CSU Animal Cancer Center

01/13/2026

Happy Clinical Trials Tuesday! We recently restarted enrollment for a study to test whether the immune responses generated through routine vaccination against common viruses can be re-directed toward cancer cells. This study is open to dogs with a variety of tumor types. You can read more about it here: https://www.csuanimalcancercenter.org/cotc033-repurposing-vaccine-immunity-to-treat-cancers-validation-in-canine-patients/

This study is designed to evaluate the anti-cancer activity of repurposed vaccine-based immunity when given to tumor bearing dogs.

01/09/2026

Out with the old! 🚧 ⚒️

After nearly 20 years, our beloved radiation oncology machine is getting a much-needed upgrade. Last week, the team removed the old machine to prepare the space for our new Varian Edge radiosurgery system.

In the coming weeks, we'll be updating the infrastructure to house the new machine, expanding our holding kennels, and updating the control room that powers radiation treatments. Stay tuned for updates!

In the meantime, learn more about the project here: https://www.csuanimalcancercenter.org/radiation-oncology-upgrade-frequently-asked-questions/

01/08/2026

Thanks to a lifesaving investment from national nonprofit Petco Love Milo gets to love his family for years to come! ❤️

Milo was rescued after living on the streets in Mexico by Big Bones Canine Rescue. He fell in love with his new family and settled right in. Not long after, Milo was unfortunately diagnosed with TVT – a transmissible type of cancer that is very rare in the United States but is commonly seen in less developed countries. Milo’s pet parent was given a Petco Love investment for treatment.

“This completely changed the way we were able to discuss and consider Milo’s treatment options – without financial barriers, considering only what was best for him and his well-being. Throughout our time in treatment, we have been able to focus exclusively on giving him love and support – treating each one of his symptoms without being weighed down by the cost. As a single mother of two children and two dogs, this makes all the difference in the world. We cannot thank you enough for your contribution and partnership, as it has allowed our family to focus on what is most important – giving Milo a long, happy, and healthy life with the love and consistency he deserves!” - Maura C., Milo’s pet parent.

Thanks to Petco Love for making stories like this one possible.

01/07/2026

Cancer in Cats 🐈

Unfortunately, 1 in 5 cats will be diagnosed with cancer this year.

Cancer in cats can be hard to catch early due to their aloof behavior and quirky personalities. Knowing what to look for can make all the difference in early detection. Here are some common signs of cat cancer:

🐾 Lumps or bumps that won't go away
🐾 Lack of energy or extra listlessness
🐾 Rapid weight gain or loss
🐾 Trouble breathing or bad breath
🐾 Loss of appetite, trouble eating or painful eating, or frequent vomiting
🐾 Persistent, unusual behavior for your cat

If you notice anything that is worrisome, please contact your veterinarian.

01/06/2026

Happy Clinical Trials Tuesday! While our radiation machine is being replaced, there is still an opportunity for dogs to participate in some of our studies that involve radiation treatment. We can work with local clinics to do the radiation treatment with study visits still happening at CSU. Update information for both these studies is on our website: https://www.csuanimalcancercenter.org/clinical-trial/dual-energy-ct-to-assess-bone-mineral-density-in-dogs-with-osteosarcoma-undergoing-stereotacticbody-radiation-therapy/ https://www.csuanimalcancercenter.org/clinical-trial/palliative-radiation-therapy-with-or-without-bisphosphonates-or-carboplatin-for-dogs-with-osteosarcoma/

Patient Disease: Canine Osteosarcoma Study Name: Palliative Radiation Therapy With or Without Bisphosphonates or Carboplatin for Dogs with Osteosarcoma Purpose of the study: Primary Eligibility Criteria: Study Protocol: Owner Responsibilities: Financial Incentives: If you have further questions abou...

01/05/2026

Big news! 🔊

Dr. Regan, an FACC researcher and member of CSU Microbiology, Immunology & Pathology and the University of Colorado Cancer Center, has received a grant from the National Institutes of Health to investigate a new method of stopping the bone cancer from spreading to the lungs, along with collaborator Breelyn Wilky, MD.

Way to go, all!

Read more about it here:

Dan Regan, DVM, and Breelyn Wilky, MD, are teaming to study a new drug combination in dogs and humans to stop osteosarcoma from spreading to the lungs.

01/03/2026

You're invited to the CSU Annual Conference for Veterinarians ✏️ ⚕️ 🐾

Hear from renowned faculty experts in the CSU Veterinary Health System as they deliver the latest in veterinary medicine. Learn about our groundbreaking clinical trials and latest research, as well as cutting-edge new information and tips on the problems that you face every day.

Learn more and register:

CSU Annual Conference for Veterinarians All in for Animal Health Hear from renowned faculty experts in the CSU Veterinary Health System as they deliver the latest in veterinary medicine. Learn about our groundbreaking clinical trials and latest research as well as cutting-edge new information and ti...

01/01/2026

Happy 2026! 🎉 🥳

As we begin a new year, we want to pause and express our deepest gratitude. The support you showed the Flint Animal Cancer Center throughout 2025 made a meaningful difference for the animals in our care and the families who love them. Thanks to you, we were able to provide hope, compassion, and advanced cancer care when it mattered most.

Thank you for standing with us and believing in our mission. We wish you a peaceful and hopeful New Year!

12/31/2025

⏰ Today is the LAST day to make a tax-deductible gift for 2025!

As we close out the year, we invite you to make a meaningful impact by supporting the patient assistance funds at the Flint Animal Cancer Center.

🐾 Every day, families facing the heartbreak of a cancer diagnosis in their pets struggle not just emotionally, but financially. These gifts allow us to grant financial support to families to help ensure that no family has to make decisions for their beloved companion based solely on cost.

Your gift today can:
✨ Help a pet access life-extending cancer treatments
✨ Support families in need during one of the hardest moments of their lives
✨ Directly fuel hope, compassion, and second chances

If you’ve been thinking about giving, now is the time – your tax-deductible donation made before midnight tonight can change a life.

💛 Give hope. Give support. Give today.

https://www.csuanimalcancercenter.org/give-to-patient-assistance/

12/30/2025

Happy Clinical Trials Tuesday! We have a clinical trial for dogs with bone cancer of the leg that will undergo limb amputation. We normally wait to start chemotherapy until two weeks after amputation surgery, but this study is evaluating whether dogs have better outcomes if chemotherapy is started the day after surgery. Visit our website to learn more: https://www.csuanimalcancercenter.org/clinical-trial/expediated-carboplatin-for-treatment-of-osteosarcoma-in-dogs/

This study for osteosarcoma in dogs is designed to study if there is a survival benefit when adjuvant chemotherapy is started earlier.

12/29/2025

Cancer care makes all the difference! We recently received this touching story from one of our families –

Bella Jane isn’t just my dog — she’s my best friend, adventure buddy, and source of laughter every single day. She’s a typical Husky: independent, opinionated, and full of personality, which makes it all the more entertaining that we do agility together. We may not always be the fastest or the most precise team on the course, but we ALWAYS have fun. No matter how we do, Bella runs with pure joy, and that’s what makes every run so special.

When Bella was diagnosed with nasal cancer at age 10, my heart sank. What started as a few sneezes turned into major nosebleeds, then into devastating news no pet parent ever wants to hear. But thanks to the incredible team at CSU Flint Animal Cancer Center, Bella’s story did not end with her diagnosis.

We were referred to CSU to explore options, and I learned about a clinical trial that could help dogs like Bella. The team was compassionate, transparent, and treated Bella as though she were their own. They guided us through every step, balancing advanced treatment with a genuine love for animals that made an overwhelming and scary process feel possible.

Bella responded beautifully to the radiation treatment. Week by week, her spark came back — the same husky spirit that always loved running, exploring, and doing agility. The day she returned to the agility field after finishing her radiation treatment was emotional beyond words. Watching her leap over jumps again felt like witnessing a miracle.

Today, Bella is back to doing what she loves. She’s running agility with her same joyful enthusiasm, and she reminds everyone she meets that a cancer diagnosis doesn’t have to mean giving up hope.

Bella taught me to live fully in the present and to celebrate every moment — every run, every cuddle, every ordinary day that becomes extraordinary when you realize how precious it truly is.

We’ll forever be grateful to the CSU team for giving us more time and memories with our precious girl than we ever thought possible. Their work truly changes lives, and Bella is living proof.

12/28/2025

RADIATION ONCOLOGY UPGRADE ✨

Great news! We are upgrading our radiation therapy machine to provide the most advanced and effective treatment for our patients. This new machine will offer cutting-edge technology and will ensure pets get the care they need to fight cancer.

Our current machine has provided almost 20 years of reliable service, but technology in veterinary radiation oncology continues to advance rapidly. The new unit will deliver more precise treatments, shorter treatment sessions, advanced care options, and improved comfort and safety for your pet.

Read more about the transition here and what to expect: https://www.csuanimalcancercenter.org/radiation-oncology-upgrade-frequently-asked-questions/