Holistic Cancer Prevention & Care in Your Petby Dr. Larry Siegler Cancer is the most feared diagnosis among pet owners because it is so often fatal and the conventional treatments so debilitating. More than 50% of dogs and cats over the age of 10 will be diagnosed with cancer, and the incidence of cancer in younger animals is growing. As responsible guardians of our faithful companions it is important to understand the risk factors that contribute to the development of cancer and to learn all we can about prevention. Cancer is not like a contagious disease – there is no bacterium or virus at fault for the animal’s ill health, no outside invader has entered the system. Cancer is most often the result of years (and even generations) of substandard nutrition and exposure to toxins in the food and the environment, along with conventional medical treatments that can degrade the immune system, and stress–compounded in many cases by inbreeding creating genetic predispositions to ill health. Simply put-cancer is the result of an overtaxed system–the body can no longer detoxify or heal itself. Prevention and treatment start with the same components: * Optimal diet & nutrition Diet For dogs a diet of roughly 50% meat, and 40–50% non-starchy vegetables, with 10% or less whole grains can be optimal. Fish oils should be added to provide additional fat–omega 3 fats are best and are abundant in fish oil. For cats a diet of 80% meat and 20% non-starchy vegetables is recommended–again with fish oil added for additional fat. For both dogs and cats, proper calcium and a multi-vitamin and mineral supplement should be part of the daily nutrition as well. When a home-prepared diet is just not possible, try ready made (frozen) raw food, freeze dried or dehydrated diets, or a very high-quality canned food without grains: Frozen Raw Food If cooked or processed foods must be used, adding finely ground fresh vegetables or freshly juiced vegetables can be helpful. Dark leafy greens, broccoli, and carrots contain antioxidants that are beneficial in fighting cancer, as well as providing enzymes to help break down the food. For additional information about the benefits of fresh food and a healthy diet please read The Natural Nutrition for Cats and Dogs page. Water Vaccinations Any animal diagnosed with cancer or exhibiting signs of a weakened immune system should not be vaccinated at all. For more information about limited vaccination schedules please read The Truth About Pet Vaccinations. Indoor Air and Yard Pollution Non-toxic Stain and Odor Control Electromagnetic Radiation Flea Control Effective flea control does not have to be toxic. There are effective non-toxic alternatives. They take slightly more effort than putting a spot of pesticide on your companion’s skin, but they are so well worth it in the long-term health of your friend. For more information please read: The Natural Approach to Flea Control. Stress You may take a look at the cat sprawled in a patch of sunlight on the sofa or the dog curled up at your feet and wonder “what stress?” Yet many of our companions experience stress as much or more than we do. Have you ever known a dog with separation anxiety? They are feeling extreme stress for a good portion of every day if their guardian goes out of the home for work. Cats in multiple cat households often become stressed over hierarchies and turf disputes. And both cats and dogs are very responsive to the stress levels of their guardians–the more stressed you are the more your cat or dog feels and absorbs that stress. They are totally dependent on you for the signals of the “pack leader” (or in the case of cats – for signs of what goes on beyond their small indoor world)–and if the pack leader is giving off the signal that “life is not safe and there is danger lurking somewhere just out of sight,” then the animal feels stressed. For dogs one of the best ways to reduce their own stress is proper training. EVERY puppy should go through a “puppy class” at the very least. Even when you adopt an older dog both you and the dog can benefit from a few sessions with a good behaviorist. A good trainer helps you interpret the dog’s behavior and teaches you how to communicate in ways that your dog can understand. A well trained dog is a secure dog–and a much safer one as well. Cats are, of course, not so easily trained. But you can learn to interpret their subtle behavior patterns for signs of stress and look for ways to reduce that stress. There are books and organizations that can help. Exercise You need it, your pets need it. It’s one of the best ways to combat stress and is also crucial for the health of the body–human, dog or cat. Play is even better as it provides both exercise and the joy of fun and laughter. There is nothing more hilarious than the antics of a cat chasing a laser beam or a toy at the end of a string. Cats need exercise–so if Fluffy doesn’t like to play–try a harness and go for walks. Dogs are a bit easier to exercise and a brisk walk can do you both good. A play date with another dog or a romp at the dog park is great exercise and can provide stress relief in the social interaction. Some clients insist that their dogs are “house dogs” and don’t like to spend time outside. If that is the case, then play fetch with them in the house or find some way to give them some exercise every day. It is important for digestive health, detoxification, and immune health as well as muscle tone and respiratory health. Treating Cancer For many cancer patients, the conventional treatment options are as bad, or worse than the cancer itself. In these cases, holistic treatment can at least offer the chance for a better quality of life even if it cannot cure the cancer. Holistic care is about providing the animal with the resources its body needs to heal from within. Every case is different. There is no one way to treat any type of cancer. There are some basic principles as discussed above that can help no matter what type of cancer the animal has. There are also some basic immune boosting and cancer fighting supplements that can help in many cases. We have already discussed the importance of diet. Digestive enzymes (for Dogs and Cats) are also an important component to help the animal’s system break down and more easily absorb the urgently needed nutrients in the food. Essential Fatty Acids (for Dogs and Cats) are crucial as well. Immune Support Complexes CAS Options by Genesis Resources is an immune building supplement that includes mushrooms and antioxidants that have been shown to boost the immune system. Pet Alive C-Caps is another option containing astragalus, milk thistle and other tonic herbs for cancer prevention and treatment. The Chinese Herbal formulas Power Mushrooms and Astra 8 are a good immune boosting combination also. For cats and small dogs where a liquid supplement may be more easily administered, Vetri-Science Maitake-DMG liquid is a powerful immune enhancer. Antioxidants In addition to one of the above immune support complexes, additional antioxidants can be provided most easily in a combination form: Antioxidants are controversial with some oncologists, so if you are also pursuing conventional treatments such as chemotherapy, check with your veterinarian before giving additional antioxidants. For a more complete discussion of immune support, please see: Building a Healthy Immune System. Studies utilizing IP6 with inositol have revealed significant anticancer activity with a variety of tumor types, possibly via inhibition of tumor cell growth and differentiation. Cellular Forte by PhytoPharmica is another good supplement for fighting cancer and can be given in addition to immune boosters and antioxidants: Cleansing and Detoxifying Additional Supplements Artemisinin has been the subject of much discussion regarding cancer care recently. It is a derivative of Artemesia, a simple plant that grows in Southeast Asia. Originally used as an anti-malaria drug, it was tested by researchers at the University of Washington for it’s effectiveness against cancer. The results have been very promising with impressive tumor reduction outcomes, and more research is being conducted. The amino acids L-Arginine and L-Glutamine are often helpful in fighting cancer. L-Arginine appears to enhance immune function and may inhibit the growth of some tumors. It can be given at a dose of 500 – 3000 mg per day. L-Glutamine may also inhibit tumor growth and helps in protecting the gastrointestinal system and combat the physical wasting and loss of muscle mass seen in some cancer patients. Curcumin, from the Indian spice turmeric, is another supplement used frequently as it inhibits tumor growth and metastasis and tends to reduce the side effects of chemotherapy. The dosage is typically 15 to 20 mg per pound of body weight daily (150 – 200 mg for cats, increasing appropriately for larger animals). Homeopathy Acupuncture While cancer is most certainly a frightening diagnosis, there is much that can be done to both improve the quality of your companion’s life and even extend the amount of time you have with him or her. Keep in mind that it is crucial to remain as optimistic as possible. Remember – your companion senses your stress. If you view your dog or cat as a “cancer patient” or a problem to be solved they will not fair as well as if you see them as your beloved companion who enhances your quality of life. All of the therapies discussed will go farther when administered with a healthy dose of love and affection. Additional Links: http://altvetmed.org/pages/articles.html |