When your dog gets a cancer diagnosis, it can be overwhelming news.With all the cancer treatments available, it can be difficult to come up with a treatment plan that both fits your budget and extends your dog's life. While not all cancers can be cured, many can be put into remission with natural and complementary remedies. Some natural cures are little more than scams, while others have caught the attention of researchers and are recommended by veterinarians.
-
Do Your Research
-
Ask your veterinarian for a referral to an oncologist who practices holistic and complementary medicine (see Resources). There are many natural approaches that may be used alone or in conjunction with chemotherapy and radiation. Do not rely on websites selling any products for information, no matter how many glowing testimonials are included. The Internet is awash with "miracle cancer cures" of untested and unproven origin. You could spend a lot of money for dried lawn clippings, since the supplement industry is largely unregulated. There are many valid natural and herbal treatments for canine cancer, but it is best to get both information and products from a reputable source.
Treatment regimens vary from one veterinary oncologist to another, depending on the veterinarian's success and experience with differing treatments and the type of cancer your dog has. If possible, discuss options with more than one vet. Bring a written list of questions with you and take notes.
Cancer treatment and cures can be expensive, and there are natural, holistic options even if you cannot afford ongoing veterinary consultation.
Herbs and Botanicals
-
Herbs like curcumin, turmeric and astralagus that are used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) have been studied at several vet schools for their tumor-inhibiting properties, and are commonly used by holistic vets. Most TCM herbal remedies are proprietary blends of different herbs, and can be custom-blended by a practitioner for the individual dog.
Artemisinin has shown positive results in slowing growth of bone tumors and lymphosarcoma. The recommended dosage is 50 to 100 mg twice daily for a large dog.
Neoplasene (black salve) is a botanical treatment made from bloodroot. It is applied either topically to external tumors, injected or given orally with food.
Natural Diet and Supplements
-
Much of what is understood today about canine cancer diets comes from Dr. Gregory K. Ogilvie's research and findings, published in 1999. He found that cancers need glucose from carbohydrates to grow rapidly, so feeding a grain-free, low-carbohydrate diet can slow cancer growth. High-protein diets provide amino acids, which increase immune function and may also inhibit cancer. Finally, a dog with cancer does not utilize fats normally, which can lead to weight loss and further compromised health. Therefore, a zero-to-low carbohydrate, high-protein, high-fat diet is recommended as the ideal cancer diet.
This type of diet is available commercially in grain-free dry dog food. Many people prefer to make a homemade diet using fresh, natural foods, and some feed a raw diet.
Some natural supplements can be added. Dr. Oglivie's research indicated that fish oil (Omega-3 fatty acids) inhibited the growth of some cancer cells, and helped prevent weight loss. Give up to 1,000 mg per 10 lbs. of the dog's weight, per day with meals. Antioxidant herbs like goldenseal, echinacea, Pau D̵7;Arco and red clover help strengthen the immune system--adjust the recommended dose for humans to the dog's weight. A dog's metabolism and ability to properly digest food is often compromised by cancer, so probiotics and digestive enzymes help restore natural balance in his gastro-intestinal tract to aid proper assimilation of nutrients.
-