Foods/supplements For Cancer Affected Dogs

[SilverHaze]

Can anyone provide me with a list of foods, or suggestions for feeding for a dog who has had his second cancerous lump removed. This dog is now 11, and also has developed a heart murmer.

We have done our best to remove it surgically - there was 2 years between the lump first being removed and growing back, so hoping the for similar success - but i'd like to give him these best chance by giving him foods which help boost his system.

Any suggestions are welcome.

[Erny]

Tumeric is one high up on the list of herbs having anti-cancer properties. As the main-stream diet, I'd be inclined to go for as natural as possible, aiming for meat and veggies and also aiming for preservative free etc. etc. I'd also be working to avoid adding any chemical based drugs to my dog's system. In fact, I'd be looking to go totally chemical free.

But it is often not just a matter of selecting "one" thing, as there can be other herbs/foods which are required to assist with maximum absorption etc. etc.

I believe Augustine Approved have had some success in dealing with cancer in dogs - they have been working on this angle for quite some time. I am not familiar with it in any shape or form, but you might like to contact him via the Augustine Approved website to at least enquire.

Personally speaking - I've had success with "Black Salve" on skin related cancers and have in fact been able to avoid surgery that was otherwise recommended/insisted upon. All sign of the cancer has disappeared.

I hope you find success and good on you for looking into other supportive options to help your dog be the best he can be :) .

Edited March 25, 2014 by Erny

[SilverHaze]

Thanks Erny - he is on Fourflax Flaxseed Oil which has done amazing things for his joints. Currently on a grain free Salmon and Sweet Potato dry food, plus a variety of fresh meats (beef/chicken/fish) and all the tasty leftovers available - because why would you waste them :)

Hopefully in the next couple of weeks we can sort out what long term meds he will be on for his heart, and then i just wanted to hopefully add some regular things to his diet to help boost his system and give him a fighting chance.

[dancinbcs]

Ring or go and see Dr Ann Neville at Ann Neville, she has a fantastic track record with treating cancer dogs with Traditional Chinese Herbs.

[Her Majesty Dogmad]

We (at Iggy Rescue) just lost a rescued Italian Greyhound with 2 kinds of cancer. He was diagnosed and given a maximum of 2 months to live.

He was found a permanent foster carer and we sent him to the All Natural Vet at Russell Lea.

He was given Chinese herbs and a special diet which include offal I believe.

His foster carer was devoted and also had small potential skin cancers removed over the last 2 years - yes, he lived for nearly 2 years.

Suddenly he went very downhill and the vet did an ultrasound and said his cancer had spread throughout his organs and 2 days later he was gone.

I'm sure he wouldn't have had those extra months if not for the Chinese herbs and diet.

he was only 9 years old.

Edited March 25, 2014 by dogmad

[fbaudry]

Similar story to yours Dogmad; Olaf had a toe removed because of Melanoma and shortly after developed other issues (ruptured cruciate ligaments, chronic joint issues). The vet put down these problems to arthritis, until a CT scan showed bone cancer spread through his spine etc. he was given from a few weeks to a couple of months to live, with only pain relief.

I tried my best to find other options, changed him to a completely home made diet and got a lot of help from the lovely couple at http://www.dogcancer.net.au , both in terms of diet and a huge number of herbal supplements. He lived for another 26 months, much to our regular vet and the specialists at North Shore hospital's amazement.

[trifecta]

As regards diet, you may find these websites of use

http://www.acreaturecomfort.com/yinyanbalance.htm

http://www.herbsmithinc.com/Home/Education/FoodCharts/default.asp#coolingfoods

Chinese medicine advocates cooling foods to combat cancers, & personally I would eliminate all grains.

There are a myriad of supplements out there, so I would recommend a visit to a holistic vet who can guide you through what seems to work for the different types of cancer. You also need to remember that tumours are as individual as the dog (or person) itself, what works for one doesn't work for another.

However, turmeric, as Erny mentioned, is a good place to start having a lot of science behind it. Mushrooms are also good but need to be given as five mushroom extract available from a homeopath, naturopath holistic vet or their suppliers. Vitamins A,D,E can be given as a supplement,(my holistic vet sold me a product for sheep), as can vitamin C. I also used green tea (matcha powder) & dabbled with the Budwig diet which is cottage cheese & flax seed oil although the dog did not find it palatable so I gave it up in the end!

One thing I would advocate is to keep the dog interested in life! Go to different places, maintain an exercise regime for as long as you can, & when he can't, take him for a car ride :)

Edited March 25, 2014 by trifecta

[Steve]

There are so many studies to back up the great stuff curcumin - the stuff that is in turmeric does in fighting cancer BUT in order to help where there is a cancer issue pretty high doses are needed and its not absorbed that easily. Its not as easy as just adding it to food now and then to get the full benefit from it. In fact unless you are eating massive amounts the chances its doing much good are remote.

There are a couple of things you can do to boost the amount that is absorbed. The best is you can boil a litre of water and then add a table spoon of tumeric powder to the boiling water - the water has to be boiling when you add the powder .Then boil it for 10 minutes - this will give you a 12% solution - when cool you can drink it yourself or feed it to the dog. Don't leave it sit for too long as in about 5 hours it is reduced to 6% and the potency falls to nothing soon after that.

I actually use it this way to feed it to my family - add it after this process to gravies and stews, casseroles etc just before they are served.

Or you can use a tablespoon of the powder and add 2 egg yolks - leave out the whites - and two teaspoons of coconut oil.then use a high speed hand blender to blend it all together so its more available when you feed it.

Its also better to consume eat/drink this three or 4 times a day.

My favourites to add to this are a Astragalus, Echinacea and Siberian Ginseng blend loads of studies on these for anti cancer and immune system boosting but again these need to be made like a tea and left to sit or slow simmer in boiling water for at least 30 mins for the good stuff to absorb. I can provide this blend for you [organic ] with a dogz discount to try if you are interested.

When you see something is advised for cancer many people jump on that and start adding it in but it really is about potency, dosage and absorption so take that into account as you go.

[SilverHaze]

Thanks everyone for your great advice. Once we have hopefully got his heart murmur under control, i'll start investigating possible additions to his diet. I don't want to add anything too complicated - with other dogs in the house, protracted food time preparation could cause complete chaos!

He always gets to go on outing with me - camping all winter, drives through the summer, even if he can't do the longer walks and runs the younger dogs do.

I'll look up Ann Neville as well, as she is only about 5 minutes from me :)