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

Lipomas in dogs are benign. They tend to happen in dogs who are overweight.

Lipomas in Dogs

Chances are, if you have an older dog, you are familiar with “fatty tumors.” These benign (non-cancerous) growths appear on dogs of all shapes and sizes, especially as they age. The really great news is,... 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

Urinalysis in Dogs

Urinalysis in dogs is an easy and inexpensive diagnostic test to assess the bladder and kidneys for a variety of medical conditions, including certain cancers. read full article

leukemia in dogs is rare, but golden retrievers and german shepherds are at higher risk.

Leukemia In Dogs

Leukemia is an aggressive blood cancer, but thankfully it is uncommon in dogs. The treatment options and likely outcomes vary widely based on the type of leukemia your dog has. read full article

Mustargen for Dogs (mechlorethamine)

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

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. In other types of... read full article

the median survival time meaning is often misunderstood. It sounds like a "real" number, but it doesn't apply to any specific dog.

Median Survival Time Meaning

When discussing cancer treatment, median survival time (MST) is a way of communicating how well a treatment may work to extend life. One way to think of it is as your dog’s “50/50” date -... read full article

metronomic chemotherapy for dogs involves giving low doses of chemotherapy agents to your dog at home using pills

Metronomic Chemotherapy for Dogs

Metronomic chemotherapy is when anticancer drugs are given at a low dose on a regular schedule, often over a longer time period. There are several advantages over conventional chemotherapy. Metronomic chemo has increased tolerability – thus... read full article

artemisinin for dogs, a promising anti-cancer drug that may not be well absorbed in dogs.

Artemisinin

Artemisinin has a long history of use in the treatment of malaria, but also shows promise as an anti-cancer agent either on its own or alongside other treatment modalities. Newly developed derivatives may offer increased... read full article

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 Hormone Therapy

Dog hormone therapy is an easy-to-administer treatment option that may help combat your dog’s cancer by manipulating sex steroid hormones associated with tumor growth. Unfortunately, not all tumors will respond to this therapy and we... read full article

Squamous cell carcinomas in dogs can occur in many different places in the body.

Squamous Cell Carcinomas in Dogs

Many squamous cell carcinomas in dogs can be completely surgically removed if caught early – and that could be curative. read full article

Cadet BRAF Urine Test

The Cadet BRAF Urine Test is an easy, non-invasive screening tool for cancer of the urinary tract. Clinical signs of urinary tract cancer often overlap with those of recurrent urinary tract infections, so this highly... read full article

Acrylamide in Dog Food

Acrylamides are cancer causing compounds created during high temperature food processing. While the risks are being established for human acrylamide exposure, less is known about levels in dog food and potential effects on their health.... read full article

Genetic Mutations and Dog Cancer: An Overview

Changes in the DNA of some of your dog’s cells can greatly impact their cancer risk and its characteristics. read full article

Genetics in Canine Cancer

Hearing that your dog has cancer can be devastating. As an owner, you may be reflecting on the signs you missed, or speculating about things you could have done differently to prevent the disease. But... read full article

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

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

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

Oxygen Therapy for Dogs

Oxygen for dogs is used every day in veterinary hospitals to keep patients breathing normally during surgery and to support dogs who can’t breathe, or are in shock. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is sometimes used to... read full article

Glucosamine for Dogs

Glucosamine is an amino sugar naturally found in the body that helps to build cartilage. Glucosamine for dogs is marketed commercially in the form of supplements to treat osteoarthritis (OA). Recently there has been discussion... read full article

CoQ10 for Dogs

CoenzymeQ10 is a powerful antioxidant that is produced naturally in the body. It is beneficial to the immune system, brain, heart, and muscles. CoQ10 supplementation has been shown to prevent heart damage arising from administration... read full article

Computed Tomography (CT Scan) in Dogs

A computed tomography (CT Scan) is an incredibly useful tool that can provide detailed information to help you make the best decisions for you and your dog. read full article

Bone Marrow Transplant for Dogs

The bone marrow transplant for dogs, also known as Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation, is a time and labor intensive and expensive procedure, but 30-40% of treated dogs are completely cured (live > 2 years) of... read full article

Acupuncture for Dogs

Acupuncture is an effective adjunct to other cancer treatments, acting to stimulate the cancer fighting properties of the immune system and alleviate some side effects of chemotherapy. read full article

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

Wound Healing in Dogs

Because dogs with cancer can be immunocompromised, wounds may be slow to heal or get infected. Although wounds are a distressing complication, your veterinarian, veterinary oncologist, and veterinary surgeon all have access to many exciting... read full article

Are There Reasons Not to Neuter Your Dog?

Spaying and neutering are the most commonly performed surgeries on dogs in the United States. Yet, there may be reasons not to neuter your dog, or to wait to do it. It is estimated that... read full article

Osteosarcoma in Dogs

Osteosarcoma in dogs is an aggressive bone cancer. It is a scary and devastating diagnosis, but there are treatment options available that can extend and improve the quality of your dog’s life. Osteosarcoma in dogs... read full article

Soft Tissue Sarcoma in Dogs

Soft tissue sarcoma in dogs is a slow spreading cancer that can develop almost anywhere on your dog’s body. If accessible and detected early, it can be cured with surgery. However, larger tumors that are... read full article

Lomustine for Dogs

Lomustine is a chemotherapy drug that is used to kill certain types of cancer cells by keeping them from growing and dividing. read full article

Broccoli For Dogs

Broccoli is a nutritional powerhouse, full of important nutrients and cancer-fighting properties. read full article

Mistletoe for Dogs with Cancer

Mistletoe is a natural therapy that may support and improve your dog’s quality of life while fighting canine cancer. read full article

Melatonin for Dogs

Melatonin is a naturally occurring hormone produced at night that has promising lines of evidence for its ability to help fight cancer. read full article

hospice for dogs is not about giving up, it's about treating for life quality in the final stage of your dog's life.

Hospice for Dogs

Hospice for dogs is about focusing on treating your dog for quality of life rather than curing an illness. Veterinarians are trained to guide owners through home hospice care, and there are also veterinarians who... read full article

Fibrosarcoma in dogs can occur in any breed, but typically in older and larger dogs like this beautiful St. Bernard dog.

Fibrosarcoma in Dogs 

Fibrosarcoma in dogs can show up literally anywhere in your dog’s body. A type of soft tissue sarcoma, they are slow growing and not prone to metastasize, but they are locally invasive. Early detection and... read full article

epulis in dogs: An Akita in a field with mountains in the background.

Epulis in Dogs (Odontogenic Tumors)

An epulis tumor in your dog’s mouth may look scary, but many of them are completely treatable. Also called odontogenic tumors, these oral tumors in dogs arise from the teeth and associated structures. With early... read full article

Glutamine for Dogs with Cancer

Glutamine is an alpha-amino acid naturally found in your dog’s body, commonly used to help dogs regain weight or heal their digestive tract. When depleted through stress or illness, increasing its levels with a supplement... read full article

Curcumin for Dogs

Turmeric is an ancient nutraceutical with promising synergistic effects and potential efficacy. You may have heard of curcumin for dogs ... but it's not as simple as adding it as a spice to your dog's... read full article

online veterinarians are available, although they cannot legally diagnose or prescribe medications under federal law.

Online Veterinarians: How to Use Telemedicine

Online veterinarians may not be able to prescribe medications or fully diagnose your dog, but they can be an invaluable resource for you if you live in a rural area, are in an emergency, or... read full article

dog cancer support can be found online and in person.

Dog Cancer Support and Grief Groups

Getting a cancer diagnosis for your dog is devastating. There is no way around that. And not everyone in your life understands what you are going through. Reach out to a dog cancer support group... read full article

Cerenia For Dogs

Cerenia is a safe and effective medication that can be given at home or in the veterinary hospital to treat vomiting. read full article

cancer treatment cost,

The Cost of Cancer Treatment for Dogs

After the initial shock of a cancer diagnosis, the next concern is almost always the cost of dog cancer treatments. How can anyone expect you to figure out how to pay for your dog’s cancer... read full article

Tanovea (rabacfosadine) Chemotherapy

If the standard-of-care CHOP lymphoma chemotherapy protocol isn’t an option for your dog or fails to control her illness, there are other options. Tanovea chemotherapy (generic name: rabacfosadine) is the first FDA-approved treatment for lymphoma... read full article

Massage for Dogs

Massage has been used for millennia in many countries and cultures, and many people enjoy its wellness benefits today. Massage for dogs is an excellent way to help your dog relax. read full article

anal sac cancer in dogs, dog anal sac cancer, anal sac cancer dog, anal sac cancer dog what to do, anal sac cancer elderly dog, dog anal glands, dogs anal glands, anal glands in dogs

Anal Sac Cancer in Dogs

Anal sac cancer in dogs can metastasize and be deadly, but a cure is possible for anal gland tumors with early, prompt, aggressive treatment. read full article

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

hemangiosarcoma in dogs, what are end stages of hemangiosarcoma in dogs, stage 1 hemangiosarcoma in dogs, symptoms of hemangiosarcoma in dogs, hemangiosarcoma in dogs treatment

Hemangiosarcoma in Dogs

Hemangiosarcoma is a frightening and devastating cancer of the blood vessels. Even so, if you can get through the initial crisis, there are treatment options available that can give you more time with your dog... read full article

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Liver Cancer in Dogs

Liver cancer may sound like a terrifying diagnosis, but the liver has great regeneration capacity. Even if a large portion of the liver is damaged, injured, or surgically removed, the remaining healthy liver can rebuild... read full article

Mammary tumors in dogs can occur in any breed, but cocker spaniels are at elevated risk.

Mammary Tumors in Dogs

Mammary tumors in dogs are the equivalent of breast cancer in humans, but unlike our breast cancer, they are not as aggressive as other cancers. Mammary gland adenocarcinoma in dogs generally responds well to treatment,... read full article