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.
Osteosarcoma: when amputation is not an option
In my most recent blog, we discussed amputation for limb osteosarcoma (OSA), the most common local treatment for the primary tumor in the bone. We discussed that amputation is not an easy decision for pet Guardians, even though most older dogs with average, moderate arthritis usually do well on three legs. If my clients are…
Read ArticleClinical Trials for Dog Cancer: Pros and Cons
Dog lovers coping with canine cancer often are looking for solutions. When hearing the news that a loved dog has cancer, and the statistics and costs related to chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery, many times a guardian will start looking for something else to try, a solution that seems better than what is available. Often the…
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Why Is Diet Ignored In Dog Cancer Care?
Why on earth is diet ignored in dog cancer? This is a huge blind spot in the veterinary profession. We should start looking at this.
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Is Optimism Appropriate in Dog Cancer?
Are we setting ourselves up for disappointment by holding on to optimism when it comes to dog cancer treatments?
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Modified Citrus Pectin, Dogs, and Cancer
Modified citrus pectin, dogs, and cancer: This inexpensive, easy to give food product may offer powerful benefits to dogs with cancer.
Read ArticleHow Long to “Watch and Wait”
Last week I told you about two recent cases in which the tumors were too big for surgery by the time they came to me. I also promised to give you some guidelines about how long to wait when your vet says “let’s just monitor this.” Too many lumps and bumps are being monitored for…
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Staying Vigilant with Mass Aspirates
Should you really get EVERY lump checked? Dr. Susan Ettinger, DVM, Dip. ACVIM (Oncology) explains why we should all stay vigilant with mass aspirates and get everything checked.
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Soil Depletion and Nutrients in Your Dog
Trace minerals and elements have not gotten the attention they deserve for our pets’ health. For example, zinc, selenium and magnesium are all critically important for dogs fighting cancer for many reasons, among them immunity and resistance to drug reactions. One of the reasons this may be problematic is that many ill dogs have low…
Read ArticleOn Blame
For those coping with dog cancer, there is usually a very large amount of pain. First is the shock of the diagnosis, which is common. After this comes a flood of emotions of various kinds. For some it is confusion, trying to make sense of what it actually means to have a dog with cancer.…
Read ArticleBeta Glucan-containing mushrooms in the news again!
Beta glucans are back in the media, this time is the form of a new mushroom extract. This of course will not be surprising to our regular readers or anyone who has read The Dog Cancer Survival Guide, since the use of these compounds are part of the full-spectrum approach to canine cancer. This approach…
Read ArticleImmune System Fuel
Dogs with cancer, especially widespread cancer, have a lot of different health issues that need special attention. The cancer has a way of overtaking and affecting many different body systems. In order for us to beat the odds in any consistent way, we need to tend to each of these different cancer effects. As readers…
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Brussels Sprouts, Broccoli and Cabbage in Dog Cancer Diet?
Is it safe to give dogs brussels sprouts broccoli and cabbage in dog cancer diets? Demian Dressler, DVM explains why it’s both safe and necessary.
Read ArticleAttitude Adjustment in Coping With Canine Cancer
One of the most shocking discoveries for some guardians starting their dog cancer journey is there seem to be few options. These guardians go to the vet or oncologist, and many times return from the visit with a very heavy burden that seems to have little relief. And strangely, it happens to those who ask…
Read ArticleCyberKnife RadioSurgery in Pets
If you have been following me on Facebook at Dr. Sue Cancer Vet, you know that last week I was lecturing with what I call “ASC Team CyberKnife.” This team includes radiation oncologist Dr. Sarah Charney, neurologists Drs. Rick Joseph and Jason Berg, and me, the medical oncologist. We manage all the CyberKnife patients that…
Read ArticleOleic Acid, Red Meat, and Mammary Cancer
As readers of The Dog Cancer Survival Guide know, dogs who have not been spayed by their fourth heat run a higher risk for mammary cancer. (Spaying offers its own risks for other types of cancer, but that’s another post.) But other factors can contribute to canine mammary cancer, and some of these are not…
Read ArticleThe chemotherapy appointment, demystified
Ever wonder what happens at your dog chemotherapy appointment? The idea of chemo may conjure up an image of a bunch of people sitting around in chairs hooked up to their IV chemo lines, but how do we do that in dogs? Let’s break a typical chemo appointment down, with Charlie as my example. Charlie…
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Could Killing “Good” Bacteria Increase GI Cancer Risk?
Probiotics are linked to all sorts of necessary bodily functions. But do they really help to prevent cancer?
Read ArticleGinseng, a common Chinese herb, For Dog Cancer
Ginsing is a common herb used in eastern medicine, and is now being used for dogs by practitioners of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine. There is good reason for this. Ginseng has some very definite effects that are real, and may help a dog with cancer. I’d be thinking mainly of using ginseng for mammary cancers…
Read ArticleCalcium in Dog Cancer
Calcium levels in your dog’s body can be a tricky business. Like any medical care step, there are different sides of the coin that need to be looked at for your dog with cancer. First, many dog lovers are feeding their dogs home made diets. Since these dogs are not eating pieces of a carcass…
Read ArticleDCA Not Advised At This Time for Dog Cancer
DCA, also called dichloroacetic acid or sodium dichloroacetate, is gaining popularity for dog cancer. It is now widely available. In the search for something better, Guardians are scouring the internet to get an edge on the disease. And this is understandable, as a dog cancer diagnosis with statistics can be very difficult to accept for…
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