Full Spectrum Cancer Care
Full Spectrum Cancer Care is the approach taken by the authors of The Dog Cancer Survival Guide. In Full Spectrum cancer care, we embrace any method that has been shown to help dogs with cancer, regardless of its source.
Guidelines for Dealing with Your Dog’s Chemotherapy Side Effects
As I’ve discussed in other posts, chemotherapy is very well tolerated in dogs. Yes I know that is hard to believe. I have had family members get chemo and we have all seen it on TV, but happily it’s not like that for dogs. Approximately 80% of dogs do not have side effects at all…
Read ArticleGiving Your Dog Chemotherapy at Home, Safely
Have to give your dog chemotherapy at home? Dr. Susan Ettinger, DVM, Dip. ACVIM (Oncology) has tips to keep you and your loved ones safe.
Read ArticleIs It OK to Use Leftover Drugs If My Dog Gets Sick?
Should you use those old prescriptions if your dog’s symptoms return? It turns out you probably shouldn’t. Dr. Stacy Branch, our resident pharmacologist, explains why.
Read ArticleUsing 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…
Read ArticleBetter Life Quality: Play with Your Dog with Cancer
How important is it to play with your dog with cancer? Very!
Read ArticleDiet and Dogs with Cancer
Dr. Ettinger’s views on diet have changed since she co-authored The Dog Cancer Survival Guide and attended the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Associations’ conference. This is important stuff!
Read ArticleFacing 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.
Read ArticleIs Your Dog’s Food Helping or Hurting?
One of the most important things you can do for your dog with cancer is improving his or her diet, which is why Dr. Demian Dressler, author of The Dog Cancer Survival Guide, made food the exclusive focus of step four of his five step approach to cancer care. But how far do you have…
Read ArticleDo 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…
Read Article“Alternative” Strategies That May Help Dogs with Cancer
Some conventional vets find Chapter Fifteen in The Dog Cancer Survival Guide one of the most controversial sections of the book. It’s where Dr. Demian Dressler talks about his fifth step in Full Spectrum cancer care: brain chemistry modification. Dr. Dressler has found that it’s really important to boost your dog’s mood in order to…
Read ArticleWinter 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…
Read ArticleChecking your Dog for Testicular Cancer
One for the Boys Intact males (those who have not been neutered) may, in later years be more prone to bladder, prostate or testicular cancer. Dr. Ettinger’s post “Spay/neuter and the association with cancer in dogs: part one” discusses the pros and cons of neutering in more detail, and is a wonderful read. When my…
Read ArticleIs 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…
Read ArticleHow Old Is Too Old to Treat Dog Cancer?
I hear this question a lot: “Isn’t my dog too old to treat for cancer?” The answer is: No! Age is not a disease. I have many 12-plus year old patients that are otherwise healthy and strong. They may have some early kidney disease, a heart murmur, thyroid disease, arthritis, but they are still good…
Read ArticleHoliday Foods and Dog Cancer
We all want our dogs to join in the holiday fun. Here are some safety tips to keep in mind.
Read ArticleShould My Regular Veterinarian Give My Dog Chemotherapy?
Here’s a touchy subject for us to look at: why can’t my regular veterinarian give my dog chemotherapy? Do I really need to see a specialist? I am often asked these questions by clients, and my answer is always the same: no. That might sound harsh, but let’s look at this a little closer. If…
Read ArticleCommon Cancer Mistake: Assuming Chemotherapy Is Not an Option
Do dogs suffer during chemotherapy for their cancer treatments? This veterinary oncologist has an answer that might surprise you.
Read ArticleCommon Dog Cancer Mistake: Doing Too Many Diagnostic Tests Before Seeing the Oncologist
When you first hear your dog has cancer, you may panic and feel that everything must be done, and now. It’s true, cancer is an urgent situation, and it’s a great idea to find out as much information about your dog’s cancer as is possible. But how many diagnostic tests should you have your vet…
Read ArticleFive Common Mistakes with Cancer Surgery, and How To Avoid Them In Your Dog
These are the five most common mistakes with cancer surgery. Read on to find out how to save both time and money (yes, really).
Read ArticleWhat Is Full Spectrum Cancer Care?
How does Full Spectrum Cancer Care differ from conventional, holistic, or alternative care? It drops the bias and embraces tools from any system of medicine that have been shown to help fight cancer.
Read ArticleHow to Help Your Dog with Cancer When He Won’t Eat
When your cancer dog won’t eat, it’s really frightening. It makes you think they’re close to the end, right? Don’t panic – try these things to help.
Read ArticleHeterocyclic Amines in the News
I’m happy to report a news article highlighting one of the subjects, carcinogenic heterocyclic amines, discussed in the Guide. The Mercola article discussed a publication about finding this substance, PhIP, in dog fur (as an aside, not all dogs have fur, as some have hair, but that is a different story!). PhIP is in a…
Read ArticleLow Dose Chemotherapy Better for Canine Hemangiosarcoma?
Chemotherapy in dogs is normally given at doses that are as high as possible without causing too many side effects. This is to try to rid the body of as many cancer cells as we can, although some dogs will have occasional side effects related to the use of conventional chemotherapy. For this reason, there…
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