We are very excited to offer a new cancer screening test for dogs.
Cancer overwhelmingly claims more lives among adult dogs than any other cause. Dogs, like humans, face a 1 in 3 lifetime risk of developing cancer, with around 6 million new diagnoses reported annually in the United States. To address this, it’s crucial to consider cancer screening for dogs.
Certain breeds and older dogs carry a higher lifetime risk or face the possibility of an earlier diagnosis. Unfortunately, cancer in dogs is frequently identified at an advanced stage, limiting treatment options and diminishing the chances of long-term control or cure. This results in cutting short the lives of many dogs who, with early detection, could have enjoyed many healthy years with their families.
Early cancer detection is critical
Cancer screening helps take proactive measures before clinical signs of cancer become apparent. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, “Managing cancer in pets is best achieved through early detection and treatment. Cancer is often treatable, and an early diagnosis enables your veterinarian to provide optimal care, leading to improved outcomes.” As a pet parent, this grants you a wider array of options and additional time for decision-making if required.
Cancer screening can help detect
- Lymphoma
- Hemangiosarcoma
- Osteosarcoma
- Leukemia
- Histiocytic Sarcoma
- Pulmonary Malignancies
- Malignancies of the Urinary Bladder/Urethra
Introducing OncoK9 screen and OncoK9 aid-in diagnosis which is a non-invasive, DNA-based cancer screening test for dogs.
OncoK9 cancer screen is recommended for healthy dogs as an annual or biannual screening test at wellness visits starting at 7 years of age and starting at younger ages for dogs belonging to breeds in which cancer tends to develop earlier in life.
OncoK9 aid-in diagnosis is recommended for identifying already present clinical signs that may lead to suspect cancer.
It’s as easy as a same-day simple blood draw at our clinic and fasting is not required. Leveraging next-generation sequencing technology, the OncoK9 cancer screen test has a proven ability to detect 30 distinct cancer types, exhibiting high detection rates in many common canine cancers. This test identifies specific genomic alterations associated with cancer, providing insights into current cancer presence, not future risk or cancer type. Results are received within 2 – 5 days, indicating Low, Moderate, or High probability of cancer.
Wondering if your dog is at risk for cancer? Find out by taking an assessment here.
We’ve incorporated the new cancer screening into all wellness exams for dogs over the age of 7 or predisposed to cancer. It can be included as part of your annual wellness exams or ordered separately. A current annual exam is a prerequisite, and you can schedule it with a veterinary technician.
As always, we recommend exploring pet insurance options to ensure comprehensive support for your dog in the event of a cancer diagnosis.