing your dog is nearing the end of life is awful. You and your veterinary team can create a plan to keep you and your dog in the best physical and emotional health possible... read full article

Feeding cottage cheese for dogs with cancer is a tasty way to boost minerals like calcium.

Cottage Cheese for Dogs

As a versatile high protein food packed with calcium and healthy fats, cottage cheese has numerous benefits and serves as an excellent food addition for dogs with cancer and other diseases. read full article

veterinarians often recommend turkey tail mushroom for dogs with cancer because it is one of the first supplements to get a veterinary medicine trial.

Turkey Tail Mushroom For Dogs

Turkey tail mushroom was one of the first integrative cancer therapies to undergo a clinical trial in Veterinary Medicine, with one study showing that mushroom-derived polysaccharides from turkey tail may delay metastasis and increase survival... read full article

What Does a Veterinary Nutritionist Do

What Does a Veterinary Nutritionist Do?

A veterinary nutritionist can help ensure your dog gets all the nutrients she needs to fuel her body during cancer treatment – and beyond. read full article

Boston Terriers are at elevated risk for mast cell tumors.

Mast Cell Tumors In Dogs

Mast cell tumors are a common type of skin cancer in dogs. They range in severity from small, localized tumors that can remain stable for years to malignant cancers that can quickly spread throughout the... read full article

Foundations and grants may help with vet bills for dogs with cancer.

Help With Vet Bills from Grants and Foundations

Foundations and grants can help with vet bills for your dog’s cancer treatment. There are many application opportunities, and crowdfunding is becoming more and more popular. Strict qualifications for applicants may limit your options, so... read full article

Galliprant for dogs is a relatively new NSAID.

Galliprant for Dogs

Galliprant (generic name: grapiprant) is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) with an excellent safety profile. There is evidence there may be also be some anti-cancer benefits for dogs. read full article

All unusual lumps and bumps are called tumors, but not all are dangerous. There's a difference between benign and malignant tumors!

The Difference Between Benign and Malignant Tumors

A tumor diagnosis does not automatically mean it's cancer. Below is a more in-depth explanation of both benign and malignant tumors in dogs, including the most common types and treatment options for each. read full article

masitinib is approved for use in the EU to treat mast cell tumors.

Masitinib (Masivet, Kinavet)

Masitinib is a chemotherapeutic approved in the EU for the treatment of Mast Cell Tumors. read full article

Stomach cancer in dogs is very rare, but chow chows have an increased risk.

Stomach Cancer in Dogs

Stomach cancer in dogs is very rare and has a poor prognosis. However, if caught early enough, surgery to remove the stomach tumor can often provide months to years with a good quality of life. read full article

Prostate cancer in dogs is rare, but often studied because of how common it is in humans.

Prostate Cancer In Dogs

A common cancer in humans, prostate cancer in dogs is quite rare. Dogs are often used as a model to study human prostate cancer, which will help new therapies evolve for both people and dogs. read full article

Palladia for Dogs (toceranib phosphate)

Palladia for Dogs (toceranib phosphate)

Palladia for dogs (toceranib phosphate) is a medication developed specifically for dogs. The FDA approved this oral drug you give at home in 2009. read full article

Getting a second opinion for dog cancer is never a bad idea.

Getting a Second Opinion

Second opinions are valuable because two heads are often better than one! read full article

Holistic veterinarians and cancer specialists work together more than you might assume. Integrative medicine is where veterinary professionals are headed.

Holistic Veterinarians and Cancer

Consulting a holistic veterinarian, or an integrative veterinarian, can provide some insight into non-traditional treatments, which may support more traditional medical treatments or quality of life. read full article

No one wants to keep track of paperwork, but systematically managing medical files can make cancer treatments and appointments go smoother.

Managing Your Dog’s Medical Files

Managing medical files is important with a complex illness like cancer. You should keep copies of your dog’s medical files. Most medical records are organized by date and sometimes by file type. Having your dog’s... read full article

Keeping a journal about your dog's cancer will help you stay organized and inform your team.

Keeping a Journal About Your Dog’s Cancer

As any family member’s medical condition becomes more complex it is important to keep records at home. A journal can be a helpful reference for both you and your dog's veterinarian. Tracking bathroom habits, drugs... read full article

Should My Dog See an Oncologist or Vet?

Should My Dog See an Oncologist or Vet?

A general practitioner is often the veterinarian who breaks the initial news of cancer to a dog lover. They may feel comfortable treating cancer, but in many cases, they will refer you to a veterinary... read full article

Questions to Ask Your Vet About Dog Cancer

Questions to Ask Your Vet About Dog Cancer

A cancer diagnosis is overwhelming and confusing. Asking the right questions up front will help you understand all the options so you can make the best decisions you can for you and your dog. Looking... read full article

Dog euthanasia is probably the hardest decision you will ever make on behalf of your beloved.

Dog Euthanasia

Euthanasia is a dreaded topic for most people, but one that all dog lovers will likely face at some point. It is often the kindest and most selfless gift we can give our beloved companions... read full article

Your Dog Surgery Guide

Your Dog Surgery Guide

There is a saying among surgeons: “The chance to cut is a chance to cure.” This rings true for many types of cancer that can be cured with surgical intervention alone. Surgery can often buy... read full article

Veterinarians will look for metastasis and local invasion to get a better idea of how aggressive your dog's cancer is.

Metastasis and Local Invasion: When Cancer Spreads

Metastasis is when a particular type of cancer spreads from its initial site to more distant parts of the body while local invasion (or spread) is when a malignant tumor expands locally. read full article

There are many reasons dog cancer isn't caught early

Why Dog Cancer Isn’t Caught Early

Even when dog cancer isn’t caught early, it is never too late to take action. Advances in treatment and palliative care have expanded the options for canine cancer patients and their guardians regardless of time... read full article

dog cancer diagnosis faq

Dog Cancer Diagnosis: An Overview

The dog cancer diagnosis process can be confusing and hard to navigate alone. This becomes even more difficult when you are distracted by the swirl of emotions that occur when dealing with your dog’s cancer... read full article

Coping Tips for a Cancer Diagnosis

The Way Out is Through: Coping Tips for a Cancer Diagnosis

Overflowing with emotions, you may miss some key information because of the initial shock. Here’s how to be true to your feelings while gathering practical information to make this time as comfortable as possible for... read full article

Rimadyl for dogs (carprofen) can be very supportive depending upon your dog's situation.

Rimadyl for Dogs (Carprofen)

Rimadyl for dogs (carprofen) is a very effective nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) and non-narcotic medication for dogs. It is used to treat inflammation, fever and pain in dogs. read full article

Tanovea (rabacfosadine) Chemotherapy

Tanovea (rabacfosadine) Chemotherapy

Tanovea chemotherapy (generic name: rabacfosadine) is the first FDA-approved treatment for lymphoma in dogs. If standard lymphoma chemotherapy protocols aren’t an option for your dog, or if they fail to control her illness, it may... read full article

cytarabine is often used in dog lymphoma cases.

Cytarabine

Cytarabine (cytosine arabinoside) is an effective anti-cancer drug that can be used to treat blood cancers in dogs. read full article

Prednisone for Dogs (Prednisolone)

Prednisone for Dogs (Prednisolone)

Prednisone is a type of glucocorticoid that is used to treat many different medical conditions in dogs from skin disease to cancer. This medication is particularly effective at reducing inflammation which can help reduce discomfort... read full article

Medicinal Mushrooms for Dogs

Medicinal Mushrooms for Dogs

Medicinal mushrooms have been used in human medicine for thousands of years. They can also offer health benefits for dogs. Medicinal mushrooms can deliver a boost to your dog’s immune system, help them cope with... read full article

Multivitamins for Dogs

Multivitamins for Dogs

A high-quality multivitamin can help bridge the gaps in nutritional needs missing from your dog’s diet, providing them with the metabolic and immune system support necessary to fight cancer. read full article

Imatinib For Dogs - Gleevec

Imatinib For Dogs

Gleevec is considered a miracle drug for treatment of multiple leukemia-type cancers. Also known by its generic name, imatinib for dogs can be given as an oral medication at home, so you and your pup... read full article

Free Radicals

Free Radicals

Free radicals are the result of a natural and necessary cellular process called oxidation. Too many free radicals in your dog’s body can damage it and have been linked to a number of diseases. Reducing... read full article

The Cost of Dog Cancer: The Four Budgets

The Cost of Dog Cancer: The Four Budgets

It’s not only money you need to budget to treat dog cancer. You also need enough time, emotional bandwidth, and plain physical strength. read full article

Coconut Oil for Dogs

Coconut Oil for Dogs

Giving dogs up to one teaspoon per 10 pounds of body weight of coconut oil offers medium chain triglycerides that quickly provide a direct energy source to the liver, brain, and body. read full article

Tigilanol Tiglate - Stelfonta

Tigilanol Tiglate (Stelfonta)

Tigilanol tiglate (Stelfonta) is an injectable anti-cancer drug that is injected directly into eligible mast cell tumors and causes the destruction of tumor cells with great success. read full article

Vincristine for Dogs

Vincristine for Dogs

Vincristine is a chemotherapy drug best known for its part in the CHOP protocol to treat dog lymphoma. read full article

How To Find a Counselor

How To Find a Counselor

Therapy sessions can help to better understand trauma or change, develop effective coping mechanisms, or improve overall well-being. The cancer diagnosis or death of our canine companion is traumatic, and you should consider reaching out... read full article

Pollution and Environmental Cancer Causes

Pollution and Environmental Cancer Causes

Nowadays, humans and dogs share their living space and so our pets are exposed to many of the same environmental pollutants as we are, like tobacco smoke, smog, paints and pesticides. Fortunately, our pets’ risk... read full article

How to Reduce Cancer Risk Using Food

How to Reduce Cancer Risk Using Food

The best dog food for cancer prevention is one that helps keep your dog at a healthy weight, provides her with all the essential nutrients she needs, and does not contain potential carcinogens. read full article

Physical Therapy for Dogs

Physical Therapy for Dogs

It’s heartbreaking to see your beloved dog become debilitated by cancer, but there are ways you can support their healing and help them regain mobility. Rehabilitation, which is usually what we call physical therapy for... read full article

Lymphoma In Dogs

Lymphoma In Dogs

Lymphoma -- also called lymphosarcoma -- is one of the most common cancers in dogs. There are over 30 different subtypes of lymphoma in dogs that show a wide variety of behavior, but many of... read full article

Histiocytic Sarcoma

Histiocytic Sarcoma

Histiocytic sarcoma is a rare but stubborn dog cancer. There are some early signs of hope that advances in chemotherapy, and immunotherapy-based treatments will provide better treatment options. In the meantime, if you treat it... read full article

Mustargen Mechlorethamine

Mustargen for Dogs (Mechlorethamine)

Mustargen for dogs is a chemotherapy drug used often in canine lymphoma. read full article

Is Cod Liver Oil Good for Dogs?

Is Cod Liver Oil Good for Dogs?

While cod liver oil contains beneficial ingredients such as omega-3 fatty acids and vitamins A and D, the inconclusive scientific evidence, risk of toxicity, and potential associated bleeding issues make it a poor choice as... read full article

Amputation in Dogs

Amputation in Dogs

Amputation in dogs sounds really scary, but most dogs adapt very well to amputation, and it can provide you and your dog with more pain-free quality time together. read full article

Dog Anesthesia

Dog Anesthesia

Dog anesthesia is a powerful tool that allows us to perform diagnostic procedures and treatments that would otherwise be impossible. read full article

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