New Less Invasive Option Being Tested For Dog Nasal Cancer - Freeze It!

The most common symptoms of nasal tumors in dogs are snorting sounds while breathing, nasal discharge, and nosebleeds.
The Typical vet treatment for nasal tumors involves radiation:
The mean survival time, after radiation, is 12-14 months. Side-effects of radiation treatments often impact a dog’s eyes and mouth as well. 4 months if zero treatment.
Michele Steffey, DVM, Dipl. ACVS, assistant professor of small animal surgery at University of California-Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine, is testing a new treatment called “transnare cryoablation.”
Essentially, she is using extreme cold to freeze and remove the tumor tissue.
Transnare cryoablation is considered less invasive that traditional treatments because it does not require any incisions. In addition, Steffey’s team can make several passes with the freezing probe while the pet is under anesthesia just once. Depending upon the specific case, some dogs may require additional sessions later.
For example, a 9-year-old chocolate Lab named Barkely had been in treatment for adenocarcinoma for a year when he became a patient of Steffey’s. The good news is that nasal adenocarcinoma often grows only where it begins without rapidly spreading to other areas of the body, such as the lungs or lymph nodes.
Barkely’s tumor stretched from the tip of his nose all the way to the back of his nasal cavity. While Barkely had some invasion from the left to the right side of his nose, the tumor had not broken through the cribriform plate, a bone that separates the nasal cavity from the brain.
In March 2013, while under anesthesia, Barkely received four consecutive treatments with the cryoprobe in about 45 minutes. He had a few nosebleeds afterwards, but Steffey says that’s to be expected.
Barkely’s four-month recheck CT scan showed no evidence of nasal tumor regrowth and no evidence that the cancer has spread to his lungs or lymph nodes.
The clinical trials of this new procedure are just beginning, so it’s hard to know how long these results may last. So far, things look promising.
Steffey says, “All types of nasal tumors may be enrolled in the study, and we will follow their outcome in order to eventually make more specific recommendations as needed. However, just like other local therapies for cancer (radiation, surgery), there may be anatomic or other limitations to safe administration of the treatment in an individual patient, and that decision can only be made on a case-by-case basis.”
ALSO:
Image-guided transnasal cryoablation of a recurrent nasal adenocarcinoma in a dog.
Author information
Abstract
PMID:


"We took our dog to UC Davis' soft tissue department.  Dr. Michelle Steffey saw her on January 23rd and determined the nasal cancer had not yet (operative word) crossed the brain barrier and therefore she was a candidate for Cryotherapy.  They kept her a couple of days before releasing her after the procedure.  The next four weeks she sneezed out, literally blew out black, sticky, smelly chunks and had a continuous pinkish brown nasal discharge.  I continued the organic cooking, the Pepsid A/C , Piroxicam (9mg), fish oil and chinese herb (Yunnan Baiyo, to prevent nose bleeds).  
"The cost:  pretty much depicted in the study info but it ran $1000 for the CT scan they had to do because it is "layered", different than what most local vets can do.  This past recheck cost us $328.  However, there were "extra" charges, such as medication (piroxicam, pain meds post treatment, various blood workups, anesthesia, boarding for 3 days" which added another approximate $900 to our first bill. You must also factor in hotels (we stayed at the crappy EconoLodge on D Street (about somewhat under $100 night after taxes), but it was a great environment for walking dog) and the hotel, the rental car. Rental car cost us $350 this last time but hotels were about the same.  Food, this time around for the 2 of us was about $100 over a 3.5 day period (2 adults and, of course dog). Plus airfare for non area people."

16 (yes you read that right) radiation treatments over three weeks
Each one requiring anesthesia

New Less Invasive Option Being Tested

Steffey explains, “The cryoprobe is basically a large needle that is closed at the tip. Inert gasses – argon and helium – are cycled through the cryoprobe to control the temperature and vented back through the system, so the patient is never directly exposed to the gasses. The argon is the gas that causes the drop in temperature around the probe due to the expansion of the gas (Joule-Thompson effect) within the probe. We take the temperature down to about -60 to -80 degrees Celsius to kill the tumor.”

J Small Anim Pract. 2011 Jun;52(6):329-33. doi: 10.1111/j.1748-5827.2011.01071.x.

Murphy SM1, Lawrence JA, Schmiedt CW, Davis KW, Lee FT Jr, Forrest LJ, Bjorling DE.

An eight-year-old female spayed Airedale terrier with rapid recurrence of a nasal adenocarcinoma following image-guided intensity-modulated radiation therapy (BLOGGER NOTE - MEANING THE RADIATION DIDN'T WORK) was treated with transnasal, image-guided cryotherapy. Ice ball size and location were monitored real-time with computed tomography-fluoroscopy to verify that the entire tumour was enveloped in ice. Serial computed tomography scans demonstrated reduction in and subsequent resolution of the primary tumour volume corresponding visually with the ice ball imaged during the ablation procedure. Re-imaging demonstrated focallysis of the cribriform plate following ablation that spontaneously resolved by 13 months. While mild chronic nasal discharge developed following cryoablation, no other clinical signs of local nasal neoplasia were present. Twenty-one months after nasal tumour cryoablation the dog was euthanased as a result of acute *haemoabdomen*. Image-guided cryotherapy may warrant further investigation for the management of focal residual or recurrent tumours in dogs, especially in regions where critical structures preclude surgical intervention.

*NOTES: Hemoabdomen*, defined as the accumulation of blood within the peritoneal cavity, is a relatively common finding in dogs but rare in cats. The underlying cause of hemoabdomen can be either traumatic or spontaneous. The most common cause of traumatic hemoabdomen is a motor vehicle accident, but penetrating trauma can also result in abdominal bleeding. (Odd if the dog above also had yet another cancer!?)

Spontaneous hemoabdomen is caused by neoplasia 80 percent of the time in dogs but only 46 percent of the time in cats. The spleen is the most common organ in both species to develop neoplasia, and hemangiosarcoma is the most common diagnosis. Regardless of the cause, intra-abdominal hemorrhage can be life-threatening. 

© 2011 British Small Animal Veterinary Association.

21627662

[PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

  She had her four-week checkup on Monday and the tumor is g-o-n-e.  Gone!  Gone!  The freeze worked.  Within a week we suspected success because Sam could once again breathe out of her left nostril.  

  We realize that there is no "cure" for nasal cancer.  Nevertheless, the tumor is gone -- it does not mean it won't come back -- but it is gone and we will continue to keep our eyes on things.

  I will also say there were no side effects, it is a better treatment option than radiation (in my opinion) we do not need her on chemotherapy drugs, yet the cost is less than chemo and probably less than radiation therapy."

LINK TO CALIFORNIA UC DAVIS VET TRIAL FOR THIS UCD – Nasal Tumor: Transnare Cryoablation of Nasal Tumors Study Trials
PROCEDURE

THIS IS A PARTIALLY FUNDED STUDY. Dog owners participating in this study will be given special financial considerations. The cost of cryoablation procedure (excluding the costs of general anesthesia) will be covered by the study (an approximately $4000 benefit to the client) but standard medical costs (hospitalization, medications, etc) are the responsibility of the client. There will be no charge for the study rechecks at 1 month, 4 months, and 8 months. You will be financially responsible for the charges associated with the clinical care of your dog beyond the stipends provided. Owner Responsibilities: The owner will be responsible for the individualized costs of the patient’s care at the time of the treatment (anesthesia, hospitalization, medications, other individualized diagnostic tests needed to ensure the patient is safe for the procedure), and for scheduling recheck appointments post-treatment and keeping those appointments as required by protocol. Owners also have the responsibility to cover the cost of the initial examination, pre-treatment workup, pre-treatment CT scan, and any additional diagnostic tests needed to determine their dog’s eligibility for the study, and medications prescribed. Initial Evaluation for Participation: All dogs must be examined by a VMTH oncology, internal medicine, radiation oncology service or soft tissue surgery veterinarian, and require the baseline evaluations described above at the owners expense before a dog can be considered for enrollment in the trial.Procedures: Cryoablation procedure is a minimally invasive procedure performed under general anesthesia. Special cryoablation needles are inserted through the nostrils, and freezing sufficient to kill the tumor is applied.

 - I found a quote:

I buy most of my pill stuff from Swanson Vitamins. They are cheaper, in capsules for dosage changes, and carry almost everything I give to Lucy except for the Chinese Herbs Stasis Breaker prescription, and the Low Dose Naltrexone prescription. Here is a $5 off coupon link I found

Lucy's Dog Cancer Status

She is....  still.....   DOING GREAT!
Whoo Hooo!!!!

Coenzyme Q10 an adjuvant therapy for cancer

Studies of coenzyme Q₁₀ as an adjuvant therapy for breast cancer

The following has been reported from preclinical studies of coenzyme Q₁₀ and cancer:

• Animal studies found that coenzyme Q₁₀ boosts the immune system and helps the body fight certain infections and types of cancer.
• Coenzyme Q₁₀ helped to protect the hearts of study animals that were given the anticancer drug doxorubicin, an anthracycline that can cause damage to the heart muscle.
• Laboratory and animal studies have shown that analogs of coenzyme Q₁₀ may stop cancer cells from growing.

Coenzyme Q10 is an enzyme made by the body and found in the membranes of many tissues. CoQ10 has effects in stimulating the immune system and works as a strong antioxidant. In animals and people with cancer it has been shown that levels of CoQ10 are lower then in normal individuals. There is some evidence that CoQ10 can increase cancer survival times.

Reduced levels of CoQ10 have been found in animals and people with heart issues. CoQ10 can help to protect the heart, lower blood pressure and help with repair to the heart.

CoQ10 has been shown to reduce cardiotoxicity (toxicity to the heart) in people on the chemotherapy drug doxorubicin (adriamycin).

Small studies have been done on the use of coenzyme Q₁₀ after standard treatment in patients with breast cancer:

• In a study of coenzyme Q₁₀ in 32 breast cancer patients, it was reported that some signs and symptoms of cancer went away in 6 patients. Details were given for only 3 of the 6 patients. The researchers also reported that all the patients in the study used less pain medicine, had improved quality of life, and did not lose weight during treatment.
• In a follow-up study, two patients who had breast cancer remaining after surgery were treated with high doses of coenzyme Q₁₀ for 3 to 4 months. It was reported that after treatment with high-dose coenzyme Q₁₀, the cancer was completely gone in both patients.
• In a third study led by the same researchers, 3 breast cancer patients were given high-dose coenzyme Q₁₀ and followed for 3 to 5 years. The study reported that one patient had complete remission of cancer that had spread to the liver, another had remission of cancer that had spread to the chest wall, and the third had no breast cancer found after surgery.

References

1. Crane FL, Sun IL, Sun EE: The essential functions of coenzyme Q. Clin Investig 71 (8 Suppl): S55-9, 1993.  [PUBMED Abstract]
2. Pepping J: Coenzyme Q10. Am J Health Syst Pharm 56 (6): 519-21, 1999.  [PUBMED Abstract]
3. Folkers K, Wolaniuk A: Research on coenzyme Q10 in clinical medicine and in immunomodulation. Drugs Exp Clin Res 11 (8): 539-45, 1985.  [PUBMED Abstract]
4. Overvad K, Diamant B, Holm L, et al.: Coenzyme Q10 in health and disease. Eur J Clin Nutr 53 (10): 764-70, 1999.  [PUBMED Abstract]
5. Beyer RE, Nordenbrand K, Ernster L: The role of coenzyme Q as a mitochondrial antioxidant: a short review. In: Folkers K, Yamamura Y, eds.: Biomedical and Clinical Aspects of Coenzyme Q. Vol 5. Amsterdam, The Netherlands: Elsevier Science Publishers B V (Biomedical Division), 1986, pp 17-24. 
6. Gordon M: Dietary antioxidants in disease prevention. Nat Prod Rep 13 (4): 265-73, 1996.  [PUBMED Abstract]
7. Palazzoni G, Pucello D, Littarru GP, et al.: Coenzyme Q10 and colorectal neoplasms in aged patients. Rays 22 (1 Suppl): 73-6, 1997 Jan-Mar.  [PUBMED Abstract]
8. Ernster L, Dallner G: Biochemical, physiological and medical aspects of ubiquinone function. Biochim Biophys Acta 1271 (1): 195-204, 1995.  [PUBMED Abstract]
9. Yamamoto Y, Yamashita S, Fujisawa A, et al.: Oxidative stress in patients with hepatitis, cirrhosis, and hepatoma evaluated by plasma antioxidants. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 247 (1): 166-70, 1998.  [PUBMED Abstract]
10. Yamamoto Y, Yamashita S: Plasma ratio of ubiquinol and ubiquinone as a marker of oxidative stress. Mol Aspects Med 18 (Suppl): S79-84, 1997.  [PUBMED Abstract]
11. Ernster L, Forsmark-Andrée P: Ubiquinol: an endogenous antioxidant in aerobic organisms. Clin Investig 71 (8 Suppl): S60-5, 1993.  [PUBMED Abstract]
12. Folkers K: The potential of coenzyme Q 10 (NSC-140865) in cancer treatment. Cancer Chemother Rep 2 4 (4): 19-22, 1974.  [PUBMED Abstract]
13. Folkers K, Osterborg A, Nylander M, et al.: Activities of vitamin Q10 in animal models and a serious deficiency in patients with cancer. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 234 (2): 296-9, 1997.  [PUBMED Abstract]
14. Jolliet P, Simon N, Barré J, et al.: Plasma coenzyme Q10 concentrations in breast cancer: prognosis and therapeutic consequences. Int J Clin Pharmacol Ther 36 (9): 506-9, 1998.  [PUBMED Abstract]
15. Baggio E, Gandini R, Plancher AC, et al.: Italian multicenter study on the safety and efficacy of coenzyme Q10 as adjunctive therapy in heart failure. CoQ10 Drug Surveillance Investigators. Mol Aspects Med 15 (Suppl): s287-94, 1994.  [PUBMED Abstract]
16. Cortes EP, Gupta M, Chou C, et al.: Adriamycin cardiotoxicity: early detection by systolic time interval and possible prevention by coenzyme Q10. Cancer Treat Rep 62 (6): 887-91, 1978.  [PUBMED Abstract]
17. Folkers K, Brown R, Judy WV, et al.: Survival of cancer patients on therapy with coenzyme Q10. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 192 (1): 241-5, 1993.  [PUBMED Abstract]
18. Iarussi D, Auricchio U, Agretto A, et al.: Protective effect of coenzyme Q10 on anthracyclines cardiotoxicity: control study in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Mol Aspects Med 15 (Suppl): s207-12, 1994.  [PUBMED Abstract]
19. Folkers K, Shizukuishi S, Takemura K, et al.: Increase in levels of IgG in serum of patients treated with coenzyme Q10. Res Commun Chem Pathol Pharmacol 38 (2): 335-8, 1982.  [PUBMED Abstract]
20. Complementary treatments highlighted at recent meeting. Oncology (Huntingt) 13 (2): 166, 1999.  [PUBMED Abstract]
21. Bliznakov E, Casey A, Premuzic E: Coenzymes Q: stimulants of the phagocytic activity in rats and immune response in mice. Experientia 26 (9): 953-4, 1970.  [PUBMED Abstract]
22. Folkers K, Hanioka T, Xia LJ, et al.: Coenzyme Q10 increases T4/T8 ratios of lymphocytes in ordinary subjects and relevance to patients having the AIDS related complex. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 176 (2): 786-91, 1991.  [PUBMED Abstract]
23. Kawase I, Niitani H, Saijo N, et al.: Enhancing effect of coenzyme, Q10 on immunorestoration with Mycobacterium bovis BCG in tumor-bearing mice. Gann 69 (4): 493-7, 1978.  [PUBMED Abstract]
24. Bliznakov EG: Effect of stimulation of the host defense system by coenzyme Q 10 on dibenzpyrene-induced tumors and infection with Friend leukemia virus in mice. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 70 (2): 390-4, 1973.  [PUBMED Abstract]
25. Bliznakov EG, Adler AD: Nonlinear response of the reticuloendothelial system upon stimulation. Pathol Microbiol (Basel) 38 (6): 393-410, 1972.  [PUBMED Abstract]
26. Bliznakov EG: Coenzyme Q in experimental infections and neoplasia. In: Folkers K, Yamamura Y, eds.: Biomedical and Clinical Aspects of Coenzyme Q. Vol 1. Amsterdam, The Netherlands: Elsevier/North-Holland Biomedical Press, 1977, pp 73-83. 
27. Barbieri B, Lund B, Lundström B, et al.: Coenzyme Q10 administration increases antibody titer in hepatitis B vaccinated volunteers--a single blind placebo-controlled and randomized clinical study. Biofactors 9 (2-4): 351-7, 1999.  [PUBMED Abstract]
28. Lockwood K, Moesgaard S, Hanioka T, et al.: Apparent partial remission of breast cancer in 'high risk' patients supplemented with nutritional antioxidants, essential fatty acids and coenzyme Q10. Mol Aspects Med 15 (Suppl): s231-40, 1994.  [PUBMED Abstract]
29. Lockwood K, Moesgaard S, Folkers K: Partial and complete regression of breast cancer in patients in relation to dosage of coenzyme Q10. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 199 (3): 1504-8, 1994.  [PUBMED Abstract]
30. Lockwood K, Moesgaard S, Yamamoto T, et al.: Progress on therapy of breast cancer with vitamin Q10 and the regression of metastases. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 212 (1): 172-7, 1995.  [PUBMED Abstract]
31. Folkers K: Relevance of the biosynthesis of coenzyme Q10 and of the four bases of DNA as a rationale for the molecular causes of cancer and a therapy. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 224 (2): 358-61, 1996.  [PUBMED Abstract]
32. Ren S, Lien EJ: Natural products and their derivatives as cancer chemopreventive agents. Prog Drug Res 48: 147-71, 1997.  [PUBMED Abstract]
33. Hodges S, Hertz N, Lockwood K, et al.: CoQ10: could it have a role in cancer management? Biofactors 9 (2-4): 365-70, 1999.  [PUBMED Abstract]
34. Folkers K, Porter TH, Bertino JR, et al.: Inhibition of two human tumor cell lines by antimetabolites of coenzyme Q10. Res Commun Chem Pathol Pharmacol 19 (3): 485-90, 1978.  [PUBMED Abstract]

I give Lucy 1 capsule in her AM meal.

1. 
   

Mushroom Derived Compound Lengthens Survival in Dogs With Cancer

Mushroom-Derived Compound Lengthens Survival in Dogs With Cancer, Study Suggests


 Dogs with hemangiosarcoma that were treated with a compound of Beta glucans derived from the Coriolus versicolor mushroom had the longest survival times ever reported for dogs with the disease. These promising findings offer hope that the compound may one day offer cancer patients -- human and canine alike -- a viable alternative or complementary treatment to traditional chemotherapies.


The study was conducted by two University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine faculty. They published their findings in an open-access article in the journal Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine.

The Coriolus versicolor mushroom, known commonly as the Yunzhi or Turkey Tail mushroom, has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for more than 2,000 years. The compound in the mushroom that is believed to have immune-boosting properties is polysaccharopeptide, or PSP. In the last two decades, some studies have suggested that PSP Beta glucans also has a tumor-fighting effect.

"There have been a series of studies looking at groups of people with cancer,"  "The issue with those studies is that they weren't necessarily measuring what most people would think is the most clinically important result, which is, do people taking PSP Beta glucans live longer?"

To address this critical question,University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine pursued a study in dogs with naturally occurring hemangiosarcoma, an aggressive, invasive cancer that arises from the blood cells and typically affects the spleen. It commonly strikes golden retrievers and German shepherds.

Fifteen dogs that had been diagnosed with hemangiosarcoma participated in the trial. Divided into three groups of five, each group received a different dose -- 25, 50 or 100 mg/kg/day -- of (Beta glucans), a formulation of PSP.

The owners were instructed to give their dog capsules of (Beta glucans), compounded by Penn pharmacists, daily. Each month, the owners brought their dogs to Penn's Ryan Veterinary Hospital for follow-up visits. There, the researchers took blood samples and conducted ultrasounds to determine the extent that tumors developed or grew and spread in the dogs' bodies.

Based on the ultimate endpoints -- how quickly the tumors progressed and how long the dogs actually lived -- the results of the researchers' trial suggest that the Beta glucans was effectively fighting the tumors.

"We were shocked," University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine said. "Prior to this, the longest reported median survival time of dogs with hemangiosarcoma of the spleen that underwent no further treatment was 86 days. We had dogs that lived beyond a year with nothing other than this mushroom as treatment."

There were not statistically significant differences in survival between the three dosage groups, though the median survival time was highest in the 100 mg group, at 199 days, eclipsing the previously reported median survival time.

The results were so surprising, in fact, that the researchers asked Penn Vet pathologists to recheck the dogs' tissue biopsies to make sure that the dogs really had the disease.

"They reread the samples and said, yes, it's really hemangiosarcoma," University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine said.

Chemotherapy is available for treating hemangiosarcoma, but many owners opt not to pursue that treatment once their dog is diagnosed. "It doesn't hugely increase survival, it's expensive and it means a lot of back and forth to the vet for the dog," Cimino Brown said. "So you have to figure in quality of life."

 As an added benefit, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine have found no evidence of adverse effects from the Beta glucans treatment.

 "Although hemangiosarcoma is a very sad and devastating disease, in the long term, if we prove that this works, this treatment can be a really nice alternative for owners to have increased quality time with their pet at the end of its life."



I give Lucy Swanson Beta Glucans or Beta 1,3/1,6-D-Glucans (same thing) 100mg- Immune Boosting beta 1-3, 1-6 glucan is a potent immune system stimulator. It is derived from yeast and specifically activates macrophages turning on your immune system.  I believe, though, cancer treatment needs to be as diverse and multi-pronged as possible. So it needs to be more than just this.
Here is what is working on Lucy
http://dognasalcancertreatmentforlucy.blogspot.com/2012/03/dog-cancer-supplements-and-herbs-i-use.html

Lucy Nasal Cancer at 1 year 2 months

"I may be bipolar, but I am happy to still be alive and in remission!

Thanks, Dad!"

You're welcome Lucy!

Yup. Still in remission from nasal cancer (adenocarcinoma)! 

1 year 2 months! 

No radiation, no chemo. Just a lot of research and usage of all alternatives....

Dog Cancer Yahoo Groups

The number of canines that are diagnosed with cancer is on the rise. CanineCancer is a support group restricted to people whose dogs are CURRENTLY battling cancer or are awaiting a definitive diagnosis. If you have recently lost a beloved dog to cancer, you may want to do a yahoogroup search for pet loss support groups. Discussions will focus on the treatment of cancer in our members' dogs, rather than cause and prevention. There is another yahoogroup for that. This includes traditional and alternative treatments and therapy. If you do not currently have a dog with cancer, please do not send a subscription request. Previous members are welcome to come back. 

Before sending your request to join CanineCancer, please also check out the following groups in case you feel one of them would be more appropriate for you:

http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/bonecancerdogs/ (Bone Cancer)

http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/LymphomaHeartDogs/ (Lymphoma)

http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/Canine_Mast_Cell_Tumor/ (Mast Cell Tumors)

http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/TheSumnerFoundation/ (Hemangiosarcoma)

http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/CanineCancerPrevention/ (Prevention)


http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/CanineCancer/?yguid=69740366 General

What kinds of cancer occur in dogs?

What kinds of cancer occur in dogs?

In dogs generally 50 per cent of all tumors are of the skin (of which about 40 per cent are malignant and 60 per cent benign), 20 per cent are of the mammary glands (which account for 58 per cent of tumors in bitches, of which about 50 per cent are benign), only 10 per cent are of the alimentary system (which is one of the prime sites in Man), 10 per cent of the lymphatic system, 5 per cent of the reproductive system, and 5 per cent others.

However, bone tumors are much more common in the large and giant breeds. They are most likely to occur at the ends of long bones in the growth plates but may occur on the skull, pelvis, etc. Bone tumors are mostly extremely malignant. Signs are swelling, pain, heat, and lameness (if the tumor is in a limb bone). However, although bone tumors on the forelimb (especially at the distal [lower] end of the radius/ulna - just above the knee joint and a favorite site) or those on the distal end of the tibia/fibula (just above the hock joint) on the hind leg are easy enough to detect, particularly when the typical hard swelling starts, those in other sites can be much more difficult to diagnose. This is especially so if they are on bones where there is heavy surrounding musculature, such as the shoulder-blade, upper arm, or thigh. These are all too likely to be diagnosed as pulled muscles, damaged tendons, arthritis, etc. Also, osteosarcoma (the most common form of bone cancer in these breeds) often starts up after some kind of trauma such as a collision or fall and is most likely to occur in the age range of 6 to 8 years, so the tendency is for a diagnosis of bruising, arthritis, etc. in any case.

Oral tumors are quite common and mostly malignant. One problem is that they are often well advanced before being noticed. Signs are bloody saliva, bad breath, difficulty in eating, or unwillingness to eat. Malignant melanoma are particularly dangerous and spread rapidly.

Nasal tumors are quite rare but mostly malignant. Signs are sneezing, difficulty in breathing, discharge from the 

nose, or nosebleeds. They do not spread quickly but cause much local damage.

Tumors of the gut are rare but usually malignant and generally well advanced by the time they are noticed. Spleen tumors are usually malignant with early secondaries. Signs of internal tumors are non-specific but include weight loss (sometimes rapid), diarrhea or constipation, pain which may be shown by a stiffness of movement, passage of blood or vomiting of blood or "coffee-grounds", and loss of appetite.

Tumors of the lungs (a prime site in Man) do not occur as primaries in dogs but frequently as secondaries. Signs are difficulty in breathing, particularly after exercise, coughing, and wheezing.

Cancer of the lymph system is quite common and can involve a combination of lymph glands, bone marrow, circulating blood, and internal organs. Signs are enlargement of glands, depression, anorexia, and weight loss. These cancers include lymphosarcoma and leukemia. There are two types of canine lymphoma: the multicentric which affects the whole body, and one which develops only in the alimentary, cutaneous, and thymic glands.

Skin tumors can vary from granuloma, which are pea-sized, to vast lumps. Not all lumps which appear on the skin are tumors. Sebaceous cysts are very common, particularly in the elderly dog, but are only blocked sebaceous glands and quite harmless, although they do sometimes burst. It is a good rule, though, to have any lump tested.

Tippner Cancer Protocol for Dog Cancer

HEY!
Lucy is now near 22 months (as of end of February 2013) post biopsy proven diagnosis of Nasal Adenocarcinoma Nasal Nose Cancer using the Tippner Protocol for Dog Cancer . 


She is showing no symptoms. Zero. Plus some of the other skin tumors she had went away. Using no radiation or chemo. Just specific diverse supplements, chinese herbs, diet change to higher protein medium fat no grain diet, and Rx of Low Dose Naltrexone (boosts immunity - proven - generic med - cheap - read blog post on this for links to research).




Usual Prognosis (from Veterinary Texts on Nasal Cancer)
 "The prognosis is generally grave to very poor. Untreated dogs and cats usually die within two to seven months of diagnosis. If rhinotomy (cutting of much of snout!) is the only treatment, survival is actually shorter. In selected cases that receive radiation therapy (plus or minus adjuvant therapy), survival can be raised to a range of eight to 25 months. The one-year treatment survival may be only 40 percent and can go up to 80 percent in select cases. Half of the one-year survivors die in the second year. (remember burning your dogs face with radiation is not fun and takes quality time away and costs upwards of $6000-$10000 plus 3 weeks of almost daily radiation) Palliative chemotherapy may improve clinical signs for a time but does not seem to extend survival. If you are trying to select a good case for radiation therapy, sarcomas do better than carcinomas and respiratory adenocarcinomas do better than other carcinomas.Tumor size and location are also factors. Localized lesions in the rostral to middle part of the nasal passage do better; most are in the caudal two-thirds of the nasal passage.Lymphomas respond the best and low-grade chondrosarcomas have the potential to survive the longest. Radiation therapy for nasal passage cancer is a difficult process for the patient and caregivers. The risk-benefit ratio must be weighed carefully in each case.Therefore, during consultation with the pet owner, it may be difficult to recommend conventional therapy over palliative therapy, especially for advanced cases due to the overall poor prognosis." 







This herb below is one of many I use but it's REALLY important.









Yun Nan Bai Yao Yunnan Bai Yao - Chinese Herbs for Bleeding Type Cancers

Chinese Herbs

If your dog has hemangiosarcoma, leukemia, or any type of bleeding tumor such as nasal cancer, you’ll want to know about Yunnan Baiyao (aka Yunnan Paiyao), a Chinese herb that stops bleeding. Yunnan Baiyao has been used in Asia for more than one hundred years and is considered a miracle drug for wounds and hemorrhage. It first gained recognition by western practitioners during the Vietnam War. The Vietcong carried it with them and took it if they were wounded to stop bleeding and recover more quickly.  It is now recognized as an effective remedy for reducing clotting time by as much as 55%.  Hemangiosarcoma is a very deadly cancer in dogs,  which generally isn't diagnosed until the dog collapses or dies. This sort of cancer is genetic, hereditary, and it runs in bloodlines. It causes a tumor in the heart (also seen in the spleen, and other organs) that leads to fluid build-up in the pericardium. Yunnan Baiyao has been used successfully to relieve the fluid build up and help with the dog's comfort level.

Yunnan Baiyao also known as Yunnan Paiyao has been extensively used and considered a sort of miracle drug for wounds, pain, and hemorrhage. Unlike Western pain drugs, it does not turn off pain centers in the brain, but instead facilitates circulation, bringing oxygen to the injury.
It is useful for any type of open cuts and any kind of surgery. It reduces recovery time for surgery by half because it mends injured blood vessels. It does not interfere with Western sedative drugs, so can be used the same day as surgery.
By immediately activating blood circulation, it helps resolve bleeding, pain, and swelling. It heals oozing wounds and damaged blood vessels, while expelling pus and counteracting toxins.
Although the ingredients are still secret, the two main herbs are raw and steamed tienchi ginseng. The raw form is cooling, the steamed form is warming. It is the combination of the two forms, along with other herbs, that make Yunnan Baiyao a balanced and powerful "drug" for pain and injury.

Its primary application is acute traumatic bleeding, where the powder is applied directly to the cut. The product is antibacterial as well as homeostatic.
Cuts heal quickly with even a single application, and with a butterfly bandage it can help seal smaller wounds that might otherwise require stitches. In various clinical studies, it has shown to reduce clotting time by 33% to 55%.
The powder form is more appropriate for topical application in traumatic bleeding, while the capsules are meant to be taken internally. Otherwise it is used orally in the food.
It is used for traumatic swelling or bruising, or for other blood disorders including thrombocytopenic purpura and leukemia. It is also used to inhibit internal bleeding due to trauma, surgery or cerebral hemorrhage. 

DOSAGE: I give Lucy, a 90 pound Lab, 1 capsule 2x per day just thrown in her food. Her bleeding stopped, her infections therefore stopped, and the scary and messy scenes stopped. This bleeding had been going on for months out of her nose. Within a week it was less each time and after maybe a couple of months, the bleeding was hardly ever. At this point many months after diagnosis of canine nasal adenocarcinoma cancer, she has not bled AT ALL for months now. This is not a blood thickener, it just helps the body clot faster when told to clot. The bleeding itself comes from the arteries feeding the tumor breaking due to the tumor increasing in size.

Oddly this stuff can be ordered easily and cheaply from Amazon at this link Yun Nan Bai Yao Yunnan Bai Yao - Chinese Herbs for Bleeding Type Cancers such as Dog Nasal Cancer

Many Holistic Vets tell you to use this for bleeding (or want to sell it to you for a high price....). Assuming you can even find a Holistic Vet near you. 

Emotionally anyway, not seeing your dog bleed makes this whole 'my dog has nasal cancer' much less stressful. 

Dog Nasal Cancers Rare but Deadly
This article appeared in a Vet Magazine I found.
*things in parenthesis are my input
"Nasal passage cancer generally develops very insidiously in older pets. (my dog is only 7 though...)It is rare in cats and not common in dogs. (not common? then why do I find when I talk to people in general in my town, someone more often than not says 'oh, I know so and so whose dog had it!) It composes about 1 percent of feline tumors and up to 2.5 percent of canine tumors. Long-nosed breeds (dolichocephalic) and senior dogs are at higher risk.

Clinical Signs
The early signs of nasal cancer in dogs or cats are unilateral nasal and/or ocular discharge, epistaxis, stridor, loss of smell, loose teeth and sometimes pawing at the face. (don't forget sneezing and that weird hard reverse sneezing)Late-stage signs may include a facial deformity along the dorsal aspect of the maxillary bones or over the paranasal and frontal sinuses. Some cases develop a raised or pitting facial bone deformity.Some cases may exhibit a firm or soft focal, raised mass protruding around or between the eyes. Some cases may have a palatine deformity from the softening and bowing out of the hard palate due to demineralization of the palatine bone and growth of the mass.In every case of facial deformity, there is bone lysis and tumor invasion at that site. If the lesions extend into the brain, seizures and behavior changes are often exhibited. (there are meds that help this)A complication of nasal cancer is the over production of mucus. It collects and clogs the nasal passages and sinuses.

Prepare the Owner
The stridor and mess from sneezing out phlegm along with the vivid color of blood during episodes of epistaxis cause great distress for pet owners. (IT SURE DOES! I stopped the bleeding using the chinese herb Yunnan Bai Yao. Here is a link to info)Most animals with nasal cancer exhibit sporadic signs in the early stages, then show progression over a period of about three months before diagnosis.Initially, the clinical signs fit the assumption that the pet has one of a variety of nasal conditions. Most clinicians would suspect or that a foreign body is lodged in the nasal passages.A search for the offending material finds nothing. If the nasal passages are cultured, pathogens are often found and identified on culture and sensitivity reports.So, the diagnosis of rhinitis may suffice for a time. Some elder pets have oronasal fistulas from infected or extracted teeth to complicate matters.If the symptoms persist, the working diagnosis is often presumed to be either a foreign body that remains wedged in the upper turbinates or chronic rhinitis.In some case histories, the nasal passages were explored several times without locating a foreign body yet no biopsy or culture was taken. (GEEZ JUST GET A BIOPSY)Since the problem is presumed to be either infectious or allergic, the patient is placed on symptomatic treatment with antibiotics, steroids and antihistamines or nose drops for topical therapy. (good luck with the nose drops...)The patient often gets relief from symptoms. This is why most nasal cancers go undetected for three months and why some cases may go undetected as long as six months in dogs and up to two years in cats.

Diagnosis
The best radiographs for visualizing the nasal cavity are taken under general anesthesia with the X-ray film placed into the open mouth for an intranasal view. $300Teach your X-ray technicians to use the positions from a good radiology text for open-mouth studies of the nasal cavity.Place the X-ray film inside the mouth. Place one corner extending as far back toward the tonsils as possible and take a DV image. This provides the best exposure of the nasal passages.Intra-oral radiography is best accomplished with high quality non-screen film; we use mammography film.The A-P skyline position for the best view of the frontal sinuses of the skull is also very important to complete a full skull series. Look for space occupying or lytic disease in the nasal passages or sinuses. Look for an asymmetrical density or lysis or interruption of the fine scroll pattern of the nasal turbinates, a break in the fine lines of the nasal septum or a density in one of the frontal sinuses.Too many cases of nasal cancer are initially missed on the first X-ray series because of poor visualization.Magnetic resonance imaging or computerized tomography scans of the nasal passages and paranasal sinuses have become the gold standard for imaging nasal tumors. Localization of the lesion is necessary for treatment planning.A small number of patients may have lymphadenopathy. It is important to discuss the usefulness of MRI or CT scan in this setting with the pet owner. ($1000)CT technology is used for computerized treatment planning for radiation therapy patients. So, if the patient will be receiving radiation therapy, it may save time and money to order a CT scan from the start.Since general anesthesia is needed for these studies, it may be the best opportunity to also request tissue samples for definitive diagnosis. Some imaging services are set up to accommodate biopsy procedures and some are not. I prefer to refer cases to facilities that will do a biopsy.

Something NewMr. Shelton, an engineer, with a 10-year-old black Labrador retriever named B.J., taught me a new way to deal with night stridor for affected dogs. I tell clients that their pet can breathe through the mouth despite occlusion of the nasal passages. When dogs are having difficulty with sleep, we try to have clients devise ways that their dogs can breathe through the mouth while sleeping. Mr Shelton used a Milk Bone and a rawhide bone wedged between B.J.’s front teeth. At first. I suggested using a toy waffle ball for B.J.Mr. Shelton devised the perfect solution for his playful dog. He cut holes in a tennis ball because B.J. loved to hold her tennis balls for hours. This was a natural extension for her. She slept with the ball in her mouth in comfort without stridor.— A.(hey not a bad idea!)

Biopsy
If a geriatric patient is going to be anesthetized for X-rays, a biopsy should be done at the same time. The radiographs will suggest the best area to sample.
Various instruments can be used but all require precautions to avoid penetrating the ethmoid plate. Rhinoscopy with direct biopsy of the abnormal tissues is most direct.A long true-cut biopsy needle, a plastic cannula or biopsy forceps is passed through the nostril into the nasal cavity and thrust into the suspected lesion to harvest a sample for histopathology.For safety, always measure the distance between the tip of the nose to the area just in front of the ethmoid (cribriform) plate. This should be just in front of the medial canthus. Mark the biopsy instrument with tape or ink.In cases with nasal bone deformity or a bulge over a sinus, one can generally pass an FNA needle directly through the skin and softened bone into the lesion and aspirate a sample for cytology.One can also insert a true cut instrument through the bulging defect and into the sinus to get a sample for histopathology.In most cases, the harvested material is gelatinous and difficult to distinguish from phlegm. Expect bleeding and if necessary, use cotton soaked in epinephrine to pack the nostrils.It may be necessary to keep the patient under anesthesia or quiet with sedation until bleeding is controlled.

Pathology
Pathology reports identify most canine nasal tumors as carcinomas. Most of them are respiratory adenocarcinoma followed by squamous cell carcinoma and a few miscellaneous or undifferentiated carcinomas.About one third of nasal cavity neoplasia in dogs are sarcomas, with fibrosarcoma being most common followed by chondrosarcoma, osteosarcoma, lymphoma, and then other miscellaneous and undifferentiated sarcomas.North Carolina State University summarized 320 cases of nasal tumors in cats, finding that 60 percent were carcinomas, 18 percent sarcomas and 12 percent lymphoma.There is no correlation with grade and survival. However, some tumors may have a low mitotic rate or a slower rate of growth or a less aggressive biological behavior than others, such as low-grade chondrosarcoma.

Treatment
Surgery for dogs with nasal cancer was routinely performed until data showed that rhinotomy (opening the nasal passages and scooping tumor out) was a negative factor for survival time.However, rhinotomy followed by orthovoltage radiation therapy yielded the longest survival times but rhinotomy was not necessary if the pet was to receive cobalt radiation therapy.This information and the poor survival data made treating nasal tumors confusing and frustrating.Today the norm is to avoid surgical rhinotomy. However, if pet owners are interested in radiation therapy, they should be referred for imaging studies to locate the extent of disease.Then refer them to a radiation oncologist for consultation regarding the risk-benefit ratio and an honest survival time discussion based on the tumor type and the individual pet’s stage of disease.The owner needs to reconcile his psychological, emotional, financial and ethical considerations regarding treatment for the pet. (up to $10,000 in total..... that is why I went the natural and holistic route and Lucy is past the average survival time of 4 months past diagnosis, she is many months past diagnosis and she is in total remission as of 11/2012)Most facilities use cobalt radiation therapy and CT scan technology for treatment planning. Some facilities treat pets with linear accelerators. There may be no difference in the survival times with either machine, but side effects may be less severe in animals treated with the higher energy linear accelerators.Of all nasal passage tumors, nasal lymphomas respond the best to radiation therapy as well as to chemotherapy.Most oncologists recommend systemic chemotherapy in addition to radiation therapy for nasal lymphoma because lymphoma is considered a systemic disease rather than a focal disease. This is especially true in cats.Drugs that enhance the effect of radiation (radiation sensitizers) such as mitoxantrone or carboplatin (some use low dose cisplatin) have been used. However, the advantage for survival is not yet firmly established.I think it makes sense to use systemic chemotherapy because it may enhance the radiation’s effects and also addresses the metastatic potential.This is important because 10 percent of patients present with lymph node metastases and 40 percent will go on to metastasize. Local recurrence and metastases are the main reasons for death of pets treated for nasal cavity cancer.So, there is a need to keep searching for better ways to enhance local control and control of metastatic disease.The side effects of radiation therapy for nasal cancer are quiet severe, especially if the tumor approaches the ethmoid plate or invades the orbit.Patients experience radiation-induced oral mucositis, chealitis and conjunctivitis.The client must be informed and prepared for the responsibilities of home care during and following treatments. Pet owners must also be told to expect chronic nasal discharge following treatment.The normal delicate tissue of the nasal turbinates will never again function properly due to permanent injury from the radiation therapy. Cataracts and blindness following radiation therapy will occur if the orbit is invaded by the cancer and if the eyes are included in the treatment field.Chemotherapy is often elected as a palliative and less aggressive therapy, especially in advanced cases that have poor prognoses. Many oncologists offer medical management for clients who decline conventional radiation therapy for their pets.I like to use carboplatin rotating with mitoxantrone every 21 to 30 days for most adenocarcinomas and carboplatin rotating with adriamycin for sarcomas.

 Case Report: Rufus GleasonRufus, a 10-year-old male, black Labrador retriever, was referred with a history of epistaxis and stridor due to nasal passage chondrosarcoma. Rufus, a 10-year-old male, black Labrador retriever, was diagnosed with nasal passage chrondrosarcoma. After chemotherapy, he
went into a 146-week remission, during
which Rufus walked in many 10-K events
and traveled across the country with his
family.
His owner declined radiation therapy for Rufus and requested a less demanding path of treatment.We recommended palliative chemotherapy and chemoprevention for Rufus. Six cycles of carboplatin chemotherapy at 300mg/M2 IV every 21 days were administered.These were followed by treatments every six weeks for six months, then every eight weeks for the following two years. We also kept Rufus on piroxicam at 10 mg once daily and IP-6 and beta glucan.During his prolonged 146-week remission and maintenance, Rufus walked in numerous 10K events and traveled across the country with his family.Facial deformity finally appeared and caused discomfort. Rufus was entered into our end-of-life pawspice care program with special attention to analgesia, and he lived two more precious months before euthanasia. — A.V.

http://www.veterinarypracticenews.com/vet-practice-news-columns/oncology-outlook/nasal-cancers-in-pets.aspx I also use long-term doxycylcine as my antibiotic of choice and an NSAID such as piroxicam, deracoxib or meloxicam for pain control and their anti-angiogenesis action. (this can be a good idea, I have not needed it yet this is a basic metronomic protocol like Navy protocol)
Clinical improvement is often reported for pets on chemotherapy with reduction of epistaxis, sneezing, snorting, stridor, nasal discharge and pain relief. Patients do not seem to have extended life spans with chemotherapy but many seem clinically improved for a variable amount of time.

Prognosis
The prognosis is generally grave to very poor. Untreated dogs and cats usually die within two to seven months of diagnosis. If rhinotomy is the only treatment, survival is actually shorter.In selected cases that receive radiation therapy (plus or minus adjuvant therapy), survival can be raised to a range of eight to 25 months.The one-year treatment survival may be 40 percent and can go up to 80 percent in select cases. Half of the one-year survivors die in the second year. (remember burning your dogs face with radiation is not fun and takes quality time away and costs upwards of $6000-$10000 plus 3 weeks of almost daily radiation) Palliative chemotherapy may improve clinical signs for a time but does not seem to extend survival.If you are trying to select a good case for radiation therapy, sarcomas do better than carcinomas and respiratory adenocarcinomas do better than other carcinomas.Tumor size and location are also factors. Localized lesions in the rostral to middle part of the nasal passage do better; most are in the caudal two-thirds of the nasal passage.Lymphomas respond the best and low-grade chondrosarcomas have the potential to survive the longest. Radiation therapy for nasal passage cancer is a difficult process for the patient and caregivers. The risk-benefit ratio must be weighed carefully in each case.Therefore, during consultation with the pet owner, it may be difficult to recommend conventional therapy over palliative therapy, especially for advanced cases due to the overall poor prognosis." end of article

(The stuff I researched DEEPLY and am posting on this blog has put Lucy into full remission within 4 months after Dx and I did not use radiation or chemo or surgery)

Moducare dosage for dog cancer

Moducare®


Plant sterols and sterolins - an important advancement in naturally balancing the immune system*
-found naturally in all fruits and vegetables
-provides an optimal sterol:sterolin ratio based on numerous clinical studies
-helps maintain a healthy balance of T-helper 1/T-helper 2 white blood cells*
-modulates a stress response by supporting optimal DHEA:cortisol ratios*


Moducare® is considered a daily supplement and should be taken as long as you want to aid the immune system to be balanced. Sterols and sterolins do not “fix” the immune system, but provide the nutrients needed to help keep it in balance. They are absorbed in the small intestine and are then transported to the cell lipid (fat) membrane. Here, they are beneficial to the messenger system within the cell and modulate specific immune factors that can help control disease conditions.


There has been extensive testing and clinical trials, including
double-blind, placebo-controlled studies.


These extractions are actually plant fats, and they can have a profound effect on the body’s immunity and it’s ability to fight off foreign invaders, including cancer cells. After more than a decade of clinical research and double-blind studies, Moducare™ has proved to be effective at treating autoimmune disorders as well as cancer and HIV. In fact, an HIV trial showed that over the five year term of the study, T-cell counts remained stable in subjects that were given the sterol and sterolin combination.


Moducare is well tolerated and considered safe. However, when the immune system becomes balanced, some sensitive individuals may experience symptoms that indicate the body is trying to rid itself of toxins. These symptoms are temporary and may include digestive problems, rashes, headaches and fatigue.


THIS IS AVAILABLE IN ANY HEALTH FOOD STORE OR INTERNET


Moducare is a blend of plant sterols and sterolins that can help promote a balanced immune system.* Plant sterols – phytosterols and their glycosides (also known as phytosterolins) – are fats that are present in fruits, vegetables, and medicinal plants. Beta-sitosterol (BSS) and its glycoside (BSSG) are the most abundant of these plant sterols. BSS and BSSG, even at very low levels, have been shown to enhance the activity of various cells in the body recognized as having positive immune system activity.*


Moducare supplementation also helps maintain a normal ratio of the adrenal hormones cortisol and DHEA, subsequently buffering negative stress responses.* Moducare also improves the balance of T-helper 1 to T-helper 2 cells, as a result enhancing cellular immunity and down-regulating overactive immune responses.*


Moducare's potential to promote immune health in a group of volunteers participating in an ultra-marathon was investigated in a double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Subjects in the Moducare group maintained a more healthy immune response compared to individuals taking the placebo. The benefit to the immune system was believed to be because cortisol levels did not increase in response to the exercise stress in those taking Moducare.*





An article in the INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF IMMUNOPHARMOCOLOGY using the same formulation showed a T-cell proliferation response from 20-920% in human subjects after taking it for 4 weeks. Also an increase in interleukin-2 and gamma interferon from 17-61%, an increase in natural killer cell activity, anti-inflammatory response similar to cortisone, fever reducing properties similar to aspirin, anti-hyperglycemic effects, and anti-edema effects have been shown. It increased DHEA levels and lowered the cortisol: DHEA ratio and has effectively treated benign prostratic hypertrophy. The Moducare sterols are suppose to act as immune system adaptogens and are most effective at quenching auto-immune response such as in rheumatoid arthritis. According to literature distributed in other countries, the following conditions have been shown to respond to supplementation of sterols and sterolins: rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, MS, Parkinson's, cancer, crohns, celiac, psoriasis, diabetes (types I and II), asthma, eczema, chronic bacterial and viral infections.





5.0 out of 5 stars Moducare is phenomenal for dogs, July 12, 2010 
This review is from: Thorne Research - Moducare (Plant Sterinols) - 90's (Misc.) 
 I started using Moducare with my Basset Hound after he was operated on for cancer. In combination with Immugen (also from Thorne) and fish oil capsules (just generic ones), this dog thrived and lived way beyond the average life expectancy for a Basset. He recently passed away at age 16.5 years--5 years after he had cancer (5 dog years is what 7x5=35 human years). His sister (and littermate) died in November 2009 and she had had a variety of issues, from allergies to behavioral things. The only difference is that her brother got the Moducare, Immugen and fish oil for years. I am totally convinced that this regimen extended my dog's life. In the end his back legs gave out due to arthritis and spondylosis. Other than that, he was mentally fit and full of energy. I am putting my 11-year-old Sheltie-Border collie mix on this regimen at once. 








 2 of 2 people found the following review helpful: 
5.0 out of 5 stars Helping our Dog, December 24, 2010 
This review is from: Thorne Research - Moducare (Plant Sterinols) - 90's (Misc.) 
 It's a great product. Our 6 year old lab has been taking Moducare since he start his Chemo Therapy. He has been in remission and I think this helps his immune system. 






This review is from: Thorne Research - Moducare (Plant Sterinols) - 90's (Misc.) 
 Our 9 yr old male cat is going thru a tough time with possible lymphoma, and our veterinary homeopath has us giving him one capsule/day of this to support his immune system. 


We give him 1/3 capsule in a small bit of wet food, 3 daily in order to get a full capsule in him. He eats very tiny portions, so he can tell something is different if I try to use more than 1/4 or 1/3 of a capsule each time, which forces me to do the tiny portions so I can get this into him. 


It doesn't taste bad or have an odor, but the change in consistency mixing any powder into a tiny bit of wet food is enough for my guy to notice. If I give a larger portion of food, he can't eat it all. 


It's only been a month, but I trust our homeopath & our cat is acting like a kitten since consulting with her & this is one of several products we are using at this time. 


The homeopath brought this cat back from certain death one month ago, so whatever she tells me to do, I do!





from the bottle and web:
"Dosage for cats: ½  - 1 capsule daily.
Dosage for dogs: 2 capsules for each 25 lbs. body weight daily.

• Best if taken on an empty stomach, 1 hour before meals.
• Do not take Moducare with animal fats, as animal fats inhibit absorption.

One capsule per day for cats and small dogs, one capsule twice per day for dogs over 50 pounds.
If your pet is unable to swallow the capsule, you can open it and mix the powder with any fruit or vegetable e.g. applesauce, peanut butter, pumpkin. It is important to not give Moducare™ with a meal since pet foods usually contain cholesterol. You could give it one half hour before or two hours after the meal.



You CAN take Moducare with antibiotics from what I have read. It has no interference or interaction with any drug, only exception is steroids and one just has to take a higher dosage of Moducare with steroids. 
Moducare: first week (or two) loading dosage. 6 caps daily divided into 3 dosages on EMPTY stomach. Thereafter, 1 capsule 3 times a day on empty stomach.
Never take more than 2 caps at one time as body can only absorb 2 at one time. I usually give Lucky 1 or 2 in the morning and 1 or 2 at night, depending on what I feel like. But he is well stabilized, having been on it two years. Moducare also balances DHEA/cortisol ratio so it helps all stress related conditions. "