Pets need specialists too, but many pet owners are not aware we exist for dogs and cats. I am thrilled to recently be nominated to join the Marketing & Communications Committee (MCC) for the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine.
The MCC plays a prominent role in promoting veterinary specialists to pet owners and the public. This is one of my passions, along with raising cancer awareness and promoting early detection. I am honored to serve on this committee.
My mission is to raise cancer awareness and promote early detection in dogs and cats. That’s why I am launching a campaign called See Something, Do Something with the help of VCA Hospitals and my colleagues.
What is See Something Do Something (SSDS)?
“See Something Do Something” is a set of guidelines for you and your veterinarian to help identify the best management strategy for skin and subcutaneous masses in dogs and cats.
See Something: When a skin mass is the size of pea or larger or has been present for 1 month,
Do Something: Aspirate or biopsy, and treat appropriately!
Why am I doing this? Many dogs and cats have lumps and bumps. But not all of these masses are malignant (cancerous) tumors. In fact, most tumors are benign (not cancer). Masses must be sampled and evaluated under a microscope to determine what they are. The sooner we determine whether a mass is cancerous and should be removed, the better for your pet. Most skin and subcutaneous (under the skin) tumors can be cured when diagnosed early when masses are small.
Early detection saves lives.
Take Myles. (Oh, how I love Myles!)
He was diagnosed with lymphoma last April. His family chose single agent doxorubicin – a good alternative to multi-agent CHOP protocol. So remember there are treatment options – please discuss options with an oncologist. Even if you decide not to treat, make an informed decision. Live longer, live well!
Amazing day with an amazing crew! Last week, I was part of the filming of a documentary that will feature my patient Paul Newman. It’s called My Friend: Changing the Journey. The documentary is the work of an inspiring organization called CLEAR – Canine Lymphoma Education Awareness and Research. It was an honor to be part of this and I love the opportunity to educate pet owners that lymphoma is treatable and there are options. Live longer, live well!
PetsPage VetPro Dr. Susan Ettinger, DVM, DACVIM (Oncology), “Dr Sue Cancer Vet” Proposes National Standard of Care Cancer Guidelines – “Bumps and Lumps – See Something, Do Something” to Educate Veterinarians and Pet Owners
PetsPage VetPro Dr. Susan Ettinger, DVM, DACVIM (Oncology), “Dr Sue Cancer Vet” has proposed a set of national standard of care guidelines for diagnosing and treating superficial skin and subcutaneous (below the skin) masses or tumors in dogs and cats to the Veterinary Cancer Society. The initiative is called “Bumps and Lumps – See something, Do something.” Read more…
Outlook Television to Produce PetsPage Educational Documentary on Veterinary Medicine Specialists for Public Television
Karen Bostick, creator and CEO of PetsPage.com announced today that Outlook Television, which produces educational programming for Public Television, will produce a PetsPage educational documentary to help bring awareness of veterinary medicine specialists. The program will begin airing on PBS stations in all 50 states in early 2014. Read more…
Learn more about Dr Sue's early cancer detection program at WhyWaitAspirate.com
On The Pet Cancer Vet Dr Sue Ettinger takes pre-arranged calls from pet owners with a dog or cat with cancer to give information, support and hope. Click here to listen on The Radio Pet Lady Network.
ICYMI: Here is my Live video where I talk with Lap of Love co-founder Dr. Mary Gardner about pet cancer care and treatment, plus we answer some questions. 💜
🎥 Sneak peek for my latest vlog 🎥
Melanoma in Dogs: Overview, Skin and Digit
🖥 You can watch the full video on YouTube
youtu.be/tAjgrY3eV_g
Melanomas are tumors of melanocytes, pigment cells, in dogs that can be benign or malignant. Malignant melanomas in dogs can be an aggressive cancer.
In this vlog, I cover an overview of melanoma in dogs including the common locations such as the oral cavity, digit and skin. I tell you all about where we find them, where they metastasize or spread to, what diagnostic tests you will want to do, how we treat, and the prognosis.
Come back for the next vlog for even more info on oral malignant melanoma, the most common malignant cancer in the mouth of dogs.
🎉 Celebrate the victories
Joey is a spectacular Main Coon cat, and his pancreatic carcinoma sadly grew back 3 months after surgery.
Now it’s 1 year anniversary.
In this video I explain how I’m treating him and why there are options for some pets with metastatic and recurrent cancer.
I also recently started to treat him for IBD. Yes sometimes our patients have multiple issues going on and often need multiple doctors.
Please learn about the options so you can make an educated decision. Consult with a cancer specialist or ask your veterinarian to consult with one. (I offer teleconsults through Fidu Vet)
💊 Want more information on Palladia and these metronomic protocols and how I have used it in my patients? Head on over to my YouTube channel and check out these vlogs 105 & 106
youtu.be/UIpijdOFSDg
youtu.be/D5i2fnZ6kyw
🥳 IMO this is big!
When fighting cancer, I say we celebrate victories big and small. Celebrate often. Celebrate every day.
And today is no exception. Today I want to share Jesse’s celebration. 🎉
It has been FOUR YEARS & FOUR MONTHS since this 11 year old Schnauzer’s diagnosis of digit malignant melanoma.
After his surgery I treated with the melanoma immunotherapy vaccine and now he gets his booster every 6 months.
Four years is like 20 plus years for a person with cancer. He’s a survivor. Typically with surgery and the vaccine the median survival time is about 16 months. The 1-year survival rate is about 60%, and the 2-year is about 30%.
So, let me say it again, Jesse is out over 4 years. Why am I so excited? Because this is an aggressive cancer with a high metastatic rate, 30 to 40 % have metastasis at diagnosis. It makes me so happy to see my patients beat the statistics and #livelongerlivewell
Looking for more info on melanoma? I have 2 new vlogs coming out on melanoma including skin, digit and then oral malignant melanoma in the next few weeks, so please subscribe on YouTube so you will get notified when they are out.
