FidoCure^® Veterinary Team Blog

Meet Dexter, a lovable mixed-breed pup who’s been on a journey of resilience and love since his cancer diagnosis five years ago. His story, as told by his dedicated pet parent, shows how choosing the right care—and a little extra love—can make all the difference. With the support of FidoCure and his healthcare team, Dexter’s family found new ways to understand his health and keep his tail wagging. In this Q&A, you’ll hear how Dexter’s journey with cancer has brought his family closer than ever, proving that hope and connection go a long way.

In the fight against canine cancer, one of the most powerful tools at medicine’s disposal is data. Data can help describe genomes, uncover patterns in care and outcomes, and map effective drug development methodologies. But historically, collecting and making sense of all this data has been an arduous challenge, stunting advancement. At the intersection of biotechnology, AI, and veterinary medicine, FidoCure is changing this paradigm, leveraging big data and advanced analytics to improve canine cancer treatment to transform our understanding and treatment of cancer in canine companions. 

The global veterinary oncology market has been experiencing remarkable growth, reaching a valuation of $259.4B in 2023. This surge reflects a significant shift in how pet parents approach cancer treatment for their beloved companions. Several factors are driving this expansion: increasing pet ownership rates (accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic), a cultural shift in viewing pets as family members, and advancements in veterinary medicine. As households increasingly view their pets as family members, they're more willing to invest in sophisticated health treatments, including cancer care. This growing market presents both challenges and opportunities for innovative approaches to pet cancer treatment.

Gastrointestinal (GI) tumors in dogs are relatively rare but can be serious when they occur. These tumors affect the stomach, intestines, or other parts of the digestive system, and they can include various types such as gastrointestinal carcinomas, gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST), and leiomyosarcoma. While these tumors may cause symptoms like vomiting, weight loss, or changes in appetite, their treatment and prognosis depend on the type and stage of the tumor.

PALO ALTO, Calif. (October 15, 2024) — FidoCure, a leader in AI-driven precision oncology for dogs, is excited to share landmark findings at the 2024 Veterinary Cancer Society (VCS) Annual Conference. This research, Genetic Alterations Associated with Prognosis and Better Therapeutic Outcomes in Dogs with 
Splenic Hemangiosarcoma, marks a significant advancement in the fight against hemangiosarcoma, the most prevalent and deadly cancer in dogs. This presentation highlights FidoCure’s work to connect cutting-edge science with one of the most pressing unmet needs in animal health. 

Pancreatic cancer, though rare, is a serious condition in dogs, with two of the most common forms being insulinoma and pancreatic adenocarcinoma. These tumors can be life-threatening, but early detection and specialized care, including emerging treatments like targeted therapies, offer new hope for affected dogs.

Anal sac carcinoma is a highly aggressive cancer that develops in the small glandular structures on either side of a dog's anus. These sacs produce a strong-smelling substance that dogs use as a territorial scent marker, among other reasons. Normally, this substance is released during defecation or when a dog is nervous or excited. However, in some cases, these anal sacs can develop cancerous tumors.

At FidoCure, we're committed to transforming cancer care for dogs through precision medicine. Our journey began with a mission to address a critical gap in canine cancer research and treatment. Prior to 2019, the field of canine cancer genomics lagged significantly behind its human counterpart. With only 2,000 canine tumor samples sequenced worldwide (compared to 20,000 human samples), the potential for precision medicine in veterinary oncology remained largely untapped.

Soft tissue sarcomas are one of the most common cancers affecting our canine companions. These tumors develop from a variety of soft tissue cells throughout the body, forming masses that pet owners often discover while petting their dogs. Soft tissue sarcomas can appear anywhere on the body but are frequently found on the limbs, trunk, head, and neck. This broad category of tumors includes various subtypes, each originating from different cell types such as muscle, fat, or nerve tissue.

At FidoCure, we're pioneering a revolutionary approach to treating canine cancer by bringing the power of precision medicine from human oncology to veterinary care. If your beloved dog has been diagnosed with cancer, you may have been told that the treatment options are limited. However, thanks to groundbreaking research and innovative technologies, there's new hope in the form of precision cancer drugs originally developed for humans.