FDA Renews Canalevia-CA1 for Chemotherapy Induced Diarrhea in Dogs Through 2026
Chemotherapy can be life saving for canine cancer patients, but anyone who has managed a dog with chemotherapy induced diarrhea knows how quickly GI side effects can derail treatment plans, stress pet parents, and drain clinic morale. That is why Jaguar Health’s latest news is worth your attention. The FDA has officially renewed the conditional approval of Canalevia-CA1, extending access to this targeted therapy for chemotherapy induced diarrhea in dogs through December 21, 2026.
For veterinary professionals navigating oncology cases in the real world, this renewal means one more year of a much needed option to support quality of life while patients undergo cancer treatment.
Canalevia-CA1 is crofelemer in a delayed release tablet formulation, approved specifically for the treatment of chemotherapy induced diarrhea in dogs. Unlike general antidiarrheal approaches that may focus on motility suppression or dietary modification alone, crofelemer works by targeting chloride ion secretion in the gut. The result is reduced fluid loss without slowing intestinal transit. For dogs receiving chemotherapy, this mechanism can be especially helpful. Maintaining hydration, comfort, and nutritional status often determines whether a patient can stay on protocol or requires dose delays or discontinuation.
The FDA originally granted conditional approval for Canalevia-CA1 in December 2021. Under FDA regulations, conditional approval allows animal drugs that address serious or life threatening conditions to reach the market while confirmatory effectiveness data are still being collected. This renewal marks the fifth and final allowable year of conditional approval for Canalevia-CA1 for the CID indication. To earn this renewal, Jaguar Health demonstrated active progress toward generating the substantial evidence of effectiveness required for full approval.
According to Jaguar Health, the full effectiveness study for Canalevia-CA1 in dogs with chemotherapy induced diarrhea is currently underway. If the data meet FDA standards, the company will apply for full approval following completion of the trial. Chemotherapy induced diarrhea is often underappreciated in veterinary oncology. While nausea and appetite loss tend to get more airtime, persistent diarrhea can be just as impactful. It contributes to dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, weight loss, and owner burnout. In some cases, it becomes the limiting factor in continuing cancer treatment.
From a millennial vet perspective, this is also about patient centered care and client trust. Pet parents today are deeply invested in their animals’ quality of life and expect proactive symptom management. Having an FDA conditionally approved, indication specific option helps clinicians move beyond off label improvisation.
Canalevia-CA1 is available through multiple major veterinary distributors in the United States, including Chewy. This wide availability makes it easier for clinics to integrate into treatment plans and for clients to obtain the medication without excessive friction. As always, patient selection, monitoring, and clear communication with pet owners remain key. CID can have multiple contributing factors, including concurrent medications, infections, or dietary changes, so a thoughtful diagnostic and therapeutic approach is still essential.
The renewal of Canalevia-CA1’s conditional approval keeps an important tool in the veterinary oncology toolbox while the profession awaits full effectiveness data. For now, it reinforces a growing emphasis on supportive care as a cornerstone of cancer treatment, not an afterthought. As more dogs live longer with cancer, managing side effects like diarrhea will continue to shape outcomes and client satisfaction. Canalevia-CA1’s continued availability signals progress toward more targeted, evidence based solutions for these everyday oncology challenges.
