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
Vinorelbine
Vinorelbine is in a class of chemotherapy agents called vinca alkaloids which are commonly used in veterinary medicine. Vinorelbine has been shown to be useful in treating lung tumors as well as some of the... 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
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
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?
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
Cyclophosphamide For Dogs
Cyclophosphamide is a potent chemotherapeutic available to treat many forms of canine cancer. It has shown success in improving quality of life and life expectancy of canine patients; however, it comes with many harsh side... 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
Fenbendazole for Dogs
Fenbendazole is a deworming drug used in many animals that is now under investigation as an anti-cancer drug. read full article
Dog Cancer Diet Guidelines
While there is no one-size-fits all recipe for the perfect dog cancer diet, there are a number of easy steps you can take to give your dog a nutritional boost on his cancer journey. read full article
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
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
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
Wei Qi Booster for Dogs
Wei Qi Booster is a Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM) formula that contains a combination of herbs used to boost the immune system. Pronounced “way chee,” the phrase translates to “defense system,” or as referred... 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
Garlic for Dogs
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
How to Choose the Best Dog Supplements
Knowledge is key: Do your homework to do no harm and see the amazing benefits supplements have to offer dogs. read full article
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
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
Chronotherapy
Chronotherapy uses the body’s circadian rhythms to maximize benefits of chemotherapy while reducing side effects. There are many possible benefits of chronotherapy, but there is a lot still to learn, which may be why it’s... 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
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
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
Chlorambucil
Chlorambucil is a chemotherapeutic and immunosuppressive drug that is often used in conjunction with a steroid. It has been used with metronomic dosing, which is daily or every-other-day low dose administration over time. read full article
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
Chicken for Dogs
As a meat that’s considered tasty to dogs and packed with lean protein, chicken is a great option and arguably a must-have item in your dog’s diet. read full article
Berries for Dogs
Tasty, versatile, and chock full of nutritional compounds that are well-scientifically supported as having anti-cancer properties, berries are a great go-to food item to supplement your dog’s diet. read full article
Brussels Sprouts
Small but mighty, Brussels sprouts contain vitamins and nutrients that can help prevent canine cancer and stop it in its tracks. read full article
Prebiotics for Dogs
Prebiotics help build and maintain healthy microorganism communities in your dog’s digestive tract to help boost their immune system. read full article
Radiation for Dogs
Radiation is a cancer treatment method that can shrink tumors or kill lingering cancer cells left behind by other treatment methods. It's also great for pain control. Radiation can extend your dog’s life and also... read full article
Stereotactic Radiation Therapy for Dogs
Stereotactic radiation therapy is a treatment option for tumors that are hard to reach or cannot be removed surgically, with less damage to normal tissues and fewer treatment days needed compared to traditional radiation therapy. read full article
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
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
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
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
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
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
Thyroid Cancer in Dogs
Thyroid cancer in dogs is uncommon. If your dog is one of the unlucky ones who develops a cancerous thyroid tumor, there are several promising ways to effectively treat this cancer. 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
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
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
Brain Tumors in Dogs
Brain tumors are typically benign, growing slowly and only rarely spreading to other areas of the body. However, they grow within the confines of the skull which can cause many serious neurological symptoms. Neurosurgery, radiation... read full article
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
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
Coping When Your Dog Has Cancer: Finding Strength and Hope
Finding out your dog has cancer can fill you with uncertainty and throw your world into chaos. It can be overwhelming to decide the best course of action for your pet that will maximize your... 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
Inflammation and Cancer
Chronic inflammation is a sneaky foe that can easily go unnoticed. Understanding chronic inflammation and its relationship to cancer in dogs is crucial to helping you safeguard your dog's health. read full article
Hair Loss in Dogs (Alopecia)
Hair loss in dogs is uncommon in dogs with cancer, and even if your dog does experience this side effect, it won’t impact his quality of life. 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
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
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