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