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In 2021, the FDA gave conditional approval to a new drug for dogs diagnosed with canine lymphoma, Laverdia. That same year, my dog was diagnosed with lymphoma (but prior to the FDA approval). Scout went through the CHOP protocol, which is a chemotherapy protocol that includes four drugs. It was described to me as Whack-a-Mole for cancer. Because lymphoma adapts so quickly, the CHOP protocol keeps it guessing.
When Scout came out of remission in December 2021, his oncologist went over our options:
- a modified CHOP protocol (with three drugs instead of four)
- Laverdia, a new cancer drug for dogs
- or prednisone (a steroid) and pray
It was December and we had blown through most of his insurance and it wasn't going to reset until March. After giving it some thought, I decided to try Laverdia because…
- the CHOP protocol costs about $500-$600/week and with no insurance, I was worried about covering that cost, even temporarily, in this economy. Laverdia is significantly less expensive at $300/month.
- with the CHOP protocol comes a high level of stress and more drugs – sedatives for vet appointments and a drug for the diarrhea caused by the sedatives (pumpkin didn't help here) – with Laverdia, I can treat my dog at home, reducing trips to the vet to once a month instead of every week.
This blog post shares my experience with our dog Scout. But first…here's a video that helped me with the decision to try Laverdia.
Why I Chose Chemotherapy for My Dog?
When I announced that we planned to treat Scout with chemotherapy, I received a lot of messages from well-meaning pet parents warning me against chemotherapy. I understand the fear and concern. When we think of chemotherapy, we think of balding, lack of hunger, rapid weight loss, and frail humans. In reality, dogs tolerate chemotherapy with little to no side effects.
With B-Cell lymphoma (what Scout was diagnosed with), the average survival time is a couple of months. This cancer can take a dog quickly. Although I know one person who cured her dog of lymphoma and I've heard anecdotal evidence (from a friend of a friend) of other dogs that lived for years with this cancer without medical intervention – I wasn't willing to take a chance with my dog's life. Chemotherapy was his best option, promising to give him at least another year. We got that year, now we want more time because he's still our happy, healthy dog – looking at him, you wouldn't think he has cancer.
What is Laverdia?
Laverdia is a drug developed to help treat dogs diagnosed with canine lymphoma. It currently has conditional FDA approval, however, I've read that this is just a step away from final approval. The conditional approval tells us that the drug is safe to use with our dogs and that it works.
Cell death is a normal function in our bodies and chemotherapy kills rapidly growing cells. This is why humans who have chemotherapy lose their hair. However, dogs don't have the same response – they tolerate chemo very well. Laverdia is a chemotherapy drug that selectively targets cells; going after cancer cells and leaving healthy cells alone.
Cancer has a sneaky way of turning off apoptosis (cell death) so that it can thrive and spread; Laverdia keeps cancer from reaching the apoptosis-off-switch, allowing cell death continues.
What are the Side Effects of Laverdia?
When I was doing my research, I came across a list of side effects that do sound concerning and I'll share our experience with Scout.
Decreased Appetite – Scout hasn't experienced decreased appetite. This may be due to the prednisone, which increases hunger and thirst in dogs.
Vomiting – Scout has vomited twice since he started Laverdia, but this was due to heavy activity right after eating or drinking a lot of water. I now separate meals and exercise by at least an hour, which is generally a good idea.
Loose Stool and Diarrhea – Scout does have loose stool and diarrhea, which is easily managed through diet. I changed when I give him the Laverdia (time of day) and I add organic canned pumpkin or sweet potatoes combined with slippery elm to the two meals following treatment (dinner and breakfast).
Lethargy – Scout hasn't experienced low energy, tiredness, or depression since starting Laverdia. In fact, he's a happy, heathy dog that is finding trouble whenever he can, excited to play with me and his siblings, and still very affectionate.
Does Laverdia Replace the CHOP Protocol?
Laverdia isn't a replacement for the CHOP protocol. In fact, oncologists would like to see Laverdia partnered with CHOP. For now, this new drug is for…
Dogs that don't respond to the CHOP protocol – we were so blessed because Scout went into remission immediately (within a couple of weeks) when he started chemotherapy in 2021. But we were warned that it could take some time and need some adjustment, so we knew that Scout may not respond.
Dogs like Scout that came out of remission after the initial CHOP protocol – I was warned that a second round of the CHOP protocol could cause irreversible damage to his heart, hence the modified protocol. If Scout comes out of remission again, we may do the modified protocol. It will depend on his health at the time. For now, my goal is to get him into permanent remission through homeopathy.
Pet parents that can't afford traditional chemotherapy – the CHOP protocol isn't cheap and if it's the second round, insurance may run out. Laverdia can be a bridge to another chemo protocol if pet parents need more time to raise funds.
The Cost of Chemotherapy for Dogs
When I'm talking about the cost, it's important to share that it's not just about the cost of the chemotherapy drugs, we also pay for…
- supportive medication (to offset side effects)
- repeated bloodwork
- trips to the vet (exam fees, gas, and time)
And, in my case…
- Holistic veterinarian consultation
- Homeopathy consultation
- Chinese herbs
- Natural supplementation
Embrace Pet Insurance helped with the financial weight of Scout's chemotherapy protocol. But if pet insurance runs out or isn't an option, it's good to know that Laverdia is significantly less expensive: $300/month vs. $500-$600/week.
Why I Chose Laverdia to Treat Canine Lymphoma
When our oncologist called with the news that Scout was out of remission, I knew that we would return to chemotherapy. He was still healthy and happy so we wanted him to have as much time as we could give him. My only concern was the stress of going to the vet (we aren't able to go inside with our pets) and the cost. I chose Laverdia because…
- it involves fewer visits to the veterinarian and I can medicate my dog at home
- for the third time, it's less expensive than traditional chemotherapy (CHOP)
- it's not as harsh and Scout isn't experiencing any significant side effects
- it doesn't conflict with the rest of his diet or the homeopathy
- if it doesn't work, we can still switch to the modified CHOP protocol
While I understand the drive to choose only natural options for our dogs and question everything produced by the pharmaceutical industry – our perspectives may switch once we're facing a cancer diagnosis. I feel lucky because I'm working with an oncologist whom I trust. So, if you're reading this because you're looking at a cancer diagnosis and you're wondering if Laverdia is right for your dog – talk to your oncologist. Share your concerns. I'm just one person. This is still a new drug and, at the date of this blog post, we were only a month into the chemotherapy treatment.
Giving My Dog the Laverdia Cancer Drug
Scout started with six pills twice weekly. He has moved up to seven pills twice weekly. I'm not sharing the dosage details because I'm not a veterinarian.
Initially, I gave him the drugs Monday and Thursday mornings. I switched to Sunday and Wednesday evenings and he tolerates them better (less digestive upset). He gets his dose after his evening meal with organic peanut butter (no sweeteners).
I add one of the following mixed with slippery elm (and sometimes bone broth) to his evening meal (1 – 2 tablespoons) and morning meal to prevent diarrhea.
- organic sweet potato
- organic pumpkin
- Green JuJu's Golden Blend – available at independent pet stores across the US
Scout is fed a raw food diet and I use natural supplementation (details below) to keep his immune system strong while encouraging apoptosis in cancer cells. Visit my cancer page to learn more about Scout's diet.
How Fast Does Laverdia Take to Work?
At the time of this blog post, we suspect that Scout is in remission because we can't feel his lymph nodes (the sign that the cancer has returned. We need to confirm his remissio status with the oncologist.
After the first two weeks on Laverdia, the lymph nodes below his jaw and in front of his chest had shrunk. But this could have been the prednisone. So I decided to reduce the prednisone dosage, but keep Laverdia the same. One month later…
- the lymph nodes below his jaw can't be felt
- on his chest, you can't feel the right lymph node and the left is very small
- the cancer has stopped spreading, but he's not in remission – yet
I decided to slightly increase his dosage of Laverdia for two weeks to see how he did – he did great. His oncologist made one more adjustment (down) and we'll continue at this dose until his next appointment.
For us, we saw an improvement (smaller lymph nodes) within the first 30 days on Laverdia.
Final Thoughts on Laverdia
Again, I know that this is a new drug and I understand any concerns people have about Laverdia. This drug has the potential to save so many dogs. It's a new option for pet parents who can't afford traditional chemotherapy, it's a bridge while pet parents are choosing the best option, and it's an alternative for dogs that come out of remission.
I know that people have strong opinions about chemotherapy. I have my own concerns, but I believe that this is the best way to extend the life of my dog. To combat any harm caused by chemotherapy, I have chosen a natural cancer protocol shared below.
UPDATE: Laverdia did a great job as a bridge protocol; it stopped working after two months and Scout was switched to a modified CHOP protocol that used three chemotherapy drugs instead of four. He's still doing great and you can follow his progress on Instagram where I post pictures and videos of his crazy antics.
Scout's Treatment Protocol and Diet
In true crazy dog mom fashion, I'm throwing everything AND the kitchen sink at my dog, which includes chemotherapy, homeopathy, a raw food diet, CBD oil, THC, antioxidants, supplements that boost the immune system, and supplements that kill cancer cells.
Please note that this is a protocol that I developed specifically for my dog by adapting the protocol of a holistic veterinarian to meet Scout's needs. I am not a veterinarian nor am I a nutritionist.
Scout's protocol includes:
- a raw food diet with fasting days
- Chinese herbs
- supplementation that slows/stops the spread of cancer cells
- essential oils
- massage therapy
- exercise
