When you find a lump on your dog, the prognosis is often grim. If a tumor is benign, it may cause your dog pain and discomfort. Surgery is often the only treatment option. If it is malignant, most of the traditional treatments are unappealing. Options include surgery, radiation and chemotherapy, all of which can be long, painful treatments. However, homeopathic remedies can be used to treat both cancerous and benign fatty tumors on your dog.
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Type of Tumors
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Tumors that appear on your dog may be benign fatty tumors known as lipomas and malignant cancerous tumors. Though, in general, fatty tissues tend to be round lumps with a defined shape under your dog's skin, there is no definitive way to confirm if a lump is benign or malignant without aspirating it at your vet's office. This is a simple procedure that will help you properly treat your dog's lump.
Diet
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Whether your dog has been diagnosed with cancer or not, a healthy diet can help boost the immune system, which will aid the body in killing cancer cells while they are still small. Omega 3 fatty acids, arginine, medicinal mushrooms, green tea, broccoli, selenium and turmeric are all good additions to a holistic diet for your pet. A diet high in protein and low in carbohydrates has also shown to increase survival time in cancer patients.
General Tumor Treatment
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Homeopathic remedies are based in treating "like with like." Thus, patients are treated with diluted preparations thought to cause the same similar effects to the illness. If your dog's tumor is a result of cancer, treatments include Hepar, Carcinosin and Lymphomyosot, all of which treat cancerous lumps. Dr. Shawn Messonnier also recommends Berberis, which, like Lymphomyosot, cleanses the blood and lymphatic system, GI system, and urogenital system.
Specific Tumor Treatment
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Dr. Richard H. Pitcairn, DVM, PhD, recommends Silicea with dogs that have solid tumors or lymphosarcoma, especially if associated with appetite problems, Conium maculatum for very hard tumors and Phosphorus 6C for tumors that tend to hemorrhage or bleed persistently. He recommends Thuya at the outset of any cancer treatment but, depending on the type of tumor, some of the above mentioned treatments may work better.
Lipoma Treatment
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If your dog has benign fatty tumors, there are still alternatives to surgery. Arnica and Calendula support the body's natural restoring functions in the skin, bones, muscles and connective tissue. Thuya can also aid in reducing fatty tumors as it does cancerous tumors. When using these remedies, you may not see an immediate reduction in the tumor, but you should start to notice that your dog has improved energy and appetite.
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