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

Apoptosis is a normal cell death that cancer cells manage to stop.

Apoptosis

Apoptosis is the normal, controlled process by which a cell dies. Cell death is a necessary part of the cell cycle. Apoptosis can occur because cells are old, abnormal, or unhealthy. Cancer cells have mechanisms... read full article

Xue Fu Zhu Yu is an herbal formula that may be suggested for dogs with cancer.

Xue Fu Zhu Yu (XueFu ZhuYu)

Herbal formulas are one of the top used therapies in Traditional Chinese Medicine. The benefits of Xuefu Zhuyu could have positive impacts for dogs with cancer. However, scientific research on the outcomes of Xuefu Zhuyu... read full article

Ginger can help dogs with nausea and stomach upset.

Ginger for Dogs

Ginger is a diverse supplement that has many therapeutic properties from anti-nausea to helping with cancer prevention and treatment. read full article

Modified citrus pectin for dogs may help stop metastasis.

Modified Citrus Pectin for Dogs

Modified citrus pectin is a naturally occurring compound that shows promise in helping to slow tumor growth and reduce metastasis in a variety of cancer types. It may also be able to increase the effectiveness... read full article

Veterinarians often recommend fish oil for dogs with cancer.

Fish Oil for Dogs

Fish oil is a very safe supplement for dogs. It provides omega-3 fatty acids that have well documented anti-inflammatory properties. Veterinarians recommend fish oil for dogs with a variety of challenges including cancer, skin disease,... read full article

It's crude, but effective: a saline nasal flush for dogs can clean out the nasal passages, possibly debulking tumors, and even yield tumor samples for biopsy.

Saline Nasal Flush for Dogs

A saline nasal flush is a relatively simple procedure that could yield a diagnosis and possibly help to improve symptoms. read full article

If your dog has cancer your veterinarian may want to use MRI.

MRI for Dogs

MRI is a powerful diagnostic tool that is non-invasive and is now readily available at most veterinary specialty hospitals. MRI provides detailed images of your dog’s body, that are not available through more routine tests... read full article

There is balance when feeding a dog with diabetes and cancer.

Feeding Your Dog with Diabetes and Cancer

There may be a number of challenges in managing diabetes and cancer at the same time – but choosing the right diet doesn’t have to be one of them. read full article

Pets are family for most Americans.

Pets Are Family

If you feel like your pets are family, you aren’t alone. And science is beginning to show you’re right to feel this way. read full article

Vitamin E for dogs isn't often necessary to supplement, because dietary sources are often enough.

Vitamin E for Dogs

Vitamin E is an essential nutrient that helps protect cells in the body and maintain a highly functioning immune system. read full article

Digestive enzymes for dogs may be helpful if your dog needs digestive support.

Digestive Enzymes for Dogs

Digestive enzymes can be useful when the gastrointestinal system, particularly the pancreas, is compromised due to disease. Veterinarians most often recommend digestive enzymes for dogs with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, a disease process where the pancreas... read full article

Krill oil for dogs may be a good idea if your dog needs omega-3 fatty acids.

Krill Oil for Dogs

Much like fish oil, the omega-3 fatty acids in krill oil can be useful in killing cancer cells and even boost the efficacy of chemotherapy. Krill oil is a nice addition to your dog’s diet... read full article

Exercise for dogs with cancer is an excellent idea. Do it!

Exercise for Dogs

Exercise has many benefits and is an excellent way to help your dog build and maintain muscle mass, strengthen their cardiovascular system, preserve their cognitive health and even reduce the severity and progression of cancer.... read full article

Parsley, basil, oregano -- pungent and potent herbs that can bring a lot of flavor and phytonutrients to the dog cancer table.

Parsley, Basil, Oregano: Herbs That Are Good For Dogs

These three herbs have not only become culinary staples in cuisines across the world, but have also garnered attention for their potential anti-cancer properties thanks to some of the powerful bioactive compounds they possess. read full article

Veterinarians recommend probiotics for dogs who need digestive support.

Probiotics for Dogs with Cancer

A boost of beneficial bacteria that can help support your dog’s gastrointestinal health and heighten their immune system. read full article

A low histamine diet for dogs may be helpful for dogs with mast cell tumors or allergies.

Low Histamine Diet for Dogs

A low histamine diet may be beneficial for some dogs with certain cancers. Too much or too little of anything is not beneficial, and moderation is key. read full article

Meditation for dogs isn't weird -- it's leveraging their instincts!

Meditation for Dogs

Meditation is a practice of awareness in the present moment. Its use in medicine has increased in recent decades due to building evidence of its health benefits and better understanding of its overall purpose. The... read full article

Tellington Touch is a gentle, non-invasive touch therapy developed for horses that dogs also love.

Tellington Touch for Dogs

Tellington Touch for dogs is a safe type of body work that can decrease anxiety, and possibly increase healing, while strengthening the bond with your dog. read full article

Blood in dog stool is scary, but it's not necessarily serious.

Blood in Dog Stool

Blood in your dog’s stool is a reason to pay attention, but not to panic. Causes can range from minor one-time ailments to something much more serious, including cancer in your dog’s gastrointestinal tract. Thankfully,... read full article

lethargy in dogs almost always warrants investigation to find the underlying cause.

Lethargy in Dogs

Lethargy in dogs is typically a symptom associated with a larger underlying health issue. Determining the underlying clinical factors driving your dog’s lethargy is key to formulating a treatment plan that will lead to their... read full article

Neoplasene for dogs with cancer should be used only under veterinary supervision.

Neoplasene for Dogs

Neoplasene is a supplement that is made from bloodroot, a native North American herb. Sanguinarine, its active ingredient, shows promise as a future anti-cancer drug but is still in need of more research and clinical... read full article

Scratchpay provides financial support for medical bills.

Scratchpay

Scratchpay is a quick and easy option for helping spread out large veterinary expenses over time. read full article

Gained life expectancy is the amount of time a certain treatment is likely to give you and your dog beyond the prognosis.

Gained Life Expectancy: How Much Extra Time Will Cancer Treatments Give Us?

When you learn your dog has cancer, the more information you can get the better. You will want to have a clear understanding about the cost of treatment, expectations about quality of life, the potential... read full article

Talking to children about illness and death of our dogs with cancer is so hard. But it helps them.

Talking to Children About Illness and Death in Dogs

The illness or loss of a family dog is a difficult and inevitable experience, but with a little help from you, your children can learn how to cope with the strong emotions that come with... read full article

Your first oncology appointment is important: it sets your dog's cancer treatments up for success.

What to Bring to Your Oncology Appointment

Being prepared for your first oncology appointment will ensure you get the most out of your time with the oncologist and help you absorb the information you need to advocate for your dog. read full article

Whose your team leader? You are!

You Are the Team Leader When It Comes to Your Dog’s Cancer Care

When a crisis happens – such as your dog being diagnosed with cancer -- it can be devastating in so many ways. The best way to find success for both you and your dog is... read full article

People who don’t understand how much you love your dog may not be the best to lean on while dealing with your dog's illness.

Dealing with People Who Don’t Understand Dog Cancer

Not everyone will understand how hard it is when you are facing an illness or end-of-life decisions with your dog. Even if your loved ones don't understand, there are ways to garner their support or... read full article

Bone marrow suppression in dogs is a serious side effect of chemotherapy. It can often be reversed, and is something your veterinarian will want to monitor.

Bone Marrow Suppression in Dogs

Bone marrow plays a pivotal role in the creation of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets, which are critical for a dog’s health. Many cancer treatments cause bone marrow suppression in dogs, but... read full article

dog ultrasound is a really common, non-invasive imaging test.

Ultrasound Examination In Dogs

Ultrasound examination in dogs is a very safe and noninvasive tool that provides detailed pictures and videos of tissues inside of the body. It is most often used to look at organs in the abdomen. read full article

cordyceps for dogs with cancer

Cordyceps

This unique group of mushrooms may support your dog’s immune system and protect her organ function during cancer treatment. 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

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

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

dog cancer vaccine trial logo for Vaccination Against Canine Cancer Study VACCS Trial

Vaccination Against Canine Cancer Study (VACCS)

The Vaccination Against Canine Cancer Study (VACCS trial) is currently underway. This study is unique because it is not looking at a treatment method. Instead, it is evaluating a new cancer vaccine for dogs that... read full article

Is sunshine good for dogs? This dog is backlit with beautiful sunshine. His white fur is a risk for sun exposure, but the the black markings and thickness of the fur probably help.

Sunshine for Dogs

Sunlight is usually perfectly safe for your dog (and even beneficial for dogs with cancer!), but certain dogs are at risk for sun damage. read full article

CareCredit for Dogs with cancer

CareCredit for Dogs

CareCredit is a credit card with low interest available only for medical expenses that is accepted just about everywhere. It may be the financial solution you are looking for. read full article

Genomic Tumor Testing for Dogs

Genomic Tumor Testing for Dogs

Tumor genotyping examines your dog’s tumor to discover important molecular targets for effective and individualized cancer treatment. Already used in human oncology, it might well be “the future” of diagnosing and treating dog cancer. read full article

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