Cancer in small animals:
How can radiation help?

Cancer is now the most common cause of death in dogs. This is because dogs, just like we humans, are getting older and older. With every year of life that a dog reaches, its risk of developing cancer increases. Radiation therapy can help, especially with tumours that are difficult to access surgically.
Often irradiation is not the sole form of treatment, but rather a supplement to the overall therapy: If, for example, a veterinarian has not been able to remove a tumour completely during the operation, radiation kills the remaining cancer cells.
What may be new for many dog owners is that low-dose radiation therapy can help against pain: for example, we use it successfully in cases of arthrosis, tendon problems or bursitis in the joint. Pain treatment usually consists of three sessions.