Today we explore the transformative impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on veterinary medicine, focusing mainly on cancer research and treatment. Our guest, Dr. Kelly Diehl, Senior Scientific Programs and Communications Adviser at Morris Animal Foundation, shares her insights on how AI is changing the game in diagnosing and managing diseases in dogs. What You'll Learn: How the Morris Animal Foundation has been pioneering veterinary research since 2008. Insights into the groundbreaking...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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:...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

“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...

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...

Veterinarian Dr. Alex Ubell tells us all about the nutritional benefits of venison for dogs, as well as things to consider when deciding where to get venison for your dog. As well as being delicious, locally hunted venison is a sustainable food source. But hunting comes with its own special considerations for type of bullet used (no lead!), handling of raw meat, and making sure that the deer are healthy and don’t pose a risk to you or your dog. Listen in to learn why venison is a safe option...

Dr. Kristin Lester is a general practice veterinarian who also offers chemotherapy for her cancer patients. You heard right – any vet can do chemotherapy, not just oncologists. Not all “regular” vets offer chemo, but those that do have some special safety equipment and protocols to keep the clinic staff, you, and your dog all safe and healthy. Complicated and unusual cases still absolutely benefit from seeing an oncologist, but straightforward cancer cases may be able to be handled at your...

Billy called in to our Listener Line with a question about supplements for dog cancer. Integrative veterinarian Jessica Tartof explains that each dog will likely benefit from different supplements, but there are some ones that she uses frequently for her cancer patients. Some good starting points to consider are Chinese herbal blends, vitamins, and medicinal mushrooms. Talk to your vet to see if these might be right for your dog, and listen in for more advice and resources! Links Mentioned in...