There are always new developments in cancer treatment. These range from high-technology treatments to bolstering your dog's own immune system to fight off the cancer. Beware of any treatment touted as a complete cure. Always verify your dog's health before starting any new treatments, and establish a plan for rechecks to make sure his blood counts and blood panel stay within reasonable limits.

High-Tech Cancer Fighters

Some of the high-tech cancer-fighting strategies involve temperature changes or light. Cancerous tissue may be frozen off with cryotherapy or burnt off with hyperthermia. Lasers are becoming more popular for surgeries of all types. Phototherapy uses light-sensitive drugs and focused light to kill cancer cells. Your dog is given a light-sensitive medication that preferentially goes to the cancer cells. Then a light source is shone on that area, bombarding the light-sensitive cells.

Making up customized vaccines against a cancer is another new technology that may help your dog. Cells from your dog's cancer are processed into a vaccine, then administered to try and stimulate your dog's own immune system to fight off the cancer cells more efficiently.

Nutrition and Herbs

Recent studies have shown us that diet can be an important part of your dog's fight against cancer. Cancer cells seem to prefer carbohydrates as their energy source. So a diet with limited carbohydrates, but some added fat to provide energy for the normal cells makes sense. Both cancer cells and normal cells need high-quality protein, so no skimping there! “Cancer cachexia” is a term used to describe thin dogs battling cancer. It is important to provide enough calories for your dog to maintain a functioning condition.

In addition, supplements such as vitamin A and vitamin C may help your dog. Antioxidants are also important.

Along with the traditional supplements, veterinarians who are comfortable with herbal use may add echinacea and goldenseal to the diets of dogs with cancer. Other herbs may be used as well. If you choose to go with a home-cooked diet for your dog at this time, consult your veterinarian or a veterinary nutritionist to be sure the diet is balanced and provides the nutrients he needs. Wheatgrass and flax seed oil both have anecdotal support as cancer therapies and certainly should be safe.