ONCOPET - Dogs

Cancer is a concern and a reality we are often faced with when it comes to our loved ones and our four legged companions are no exception. Common forms of canine cancer are breast, bone, connective tissue, lymphoma, oral and skin. While some cancer, such as breast cancer, is for the most part avoided by spaying, the origin of most cancers is not known and therefore methods of prevention are not clearly identified.

The first step in treating all cancer patients is to first correctly determine if there is a diagnosis of cancer. The earlier the cancer is detected, the better the chances of survival. Among the diagnostic tools available to physicians are blood tests that search for the presence of “cancer markers”. These are molecules made by cancer cells in much higher amounts than in healthy cells. The best known cancer markers include the Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA), which is used in men to detect prostate cancer, and the Carcino Embryonic Antigen (CEA), routinely used in humans to detect colorectal cancer.

The OncoPet RECAF™ cancer test is based on a new cancer marker called RECAF™.

Cancer detection: RECAF™ is not specific for any particular type of cancer; it is produced in excess by all malignancies so far studied. It is elevated in the blood of approximately 90% of dogs with cancer. As with most other tests, there is a small percentage (5%) of false positives (i.e., animals that test positive and do not have cancer).

n humans, other markers, such as PSA and CEA, have lower efficacy. That is why the final diagnosis would never rely entirely on a cancer marker test, including RECAF™. Rather, the result provided by the OncoPet RECAF™ test is meant to be used as one of the tools at the veterinarian’s disposal in conjunction with the history, medical signs and symptoms and the overall condition of the animal. In so doing, our tests might help determine the best approach for treating your canine companion.

Screening: It is a very frightening time when first thinking about the possibility of your dog having cancer. But there are currently a large number of possibilities for treatments and recovery especially if the disease is caught early. For that reason, screening is an important consideration when it comes to determining wellness during regular veterinary check-ups. OncoPet Diagnostics has a simple protocol for screening dogs for cancer -- an additional blood sample is collected at the same time blood is drawn for routine blood tests at your regular visit to your companion’s veterinarian.

Follow up: Should your dog be diagnosed with cancer, it will likely be treated and monitored for recurrence (or metastases) which may require further treatment. Unfortunately, the clinical manifestation of cancer is generally a late event. Periodic OncoPet RECAF™ tests after treatment could alert the veterinarian that the levels of the marker are increasing, indicating that the cancer might be coming back sooner than the tumor manifests clinically.

Providing Leverage Through Early Detection: