Caller Bevan has a dog with mast cell tumors, and his vet recommended giving vitamin E as part of their treatment plan. Vitamin E is an antioxidant, which protects cells from damage. Chemotherapy is a pro-oxidant, with the intent to damage cells – specifically, cancer cells. Dr. Nancy Reese explains how these conflicting mechanisms of action can be problematic in some cases, but coexist peacefully in other, as well as why your vet might recommend giving vitamin E in the first place.

About Today’s Guest, Dr. Nancy Reese:

Dr. Nancy Reese is a small animal veterinarian with over 30 years of clinical experience taking care of cats and dogs and other critters in the Sierra Nevada foothills. She is also a perpetual student and researcher, as evidenced by her many degrees. In addition to her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the University of California, Davis, she earned a Masters in Preventive Veterinary Medicine at UC Davis and then a Ph.D. in Epidemiology at UC Davis. If you string all her letters out after her name it looks like this: Nancy Reese, DVM, MPVM, PhD. In her spare time, she volunteers to help evacuate and shelter animals caught up in disasters, and she’s currently training to help in human search and rescue efforts. Dr. Reese lives in a log cabin with her husband, her 13-year-old golden retriever, and her two 13-year-old cats. Her hobbies include boosting the quality of life and longevity for all animals in her care, hiking, travelling, and cross-country skiing. Oh, and lots of dog walking.  degree from the University of California at Davis before earning his Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from Cornell University.

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