Dr Sue Cancer Vet

Dr Sue Cancer Vet Veterinary cancer specialist, vlogger, speaker, book author & focused on early detection & helping pets live longer & live well. www.drsuecancervet.com

Sue Ettinger, DVM, Diplomate ACVIM (Oncology)

Osteosarcoma (OSA) is a beast of a cancer. 😞⁠⁠It’s very aggressive locally with destructive bone changes and is highly m...
04/23/2025

Osteosarcoma (OSA) is a beast of a cancer. 😞⁠

It’s very aggressive locally with destructive bone changes and is highly metastatic. And even though less than 10-15% have detectable metastasis at diagnosis, 90% of patients succumb within 1 year with amputation alone due to metastasis.⁠

The  median survival time of this diagnosis with surgery alone is 4 to 5 months, with a 90% mortality rate in one year. ⁠

With chemotherapy, the 1-year survival rate is 40-50%, and 20-25% of dogs are alive at 2 years. (Nowhere near perfect, but way longer than without treatment, and considering a year is like 5 human years, it’s a very treatable cancer.)⁠

We most commonly see this cancer in middle-aged and older giant breed dogs, though we also see it in 1-to 2-year-old dogs, and small dogs too.⁠
⁠⁠
Lastly, as far as OSA treatment, the thought of amputation is shocking for most owners, but luckily most animals function well after the procedure, and owners are typically pleased with their mobility and quality of life.⁠

Have any questions about this type of cancer or know a dog with osteosarcoma? How did they do with their amputation? Let me know.⁠



It’s great to be 8️⃣ 🥳 🎂!! Help me wish my sweet pea Penelope, a very Happy 8th Birthday! ⁠⁠P.S. This means she’s offici...
04/18/2025

It’s great to be 8️⃣ 🥳 🎂!! Help me wish my sweet pea Penelope, a very Happy 8th Birthday! ⁠

P.S. This means she’s officially middle-aged, but we don’t have to tell her that. 😉⁠

I know some of you love the content, but love Penelope even more, so here are some updates on her health and life lately. ⁠

It’s been one year since she’s been a solo dog without her big sister, Matilda. She still does things that show me she misses her, but she has stayed a very happy dog overall.⁠

Good news! She hasn’t had a seizure in over a year, which we believe is due to her antiseizure medication working, so we’re celebrating that! ⁠

Penelope is my lemon dog. So many random ailments come up with this girl.

She licks my floor and always slides out when she sits, but regardless of her quirks, I’d never think of trading her in.⁠

(Hope you’re following me with the lemon/car analogy. 🚗🤣)⁠

We had a great time celebrating her day with dog-safe treats from and a dog-safe cake from Amazon.⁠

Swipe to celebrate with us! 🎉⁠


The NU.Q® Vet Cancer Test is one of my most talked about pet cancer screening tests. 🩸🧪⁠⁠If you don’t know yet, this tes...
04/16/2025

The NU.Q® Vet Cancer Test is one of my most talked about pet cancer screening tests. 🩸🧪⁠

If you don’t know yet, this test is a blood test known as a liquid biopsy that measures nucleosomes, pieces of DNA released from cancer cells into the bloodstream. ⁠(Nucleosome levels are low in healthy dogs and are elevated in dogs with certain cancers.)⁠

The test is available through a reference lab or with the in-house point-of-care Element i+ machine.⁠

With about 2 mls of blood, this test helps us detect up to:⁠

76% of systemic cancers⁠ ⁠
77% of lymphomas ⁠
82% of hemangiosarcomas ⁠
54% histiocytic sarcomas⁠ ⁠

Where in the world do you live? Is your country on this list? 🌎⁠



04/02/2025

Cytologic Grading For Canine Mast Cell Tumors | (Watch to learn what you should know about them.) 👀⁠

🐾 Make sure to save this post for easy referencing. ⁠

Did you know MCTs could be graded with aspirates and cytology?⁠

Have you tried it yet?

03/31/2025

This is the NUMBER 1️⃣ question I get about the mast cell tumor treatment STELFONTA®. Keep watching to learn the question and my answer! 👀

03/28/2025

I LOVE cats, but an anxious cat in the exam room is not fun. 😬⁠

🚨 ⁠Important To Note: anxious cats don't look as calm as this one. They're often hissing, scared, trying to scratch and bite, and, in my most recent situation, open-mouth breathing (panting is not normal for cats), and I had to abort the exam for the cat's safety.🚨⁠

It doesn't have to be an anxious experience either; there are so many ways to reduce stress for your feline and improve the overall vet experience for all involved.⁠

It was time I talked about this because I recently got scratched and have been bitten in the past. (I repeat, not fun.)⁠

And just in case you didn't know, we can abort the exam if the cat behaves badly enough. ⁠

Something that wastes everyone's time and should be avoided if possible. ⁠

How does your cat feel about the vet? ⁠

🐈 Share some things you do to keep them calm so others can learn!

✨ Veterinary professionals: Ready to level up your mast cell tumor and Stelfonta game? This FREE, on-demand CE is packed...
03/27/2025

✨ Veterinary professionals: Ready to level up your mast cell tumor and Stelfonta game? This FREE, on-demand CE is packed with clinical pearls, real-world insights, and some superstar perks. 🌟 Bonus: I’m one of the expert guides! Let’s do this—STELFONTA® style! 🐾💥

Earn 4.0 RACE-approved CE credit for FREE with our newest learning pathway. Ready to take your MCT treatment skills to the next level? Join our STELFONTA® course for flexible, on-demand learning designed just for you!

What you'll get:
• Your STELFONTA® Superstar certification
• VIP invites to exclusive events at major conferences
• Expert guidance from Sue Ettinger, DVM, DACVIM (Oncology), aka Dr Sue Cancer Vet and top oncology specialists
• Connection with a community of peers in case discussions
• Real-world clinical insights and the latest techniques at your own pace

Become a certified STELFONTA Superstar today: https://ow.ly/kO2L50VheE9

Virbac

Each of these drugs can make daily life much easier when some of the side effects of chemo appear. ⁠🐾⁠⁠I send all my pat...
03/26/2025

Each of these drugs can make daily life much easier when some of the side effects of chemo appear. ⁠🐾⁠

I send all my patients home with these medications on the first day of chemo. That way, if they do have side effects, they can start treating the issue right away.⁠

P.S. It’s important to note that MANY pets tolerate chemotherapy treatments significantly better than humans do. ⁠

Swipe to learn more, and if you found this helpful, please share it with a pet parent you love. 💙⁠



03/24/2025

P.S. this holiday was actually yesterday but STILL tune if you’re a new PAWrent!🐾

P.P.S. Make sure to save this reel to make notes of my top tips from the perspective of a veterinary cancer specialist.⁠

Do you know someone who just got a puppy?⁠

Please help me spread the word and send this to them.

03/21/2025

Veterinary Oncology Room Essentials & Their Uses | Learn Here ⬇️⁠

🤌🏻 The Designated Chemotherapy Refrigerator⁠

Some drugs must be refrigerated to maintain their stability, potency, and effectiveness, as exposure to heat or fluctuating temperatures can degrade their active ingredients and reduce their benefits. ⁠This refrigerator is exclusively for chemotherapy products.⁠

🤌🏻 The Chemotherapy Hood⁠ ⁠

The chemotherapy hood, AKA the biosafety cabinet, helps us safely prepare chemo by preventing exposure and protecting both the veterinary staff and the medication from contamination by harmful chemicals.⁠

🤌🏻 The Chemotherapy Closed System⁠

This is used to safely handle and administer injectable chemotherapy, prevent harmful exposure to our staff, and reduce the risk of spills or contamination.⁠

🤌🏻 The Element i+⁠™⁠

This machine helps us perform fast and accurate in-house cancer screening testing and get the results of the Nu.Q.™⁠ Vet Cancer Test within 6 minutes.⁠

🤌🏻 The VETSCAN OptiCell™⁠

This new In-house, cartridge-based AI-powered hematology analyzer machine provides reference lab-quality (CBC) Complete Blood Count results.⁠

🤌🏻 The VETSCAN IMAGYST™⁠

This machine helps us detect cancer-related changes by analyzing blood and cytology (cell samples), allowing for faster and more accurate diagnosis of tumors and related conditions in pets.⁠


🤌🏻 PPE (Personal Protective Equipment)⁠

PPE includes chemotherapy gowns, gloves, and goggles, which help protect staff from exposure to hazardous chemotherapy drugs.⁠

Did you enjoy this walkthrough? Let me know if you want to learn more about the tools and machines we use in the oncology room.

03/19/2025

It means the world to me that the surgeon in my practice and I collaborate on cases all the time. A perfect example is when he has a patient with a MCT and thinks STELFONTA® may be a better fit. 🙌🏻⁠

With that said, the mast cell tumor treatment STELFONTA® isn't about replacing surgical treatments altogether but is an incredible alternative we have for those cases that need it or for owners who are looking for an alternative to surgery.⁠

Ultimately, it's all about choosing the best treatment for our patients and collaborating across the board to find effective ways to treat patients and achieve the best outcomes. 💜⁠

And this message doesn't just apply to oncology and surgery for all departments in vet med. When we work together, we practice better medicine. ⁠

Drop a 💜 if you love this message!

03/17/2025

Omegas For Dogs or Cats? 😵‍💫 | You know they're helpful, but how can you discern which ones to buy and trust for your trusted companion?⁠

Tune in to view a few of my favorites from . ⁠

Is your dog or cat currently taking omega's?
Lmk in the comments.

03/10/2025

If a mast cell tumor is eligible for both STELFONTA® and surgical removal, it's OKAY to choose STELFONTA®. 💉⁠

Keep watching to see why this dog's parents opted for STELFONTA® in this kind of scenario. ⁠

P.S. Mazie's case is one of the reasons I'm so grateful for STELFONTA®'s existence. ⁠

Do you have any questions about Mazie's case, or when you can and cannot treat with STELFONTA®? ⁠

Ask me below. ⬇️

Wow, ありがとう(Arigatō) 🇯🇵 Japan. ⁠⁠I am profoundly grateful that my speaking career has taken me all over the globe, but ed...
03/07/2025

Wow, ありがとう(Arigatō) 🇯🇵 Japan. ⁠

I am profoundly grateful that my speaking career has taken me all over the globe, but educating veterinary professionals in Japan was particularly special. ⁠

Thank you so much, and Fujifilm Vet Systems, for flying me to this beautiful country to speak on some of my favorite subjects in veterinary oncology: The Nu.Q® Vet Cancer Test for cancer screening and “work/life imbalance.” 🐾⁠

Because of this trip, I am forever changed on so many levels.⁠

Even through a translator, I was ignited by the conversations I had with my colleagues.

Conversing with professionals from a completely different culture but with a shared mission was inspiring and unforgettable. ⁠

These conversations further fueled my passion for educating about pet cancer. ⁠

Together, we’re helping to save animals across the globe and helping our pets live longer, better, and healthier lives, even with a cancer diagnosis. ⁠

Swipe to view some of my favorite moments from the work part of this trip. Make sure to come back to see more of the fun and sightseeing! 😆⁠


02/26/2025

🚨 ATTN: Pet Owners 🚨 This might be my favorite resource for clinical trials! ⚕️ Tune in to learn all about it!⁠

Search: veterinaryclinicaltrials.org⁠



02/17/2025

Thank you, , for sharing some important updates on why we should look for more effective ways to treat acute diarrhea than metronidazole. 💩⁠

I've advocated for this for years, and I love to see the science to back it up. ⁠

Watch this reel to see the breakdown. 👀

Happy Valentine’s Day to all my fellow animal lovers! 🐾 ❤️ ⁠⁠Whether your Valentine has two legs or four (or even three)...
02/14/2025

Happy Valentine’s Day to all my fellow animal lovers! 🐾 ❤️ ⁠

Whether your Valentine has two legs or four (or even three), today is all about love, compassion, and maybe a few extra treats. ⁠

Let’s have some fun and share this post, or tag one of your favorite vet med besties, coworkers, or a fur-ever Valentine to spread the love! ❤️ ⁠

Which slide is your favorite? ⁠




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