OncoK9: Everything You Need To Know About The Test That Can Detect Cancer In Your Dog Before Symptoms Appear

Are you wondering if there's any test that can detect cancer in your dog before symptoms appear?

Then, worry no more. Your dog can now be tested using OncoK9.

OncoK9 is an innovative product from PetDx that is changing the pace of veterinary medicine.

Keep reading for all the details and how to get your dog tested!

What Exactly Is OncoK9?

I'm glad you asked! OncoK9 is a liquid biopsy that can detect cancer without any physical signs through a simple blood draw. It's produced by PetDx, a San Diego-based molecular diagnostics company dedicated to unleashing the power of genomics to improve pet health.

The goal at PetDx is to revolutionize the detection and ultimately treatment of cancer for pets. According to a press release, PetDx is partnering with Petco to roll out this innovative product.

By partnering with Petco, they are also raising a pet cancer awareness campaign that brings two- and four-legged survivors together to highlight how routine preventative care is as vital for pets as it is for humans in the fight against cancer.

Currently, about one in four dogs will be diagnosed with cancer, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association. The new partnership will help to change this by offering OncoK9 – a groundbreaking multi-cancer early detection test for dogs.

Can Dogs Have Cancer?

If you're still doubting whether dogs can have cancer, then read what Dr. Nicole Leibman, a board-certified veterinary oncologist, Director of the Cancer Institute, Animal Medical Center, New York said: “Just like humans, our beloved pets are susceptible to cancer, which is why regular check-ups with your veterinarian are incredibly important in identifying the warning signs early.” 

“I walk the journey with pet parents every day whose pets receive a cancer diagnosis, and early detection may contribute to more successful outcomes. With the revolutionary OncoK9 test, veterinarians will be able to access technology for critical screening and diagnostic workups, hopefully improving and changing the lives of our four-legged family members.”

When Should My Dog Get Tested For Cancer Using OncoK9?

OncoK9 is recommended as an annual screening test for all types of dogs that are at a higher risk of cancer based on age or breed, and as an aid in diagnosis for dogs suspected of cancer based on clinical signs.

Following the initial launch this month, Petco plans to roll out the test to its growing network of vet hospitals across the U.S. throughout 2021 and beyond.

How Accurate Is OncoK9 Screening?

Daniel Grosu, MD, MBA, PetDx Founder and CEO said: “OncoK9 is the world's first clinically validated, next-generation sequencing-based noninvasive test for canine cancer detection.”

What Are Experts Saying About OncoK9?

Dr. Andi Flory, chief medical officer at PetDx, says that there is a “huge unmet need” for detecting cancer early in dogs, and that oftentimes dogs are diagnosed too late, only after they start to show obvious signs of illness and their owners bring them in. 

“They want to know ‘what could I have done?’” Flory says. “So often all I can say is, ‘There's nothing you could have done -- you did everything right.’”

OncoK9, available at Petco veterinary offices for the initial phase of the roll out starting May 26, works by detecting cancer at the DNA level and picks up alterations in the genome, Flory says. This is a big step for veterinary medicine because it offers technology previously reserved for diagnostic treatment in humans.

Dr. Whitney Miller, Petco's chief veterinarian, says having a liquid biopsy test available to veterinarians is a “game-changer.”

“I think this is really gonna move the needle for veterinarians being comfortable with these DNA and molecular-based tests,” Miller says. “Because they are definitely not the norm of access to our diagnostic capabilities.”

A cancer screening with OncoK9 will be recommended for older dogs -- aged 8 and older -- and dogs who are “highly predisposed” to cancer due to their breed, Flory says. It can also be used by vets who suspect cancer in a pet, but are unable to see any visible signs. 

Creators of OncoK9 on both the Petco and PetDx sides have had personal experiences with cancer in pets, and a desire to change outcomes of cancer diagnoses in other dogs was a catalyst for the new biopsy, Miller says. 

“Cancer never comes without sad stories, but it's always great when sad stories can lead to positive change,” she says.

When Will OncoK9 Test Be Available For Dogs?

From May, 2021, OncoK9 will be available for use in dogs.

How Can I Find A Clinic That Is Offering OncoK9 Screening?

Starting May 26, pet parents can use Petco's Vet Services finder to find a clinic near them, and call ahead to see if that clinic is offering OncoK9. By fall, all of Petco's full-service veterinary hospitals should have OncoK9 available. The test will eventually be added to clinics outside of Petco's network.