SOURCE: National Canine Cancer Foundation Press Release
The National Canine Cancer Foundation (NCCF) has announced that its partner, the Veterinary Diagnostics Institute (VDI), has just released the VDI-TKCanine+ blood test, which detects and monitors cancer in dogs.
The VDI-TKCanine+ is a blood test for dogs, with a quick 24-hour turnaround, used to help aid diagnosis when cancer is suspected, and to monitor the course of treatment once the presence of cancer is confirmed. The test is a very good adjunct to assess if cancer might be present in dogs when there are other signs of the disease.
The principle element, or biomarker, that VDI-TKCanine+ measures in the dog’s blood is an enzyme called thymidine kinase or TK for short. TK is released into the blood stream by cells that are undergoing unusually rapid cell division; a hallmark of cancer.
NCCF Scientific Board Member Dr. Kim Selting said: “Minimally invasive testing such as a blood borne bio marker is useful in routine management of animals with cancer. Blood tests can be performed without anesthesia and can be performed in any location by sending a blood sample to a testing point.”
This new test will be used to help confirm a diagnosis of cancer, often in combination with a physical examination and other diagnostic procedures. The test is also used following the diagnosis of cancer, to help determine if the cancer has spread or returns, through periodic monitoring.
If your dog is suffering from one of the early cancer warning signs, ask your vet if the VDI-TKCanine+ is right for your dog. Dogs that are diagnosed with cancer usually go through surgery, chemotherapy or radiation.
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These treatments are very hard on your dog, just like they are on humans. Providing your dog with a reishi supplement during this crucial time will help reduce the side-effects of chemo and/or radiation, as well as minimizing his risk of infection, helping with fatigue and loss of appetite and fur.