Pet Health Product Reviews

The Dog Cancer Survival Guide Review

Written by Rachel Phelps

Us dogs call it the Dreaded C … Cancer. It is the word in the vet office that we never want to hear and I know you pet parents don’t want to either. According to the National Canine Cancer Foundation, one in three dogs will face cancer in their life, but only 50% of them will survive (gasp!). If you follow my blog, I had a really good friend and foster brother Baxter pass away from bone cancer last year. I also have several Westie friends on my online Dogster group that are battling cancer or crossed over the rainbow bridge from it as well.

When I was approached to review the book “The Dog Cancer Survival Guide — Full Spectrum Treatments to Optimize Your Dog’s Life Quality and Longevity” by Dr. Demian Dressler, DVM, I said Yes! The more I know about it the better. Honestly, I was expecting a very dry book written with all big vet terms and big words us doggies would have to Google to figure out what in the world they were saying. However, when I got the book in the mail I was so impressed. Dr. Dressler did a great job writing it with the average dog owner in mind. The author’s first chapter is titled “My Dog Has Cancer … Now What?” and then another chapter is just on “Dog Cancer Phrases, Words, and Meanings”.

I know my mom would fall apart if the vet told her that me or Elvis (or my brother and sister cats) had cancer. The book even addresses our human’s emotions and feelings and how to handle them, so they can take care of us dogs and ask the tough questions to the vet and make difficult decisions about our health care.

The book also goes over how the vet diagnoses and determines how advanced the cancer is. It discusses most of the conventional treatments such as surgery, side effects, and chemotherapy. It also talks about the “non-vet” treatments such as diet, alternative and allopathic treatments, and brain chemistry modification. And for you science people, there are chapters in the back of the book that goes into detail about the different types of dog cancer such as Mammary Tumors, Transitional Cell Carcinoma, and Osteosaroma.

This book is almost 500 pages long. It is very easy to read and full of important information. I also like that Dr. Dressler even provides lists of questions to ask your vet about each treatment. The more tools and education we can provide our humans to take care of us the better! We hope you never have to deal with dog cancer, but if you do, we recommend picking up a copy of this book.

To purchase, go here: The Dog Cancer Survival Guide: Full Spectrum Treatments to Optimize Your Dog’s Life Quality and Longevity

About the author

Rachel Phelps

Rachel Phelps, “America’s Pet Parent,” is an award-winning writer, photographer, and certified dog trainer. She keeps busy managing the career of her Internet celebrity dog Preston from Preston Speaks. Her three Westies — who think they are mini-humans — and three cats rule the house. To learn more about Rachel go to: Rachel Phelps Website

6 Comments

  • Thanks for the review, Preston!

    My furkid, Kaylo, was recently diagnosed with osteosarcoma of the skull. Our family is very sad and we are processing a lot of emotional ups and downs. We know we’ll have to say goodbye sooner than we’d like, and we’re trying to enjoy the time we have left.

    I may be checking out this book. I look forward to meeting your mom at BlissDom!

    Have a happy day!

    Chrysta

    • Chrysta,

      We are so sorry to hear about your furchild. Our thoughts will definitely be with you as you and your family deal with the terrible C. Please give kaylo a hug for us and tell him Preston says hi!

  • Our 4 year old Westie, Bailey, was diagnosed with lymphoma in February 2005. We were told at the time that if left untreated, he would only live a month. We immediately began chemotherapy which was very succesful in shrinking his swollen lymph nodes. After a brief period of vomiting and diarrhea, Bailey lived a relatively normal, quality life. We still continued periodic chemo and altered his diet with homeopathic foods. For 14 months, Bailey was a very happy dog and lived a quality life until he succumbed to a respiratory infection in May 2006. It was the best 14 months of our lives because we “got him back” and I would do it all over again if we were faced with the big c again!

    • Kevin,

      We are so sorry to hear about your Bailey but it sounds like you had such a gift of those 14 months with him!

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