When your dog is diagnosed with cancer, the amount of information can feel overwhelming. As veterinary oncology experts, we want to help you understand the treatment options available to your dog. Cancer treatments for dogs typically include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and targeted therapy. Your veterinarian will recommend the most appropriate course of treatment based on your dog's specific cancer type and overall health.
Surgery is often the first line of defense in treating many canine cancers. The primary goal of surgical intervention is to remove the tumor and surrounding cancerous tissue, potentially preventing the disease from spreading further. Depending on the tumor's location, size, and type, surgery can be a standalone treatment or part of a comprehensive cancer management plan. In some cases, surgical removal can completely eliminate the cancer, while in others, it helps reduce tumor size before additional treatments like chemotherapy or radiation.
Chemotherapy is a common treatment that involves using drugs to kill cancer cells or inhibit their growth. While traditional chemotherapy can be challenging because it doesn't differentiate between healthy and cancerous cells, advancements in veterinary medicine have made treatments more refined and less taxing on your dog. Chemotherapy is administered at a veterinary clinic orally, intravenously, or through injections, to slow or stop cancer progression.
Radiation therapy is another tool against cancer. Using high-energy rays, veterinarians can target and destroy cancer cells in specific areas of the body. Radiation is typically used against tumors that cannot be fully removed through surgery or as an adjunct to other treatments. However, like chemotherapy, it can also damage some healthy cells. Additionally, because the dog must remain completely still during the procedure, anesthesia is required for each treatment, which carries slight risks.
Chemotherapy and Radiation: Challenges and Considerations
While chemotherapy and radiation have been standard cancer treatments, veterinary oncology recognizes significant challenges in their application. Despite their potential benefits, these treatments are too harsh for many canine patients–many of which are older dogs. This causes pet owners to discontinue traditional treatments like chemotherapy or radiation before complete cancer elimination due to severe side effects that compromise their dog's quality of life. These treatments can create additional practical challenges, such as special waste handling precautions. For instance, owners are advised to:
These challenges have driven the development of more advanced approaches like targeted therapy.
Targeted therapy, a form of precision medicine, is one of the most personalized approaches to cancer treatment. Targeted therapy uses drugs to target specific molecules that cancer cells need to survive and spread. By identifying specific genetic mutations driving your dog's cancer, we can match them with therapies designed to attack those precise molecular targets. Research published in Nature Precision Oncology has shown that this approach can extend survival times up to three times compared to conventional treatments.
These therapies have fewer side effects than other treatments, as they focus on cancer cells while sparing healthy tissue. Unlike chemotherapy and radiation, targeted therapies can be administered orally at home, making them easier and safer for both you and your dog. To find the best treatment, we use AI and the world's largest database of canine cancer genomics. Our proprietary AI engine, Fetch, analyzes over 2 billion data points from 6,000 dogs with naturally occurring cancers to identify the most effective, personalized drug therapies.
By matching each dog's tumor mutations with targeted therapies and utilizing breed-specific genetic information, we move beyond traditional "educated guesswork" to provide evidence-based, precision treatment plans. This approach improves treatment outcomes and minimizes unnecessary side effects, offering a more effective and humane approach to canine cancer care.
Ultimately, the best treatment plan depends on multiple factors: cancer type, stage, your dog's overall health, and your family's preferences. We understand how difficult a cancer diagnosis can be, but by working closely with your veterinarian and exploring these treatment options, you're giving your dog the best chance at fighting this disease.