Twenty‐nine dogs were treated with linac‐based stereotactic radiation therapy (SRT) for non‐lymphomatous nasal tumours. Only dogs with a follow‐up time >365 days were included in this retrospective analysis. No dogs had evidence of distant metastasis at diagnosis. Treatment was planned and a total of 30 Gy in 3 daily 10 Gy fractions was delivered using intensity‐modulation, cone‐beamCT‐based image guidance and a robotic treatment couch. Clinical signs improved in all cases. Nineteen dogs hadCTscans 3‐4 months post‐SRTand all had partial or complete tumour response. Minimal acute toxicities were detected. Clinically significant late toxicities included oronasal or nasocutaneous fistulas (N = 3) and biopsy‐confirmed fungal rhinitis with no evidence of tumour progression (N = 2). The median progression‐free survival (PFS) was 354 days, with 49% and 39% progression‐free at 1 and 2 years post‐SRT, respectively. The median survival time (ST) was 586 days, with 69% and 22% alive 1 and 2 years post‐SRT, respectively. Neither the clinical parameters evaluated (modified Adams’ stage, histopathology, presence of intracranial extension of the tumour) nor dosimetric data were predictive forPFSorST. ThisSRTprotocol appears to be well tolerated, andPFIandSTare comparable or superior to those reported in other definitive‐intent radiotherapy protocols.

It is estimated that more than 6 million pet dogs are diagnosed with cancer annually in the USA. Both primary care and specialist veterinarians are frequently called upon to provide clinical care that improves the quality and/or quantity of life for affected animals. Because these cancers develop spontaneously in animals that often share the same environment as their owners, have intact immune systems and are of similar size to humans, and because the diagnostic tests and treatments for these cancers are similar to those used for management of human cancers, canine cancer provides an opportunity for research that simultaneously helps improve both canine and human health care. This is especially true in the field of radiation oncology, for which there is a rich and continually evolving history of learning from the careful study of pet dogs undergoing various forms of radiotherapy. The purpose of this review article is to inform readers of the potential utility and limitations of using dogs in that manner; the peer-reviewed literature will be critically reviewed, and current research efforts will be discussed. The article concludes with a look toward promising future directions and applications of this pet dog “model.”