by: Krystal Harris, DVM, DACVIM (Oncology)
There is a blood test for dogs, called the Nu.Q Test that can screen healthy dogs for cancer. This test is offered through the GI lab at Texas A&M and is recommend to be added to annual bloodwork, particularly in senior dogs and high risk breeds. From a fasted plasma sample, spun and separated within an hour of collection, the ELISA detects the level of nucleosomes. Nucleosomes are released when there is increased cell turnover in the body so will be high in pets with cancer, sepsis, or major inflammatory disease. While a high value does not confirm cancer, it does allow you to detect a disease process before clinical signs are present and gives you accurate information to justify the need for additional diagnostics (imaging, etc).
photo from: Texas A&M University