Bone Marrow Transplants

Our treatment focuses on hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) — a proven method for treating blood cancers and other diseases that affect the bone marrow. Commonly, these procedures are refered to as bone marrow transplants (BMT) because the cells were collected directly from inside the bone, which was more invasive. Today, medical advances allow these same cells to be collected from the bloodstream instead, making the process much less invasive for donor dogs. We will use BMT throughout our materials since it’s more widely recognized and understood. Both terms can be used interchangeably.  

At CTAC we specialize in treating a range of canine blood cell cancers and other bone marrow disorders.

What are Bone Marrow Transplants?

A bone marrow transplant (BMT) replaces damaged or diseased bone marrow with healthy cells, allowing the body to produce normal blood cells again. For dogs with blood cancers, this is the only curative treatment available. At CTAC, our team has extensive experience performing BMTs in both small and large dogs. These procedures are complex, but their outcomes are life-changing — giving many patients the chance for more time and better health.

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Treatment Plan

Each transplant is carefully planned to meet the specific needs of the patient, beginning with the selection of the stem cell source.

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Autologous

Uses the patient’s own stem cells

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Allogeneic

Uses stem cells from a matched donor

What is the process like?

1

Diagnosis and chemotherapy

Before starting BMT treatment, it is ideal, though not mandatory, for dogs to be in clinical remission (showing no signs of cancer). Achieving remission typically involves chemotherapy before proceeding with BMT.

2

Finding a match

When a dog is being considered for HSCT, we recommend determining if a family member is a suitable donor. This involves special blood tests on the dog and its family members. Ideally, the mother, sire, and littermates are considered as potential matches. If a suitable donor is not identified, an autologous transplant may be considered.

3

High Dose cyclophosphamide (chemotherapy)

Once remission is confirmed, HSCT treatment involves a high dose of cyclophosphamide, an injectable chemotherapy drug typically administered by the referring veterinarian two weeks before the scheduled procedure.

4

Hospitalization & SCT

Two weeks after receiving cyclophosphamide, dogs are admitted to CTAC for a thorough evaluation, followed by stem cell collection. Once this is done, they undergo total body radiation and are hospitalized for 2–3 weeks.

5

At home recovery

Once cleared to go home, the dog will need time to rest and fully recover. At CTAC, we send a very detailed recheck schedule to the referring veterinarian outlining the appointment schedule to ensure a continued safe recovery in the ensuing weeks.

Learn more about what to expect

Is a bone marrow transplant right for your dog?

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While BMT carries some risks and requires a commitment from both owners and veterinary professionals, it remains one of the most promising treatments in the fight against blood cancers in dogs. BMT has seen increasing success rates over many decades. In fact, dogs have been the model for developing these treatments in humans for many years before it was available for client-owned pets.

Success depends on factors like the dog's overall health, the type of cancer, the effectiveness of prior treatments, and the ability to find a donor. If you or your veterinarian has any questions about BMT, please contact us.

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