Laverdia's Back in Town, and Making House Calls

Written By Crystal Garnett

Big news for dogs with lymphoma

Laverdia-CA1 is now the first oral lymphoma treatment for dogs with full FDA approval, and it's available again. For families, that means a real treatment option that happens at home, with tablets instead of IV chemotherapy and no trips to the hospital.

At Kindred Path Vet, we bring Laverdia to you. Dr. Crystal Garnett, a board-certified veterinary oncologist and certified veterinary acupuncturist, sees patients in their own homes across San Diego and surrounding areas. We can pair Laverdia with acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine and nutrition guidance to help your dog feel their best during treatment.

What is lymphoma?

Lymphoma is one of the most common cancers in dogs. It starts in lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell, and often shows up first as swollen lymph nodes under the jaw, in front of the shoulders or behind the knees.

Lymphoma is very treatable, but it is rarely curable. The goal of treatment is to shrink the cancer, slow it down and give your dog more good-quality time with you. Many dogs with lymphoma never start treatment, often because frequent hospital visits or IV chemotherapy don't fit the family or the pet. Laverdia helps fill that gap.

What is Laverdia?

Laverdia-CA1 (verdinexor) is an oral chemotherapy tablet made for dogs with lymphoma. It works by blocking a protein called XPO1, which cancer cells rely on to move important proteins out of their nucleus. When that exit is blocked, the proteins that normally keep cell growth in check stay where they belong, and cancer cells have a harder time surviving.

In the FDA field study of 160 dogs with lymphoma, dogs given Laverdia went significantly longer before their cancer progressed than dogs in the control group. Veterinary oncologists have also reported especially good responses in dogs with T-cell lymphoma.

Why treatment at home matters

For many dogs, the hardest part of cancer care isn't the medicine. It's the car ride, the waiting room and the time away from home. Laverdia is given as tablets twice a week, so treatment fits into your normal routine.

With Kindred Path Vet, the rest of care comes to you too. Consults, rechecks and bloodwork all happen in your home, where your dog is calm and comfortable. If you prefer, bloodwork can also be done at your regular veterinarian's clinic, and we'll keep them updated on your dog's progress.

Is Laverdia right for my dog?

Laverdia may be a good fit if your dog:

  • Has been newly diagnosed with lymphoma, or the lymphoma has come back after chemotherapy treatment

  • Has T-cell lymphoma

  • Gets stressed by car rides or clinic visits

  • Would benefit from a gentler, at-home approach, or you've decided IV chemotherapy isn't right for your family

Every dog is different. During your consult, we'll talk through your dog's diagnosis, overall health and your goals, and help you decide whether Laverdia or another option makes the most sense.

What to expect during treatment

Giving the medication. Laverdia is given by mouth twice a week, usually on the same two days each week, such as Monday and Thursday. It's given with food, and we'll also prescribe an anti-nausea medication to give with each dose.

Possible side effects. Most side effects are mild and manageable. The most common are a decreased appetite, vomiting, diarrhea and some weight loss. Let us know right away if your dog stops eating, seems unusually tired or has vomiting or diarrhea that doesn't settle. We'll adjust the plan to keep them comfortable.

Safe handling at home. Laverdia is a chemotherapy drug, so a few simple precautions help keep your family safe:

  • Wear gloves when handling tablets, and wash your hands afterward

  • Keep tablets out of reach of children and other pets

  • For 3 days after each dose, wash your dog's food and water bowls separately from the family's dishes

  • Wear gloves when cleaning up urine, stool or vomit, and wash any soiled bedding or towels separately

We'll walk you through all of this at your first visit.

The integrative difference

Appetite changes and nausea are the most common reasons dogs struggle on Laverdia. That's where integrative medicine can help. Depending on your dog's needs, we may include:

  • Acupuncture to support appetite and help ease nausea

  • Chinese herbal medicine, chosen for your dog's individual needs and checked for safe use alongside Laverdia

  • Nutrition guidance to help your dog maintain their weight and strength

  • Quality-of-life check-ins at every visit, so we can adjust care as your dog's needs change

The goal is simple: help your dog eat well, feel comfortable and enjoy life during treatment.

Setting honest expectations

Laverdia is not a cure for lymphoma. Its benefit often builds over several weeks, so patience matters. Even when the cancer stays stable rather than shrinking, continuing treatment can still help your dog keep a good quality of life.

We'll track how your dog is doing at each visit and be honest with you about what we see. If your dog's needs change, we'll help you plan the next step, whether that's a different treatment, more supportive care, or hospice and comfort care when the time comes.

How to get started

If your dog has been diagnosed with lymphoma, or you'd like to learn whether Laverdia could help, we'd love to hear from you. You can reach out directly, or ask your regular veterinarian to send us a referral along with your dog's records.

Kindred Path Vet offers in-home integrative oncology for dogs and cats, serving San Diego and surrounding areas.

Crystal Garnett
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