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

Bone Marrow Transplant for Dogs

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

CoQ10 Coenzyme Q10

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

Lomustine for Dogs

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

Broccoli For Dogs

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

Melatonin for Dogs

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

Cerenia For Dogs

Cerenia For Dogs

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

Oral Melanoma in Dogs

Oral Melanoma in Dogs

Oral melanoma is a locally aggressive and highly metastatic cancer, but prompt treatment can lead to better survival times and there are new and exciting treatments on the horizon. read full article

Testicular Cancer in Dogs

Testicular Cancer in Dogs

Testicular cancer is slow to spread and can be easily treated with low-risk surgery, giving it an excellent prognosis. 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

Dog Cancer Grief

Dog Cancer Grief: During and After

There is no way to avoid the grief that comes with the loss of a pet but there are ways to cope and better understand your emotional response. Simply understanding the dog cancer grief process... read full article

Clinical Trials for Dog Cancer

Dog Cancer Research: About Clinical Trials for Dog Cancer

Finding a clinical trial to enroll in is a wonderful way to actively participate in health care progress. Not only will your dog have access to novel therapeutics at a subsidized cost, but you (and... read full article

Meloxicam for dogs is an NSAID that helps dogs with osteoarthritis.

Meloxicam For Dogs

Meloxicam is a well-tolerated drug that can help with pain management and is being studied as a possible treatment for certain types of cancer. read full article

zoledronate for dogs is used to help with bone pain. In humans, this drug is used to treat osteoporosis.

Zoledronate for Dogs

Zoledronate is a medication used to treat high blood calcium levels caused by cancer and bone pain from osteosarcoma. read full article

A dog's eyes are closed as one of the signs of nausea in dogs in a photo of a beagle dog's face and paws poking out of a white blanket.

Nausea in Dogs

Nausea is a common complication of cancer and cancer treatments. There are many options for managing nausea in dogs, ranging from medications to natural remedies. read full article

Man holding his dog sitting on tall grass

Not Treating Dog Cancer

It is important to trust your instincts and permit yourself to sit with all the possible options after finding out your beloved dog has cancer. Choose the best plan for your dog’s well-being and self-care,... read full article

Dog lying down on piles of money

Pet Health Insurance

Pet health insurance is an excellent way to protect yourself from large, unexpected expenses and to remove finances from the equation when making tough medical decisions for your dog. read full article

Bed Sores on Dogs: Preventing and Treating Pressure Sores

Bed Sores on Dogs: Preventing and Treating Pressure Sores

As a dog ages, he or she will spend more time resting, relaxing, and sleeping, which can cause areas of the skin such as the elbows and hips to develop bed sores. Changes in senior... read full article

A photo of a happy dog and dog owner

Dog Cancer Remission

Remission is the word that every person who loves a dog with cancer wants to hear – it means that your dog is responding to treatment. read full article

The Dog's Immune System and Cancer

The Dog’s Immune System and Cancer

The dog's immune system and the human immune system are very similar, and we share similar environments. Can we use the immune system to fight cancer? Yes, but it's not quite as simple as "immune... read full article

Can Dogs Eat Turkey?

Can Dogs Eat Turkey?

Can dogs eat turkey? Yes, turkey is a great protein source for dogs with cancer. It’s lean, packed with nutrition, and tasty! read full article

T-CHOP Naïve Canine Lymphoma Study at CSU

T-CHOP Naïve Canine Lymphoma Study at CSU

The oncologists at the Flint Animal Cancer Center at Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicine (CSU-CVM) initiated a study to look at adding rabacfosadine (Tanovea) to the gold standard lymphoma treatment protocol of vincristine,... read full article

Glucosamine for Dogs

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

Beef for Dogs

Beef for Dogs

Beef is a readily available protein source that, when included as part of a balanced diet, can help counteract muscle wasting and weakness in dogs with cancer. Bonus: most dogs love to eat it. In... read full article

Cyberknife for Dogs

Cyberknife for Dogs

The CyberKnife® is an image-guided robotic machine that provides concentrated, pain-free, high-doses of radiation to tumors with marked precision. Cyberknife for dogs is expensive and only available in a few places, but it may be... read full article

Glutamine for Dogs with Cancer

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

What Is Integrative Medicine

What Is Integrative Medicine?

Integrative medicine consists of multiple therapeutic practices that combine conventional and holistic treatments to offer a full range of care for your dog in the fight with cancer. read full article

Curcumin for Dogs

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

Dog being massaged

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

Laverdia-CA1 for Dogs (Verdinexor)

Laverdia-CA1 for Dogs (Verdinexor)

In early 2021 Verdinexor (brand name Laverdia-CA1) was conditionally approved for the treatment of canine lymphoma in the United States. It is the first oral tablet to be approved for this purpose, which was exciting... read full article

Vomiting in Dogs

Vomiting in Dogs

Anyone who has ever vomited knows it can be painful, inconvenient, and draining. The same is true for vomiting in dogs. The good news is that we have many tools to combat vomiting or prevent... read full article

Urinalysis in Dogs

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

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

What to Do with Leftover or Expired Dog Medication

What to Do with Leftover or Expired Dog Medication

Can you get a refund on unused medications? Can you donate them, or use them with another dog? Should you flush unused pharmaceuticals, or throw them in the garbage? If you have leftover or expired... read full article

Dog training can improve life quality for your dog with cancer. Really!

Decrease Stress and Bond with Your Dog Through Training

All dogs can learn new skills and tricks at any age, and dog training can be enjoyable for both you and your pet. read full article

More often veterinarians are comfortable using CBD for dogs with cancer if they are in pain or have anxiety.

CBD for Dogs with Cancer

Cannabidiol (CBD) can be a great addition to your pet’s home care routine, especially in a hospice case. It can help reduce side effects of chemotherapeutics and reduce inflammation. read full article

Garlic for dogs is safe in small amounts, and has many benefits.

Can Dogs Eat Garlic?

Garlic has some excellent health benefits; and you should know the pros and cons of garlic for dogs before adding it to your dog’s diet. Small amounts may be tolerated, but too much has the... read full article

Are treats and dog cancer compatible? Absolutely!

Dog Cancer Treats: Delicious and Nutritious

Dogs with cancer shouldn’t be deprived of all their favorite treats! In addition to serving as a well-deserved “pick-me-up,” dog cancer treats can help dogs who are struggling to eat due to their cancer or... read full article

There are more Healthcare Team Members than just your veterinarian.

Meet the Heroes Who Fight Dog Cancer Without a Veterinary License

Sometimes it feels like it's just you and your dog fighting cancer, but that's not true. Your healthcare team members are all cancer fighters! Meet the many folks dedicated to your dog's health who aren't... read full article

Are eggs good for dogs? Yes, they are.

Eggs for Dogs

Eating chicken eggs (or the eggs of other poultry) including the white, yolk, and shell can add many key nutrients to your dog's diet at a very low cost. read full article

Cancer is a multifactorial disease, which means many things have to go wrong for it to happen.

It’s Not Your Fault: Cancer as a Multifactorial Disease

Cancer is relentless and sneaky. It’s not your fault that your dog has cancer. It’s not just one thing that causes it, but a cascade of complex events that ultimately lead to cancer development. read full article

Rejoice! Eating liver for dogs can be healthy and delicious, in moderation.

Liver for Dogs

Liver is one of the most nutritionally dense foods. It contains protein, iron, and important vitamins, which makes it supportive for anemia and bone health. It is inexpensive, easy to find, and is available in... read full article

A dog not eating is cause for concern, but it may not be an emergency.

Dog Not Eating

While many dogs with cancer will experience a lack of appetite at some point during the course of their disease, there are many medications, special diets, and lifestyle changes that can help address your dog... read full article

Is duck good for dogs? Yes, as part of a complete and balanced diet!

Is Duck Good for Dogs?

Duck is a tasty high-protein poultry that’s low in unhealthy fats and great for dogs with allergies. It's packed with nutrients known to have anticancer properties, including omega-3 fatty acids, selenium, and B vitamins. read full article

If your dog has Kidney disease dog cancer diet guidelines might seem confusing. It's easier than it seems to balance the two.

Kidney-Friendly Diet Advice for Dogs with Cancer

You can feed your dog a diet that his kidneys love and his cancer hates! read full article

Tumor margins are an important part of your dog's biopsy report.

Margins and Why They Are Important in Dog Cancer

Margins are the areas around a surgically removed tumor. Pathologists examine margins through a microscope to determine if the cancer has been fully removed. read full article

omega 3 and omega 6 for dogs must be given in the correct ratio.

Omega 3 and 6 for Dogs

Fatty acids are essential in a dog’s diet, particularly omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids. That means they must come from food because dogs cannot make them in their bodies. Omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids affect... read full article

Don't be afraid of brown rice for dogs with cancer. It's packed with cancer-fighting properties, and its complex carbs break down slowly. avoiding blood sugar spikes.

Brown Rice for Dogs

Brown rice is a readily available, highly nutritious food that may help reduce the incidence of certain cancers. read full article

Should dogs sleep in the dark? Yes, they should!

Should Dogs Sleep in the Dark?

Letting dogs sleep in the dark provides essential benefits for their health and may even help protect them from getting cancer. read full article

Doxorubicin is an old school, potent, effective chemotherapy drug. Veterinarians recommend doxorubicin for many forms of dog cancer.

Doxorubicin for Dogs

Doxorubicin is a potent anti-cancer drug used to treat many types of cancer. It is strong and effective but must be treated with respect. Most dogs tolerate this chemotherapy well, but there are side effects... read full article

veterinarians often use methotrexate for dogs with leukemia and lymphoma

Methotrexate for Dogs

Methotrexate is often used in humans with leukemias and immune-mediated diseases. It appears to be useful for similar conditions in dogs. read full article

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