If you live in Alabama and your dog has been diagnosed with osteosarcoma but hasn't gone through amputation yet, your pup may be eligible for this study at Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine

Auburn testing bone-cancer treatment for dogs that could increase survivability and translate to human treatments

"The American Kennel Club Canine Health Foundation has awarded Bruce Smith, director of the Auburn University Research Initiative in Cancer, a two-year grant totaling $118,848 to test the new therapy.

The treatment consists of a virus normally used as a hepatitis vaccine in dogs that has been modified to only make copies of itself when inside cancer cells.

It ruptures the cancer cells, killing them and releasing thousands of copies to attack other cancer cells.

"By using this approach, we turn the cancer cell into a factory that produces more virus," Smith said. "You could say that we help the cancer cell become an agent of its own death."

The study is so new it's not listed on their website yet so we recommend calling the hospital to find out more.