New treatment for Dogs with Melanoma
Dr. Demian Dressler is internationally recognized as “the dog cancer vet” because of his innovations in the field of dog cancer management, and the popularity of his blog here at Dog Cancer Blog. The owner of South Shore Veterinary Care, a full-service veterinary hospital in Maui, Hawaii, Dr. Dressler studied Animal Physiology and received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of California at Davis before earning his Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from Cornell University. After practicing at Killewald Animal Hospital in Amherst, New York, he returned to his home state, Hawaii, to practice at the East Honolulu Pet Hospital before heading home to Maui to open his own hospital. Dr. Dressler consults both dog lovers and veterinary professionals, and is sought after as a speaker on topics ranging from the links between lifestyle choices and disease, nutrition and cancer, and animal ethics. His television appearances include “Ask the Vet” segments on local news programs. He is the author of The Dog Cancer Survival Guide: Full Spectrum Treatments to Optimize Your Dog’s Life Quality and Longevity. He is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, the Hawaii Veterinary Medical Association, the American Association of Avian Veterinarians, the National Animal Supplement Council and CORE (Comparative Orthopedic Research Evaluation). He is also an advisory board member for Pacific Primate Sanctuary.
Updated: December 20th, 2018
Chalk up a win for the Animal Medical Center and Memorial Sloan Kettering. These two medical facilities have teamed up with Merial, one of the major companies producing drugs for dogs.
They came up with a winner: a vaccination for dogs that have malignant melanoma, a type of cancer of the skin or mouth.
This is not a vaccine that is used to protect from cancer. The word vaccine is a bit vague, because in common use this is something that is given in order to protect from a disease.
This vaccine is used only after a dog is diagnosed with melanoma.
Melanoma in dogs has different grades (some are more aggressive than others) and different stages (some have spread farther than others).
The usual stats are pretty dismal for the high grade melanomas, especially of the mouth or on the toes. Even with standard conventional care, these have a median survival of 2-4 months at worst, and about 5 months or so at best (remember, not every dog follows these stats).
The nice thing about this melanoma vaccine is that it has been shown to triple survival times. Not too shabby!
The vaccination just got conditional approval by the USDA last May and may be available through an veterinary oncologist near you.
Best to all,
Dr D
Dr. Demian Dressler is internationally recognized as “the dog cancer vet” because of his innovations in the field of dog cancer management, and the popularity of his blog here at Dog Cancer Blog. The owner of South Shore Veterinary Care, a full-service veterinary hospital in Maui, Hawaii, Dr. Dressler studied Animal Physiology and received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of California at Davis before earning his Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from Cornell University. After practicing at Killewald Animal Hospital in Amherst, New York, he returned to his home state, Hawaii, to practice at the East Honolulu Pet Hospital before heading home to Maui to open his own hospital. Dr. Dressler consults both dog lovers and veterinary professionals, and is sought after as a speaker on topics ranging from the links between lifestyle choices and disease, nutrition and cancer, and animal ethics. His television appearances include “Ask the Vet” segments on local news programs. He is the author of The Dog Cancer Survival Guide: Full Spectrum Treatments to Optimize Your Dog’s Life Quality and Longevity. He is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, the Hawaii Veterinary Medical Association, the American Association of Avian Veterinarians, the National Animal Supplement Council and CORE (Comparative Orthopedic Research Evaluation). He is also an advisory board member for Pacific Primate Sanctuary.
Jaenie,
My dog was diagnosed with Stage III oral melanoma 23 months ago. She was 11 years old at the time. My local vet in Chicago gave her only 2 to 4 weeks to live. I took her to University of Wisconsin in Madison. The 3cmm tumor was in her jaw and the cancer had also spread throughout her mandibal and check bone, very advanced. The University of Wisconsin Veterinary Hospital removed her jaw and cheekbone, along with lympy nodes. Very narrow, but clean margins. The following week she started 4 radiation treatments (one per week), along with the ONCEPT vaccine every other week. The radiation treatments were presented as a precautionary and optional measure. I chose to give her these four radiation treatements with NO regret. It’s now been OVER 23 months since her surgery and radiation treatments (with absolutely NO side-effects) and she’s alive and happy, with no reoccurence of cancer anywhere in her body!!! She just turned 13 years old last week. I take her for a check-up every 3 months, and she gets her ONCEPT booster shot every 6 months. I highly recommend that you give her the optional four radiation treatements along with the vaccine.
Maria,
SO WONDERFUL to hear about your dog and her response to treatment. Living longer and living well – that’s what treating dogs and cats with cancer is all about! =)
All my best, Dr Sue
Teddy is 9-10 yr. old rescued Golden/Chow mix. Vet discovered 2 small melanoma tumors on far back top of tongue during dental cleaning. She removed them with laser surgery and “good” margins but know always chance of micrometastastis. Lymph nodes appear clear, no lung evidence. We are going with the Merial vaccine for sure but onco vet also pushing coarse-fract radiation treatments (once a week x 4) with risk of longer-term bone necrosis and loss of hair around jaw/chin (where he scratches due to allergies). Anyone had experience with radiation targeting back of tongue tumor(s)? He also has some other health issues (deaf, allergies, irregular heartbeat, heartworm survivor) so I am trying to trade off quality of life v. extra time radiation might provide. Thank you.
Jaenie,
Good local control is important for dogs with melanoma. I would encourage you do do radiation and the vaccine. Typically the benefits of course fractionated radiation outweigh the risks. Check out the chapter in the Dog Cancer Survival Guide for more info on melanoma. And good luck!!
All my best, Dr Sue
Kuma and I have decided to try the melanoma vaccine. We had the tumors from the back of the tongue debulked for the 2nd time and we have just completed the 4th shot. It’s been two months now Kuma’s appetite is great he still pulls me on walks and wags his tail! I have started to smell a slight fishy odor coming from his mouth but I am staying optimistic that this vaccine is working! The X-rays so far show no sign of metastasis:)
🙂
Hi….We are seriously considering adopting a rescue dog that successfully had a small melanoma lesion removed. The vet’s report indicates that the cancer has not metastasized and the dog is in overall good health. Would she be a good candidate for this “vaccine”? If we are to continue with the adoption process, would someone be willing to give us suggestions as to how to best keep her healthy and boost her immune system?
Dear Dr Dressler,
My 13 1/2 year old chow mix was diagnosed with malignant melanoma. He had a tumor on the back of his tongue and my vet was able to remove most of it. However it has returned and my vet is trying to have it removed again as I am writing this message to you. What if the mass has come back and its worse possibly has gone everywhere? How do I know if he is a good candidate for this new melanoma vaccine? Am I trying to just buy time for myself is it inhumane to keep a dog living longer with cancer? Please advise we need help:(
Best regards,
Kuma and Joann
Dear Dr Dressler,
My 13 yr old male chow mix was diagnosed with malignant melanoma on the back of his tongue. My vet was able to debunk the tumor and it was excised but it has returned. My vet will try to debunk the mass again. What if the mass is everywhere now? When is it too late for my dog to be considered a candidate for this new melanoma vaccine? Am I just buying time for myself? is it inhumane to try to keep a dog living as long as he can with cancer? Please help:(
Best regards,
Kuma and Joann
We are contemplating an imminent mandibulectomy on our 14 year old Scottie following the removal of a stage 1 melanoma mass on the gum, lower left side. He is otherwise in good health and a very alert dog. The oral surgeon comes highly recommended by our veterinarian and by the oncologist we saw. We would feel better knowing the opinions of anyone who has gone through the surgery with their dog and would like to know if it was worth putting their dog through the procedure regarding quality of life post-surgery.
Our 10 yr 10 month Rhodesian Ridgeback was diagnosed today with high grade melanoma. Two weeks ago he had his eye removed due to a tumor causing glaucoma. The biopsy of the eye came back today and was malignant. Does this vaccine work for dogs with melanoma of the eye? Our vet said is prognosis is guarded. His surgery and recovery went very well, but as of yesterday he has stopped eating and is very lethargic.
Our retiever/chow was recently diagnosed with melanoma. She had the golf ball size growth removed, from her gums, as well as her left lymphlode. She has had her first vaccination and requires 3 more. The vaccinations are costing us approximately $540.00 apiece. (St. Louis, MO area) According to our Oncologist, she has a promising prognosis. We realize it’s not a cure, and the expense is burdensome, but any extra time with her is well worth it.
My 9 yr old king Charles cavalier was diagnose with malignant melanoma 7 weeks ago . 2cm mass removed from her mouth . No clear margins . Cxr clear at the time . I have decided to not treat her with the vaccine . She may also have Cushing’s disease . And she also has tested positive for lyme ‘s disease . I don’t know what to be looking for . Dr said 3-6 months . But guarded .. She is my heart and I don’t want her to suffer .. Recently she has been cough gagging intermittently .. And stretching her neck and swallowing funny when not eating .. She has no problem with food in her dish . What kind of testing should I presume ? The dr last week prescribed some meds for reflux .. Appreciate any help