Natural Or Alternative Therapies

[Flaves]

Hi,

A friends dog has adenocarcinoma of the apocrine gland.

I was hoping that Shek, cNr and BP and anyone else who has used natural therapies could put links or info in here so that it could be referenced?

I recall that cNr and maybe someone else, BP?, has/had Sophie and Keisha on a cancer diet.

Would that be able to be listed or a link put up?

The DOLer who the dog belongs to will be along to tell her story soon.

Thanks

[GSD's 4EVER]

Well, all I can tell you at the moment is Mish (hopefully can post pic so you can see what she looks like), had her glands removed last Tues. Flav has posted Mish's diagnosis. Chemo looks like it's not viable. This type of cancer is rather invasive, so putting Mish under the extra stess of chemo isn't worth it. I'd rather see her happy for whatever time we have with her. We're going back to the vets next Sat. There is a new drug that will slow the cancer down. We'll see. She's been given 6 months, but how long is a piece of string !!

Mish is 10 & is a Shepherd X Ridgeback. She is a darling girl & everyone loves her as soon as they meet her, hence Flav being very generous as to start this thread. (You big softie you)

Mish doesn't have any commercial dog food, human quality all the way. I also make my own treats which don't have any chemicals, fat or preservatives. My girls (See Tara, young GSD in aviatar) also have a massage once a week. I work from home, so Mish & Tara aren't stuck out the back for at least 8 hours a day. They get a run every day, no matter what in a great off lead park close to home.

So, to sum up, my girls have the best of food, comfort & basically live a great life. Don't think there is anything I could have done to prevent Mish getting cancer.

Happy to hear what you all have to say. At this stage, we're just going to see that Mish has a full & happy life. We're not going to sit around moping or letting the old girl feel sorry for herself. She & I have a special connection, so she'll let me know when it's time to go.

[cavNrott]

Which part of the dog's body is this apocrine gland located? Colon, abdomen, anal gland, eyelid etc.,?

For the cancer starving diet I don't feed any commercial dog foods. I feed a high protein, high fat diet. As few carbs as possible and no sugars. I mostly cook for my dog these days because I'm not sure her compromised immune system can cope with the bacteria in raw meat. She was previously on BARF.

For breakfast Sophie has full cream cottage cheese with cold pressed flaxseed oil. She has one organic egg every day. Dinner consists of either chicken mince or beef mince (organic) with cooked sweet potato, zuchini and broccoli. I mash this together and add a little grapeseed oil. Because Sophie's cancer is in her mouth she has to eat soft foods that don't require much chewing.

Her nightcap is a couple of tablespoons of organic yoghurt with goats milk. She also has a number of natural supplements.

Hope this helps regarding diet.

[cavNrott]

GSD's 4ever. We were posting at the same time. I would suggest you see an oncologist. There are a few treatments available. Sophie is on a metronomic protocol.

I refused surgery and chemo for my dog because osteosarcoma has usually metastasised by the time it's diagnosed. Sophie's prognosis was that it was expected she only had a couple of weeks. This was last December and she's still doing quite well.

When you say she had her glands removed I guess her problem is with the anal glands.

Edited April 20, 2008 by cavNrott

[GSD's 4EVER]

Which part of the dog's body is this apocrine gland located? Colon, abdomen, anal gland, eyelid etc.,?

For the cancer starving diet I don't feed any commercial dog foods. I feed a high protein, high fat diet. As few carbs as possible and no sugars. I mostly cook for my dog these days because I'm not sure her compromised immune system can cope with the bacteria in raw meat. She was previously on BARF.

For breakfast Sophie has full cream cottage cheese with cold pressed flaxseed oil. She has one organic egg every day. Dinner consists of either chicken mince or beef mince (organic) with cooked sweet potato, zuchini and broccoli. I mash this together and add a little grapeseed oil. Because Sophie's cancer is in her mouth she has to eat soft foods that don't require much chewing.

Her nightcap is a couple of tablespoons of organic yoghurt with goats milk. She also has a number of natural supplements.

Hope this helps regarding diet.

Her anal gland. Mish has had a natural diet for years. I even make my own yoghurt & she has cold pressed oil, cod liver oil & extra vitamins. Looks like it has just been a case of "damn bad luck". Thanks for giving me your thoughts. So much appreciated.

[GSD's 4EVER]

GSD's 4ever. We were posting at the same time. I would suggest you see an oncologist. There are a few treatments available. Sophie is on a metronomic protocol.

I refused surgery and chemo for my dog because osteosarcoma has usually metastasised by the time it's diagnosed. Sophie's prognosis was that it was expected she only had a couple of weeks. This was last December and she's still doing quite well.

When you say she had her glands removed I guess her problem is with the anal glands.

My OH has been dealing with all the technical stuff, so I'm probably the wrong person to speak with. As I understand it, by removing her glands, they tried to remove as much of tumour as posssible. Because it's in her backside, to get the lot, they would have to remove half her backside & she then wouldn't be able to toilet properly.

This cancer has also metastasised rather badly in Mish. We're not sure if an Oncologist can help us at this stage. Mish is recovering well from surgery & at this stage looks fantastic. It's early days yet. Our vets are terrific people & are researching every avenue to give Mish the best treatment. We'll see what Sat brings. In the meantime, it will be life as normal for Mish. As soon as she's recovered from the surgery, she'll be back to work & getting ready for that next pass for her first Obedience Title.

Best thing for Mish really. She's the ultimate "stress head" & if we're all gloomy, she'll get upset & then the cancer will spread even faster.

[Flaves]

Daire giving Mish a kiss

Anne, i was hoping you would stick your head in. I knew you were giving Sophie a natural diet and thought you could help

[Staffyluv]

Ollie was diagnosed with grade two mast cell cancer in November 2005 (he was 8). His tumours (the ones that could be felt) were excised with no clear margins. Lymph nodes were biopsied and the cancer was found to be systemic.

We had a canine oncologist who liaised with our vet, us and our natural therapist.

He had chemo (vinblastin and another one that escapes me at the moment) - one week tablets, the next was by drip and then a week off. Blood tests every week to see if he could take the next round or have to wait. It is a very long and expensive road.

We also used chinese herbs, vitamin C, fish oil and other natural therapies. He had five mushroom drops, liver tonics arsenica as well.

He only eats human grade foods (preferably organic), it is all cooked for him. He has a similar diet to CnR's Sophie.

Even with the treatments, they told us that he would be with us for up to eighteen months. Well he will be celebrating his 11th birthday on June 12 this year.

The chemo has ruined his thyroid gland and he now needs meds for that for the rest of his life and it also gave him stomach ulcers (but it is still debated if that is the cancer or the chemo???)

Most people that see Ollie cannot believe that he has cancer (he has been in remission for over a year now). He still has a couple of tumours but all in all, he is an amazing lad (just like all the other terminal furry angels we have here)...

I won't say it has been easy, but I have learned so much from this journey and had the pleasure of chatting and getting to know so many wonderful people in the same boat as us. We all help each other and have so much to offer for others that are just starting out on their journeys with their beloved pooch's.

Ollie has a thread, here in the palliative care section - it is long but if you have any questions, feel free to PM me.

Start a thread for Mish, that way you can update us and we can offer suggestions for you and your vet - so many vets treat differently and some think of things that others don't consider at the time - many minds make this easier on everyone.

Best of luck

Jodie

[cavNrott]

This cancer has also metastasised rather badly in Mish. We're not sure if an Oncologist can help us at this stage. Mish is recovering well from surgery & at this stage looks fantastic. It's early days yet. Our vets are terrific people & are researching every avenue to give Mish the best treatment. We'll see what Sat brings. In the meantime, it will be life as normal for Mish. As soon as she's recovered from the surgery, she'll be back to work & getting ready for that next pass for her first Obedience Title.

Best thing for Mish really. She's the ultimate "stress head" & if we're all gloomy, she'll get upset & then the cancer will spread even faster.

Did you have an ultrasound done to establish the extent of metastatis? In which organs has it metastasised? Some are not as diabolical as others but the end result is the same, unfortunately.

I know Sophie's time is limited but her vet and I believed an oncology specialist was the way to go for us. It's expensive but Sophie's life has definitely been extended on the metronomic protocol. Most importantly she is feeling well and happy. Cancer is a very painful disease and the oncologist shares my opinion that it's about the quality of Sophie's life. On the drug regime she has prescribed, Sophie is able to live pain free. Blood tests are done every three weeks and she has a thorough examination so we know how things are progressing.

My normally hyperactive Sophie has less energy as her cancer progresses. She's using energy to fight her disease. I don't tire her out as I want her to conserve energy to fight the cancer. I limit her exercise and drive her to wherever we are going instead of walking her. She then has a 15 minute run around the oval and it's back in the car and home to rest.

You may find that Mish needs more rest than normal. I agree with you that a gloomy attitude doesn't help us or our dogs. Sophie gets anxious if she knows I'm sad and upset so we maintain a happy attitude and I try to live in the day, like she does.

They've found there's a cancer starving reaction between cottage cheese and Flaxseed oil. The oil and the cheese must be mixed together well and left for a few minutes before feeding. I use the Melrose Flaxseed oil from the fridge in the health store. I also use Quark which they say is better than cottage cheese...probably because it's organic.

[GSD's 4EVER]

Ollie was diagnosed with grade two mast cell cancer in November 2005 (he was 8). His tumours (the ones that could be felt) were excised with no clear margins. Lymph nodes were biopsied and the cancer was found to be systemic.

We had a canine oncologist who liaised with our vet, us and our natural therapist.

He had chemo (vinblastin and another one that escapes me at the moment) - one week tablets, the next was by drip and then a week off. Blood tests every week to see if he could take the next round or have to wait. It is a very long and expensive road.

We also used chinese herbs, vitamin C, fish oil and other natural therapies. He had five mushroom drops, liver tonics arsenica as well.

He only eats human grade foods (preferably organic), it is all cooked for him. He has a similar diet to CnR's Sophie.

Even with the treatments, they told us that he would be with us for up to eighteen months. Well he will be celebrating his 11th birthday on June 12 this year.

The chemo has ruined his thyroid gland and he now needs meds for that for the rest of his life and it also gave him stomach ulcers (but it is still debated if that is the cancer or the chemo???)

Most people that see Ollie cannot believe that he has cancer (he has been in remission for over a year now). He still has a couple of tumours but all in all, he is an amazing lad (just like all the other terminal furry angels we have here)...

I won't say it has been easy, but I have learned so much from this journey and had the pleasure of chatting and getting to know so many wonderful people in the same boat as us. We all help each other and have so much to offer for others that are just starting out on their journeys with their beloved pooch's.

Ollie has a thread, here in the palliative care section - it is long but if you have any questions, feel free to PM me.

Start a thread for Mish, that way you can update us and we can offer suggestions for you and your vet - so many vets treat differently and some think of things that others don't consider at the time - many minds make this easier on everyone.

Best of luck

Jodie

I know your heart is in the right place, but I don't want to start a separate thread for Mish. If I did this, I'd spend all my time on the thread & not being with Mish. Most important to me at the moment to spend time with her. Mish's progress will be updated on the White Shep thread. You are all terrific & I really appreciate your support.

[blacklabrador]

Can you do massage? Physical touch has been shown to improve immune system function. I don't think you really have to even know what you are doing to have an effect. Ear tip massage is supposed to be very good. Strengthened immune system will help fight the cancer. Best wishes for her quality of life.

[GSD's 4EVER]

Can you do massage? Physical touch has been shown to improve immune system function. I don't think you really have to even know what you are doing to have an effect. Ear tip massage is supposed to be very good. Strengthened immune system will help fight the cancer. Best wishes for her quality of life.

Ta for that. I take my girls for a massage once a week. (Lucky ducks) Have been taking Mish for the last 9 years, so she's pretty spoilt. Not really. She deserves it 'cause I love her. Best muscle therapist in Melb in my opinion. She uses my treats, so no charge on the treats & no charge for massage. She also uses lazer therapy which is fantastic. Mish looks amazing at the moment. Check the White Shep thread. BBJ came & took pics of Mish today & posted one. You wouldn't know there is a thing wrong with her from her pic. Thanks so much for your wishes for Mish's health.

If you believe in the "Power of Positive Thinking" & I do, with all of you "pulling" for Mish, she's got a lot of new best friends out there & trust me, the old girl thanks you heaps. Mish is very lucky to have you all sending waves of love

[Staffyluv]

One thing I forgot to mention in my previous post was that chemo does not make dogs ill like it does humans.

Vets do not give animals the same dose that that doctors give humans. Chemo attacks cells that divide quickly and this includes bone marrow (among cancer and other good cells), and vets do not have the luxury of being able to give animals a bone marrow transplant which is why it is not given in the doses that it is given to humans.

I know of quite a few dogs now that have had chemo and not one has been made ill by it or has it stopped them from living life. The only thing that you have to be careful of is that being immune compromised they can catch bugs that they would otherwise not. This did not stop us from going to the park or having fun, as my vet said - it is all about quality of life. What is the point of going through it all to prolong his life, only to keep him cooped up because he 'might' catch something.

Vitamins C via canula can be a great tonic when they are feeling very low - Ollie has had this a couple of times now and always comes back acting like a pup again.

dogsbesotted has a lovely maremma (Lucinda) who was dxd mast cell grade 3 and she was told to take her home and make the most of the next month or so - Lucinda was only ever treated holistically and she is still here more than six years later.

I did not check your profile, so I am not sure where you are but there is a great holistic vet in Sydney who have heaps of experience with cancer patients (All Natural Vet Care). These wonderful vets were the ones we dealt with (we are in Canberra) when Ollie was ill.

Accupunture is another treatment that has been used widely for all sorts of treatments in dogs - even cancer, it can be used to help stimulate the immune system.

All the best