Cancer in Pets: How Cannabinoids Can Help

Cancer is the leading disease-related cause of death in both dogs and cats, and the incidence is on the rise, particularly among certain breeds. While there are many new conventional treatments emerging, there are also promising alternative treatments that may help your pet, including cannabinoids.

The Role of Cannabinoids in Cancer Treatment

Cannabinoids are the medicinal compounds found in the cannabis plant, and recent research has shown that they can be highly beneficial for pets with cancer. These compounds can inhibit the spread of cancer, enhance the immune system’s ability to recognize and fight cancer cells, and, in some cases, even trigger apoptosis—cancer cell death.

Why I Recommend Cannabinoids for Pets with Cancer

If you’re faced with helping a dog or cat through cancer, I highly suggest considering cannabinoids as part of their treatment plan. These compounds not only help with managing the spread of cancer but also provide effective pain relief for your pet.

Introducing Dr. Jones’ ULTIMATE Cannabinoid Blend for Dogs and Cats

We now offer a cannabinoid blend specifically formulated for pets, and it has been receiving great reviews from pet owners. If you’re interested, you can try our supplement here:

Dr. Jones’ ULTIMATE Cannabinoid Blend for Dogs and Cats

Cannabinoids may be a helpful tool in the fight against cancer, offering both potential therapeutic and pain-relieving benefits for your pet. As always, it’s important to consult with your veterinarian to discuss the best treatment options for your pet’s specific needs.

New Conventional Treatments for Cancer in Dogs and Cats

As veterinary medicine advances, there are new conventional treatments for cancer in dogs and cats offering hope for pet parents facing this difficult diagnosis. Cutting-edge therapies such as targeted chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and precision radiation techniques are improving survival rates while minimizing side effects. Breakthroughs in molecular diagnostics are also enabling early detection and personalized treatment plans. While these innovations provide promising options, it’s essential to weigh the benefits, risks, and costs with your veterinarian to make the best decision for your pet’s health and quality of life.

Liquid Biopsy: Early Detection of Cancer

One of the most promising advancements in veterinary oncology is liquid biopsy. This non-invasive screening test can be performed during routine wellness checks to detect cancer before any clinical signs even appear. A simple blood draw from your pet is sent to a lab, where the cell-free DNA is processed and analyzed for mutations that could indicate the presence of cancer. This test allows for earlier detection, which can be key in improving treatment outcomes.

Targeted Therapy: More Precision, Less Harm

Traditional chemotherapy targets all rapidly dividing cells, whether they are cancerous or healthy. In contrast, targeted therapy is directed at specific molecular targets associated with cancer. This makes targeted therapies less toxic to healthy cells compared to traditional chemotherapy, offering a more focused and less damaging treatment option.

Two targeted therapies currently available for veterinary use include:

• Palladia: Used to treat dogs with mast-cell tumors, a form of skin cancer. This therapy is often applied for tumors that are severe (grade 2 or 3), recurrent, or cannot be surgically removed.

• Verdinexor: This treatment is primarily used for lymphoma, one of the most common cancers in dogs. A study is currently evaluating the effectiveness and safety of verdinexor for treating dogs in various stages of lymphoma. To be eligible for the study, lymphoma must be confirmed by cytology or biopsy.

STELFONTA®: A New Option for Mast Cell Tumors

STELFONTA® (tigilanol tiglate injection) is an innovative intratumoral injection for treating non-metastatic mast cell tumors (MCTs) in dogs. It’s indicated for tumors that are:

• Non-metastatic subcutaneous mast cell tumors located at or distal to the elbow or hock.
• Non-metastatic cutaneous mast cell tumors located anywhere on the body.
• Tumors must be ? 10 cm³ in volume and accessible to intratumoral injection.

This treatment option provides a localized solution, sparing your pet the broader effects of traditional chemotherapy.

Precision Radiation Therapy: Targeted Treatment for Tumors

Precision radiation therapy is transforming cancer treatment by delivering highly targeted radiation directly to tumors while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue. Techniques such as stereotactic radiation therapy (SRT) and intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) allow veterinarians to precisely shape radiation beams, reducing side effects and improving treatment outcomes. These methods are particularly beneficial for tumors in delicate areas such as the brain or spine, where surgery may not be an option.

Immunotherapy: Boosting the Body’s Defenses

Immunotherapy works by enhancing the pet’s immune system to more effectively fight cancer. While cancer cells can sometimes evade the immune system’s detection, immunotherapy trains the immune system to recognize and attack these cancerous cells.

One exciting development in immunotherapy is the use of cancer vaccines. These vaccines work by stimulating the immune system to recognize specific proteins found on the surface of cancer cells. The new cancer vaccine for dogs, which targets epidermal growth factor receptors (EGFR) and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), has shown promise in increasing survival rates. For certain cancers, this vaccine increases survival rates from 35% to 60%, with many dogs experiencing tumor shrinkage as well.

CAR T-Cell Therapy: The Future of Cancer Treatment

One of the newest areas of exploration is CAR T-cell therapy, which utilizes modified white blood cells (T-cells) to fight cancer. This innovative treatment is currently being tested for dogs diagnosed with solid tumors, such as osteosarcoma. Colorado State University (CSU) has launched a clinical trial to evaluate the effectiveness of CAR T-cell therapy for dogs with metastatic osteosarcoma. This research could lead to a new breakthrough in cancer treatment for pets.

P.S. I sincerely hope your dog or cat never has to face cancer. Prevention is always better than treatment. But if your pet is diagnosed with cancer, I recommend considering both conventional and alternative options. If surgery is a viable option, I strongly encourage you to pursue it. Immunotherapy with novel vaccines is also an exciting development.

P.P.S. Don’t forget to explore the alternative treatments, such as cannabinoids. They can be a great complement to conventional cancer treatments, without the harsh side effects.

Incorporating Alternative Treatments: Cannabinoids for Cancer

While conventional treatments for cancer are progressing, I also encourage considering alternative treatments, such as cannabinoids. Cannabinoids have documented anti-cancer properties and can provide benefits without the severe side effects associated with many conventional therapies.

We’ve recently introduced Dr. Jones’ Ultimate Cannabinoid Blend for Dogs and Cats, which combines four different cannabinoids (CBD, CBC, CBN, and CBG). Early reviews have been very positive, and it’s a treatment I personally recommend for cancer support, alongside conventional treatments.