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Featuring Demian Dressler, DVM and Sue Ettinger, DVM, Dip. ACVIM (Oncology), authors of The Dog Cancer Survival Guide

The Number One Way to Cure Canine Cancer

Updated: February 5th, 2019

These days, there is so much information out there about cancer in dogs.  Some is good, and some is not that hot.   If you dig, you will find enough to make your head spin.

You will get the basics from your vet or oncologist. These are what I call The Big Three, and consist of surgery, chemotherapy and radiation.  This is conventional cancer care.



Then we have more  “alternative” treatments, including special diets and supplements.  Go further into alternative cancer care and you find Neoplasine, ozone, IV vitamin C, high doses of certain bioflavanoids, touch therapies, mind-body fields like psychoneuroimmunology, chronotherapy, and more.

The cutting edge advances in both these big areas are covered in The Dog Cancer Survival Guide.

Many of the comments I receive on this blog are from concerned dog lovers who are trying to come to an action plan that makes sense.  They are often faced with trying to make lemonade from life’s juiceless lemons.

In dealing with this difficult struggle, sometimes the best choices are unclear.  However, there is a single statement that I believe few who know what they are talking about would deny.  It involves the one treatment that is most likely to cure a dog of cancer.


Get a copy of the Dog Cancer Survival Guide to learn more information and tools to help your dog with cancer


The number one way to cure canine cancer, at the present moment, is surgical removal of cancer cells.

None of the other techniques or approaches are as effective.

Now, this does not necessarily mean that you will select surgery as the treatment for your dog.  There are life quality factors to consider.  Some tumors cannot be removed without harming the body.  Some dogs have other issues that make surgery impossible.

But folks, this is the bottom line.  Get the cancer cells out.

Neither diet, supplements, chemotherapy, radiation, or any other facet of cancer care in dog is as effective as this single, old-school approach.

Best,

Dr D

Leave a Comment





  1. Nicole on September 18, 2009 at 3:05 am

    Our almost five year old Boxer Titan was diagnosed last Saturday with stage 4 lymphoma. He had stopped eating completely, and was lethargic. The vet said we could start all the diagnostic testing and chemotherapy, but frankly she thought we would be better off to put him on prednisone and get a few more good weeks out of him. We have three kids and Titan has been part of their lives for the last five years. The news landed hard on all of us. We are not able to afford chemotherapy after researching it. Now after a week on Prednisone, we are noticing changes in his personality as well as other side effects of the meds. I’m torn between prolonging his life and ending his misery. nicole

  2. Diana Marsden on September 14, 2009 at 2:45 pm

    PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE!!!Someone help soon. Our beloved Otis 5 years old was diagnosed with cancer today Sept.14 @ 3:oopm the vet said it started somewhere else in his body and now his lungs is full of cancer, he only became sick 1 week ago.He said we would have to take him to a bigger city to find out where it started but we need to do it right away for he has days maybe a week or two and gave him a cortizone shot then pills of Dexamethasone 75mg.twice a day.Please help is there hope?We are desperate before it’s to late!
    Sincerely: Diana and Otis

  3. Kathy on September 11, 2009 at 4:37 pm

    My 12-1/2 year old ridgeback had a fibrosarcoma removed 10 days ago. It’s either a high Grade II or a III, depending on interpretation of the pathology reports from what I can tell (surgeon and oncologist had slightly different interpretations). I’m going to go with metronomic chemo. There was some thought I should do conventional chemo, but given her age, the recurrence rate (40-50% seems to be the range), and the fact she’s kind of a baby, I don’t see putting her through the full chemo when from what I can find online, there’s not a huge difference in survival times. So I guess I’m comfortable with the decision but there’s that residue of guilt about not doing EVERYTHING. Realistically, a 12-1/2 year old ridgeback isn’t looking at a long time horizon under normal circumstances, which is another consideration. But I gather this is a 3-6 month horizon, in all probability. Would you agree? She recovered well from surgery, feels good, eats like a pig, and seems like herself. So I’m going for quality over quantity, and hope this is the right call. any thoughts welcome…

  4. kris on August 28, 2009 at 2:57 pm

    Our Pug Kasey K has just been diagnosed with mouth cancer- I see surgery is the option of choice- how can they do surgery on his mouth and sinus’s and give him any quality of life?
    We are devastated and financially we will not be able to afford surgery or chemo… just to walk in for a consult is $200.00 I make 12.00 an hr- come on I feel horrible that because I can’t pay for surgery he will die.. do I have any options? I am so afraid of loosing him but I will not allow him to suffer. thanks to anyone who can help us through this.
    Kris

  5. Shelley Russo on August 19, 2009 at 1:47 pm

    Thanks for answering Dr. Dressler. I found out this morning that the tumor on Pugsley’s rear leg is low grade 2. We head out to VetMed next Wednesday morning. They called the new drug “Pax 2” or something sounding very similar. Any thoughts? Again, thank you.

  6. Anu Shyam on August 18, 2009 at 12:50 pm

    Aloha doctor

    You mentioned that there are times when surgery is impossible. Can surgery through laser be used effectively in such cases.

    Anu

  7. james carrell on August 18, 2009 at 10:40 am

    MY advice to everyone,,,,try contacting a HOMEOPATHIC Vet.
    They seem to understand more about the “CANCER” than any conventional vet ever would. And as far as the Vet throwing the K-9 immunity info away,,,,,DEFINITELY stay away from ALL that negative energy. I KNOW,,,,,,,,,you see, my OLD/conventional vets actually gave my baby “CANCER”,,,and then they wanted to use THE SAME meds that made her so sick,,to treat her “CANCER”. We jumped ship, went to a HOMEOPATHIC VET.
    We lost our baby back in April, but the knowledge that we gained was unbelievable. We lost her,, BUT SHE WAS NOT IN PAIN,,,,and without using painkillers!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    good luck everyone

  8. franklin on August 17, 2009 at 5:46 pm

    my 14 year old WGSD has splenic tumor.also has 2 tumors on heart.was told no chance for surgery and 3 weeks to live on june 30 this year.this is aug 17 2009.she still goes out on country rides with me and is still active.i have put her on supplements K-9 brand and using cancer diet as described in DR Dresslers book. Is there anything else I can do? my vet is a traditional one threw away this info about K-9 supplemental , in his waste basket at his office.I am going it alone rite now.If someone has an idea for me please advise as the animal still has the 5 quality of life mentioned in Dr dresslers booK. THANKYOU DR Dressler for writing such a wonderful book.

  9. Dr. Dressler on August 16, 2009 at 11:32 pm

    Are you talking about Masitinib?
    If so, the early data looks good. If I had a dog with a non-resectable grade 2 or 3 MCT, I would consider it. There is much more in the e-book, as you might guess..good luck!
    D

  10. Shelley Russo on August 14, 2009 at 8:01 am

    My 4 year old Boxer, Pugsley, who I’ve had from birth, was diagnosed in mid-July with 2 mast cell tumors. His bloodwork, buffy coat and lymph node tests all came back fine. The small tumor on his ear hasn’t changed, but a larger one on his hind leg, below the hock on the back of the leg, is growing. It is currently being graded, but we don’t have the results yet. The oncologist doesn’t think surgery will get it all due to the location. Radiation was recommended, but I can’t afford it. VetMed in Columbus, Ohio, is considering Pugsley for a new chemo drug (not Palladia) if it is a grade 2 or 3 tumor. I have read a lot, but there is so much information out there that it is overwhelming and very confusing. I just don’t know what is best for my baby. This boy is my heart & soul, my constant companion, my playmate and my shoulder to cry on. Can you offer any opinion, help or direction for us to go in? We would truly appreciate it. Thanks.

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