Updates on Cancer Treatments

Updates on Cancer Treatments

Cancer is a tough diagnoses to hear and our hearts go out to all of you who may have a pet or family member with cancer. Below are recent updates on cancer treatment.

New Conventional Treatments for Cancer

Melanoma Vaccine--Conventional vaccines (for other common diseases) stimulate an immune response directed against foreign proteins. Tyrosinase, a protein present on canine melanoma cells, is not usually targeted by the dog’s immune system because it also is present on normal canine cells. This vaccine helps the immune system to respond to the cancer cells and may help the survival time of the dog with oral melanoma (after the tumor is surgically removed).

Spay Before 6 Months--Recent research is showing that female dogs, (especially nonspayed dogs) have a much higher likelihood of developing breast cancer than human women. If you get your female dog spayed before 6 months of age, the risk of breast cancer is rare (.05%) vs. after a 2nd heat the risk is dramatically higher--26% (1 in 4 females spayed after 2nd heat). Thus, it is important to spay female dogs before the first heat to reduce this risk.

Small Molecule Kinase Inhibitor (TKI) is a new cancer therapy for mast cell tumors of the skin in dogs. The medication in the US is called Palladia and has been shown to be effective in treating lower grade mast cell tumors in the skin by attacking the tumor cells and cutting off the blood supply to the tumor.

New
Holistic Supplement For Cancer

Exciting research continues to emerge regarding Resveratrol in terms of its anti-aging, cancer preventative and cardio-protective properties. Pets and people that take Resveratrol frequently report more energy. This is an excellent antioxidant to give senior pets as well in that the 2006 Harvard Medical School Study (2006) on Resveratrol and subsequent research suggests that it may enhance longevity.