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

What’s New in Dog Cancer Treatments: Integrative Oncology Going Into 2022

Dog cancer treatments are steadily embracing integrative therapies as well as conventional options. Let’s look at what’s on the horizon.

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I Can’t Afford the Vet Bills … But I Want to Save My Dog!

Today’s episode of Dog Cancer Answers is about a really sensitive subject: what happens when you can’t afford cancer treatments? There are two ways to think about this, and we cover both. First up is the many ways that you can get help with finances. Not all of them might apply to your situation, but…

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dog cancer blood test

New Early Detection Dog Cancer Blood Test Being Developed

If this “rock star” veterinary oncologist has her way, we’ll be able to detect some forms of dog cancer way earlier than we can now. With a blood test!

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My dog has cancer. What do I need to know? People holding hands on top of wood table

My Dog Has Cancer: What Do I Need to Know?

“My dog has cancer” … UGH. Read this to hear what dog lovers wish they knew from the beginning of their dog cancer journey. Lots of wisdom here!

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don't want to treat dog cancer

I Don’t Want to Treat Dog Cancer!

Don’t want to treat dog cancer? Dr. Dressler talks about how that’s totally, 100% understandable. Also, none of our business.

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Dog Cancer Surgery: What I’ve Learned So You Don’t Have To

Dog cancer surgery is really scary, and there’s a lot to think about. The editor of The Dog Cancer Survival Guide just went through it.

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Apoptosis for Cancer Cells: Read Chapter 7 To Find Out Why This Tiny, Normal, Natural Body Process Is the Heart of My Approach to Full Spectrum Dog Cancer Care

Apoptosis for cancer cells is a new and logical approach. Cells commit suicide when they are old, deranged or damaged … so why don’t cancer cells?

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Financial Assistance for Dogs with Cancer: Resources from The Dog Cancer Vet Team

Financial assistance for dogs with cancer is available, although you might have to fill out a few forms 🙂 Here’s a list of the best resources.

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Recommended Supplements for Dogs with Cancer: The Most Important Supplements in Order of Importance from The Dog Cancer Survival Guide

Readers of The Dog Cancer Survival Guide check Appendix A to find the most important supplements for dogs with cancer listed in order of importance.

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How Do You Know If Your Dog Has Cancer for Sure? Read Chapter 9: How We Diagnose and Stage Cancer

How do you know if your dog has cancer? Well, no one can tell by look or feel. You have to test. Learn how veterinarians diagnose and stage cancer.

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How to Use the Mitotic Index to Make Decisions About Mast Cell Tumors

Is using the mitotic index mast cell tumor diagnosis useful? In some cases, not as much as others. But when it’s useful, it’s REALLY useful!

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lumps on dogs

Lumps On Dogs: When To Get Them Checked By A Veterinarian

Finding lumps on dogs is scary, but waiting to get them checked is a terrible idea. The sooner you know what it is, the better. Get the guidelines now.

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How to Make Decisions About Dog Cancer Treatments

Overwhelmed and anxious, and unsure how to make decisions about dog cancer treatments? Read this article to find out how to “think like an entrepreneur” and calculate the risk.

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The Most Important Question in Dog Cancer

What’s the most important question in dog cancer care? You’ll be surprised at what Dr. Dressler has to say.

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pet insurance for dogs

Pet Insurance for Dogs with Cancer

Pet insurance for dogs didn’t used to cover cancer costs … but that has changed. Woo hoo!

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Video: Lump on Dog? Here’s What You Need to Know

Don’t wait — aspirate. Dr. Susan Ettinger helped Dr. Andy Roark with this excellent, informative video about WHY we should ask our vets to test each bump or lump.

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Kindness in the Waiting Room

It’s easy to lose hope when your dog has cancer. This heartwarming story can help you remember that beautiful things can happen, too.

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Treating Dogs with Cancer As If They’re My Own

Can I treat a dog in my care as if he were my own?

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Don’t Forget Your Dog at the Veterinarian

When booking a new consultation with me, pet Guardians often ask if it is necessary to bring their dog to the appointment. From their point of view, they are often concerned about the stress of the visit on their pet, or maybe the travel itself. But from my point of view, a consultation without the…

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Checking Your Dog’s Legs for Signs of Osteosarcoma

Taking it in Stride: Those Amazing Legs Osteosarcoma (bone cancer) is a common cancer in our dogs, and it usually develops in the long bones of the legs and the ankle or hock joint.  It is more common in some breeds than others, and although there are certain reasons a dog is predisposed to bone…

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Using the Full Spectrum Approach: Alternative and Complementary Therapies for Dogs with Cancer

When my dog was first diagnosed with cancer I spent time every day looking for help for him.  It’s what we do.  My vet was wonderful, and together we worked out a great conventional treatment plan.  But I wanted more. I wanted everything that had any chance of helping. Sound familiar? In addition to terrific…

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Prepare for Emergencies with Senior or Ill Dogs

The Call We Don’t Want to Make This is a tough one to write, and it will probably be a tough one to read.  But part of being my dog’s champion, guardian, friend, and ‘parent’ means I have to be prepared to help. We all do, like it or not. It’s been over three years…

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Facing Dog Cancer? This Is Your First Priority

Want to help your dog with cancer? Learn this, FIRST — it’s the foundation of every cancer journey.

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How Is Your Relationship with Your Vet?

Dr. Demian Dressler, author of The Dog Cancer Survival Guide, and his oncologist co-author, Dr. Susan Ettinger, don’t always agree about everything. But they definitely agree that you are the ultimate authority on your own dog – and that’s why you should take on the role of “Primary Health Advocate.” As Primary Health Advocate, you…

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Do You Need an Oncologist on Your Dog Cancer Team?

Do you really need an oncologist on your dog cancer team? Sigh. As always with dog cancer, the answer is not the same for everyone. Dead Set Against Conventional Treatments? No Need. If you already know that you would never, ever, ever use surgery, chemotherapy or radiation to treat your dog’s cancer, hiring a specialist…

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Budgeting for Your Dog’s Cancer Care

It’s a sad fact that budget concerns will probably impact which cancer treatments you choose for your dog. Especially when it comes to conventional care, the price tag can be quite high. According to studies, conventional cancer treatments (surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy), typically cost between $5,000 and $8,000. Single treatments, like surgery, may cost $2,000 or…

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Winter Dangers for Dogs with Cancer

Even as I begin writing this post I sigh at the title “Winter Dangers”.  It just seems that everywhere we turn there is a threat! And constantly being on guard can be exhausting! So I offer this to you both from the perspective of caring for your dog with cancer, who may be more vulnerable…

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Why Your Personality Is So Important to Your Dog with Cancer

When treating dog cancer, knowing your personality and priorities helps you make treatment choices that will help your dog AND feel right to you.

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How Important Are All Those Expensive Diagnostic Dog Cancer Tests?

You could easily spend over $1,000 just to diagnose your dog’s cancer. Are any of those tests worth it? Which ones?

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Is my dog too old for cancer treatments? Face of black dog.

Is My Dog Too Old For Cancer Treatments?

Age is not a disease, but when your dog is diagnosed with cancer, it can be confusing to know if your dog too old for cancer treatments. Dr. Dressler explains…

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