Dog Cancer Answers

Inspired by a question from listener Mariana Diaz regarding her Pomeranian, Joya, who is battling lymphoma, this episode explores the potential of T-cell infusions as a follow-up treatment to the CHOP chemotherapy protocol. Join us as we consult with veterinary oncologist Dr. Megan Duffy to uncover the science, the practicality, and the future of T-cell infusions in canine cancer treatment. Join our Facebook support group at https://www.dogcancer.com/support Your Voice Matters! If you have a question for our team, or if you want to share your own hopeful dog cancer story, we want to hear from you! Go to https://www.dogcancer.com/ask to submit your question or story, or call our Listener Line at +1 808-868-3200 to leave a question. Related Videos:            Learn about dog lymphoma from Dr. Demian Dressler: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PNbQ4mNx938 Did you know dogs can get bone marrow transplant for lymphoma? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=49DaJWBuOMM More from Dr. Megan Duffy about new treatments in this in-depth look at Laverdia for dogs with lymphoma: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Didq5brhso Related Links: An amazing overview article about Lymphoma in Dogs on DogCancer.com: https://www.dogcancer.com/articles/types-of-dog-cancer/lymphoma-in-dogs/ Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction to T-Cell Infusions for dogs with lymphoma 01:00 - Share Your Story and Ask Your Question 02:00 – Preview T-Cell Infusion Validity and the Practical Challenges of T-Cell Infusions 05:00 - Mariana's Question on T-Cell Infusion for Joya the Pomeranian Fighting Lymphoma with the CHOP Protocol 06:00 – T-Cell Infusion for B-Cell Lymphoma vs. T-Cell Lymphoma with Veterinary Oncologist Dr. Megan Duffy 07:00 - Concerns and Recommendations When Considering T-Cell Infusion Therapy 08:00 – The Experimental Nature and Research on T-Cell Harvesting 09:00 - Blood Volume Needed and T-Cell Infusion Process Explained 10:00 - Future of T-Cell Infusion in Veterinary Medicine 11:00 - Closing Remarks and Reminder to Share Your Own Story! 12:00 - Outro and Disclaimer -- Get to know Dr. Megan Duffy: https://www.dogcancer.com/people/megan-duffy-dvm-acvim-oncology/ For more details, articles, podcast episodes, and quality education, go to the episode page: https://www.dogcancer.com/podcast/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

ELIAS Animal Health CEO Tammie Wahaus returns to Dog Cancer Answers to talk about the company’s immunotherapy for dogs with osteosarcoma, which recently cleared an important milestone on the way to market. ELIAS hopes their treatment will be accepted and used as a safe and appropriate alternative to chemotherapy in dogs with osteosarcoma. Instead of using chemotherapy to control metastasis, ELIAS uses the dog’s tumor to create a series of vaccines. Once the dog has the vaccinations, their immune system cells are harvested, taken back to the ELIAS labs, and spun up into an “army of angry killer T-cells” that are ready to murder that specific tumor! It's truly personalized medicine, and it’s the first of its kind in animals OR people. Join us as we follow ELIAS progress on the way to market. Listen to the first interview here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YGIvyktfXlY ELIAS Animal Health’s website: https://eliasanimalhealth.com/ Join our Facebook support group at https://dogcancer.com/support Call +1 808-868-3200 to leave a question on our Listener Line for a future show! Related Videos:            Tammie Wahaus’s first interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YGIvyktfXlY Dr. Susan Ettinger, AKA Dr. Sue Cancer Vet, on HER2/NEU immunotherapy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AEbcZVLoNeY Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction: ELIAS Animal Health's Alternative to Chemotherapy for Dog Osteosarcoma 02:05 – Personalized Cancer Treatment for Dogs on the Horizon? 04:06 - Regulatory Landscape: Navigating the USDA Process 05:43 - Clinical Trial Results: Promising Alternatives to Traditional Chemotherapy 08:30 - Comparison with Chemotherapy: Effectiveness and Safety Insights 10:56 - Future Look: Will Carboplatin Continue to Be Standard of Care for Osteosarcoma? 12:45 - Safety Concerns: Cytokine Release Syndrome from Immunotherapy 19:30 – New Targets: Combining Immunotherapies, Adding Chemotherapy 20:02 – Metastatic Osteosarcoma: Adding a Checkpoint Inhibitor 22:08 – Experimental Use: Veterinarian Experience with Using ELIAS Under the Experimental License 26:15 – Human Vs. Animal Regulatory Approvals: What the FDA and USDA Do 28:41 - Human Application: Potential Implications for One Health Initiatives 33:40 - What Happens Next: Label to USDA Licensed Product and Commercial Launch 34:28 - Conclusion: Looking Forward to a Brighter Future in Canine Oncology -- Get to know Tammie Wahaus: https://www.dogcancer.com/people/tammie-wahaus/ For more details, articles, podcast episodes, and quality education, go to the episode page: https://www.dogcancer.com/podcast/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is Palladia safe? Does it have a lot of side effects? Does giving my dog a cancer drug at home multiple times a week make my dog “toxic”? Can my dog with other health problems take this drug safely? Palladia was approved for dogs with high-grade mast cell tumors in dogs over a decade ago. But since then, veterinary oncologists have started using it in many solid tumor types. They’ve also tweaked the doses to lessen the risk of side effects. Veterinary oncologist Dr. Megan Duffy joins us for an in-depth look at this “kind of weird, exciting drug.” She explains a little about how it works, when it is used, and answers ALL the questions that came up in our Facebook Dog Cancer Support Group about this drug. If your veterinarian wants to start your dog on Palladia, and you’re wondering why … this is a must-watch video for you because Dr. Duffy has advice about how to know if Palladia might help YOUR dog’s case. Join our Facebook support group at https://dogcancer.com/support Call +1 808-868-3200 to leave a question on our Listener Line for a future show! Related Videos:            Our first show on Palladia many years ago: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ShOzhnd-Hw4 Chemotherapy for Dogs Demystified: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V6_fWtQbxfw A wonderful show about how Regular Veterinarians Can Offer Chemotherapy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1izf0aw-cr4 Related Links: Our DogCancer.com article on Palladia: https://www.dogcancer.com/articles/drugs/palladia-for-dogs/ Our DogCancer.com article about whether chemotherapy for dogs is worth doing: https://www.dogcancer.com/articles/drugs/dog-chemotherapy/ Dr. Duffy mentioned using Palladia at the same time as metronomic chemotherapy. Here’s our DogCancer.com article about that: https://www.dogcancer.com/articles/diagnosis-and-medical-procedures/metronomic-chemotherapy-for-dogs/ -- Get to know Megan Duffy, DVM, ACVIM (Oncology): https://www.dogcancer.com/people/megan-duffy-dvm-acvim-oncology/  For more details, articles, podcast episodes, and quality education, go to the episode page: https://www.dogcancer.com/podcast/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When Sheila Cooperman’s husband said he wanted a dog, she said that was fine and good, but it would be HIS responsibility. Then she met Tucker, the Boykin Spaniel, and transformed into a full-fledged Dog Mom. When Tucker died suddenly of lymphoma last year, Sheila, a teacher with decades of experience and a literacy expert, turned to writing to help herself cope. Her “Friday posts” on social media are turning into books. Sheila’s message that “writing is for everyone; you don’t have to be a writer” is a refreshing one and much-needed for those who are going through a tough time. In fact, Sheila has realized recently that her grieving for Tucker has helped her to resolve her grief over losing her own mother to the same disease fifty years ago. This is truly a very special episode of Dog Cancer Answers! Join our Facebook support group at https://dogcancer.com/support Call +1 808-868-3200 to leave a question on our Listener Line for a future show! Related Videos:            Dr. Dressler’s biggest signs that a dog is nearing the end of their life: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ff4zmrzS0Mk Wendy Van de Poll on how to cope and prepare for your dog’s death: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J5Bh1wIp5bY Related Links: A Tucker story reprinted with permission from Dr. Sheila Cooperman on DogCancer.com: https://www.dogcancer.com/perspectives/hospice-and-end-of-life/tucker-week-22/ Just one of the beautiful Tucker posts in our support group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/dogcancersupport/permalink/3538454839753356/ Everything-Lymphoma article on DogCancer.com: https://www.dogcancer.com/articles/types-of-dog-cancer/lymphoma-in-dogs/ A helpful perspective on how to know your dog is near the end of their life: https://www.dogcancer.com/perspectives/hospice-and-end-of-life/warning-signs-dog-is-dying/ The Dog Cancer Survival Guide: Full Spectrum Treatments to Optimize Your Dog’s Life Quality & Longevity by Dr. Demian Dressler and Dr. Susan Ettinger, DVM, Dip. ACVIM (Oncology) is available everywhere books are sold and on https://dogcancerbook.com Chapters: 00:00 START 01:20 About Tucker 03:57 Discovering Tucker’s Mutated B-Cell Lymphoma 07:07 Tucker's True Tail Cancer Journey 14:41 Finding the Facebook Support Group 17:25 Finding Writing After Tucker's Passing 22:25 Writing a Book 25:44 Writing as Catharsis for Everyone, Not Just “Writers” -- Get to know Sheila Cooperman, PhD: https://www.dogcancer.com/people/sheila-cooperman-phd/ For more details, articles, podcast episodes, and quality education, go to the episode page: https://www.dogcancer.com/podcast/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you’re trying to decide between dog euthanasia or a natural death, Molly Jacobson, editor-in-chief at DogCancer.com, has a dog cancer tip for you. Turning your thoughts around and understanding what death really is can help you help your dog at this most tender time.  Join our Facebook support group at https://facebook.com/groups/dogcancersupport Call +1 808-868-3200 to leave a question on our Listener Line for a future show! Related Videos:            Podcast episode with more dog cancer tips on how to handle change: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lHWVGRjUjjc An Interview with Lap of Love founder Dani McVety: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y28IQXhAtXk Related Links: Article on DogCancer.com about euthanasia: https://www.dogcancer.com/articles/hospice-and-end-of-life/dog-euthanasia/ Chapters: 00:00 Start 00:59 About Molly 01:31 Euthanasia Is Not Giving Up 02:04 Dying Happens in Stages 04:16 Natural Death Does Not Always Equal an Easy Death 06:23 Sparing Suffering 07:15 Impossible to “Choose” the Moment of Death 08:49 Reframing Euthanasia vs. Natural Death 10:44 Outro -- Get to know Molly Jacobson: https://www.dogcancer.com/people/molly-jacobson/ For more details, articles, podcast episodes, and quality education, go to the episode page: https://www.dogcancer.com/podcast/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A company in Raleigh, North Carolina, is using worms to sniff dog urine for cancer metabolites. It’s a simple, non-invasive, relatively inexpensive way to screen for cancer. Could this test catch cancer early enough to make a dent in the number of dogs who succumb to their #1 killer? Six to ten million dogs are diagnosed with cancer every year in the U.S. alone, and veterinarians think half of those cases could be treated and cured if caught early. But our canine companions are naturally stoic, so we don’t often get it early enough. If early detection methods were available and less expensive, it would help us catch cancer earlier. And that might save millions of dogs every year from their deadliest illness. Imaging tests like ultrasound, x-ray, and MRI are expensive and invasive. Few dog lovers can afford to engage them routinely once a dog hits their senior years at age seven. Oncotect’s promise is that their urine test, which costs much less and involves a simple urine catch, will help find dog cancer early. Once they receive the urine in their lab, the company uses C. elegans nematodes, tiny little worms, to “sniff” the urine. Their behavior helps discern whether cancer by-products are present in the urine sample. We are joined today by Oncotect CEO and founder, Chan Namgong. Also, Dr. Page Wages, a Raleigh-area veterinarian who has been using Oncotect for years with hundreds of patients and says this urine test has changed the way she screens for cancer. Join our Facebook support group at https://facebook.com/groups/dogcancersupport Call +1 808-868-3200 to leave a question on our Listener Line for a future show! Related Videos:            Early signs of cancer you should pay attention to from veterinary oncologist Dr. David Vail: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bBuIqGadKbQ A blood test for dog cancer, OncoK9 with Dr. Andi Flory: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ahExyrbs8U Someday poop might be used as a screening tool and/or diagnostic for dog cancer, too! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZDkV5oKS0vw Related Links: Oncotect website: https://oncotect.co/ Chapters: 00:00 START 00:03 Introduction 01:21 What are C. Elegans 02:40 Using C. Elegans To Detect Cancer? 04:55 Conversation with Dr. Page Wages 09:29 False Positives Using Oncotect? 14:18 The Most Bizarre Dog Cancer Oncotect Found 15:02 How Often Dr. Wages Uses Oncotect 21:23 Conversation with Chan Namgong, CEO and Founder of Oncotect 21:44 How Worms Can Be Used to Detect Dog Cancer 24:11 Oncotect Reliability 26:01 Degree of Effectiveness 28:12 All About Nematodes 31:44 What’s on the Report 34:41 How Much Oncotect Costs 43:48 How To Get Oncotect 48:00 What Other Veterinarians Have Told Us -- Get to know Dr. Page Wages: https://www.dogcancer.com/people/page-wages-dvm/ Get to know Oncotect CEO and founder Chan Namgong: https://www.dogcancer.com/people/chan-namgong/ For more details, articles, podcast episodes, and quality education, go to the episode page: https://www.dogcancer.com/podcast/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Patrick writes in about his Irish Setter puppy’s bladder cancer. Could it be something he did that caused such a young dog – in a line of relatively cancer-free dogs – to get cancer? Dr. Lauren Barrow explains what could have caused his dog’s cancer and reassures him that it’s not his fault. Plus, what he can do next for his dog with transitional cell carcinoma. Join our Facebook support group at https://facebook.com/groups/dogcancersupport Call +1 808-868-3200 to leave a question on our Listener Line for a future show! Related Videos:            Dr. Charlotte Hacker on the genetic component of cancer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mqR2Yd2DiHo Nancy Reese, DVM, PhD on whether bladder cancer is a death sentence for dogs: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YhUcJyme52Y Dr. Brooke Britton explains when surgery may be possible for bladder cancer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MCGJc_UvEXE Dr. Demian Dressler tells you what you need to know about transitional cell carcinoma: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5prSL7yn82E Related Links: Read our comprehensive article on bladder cancer, including transitional cell carcinoma: https://www.dogcancer.com/articles/types-of-dog-cancer/bladder-cancer-in-dogs-including-transitional-cell-carcinoma/ Veterinary Information Network (VIN) is a members only site veterinarians use to connect and discuss: https://www.vin.com/vin/ Chapters: 00:00 START 00:21 Intro 00:46 Patrick’s Question 02:12 We Never Know the Exact Cause of Transitional Cell Carcinoma (TCC) or Any Other Cancer 03:08 Factors that Can Contribute to TCC 04:25 Cancer Does Not Care How Old Your Dog Is 05:30 Cancer in Genetics 08:23 Is It TCC? 09:04 70% of Bladder Masses in Dogs Are TCC 09:28 Odds of Long-Term Survival with TCC 11:30 Odds of Good Life Quality with TCC 12:30 There’s Always Hope 14:06 Outro -- Get to know Dr. Lauren Barrow https://www.dogcancer.com/people/lauren-harper-barrow-dvm-cna/ For more details, articles, podcast episodes, and quality education, go to the episode page: https://www.dogcancer.com/podcast/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Osteosarcoma in dogs is bad news upon bad news. First, you hear your dog has cancer. Second, you hear that the best treatment is amputation. WHAT?? It’s depressing and scary as heck. Well, there’s a brand-new treatment (to veterinary medicine) available: bone cement. Cementoplasty has been used to help stabilize human bones for decades … and now it’s being used in dogs with bone cancer. Join us for a deep dive into the bare bones, elegant technique offered by TheraVet S.A., a company headquartered in Belgium. Their new compound, BIOCERA-VET, is ready for use in the U.S. Veterinarian and imaging whiz Aquilino Villamonte Chevalier joins us from the company to explain how their product works and what to expect if you try to save your dog’s limb. We’re also joined by Dr. Shaina Stewart, a general practice veterinarian from North Carolina who’s one of the few veterinarians using this technique in the United States. The pain relief and support cementoplasty offers to her patients may be worth considering. Join our Facebook support group at https://facebook.com/groups/dogcancersupport Call +1 808-868-3200 to leave a question on our Listener Line for a future show! Related Videos:            Related videos about osteosarcoma: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WK9PQiHGNeI https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YGIvyktfXlY https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2yZhgNqzFX8 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WvPUqHMtxUo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MieBxhkcWuU Related Links: If your dog has osteosarcoma, this article on our website will help you get a good overview of the illness: https://www.dogcancer.com/articles/types-of-dog-cancer/osteosarcoma-in-dogs/ Chapters: 0:00 Intro 00:21 About the guests 1:08 When did Cementoplasty started 08:52 How does Cementoplasty work 10:47 Can it be used instead of amputation? 12:57 Why Cementoplasty is not a cure for cancer 20:16 How long is the recovery period 25:29 Proliferative vs Lytic 29:38 Special Trainings you offer 30:05 Countries that offer Cementoplasty 33:02 Outro -- Get to know Dr. Shaina Stewart: https://www.dogcancer.com/people/shaina-stewart-dvm/ Get to know Aquilino Villamonte Chevalier, DVM PhD: https://www.dogcancer.com/people/aquilino-villamonte-chevalier-dvm-phd/ For more details, articles, podcast episodes, and quality education, go to the episode page: https://www.dogcancer.com/podcast/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dog cancer mom Molly Jacobson has been helping thousands of people facing dog cancer since 2007, and she’s got a perspective on dog cancer that will help you every second of every minute you have left with your dog. Join our Facebook support group at https://facebook.com/groups/dogcancersupport Call +1 808-868-3200 to leave a question on our Listener Line for a future show! Related Videos:            Podcast episode with more dog cancer tips on how to handle change: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lHWVGRjUjjc Related Links: Read Molly’s article about this topic: https://www.dogcancer.com/perspectives/stress-and-finances/number-one-dog-cancer-tip/ Chapters: 00:00 Start 00:03 Intro 00:16 About Molly 00:56 What Happened to Your Brain When You First Heard Your Dog Has Cancer 01:30 There Is a Lot You Can Do for Cancer 01:58 Quality of Life Helps 02:37 Don’t Let Cancer Take Your Dog 03:21 Dr. Demian Dressler’s Reason for Writing 04:17 Cancer is a Serious Illness to Manage 04:46 Get Help for Yourself 05:23 Dogs Don’t Know They Have Cancer 05:40 Keep Their Routines 07:10 Outro -- Get to know Molly Jacobson: https://www.dogcancer.com/people/molly-jacobson/ For more details, articles, podcast episodes, and quality education, go to the episode page: https://www.dogcancer.com/podcast/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dog cancer mom Molly Jacobson has been helping thousands of people facing dog cancer since 2007, and she’s here to share seven practical tips associated with handling change. Join our Facebook support group at https://facebook.com/groups/dogcancersupport Call +1 808-868-3200 to leave a question on our Listener Line for a future show! Related Videos:            Podcast episode on apoptosis, normal cell turnover: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KqaofR4XtBU&t=1132s Related Links: Read Molly’s article about change and cancer: https://www.dogcancer.com/perspectives/stress-and-finances/expect-change-now-that-your-dog-has-cancer/ Chapters: 00:00 Start 01:43 Seven Dog Cancer Tips About Change 02:20 Wilderness Trek, Not a Road Trip 04:30 Cancer’s Nature Is Change 05:41 Embrace Uncertainty 06:52 Choose a Focus (Hint: Your Dog) 08:36 Make the Best Choice, Not the Right Choice 09:49 Expect Doubt 12:21 “Let’s Try It and See” 13:34 The One Thing That Won’t Change (Kanga’s Gift) 17:41 Outro -- Get to know Molly Jacobson: https://www.dogcancer.com/people/molly-jacobson/ For more details, articles, podcast episodes, and quality education, go to the episode page: https://www.dogcancer.com/podcast/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How do you get a dog to eat that refuses to do so? Force doesn’t work. Neither does pleading. And panicking certainly doesn’t help … but we all tend to panic when our dogs won’t eat. So, what do we do? Veterinarian, teacher, and veterinary nutrition expert Dr. Susan Recker joins us for an enlightening discussion about why dogs don’t eat, and what we can do to help them. Whether the cause is nausea or pain, she has tips and advice about when to worry about not eating and not drinking, and when to call the vet. Dr. Recker guides us on how to figure out what’s actually wrong – and by the way, it might not be anything wrong with your dog that’s causing the inappetence! Call +1 808-868-3200 to leave a question on our Listener Line for a future show! Links Mentioned in Today’s Show:  “Good Day Sunshine” by The Beatles https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6dC7ILQ_vtE Article on Dog Not Eating: https://www.dogcancer.com/articles/side-effects/dog-not-eating/ Related Links: Podcast with Dr. Demian Dressler’s advice on a Dog Not Eating: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=znYpd8tiCDE Podcast with Dr. Trina Hazzah’s advice on Why Is My Dog Not Eating: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f44dXvaj4uk Podcast with Dr. Sue Ettinger’s advice on What To Do When Your Dog Won’t Eat: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MslnrrWYpjE Chapters: 00:01 Intro 00:53 Why Dogs Don’t Eat 01:38 Is it Nausea? 03:44 Pain Can Be a Big Cause 05:54 When To Go To the Vet 08:53 Is the Food Safe? 13:13 Is My Dog Getting Full on Treats? 21:57 Food as an Enrichment Activity 23:05 Gentle Warming Might Be All You Need 25:02 Put the Bowl Somewhere New! 31:33 Peanut Butter or Almond Butter as Toppers 35:05 Bottom Line: Something (Anything) Is Better Than Nothing 37:34 Outro -- Get to know today's guest, Susan Recker, DVM, cVSMT: https://www.dogcancer.com/people/susan-recker-dvm-cvsmt/ For more details, articles, podcast episodes, and quality education, go to the episode page: https://www.dogcancer.com/podcast/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sometimes you only find out you and your partner have dramatically different perspectives after disaster strikes. It’s hard enough to cope with a dog cancer diagnosis on your own; when you also fight with your most important person, the trouble triples. Social worker Jeannine Moga has spent fifteen years in veterinary hospitals helping animal lovers with difficult decisions of all kinds, from how to handle veterinary expenses to when to choose euthanasia. Host Molly Jacobson is joined by special co-host (and her husband) James Jacobson. They discuss tough times and how to handle them with wise help from Jeannine Moga. Links Mentioned in Today’s Show: How to Meditate with Your Dog by James Jacobson is available in audiobook: https://www.audible.com/pd/How-to-Meditate-with-Your-Dog-Audiobook/B0095YSGRG Podcast about How to Be There for Your Dog at the End with Lori Levine on The Long Leash https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6Fz8IJaqzM Podcast about moral injury with Dr. Nathan Peterson: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mD6h1xvMxFQ Podcast about How to Think About Dog Cancer Expenses with Dr. Lauren Barrow: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EMH4VNBGcSk&t=667s Podcast about How to Know When to Euthanize Your Dog with Dr. Demian Dressler: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7dj7ajAPhL0 Article about Meet the Heroes Who Fight Dog Cancer Without a Veterinary License https://www.dogcancer.com/articles/building-your-team/meet-the-heroes-who-fight-dog-cancer-without-a-veterinary-license/ Article with Questions to Ask Your Vet About Dog Cancer https://www.dogcancer.com/articles/building-your-team/questions-to-ask-your-vet-about-dog-cancer/ The Dog Cancer Survival Guide: Full Spectrum Treatments to Optimize Your Dog’s Life Quality and Longevity by Demian Dressler, DVM and Susan Ettinger, DVM, Dip. ACVIM (Oncology) is available everywhere books are sold and on https://dogcancerbook.com Our dog cancer support group is on Facebook at https://facebook.com/groups/dogcancersupport Call +1 808-868-3200 to leave a question on our Listener Line for a future show! Related Links: Article about Dealing with People Who Don’t Understand Dog Cancer https://www.dogcancer.com/articles/stress-and-finances/people-who-dont-understand/ Article about Dog Cancer Support and Grief Groups https://www.dogcancer.com/articles/stress-and-finances/dog-cancer-support-and-grief-groups/ Article about How to Find a Counselor https://www.dogcancer.com/articles/stress-and-finances/how-to-find-a-counselor/ Article about The Four Budgets outlined by Lap of Love https://www.dogcancer.com/articles/stress-and-finances/four-budgets/ Article about Pets Are Family https://www.dogcancer.com/articles/stress-and-finances/pets-are-family/ Article about Keeping a Journal https://www.dogcancer.com/articles/building-your-team/keeping-a-journal/ Chapters: 00:00 Start 00:45 Introducing James Jacobson, Co-host 01:44 Jeannine Moga’s background in veterinary hospital settings 04:50 Disagreeing during times of crisis due to different perspectives 05:15 Maui’s end of life and letting go of her 07:44 Euthanasia and a misalignment of values 08:30 Guilt and how it warps your thinking 10:12 Role of veterinary staff during a crisis 12:15 Getting perspective and then coming back with your questions 13:30 Taking notes about the situation 14:35 Take a friend or support person 15:55 Getting to yes by starting small 17:20 Financial disagreements and how to handle them 18:40 Euthanasia discussions 21:20 Moral injury: what you need to know 23:30 Upset feelings and how to deal with them 26:33 Anticipatory grief as a marker of love and how to handle it 29:14 Finding support for your grieving 30:15 Jeannine Moga’s final words of wisdom about the privilege of hard times -- Get to know today's guest, Jeannine Moga, MA, MSW: https://www.dogcancer.com/people/jeannine-moga-ma-msw/ For more details, articles, podcast episodes, and quality education, go to the episode page: https://www.dogcancer.com/podcast/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Taking care of a dog or other pet adds up over time. In addition to the daily overhead expenses of food and shelter, there’s the yearly expenses of routine vet care. But what about other expenses? Dr. Amanda Hensley estimates that on average, there is about $10,000 in “unanticipated” medical expenses over the course of a lifetime. Pet insurance can help cover those costs – and is probably going to cost you less over the lifetime of your pet than going without it. So says our guest Dr. Amanda Hensley, who says she will “die on this hill: every pet should have pet insurance.” Dr. Hensley explains the difference between wellness plans and accident and illness plans, who offers them, how much they cost … and whether you should get one, the other, or both. Links Mentioned in Today’s Show: Article about Pet Health Insurance: https://www.dogcancer.com/articles/stress-and-finances/pet-health-insurance/ Healthy Paws Pet Insurance: https://www.healthypawspetinsurance.com/ Fetch Pet Insurance: https://www.fetchpet.com/ Dr. Jules Benson with Nationwide Insurance podcast episodes: https://www.dogcancer.com/podcast/stats-and-facts/dog-cancer-risk-linked-to-size-dr-jules-benson/ https://www.dogcancer.com/podcast/types-of-dog-cancer/nationwide-dog-cancer-study-and-breeds-at-risk-dr-jules-benson/ Related Links: Tesoro’s True Tail About Getting $60,000 Covered by Insurance! https://www.dogcancer.com/podcast/stress-and-finances/how-tesoro-spent-60000-on-dog-cancer-treatment-diana-gerba/ All About CareCredit: https://www.dogcancer.com/articles/stress-and-finances/carecredit-for-dogs/ The Costs of Cancer Treatments: https://www.dogcancer.com/articles/stress-and-finances/cost-of-cancer-treatment-for-dogs/ Chapters: 00:00 Start 00:39 Every Pet Should Be Insured 01:42 Wellness Plans and What They Cover 04:54 Expect the Unexpected, Especially Cancer 07:50 How Pet Insurance Plans Work: Reimbursements, Co-Pays, Premiums, Deductibles 12:35 Dr. Hensley’s Favorite Providers 14:40 Pre-Existing Conditions (Like Cancer) May Get Partial Coverage 18:11 Pet Insurance Saves Money Over Time 21:10 When Is It Too Late to Buy Pet Insurance 25:21 The Realistic Health Cost of Dog Ownership Over Time: $10K 28:36 Crazy True Tail About Pet Insurance Covering Almost $18,000 31:06 Pet Insurance Is Worth It, Will Get Used, and Gives Peace of Mind 32:30 Most Insurable Dog Breeds 34:30 How to Choose a Policy and What Questions to Ask 40:05 Red Flags -- Get to know today's guest, Amanda Hensley, DVM, MPH, CCRT, CVA: https://www.dogcancer.com/people/amanda-hensley-dvm-mph-ccrt-cva/ For more details, articles, podcast episodes, and quality education, go to the episode page: https://www.dogcancer.com/podcast/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When Elaine Ostrander decided to focus her genetics work on dogs, some of her colleagues thought she’d lost her way. But she’s proven, over and over, that comparing dog genes to human genes unlocks many secrets and leads to solid therapies. “The days of doing a siloed approach to science are long gone,” Dr. Ostrander declares. And she has every right to. We join guest host James Jacobson for a mind-expanding conversation with Dr. Ostrander of the National Institute of Health. We learn so much about how genes shape dogs (literally) and how the shapes they take help us understand our own human DNA. They discuss the role of genes in behavior in dogs, and how new research points toward the possibility that neurodivergent people with things like ADHD and autism might have similar genetic profiles to certain dogs. Join us for a powerful conversation with a woman who helps scientists understand their field, creates tools for everyone to use, and is a super dog lover … even bringing her not-super-smart Border Collie, Tess, to work so she could “work” with the families of her cancer patients and lab partners. Links Mentioned in Today’s Show: Dog Genome Project Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/DogGenomeProject/ Morris Animal Foundation: https://www.morrisanimalfoundation.org/ Related Links: Interview with Janet Patterson-Kane of the Morris Animal Foundation: https://www.dogcancer.com/podcast/trials-and-research/morris-animal-foundations-dog-cancer-research-dr-janet-patterson-kane-deep-dive/ Indy’s True Tail: Golden Hero podcast episode: https://www.dogcancer.com/podcast/trials-and-research/dog-cancer-true-tail-golden-retriever-hero-indy-kim-peri-dr-mike-lappin/ Genetic Mutations episode with Dr. Charlotte Hacker: https://www.dogcancer.com/podcast/causes-and-prevention/how-do-genetic-mutations-cause-cancer-dr-charlotte-hacker/ Article about genetic mutations: https://www.dogcancer.com/articles/stats-and-facts/genetic-mutations-and-dog-cancer/ Article about genetics in dog cancer in general: https://www.dogcancer.com/articles/causes-and-prevention/genetics-in-canine-cancer/ -- Get to know today's guest, Elaine A. Ostrander, Ph.D.: https://www.dogcancer.com/people/elaine-a-ostrander-phd/ For more details, articles, podcast episodes, and quality education, go to the episode page: https://www.dogcancer.com/podcast/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If Dr. Nicole Sheehan sees a liver working too hard in routine blood work, she moves to a detox protocol as a matter of course, and especially if the dog has cancer. Why? Because an overworked liver struggles to clear the body of toxins. That’s no good for any state of health! Regardless of whether dogs are overburdened by their environment, a genetic mutation, or both, a liver detox can support the body. How to do it? Simple milk thistle – a widely available supplement. And: regular bathing. In today’s wide-ranging discussion Dr. Sheehan explains why and how to detox your dog – and how to know when you might want to start. Some pesticides are necessary at times: like flea and tick meds. Others, like lawn chemicals, may be less so. And do dogs have a genetic mutation that reduces liver function, similar to the MTHFR genetic mutation found in humans? In the end, Dr. Nicole Sheehan says, we’ve got to really listen and pay attention to our dogs in order to make good choices. Links Mentioned in Today’s Show: Watch Dr. Nicole Sheehan sing on Insta! https://www.instagram.com/nicolethevet/ Dr. Nicole Sheehan’s practice: https://wholepetvets.com/ Related Links: Article about gene mutations: https://www.dogcancer.com/articles/stats-and-facts/genetic-mutations-and-dog-cancer/ Article about free radicals: https://www.dogcancer.com/articles/causes-and-prevention/free-radicals/ Article about milk thistle: https://www.dogcancer.com/articles/supplements/milk-thistle-for-dogs/ Article about a dog not eating: https://www.dogcancer.com/articles/side-effects/dog-not-eating/ Article about broccoli: https://www.dogcancer.com/articles/diet-and-lifestyle/broccoli-for-dogs/ Article about feeding a dog who has cancer: https://www.dogcancer.com/articles/diet-and-lifestyle/dog-cancer-diet/ Article about herbicides and pesticides: https://www.dogcancer.com/articles/causes-and-prevention/lawn-chemicals-herbicides-and-pesticides/ Article about holistic veterinarians: https://www.dogcancer.com/articles/building-your-team/holistic-veterinarians-and-cancer/ An article explaining median survival time: https://www.dogcancer.com/articles/diagnosis-and-medical-procedures/median-survival-time-meaning/ -- Get to know today's guest, Dr. Nicole Sheehan: https://www.dogcancer.com/people/nicole-sheehan-dvm/ For more details, articles, podcast episodes, and quality education, go to the episode page: https://www.dogcancer.com/podcast/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s so exciting when a familiar drug in one area shows promise as a new treatment for another health problem. Researchers and clinicians pay attention, especially when the drug is inexpensive and easily tolerated. Such is the case with Panacur (fenbendazole), a dewormer that has caught the attention of cancer researchers. It’s early days of studying its effects on cancer, but some people want to start using it now! And no wonder. It’s mechanism of action is the same one used by several well-known cancer drugs! But would the high doses needed cause the same kind of severe long-term effects of other chemo drugs we’re already using? Dr. Lauren Barrow joins us for a fascinating discussion prompted by listener Tracie’s question about her dog’s mast cell tumors. We talk about the thinking general practitioners engage in around repurposing drugs for cancer … and why a trip to the oncologist might be a good idea. After all, oncologists (especially veterinary oncologists) are not just the keepers of insights and expertise about standard treatment methods … they are the researchers on the cutting edge of oncology. They’re the ones who research and repurpose drugs! Links Mentioned in Today’s Show: Podcast About Panacur (fenbendazole): https://www.dogcancer.com/podcast/drugs/panacur-for-cancer-in-dogs-dr-nancy-reese-qa/ Article about Mast Cell Tumors: https://www.dogcancer.com/articles/types-of-dog-cancer/mast-cell-tumors-in-dogs/ Article about Benadryl: https://www.dogcancer.com/articles/drugs/benadryl-for-dogs/ Article about oncologists Related Links: Podcast about Tagamet and Benadryl for Dogs: https://www.dogcancer.com/podcast/drugs/tagamet-and-benadryl-for-dogs-nancy-reese-dvm-mpvm-phd-deep-dive/ Chapters: 00:00 START                              00:58 Tracie's Call                    02:13 Worried About Chemotherapy; Are There Other Drugs?        02:54 Panacur for Mast Cell Tumors?            04:45 Other Drugs Kill Using Microtubules, Too: Chemotherapy Drugs       05:14 Any Drug Used to Kill Cancer May Have Side Effects, Even Repurposed Drugs          06:56 Any Other Repurposed Drugs for Mast Cell Tumors?  07:12 Mast Cells Are Immune Cells That Release Histamine 07:35 Give Benadryl to Help with Histamine Symptoms        08:56 Inflammatory Cascades Are Messy     10:46 Grade Three Mast Cell Tumors Are Serious     11:30 Find Out If There's Metastasis Already 11:54 This Is a Case for an Oncologist's Expertise      13:36 Do Oncologists Respect the Word No?            15:06 Chemotherapy in Humans Is Different 17:25 Oncologists Know More About Repurposed Drugs Because They Are the Researchers!       18:46 Cutting Edge Therapies Are at the Onc's Office           19:20 Palladia for Mast Cell Tumors  -- Get to know today's guest, Dr. Lauren Barrow: https://www.dogcancer.com/people/lauren-harper-barrow-dvm-cna/ For more details, articles, podcast episodes, and quality education, go to the episode page: https://www.dogcancer.com/podcast/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Enter the fascinating world of cell death, where nosy neighbors can tell each other to “die, already” … and cells can wake up one day and realize there’s something very, very wrong. Also learn how cancer manipulates the conscientious cells to make them blissfully unaware of their own wrongdoing … or holds them hostage while they desperately, desperately try to do the right thing and kill themselves for the good of everyone. It’s a glimpse into a world where cells seem sentient, and one could almost start to believe in miracles. Links Mentioned in Today’s Show: Article on apoptosis: https://www.dogcancer.com/articles/stats-and-facts/apoptosis/ Curcumin: https://www.dogcancer.com/articles/supplements/curcumin-for-dogs/ Apocaps supplement: https://Apocaps.com Related Links: Supplements that have apoptogens: https://www.dogcancer.com/podcast/supplements/supplements-for-dogs-with-cancer-dr-demian-dressler-deep-dive/ Apoptosis and dietary apoptogens: https://www.dogcancer.com/podcast/supplements/apoptosis-and-how-dietary-apoptogens-help/ Article on how to reduce cancer risk using food: https://www.dogcancer.com/articles/causes-and-prevention/how-to-reduce-cancer-risk-using-food/ Chapters: 00:00 Start 04:08 Apoptosis 101                            10:22 Training T-cells                          14:31 How Cells Die                             18:17 Cancer Cells Defy Apoptosis                 23:17 Using Apoptosis for Cancer Treatment            25:02 Apoptogens Induce Apoptosis             29:54 Dietary Apoptogens -- Get to know today's guest, Amanda Kin, M.S.: https://www.dogcancer.com/people/amanda-kin-bs-ms/ For more details, articles, podcast episodes, and quality education, go to the episode page: https://www.dogcancer.com/podcast/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today’s Listener Line call is from Gloria, whose dog has transitional cell carcinoma (a common form of bladder cancer). Piroxicam is a common drug used in bladder cancer because it reduces inflammation and has an anti-cancer effect. But is there something else Gloria can do to save her dog? Dr. Lauren Barrow weighs in with advice on how to think about bladder cancer, what other drugs might be helpful, and general advice about diet and supplements. Links Mentioned in Today’s Show: Transitional Cell Carcinoma article Diet Articles on DogCancer.com Supplement Articles on DogCancer.com Related Links: Palladia article Piroxicam article Cadet BRAF Urine Test article Bladder Cancer in Dogs: Is It a Death Sentence? podcast episode Chapters: 0:00 Start 1:42 Oncologists as a Key Resource               2:29 Diet Tips                           3:41 Additional Medications                          5:13 Breed Risks and Early Signs About Today’s Guest, Dr. Lauren Barrow: Dr. Lauren Barrow is a small animal general practice veterinarian with a special interest in comparative oncology - the study of cancer in animals and people and how the advancement of cancer treatments can benefit both. She earned her DVM (Doctor of Veterinary Medicine) in 2012 from Colorado State University, home of the Flint Animal Cancer Center, a leader in comparative oncology research. As a general practitioner, Dr. Barrow is on the front lines, helping families navigate cancer diagnosis and management, coordinating with oncologists when needed, assisting in making end of life decisions, and is often the first to diagnose cancer in the family dog. As the mother of a cancer survivor, Dr. Barrow has a unique perspective on the relationship between human and animal cancer and its effect on the entire family. Website LinkedIn Facebook Instagram Twitter Other Links: If you would like to ask a dog cancer related question for one of our expert veterinarians to answer on a future Q&A episode, call our Listener Line at 808-868-3200.  Dog Cancer News is a free weekly newsletter that contains useful information designed to help your dog with cancer. To sign up, please visit DogCancerNews.com  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“Turmeric saved my dog” you’ll hear online. And it’s true that this dark yellow spice, used for thousands of years, has a host of benefits. But it’s really hard to get into the bloodstream, which means it has low bioavailability. Just how useful is it, really? Dr. Jessica Tartof, an integrative veterinarian, joins us to explain why so many of the blends she recommends to her own clients include curcumin … and why feeding your dog spice off the shelf might not be as effective as you hope. Visit us at DogCancer.com to see more articles about supplements along with hundreds of other helpful resources for your dog. Links Mentioned in Today’s Show: Curcumin for Dogs article Related Links: Doxorubicin article Apoptosis article Where Do I Start with Supplements for Dog Cancer? podcast episode Inflammation and Cancer article Chapters: 00:00 Start 02:59 Benefits of Curcumin                05:07 Is Curcumin a Miracle Cure?                05:50 Absorption and Bioavailability             09:12 Golden Paste                              10:48 Why So Little Research on Supplements                     14:03 Curcumin Dose                          16:02 Warming in Traditional Chinese Medicine       17:03 Side Effects                     18:28 Giving More Isn't Helpful         20:15 Making the Most of Curcumin             21:23 Curcumin Stains About Today’s Guest, Dr. Jessica Tartof:   Dr. Jessica Tartof is an Integrative Veterinarian who received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 2002 from Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine. She has practiced in both equine and small animal Western and Eastern medicine. She became certified in Veterinary Acupuncture (CVA) through the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society.  She earned her certification in Veterinary Spinal Manipulation Therapy (CVSMT) through the College of Animal Chiropractors and the Healing Oasis Center.  A post graduate diploma in Veterinary Chinese Herbal Medicine (CVCHM) was obtained through the College of Integrative Veterinary Therapies.  Dr. Tartof pursued training in alternative therapies to get to the root of a problem instead of simply treating the symptoms, which are the warning signs of larger deeper issues. Treating the symptoms is like cutting the top of weeds instead of digging them up at their root. The symptoms will keep coming back. Alternative therapies allow patients to have more treatment options as “one size fits all” doesn’t work for every patient. She also has a soft spot for working with geriatric and blind patients, improving their quality of life and helping to soothe their aches and pains to keep them moving.  Dr. Tartof has joined many people and their dogs on the cancer journey, and has seen firsthand how integrative therapies can offer high life quality. She is glad to join her DogCancer.com colleagues to help dog lovers find safe alternative veterinary information.  LinkedIn  Other Links: If you would like to ask a dog cancer related question for one of our expert veterinarians to answer on a future Q&A episode, call our Listener Line at 808-868-3200.  Dog Cancer News is a free weekly newsletter that contains useful information designed to help your dog with cancer. To sign up, please visit DogCancerNews.com  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Your dog has trillions of cells, each one containing DNA with about 19,000 genes. Every day, cells die and are replaced by new ones after copying their genetic material… and sometimes those copies include mistakes. Charlotte Hacker has a deep love of genetics, and explains the basics of how genetics work and how mutations can occur. Not all of these mistakes are harmful, but a mutation in the wrong spot or a buildup of multiple mutations can lead to cancer. Listen now to learn about proto-oncogenes, tumor suppressor genes, why bigger dogs are more likely to get cancer, and how you can help support the health of your dog’s DNA. Links Mentioned in Today’s Show: Genetic Mutations and Dog Cancer: An Overview (article) https://www.dogcancer.com/articles/stats-and-facts/genetic-mutations-and-dog-cancer/ Related Links: Genetics in Canine Cancer article SearchLight DNA Can Find Your Dog’s Cancer Genotype podcast episode Sunshine for Dogs article Chapters: 0:00 Start 3:48 Genetics 101 7:14 Mutation is a Change 11:52 Causes of Spontaneous Mutations 16:10 Oncogenes 18:58 Tumor Suppressor Genes 21:40 Preventing Mutations About Today’s Guest, Dr. Charlotte Hacker: Dr. Charlotte Hacker graduated with her Masters in 2015 studying animal welfare and behavior, and her Doctorate in 2021 with a focus on the use of molecular genetic approaches to study at-risk wildlife. A conservation biologist by vocation, Charlotte’s love for all things animals started with a love for dogs. Her research interests are multifaced and include mammalian genetics, international conservation science policy, and human-animal relations. Dr. Hacker is passionate about writing, science communication, and improving the livelihoods of humans and the animals they share space with. Her hobbies include yoga, hiking, watching documentaries, and traveling. She is based in Washington, D.C., with her rescue miniature dachshund, Nittany. LinkedIn Other Links: If you would like to ask a dog cancer related question for one of our expert veterinarians to answer on a future Q&A episode, call our Listener Line at 808-868-3200.  Dog Cancer News is a free weekly newsletter that contains useful information designed to help your dog with cancer. To sign up, please visit DogCancerNews.com  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices