If you really want to do chemo read this

"While Lucy is still doing OK, if the natural protocol she is on might no longer is work (it's been working over 3 years at this point) I still have to consider and research what still might be on the table for quality of life. I don't like chemotherapy or radiation(hate it more) but never say never till you are there. I felt I should put in the blog items on chemo and other stuff that I come across. The below has pros and cons. But either way, if you use chemotherapy you MUST use supporting supplements and herbs or the cancer will come back worse." Gary

Aust Vet J. 2004 Nov;82(11):676-80.

Treatment of eight dogs with nasal tumours with alternating doses of doxorubicin and carboplatin in conjunction with oral piroxicam.

Langova V¹, Mutsaers AJ, Phillips B, Straw R.

Author information

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To determine the efficacy and toxicity of chemotherapy in the treatment of canine nasal tumours.

DESIGN:

Retrospective clinical study

PROCEDURE:

Eight dogs with histologically confirmed nasal tumours were staged by means of complete blood count, serum biochemical analysis, cytological analysis of fine needle aspirate of the regional lymph nodes, thoracic radiographs and computed tomography scan of the nasal cavity. All dogs were treated with alternating doses of doxorubicin, carboplatin and oral piroxicam. All dogs were monitored for side effects of chemotherapy and evaluated for response to treatment by computed tomography scan of the nasal cavity after the first four treatments.

RESULTS:

Complete remission was achieved in four dogs, partial remission occurred in two dogs and two had stable disease on the basis of computed tomography evaluation. There was resolution of clinical signs after one to two doses of chemotherapy in all dogs.

CONCLUSIONS:

This chemotherapy protocol was efficacious and well tolerated in this series of eight cases of canine nasal tumours.

J Vet Intern Med. 2004 Jul-Aug;18(4):540-4.

Alternating carboplatin and doxorubicin as adjunctive chemotherapy to amputation or limb-sparing surgery in the treatment of appendicular osteosarcoma in dogs.

Kent MS¹, Strom A, London CA, Seguin B.

Author information

Abstract

Thirty-two dogs with appendicular osteosarcoma treated by amputation or limb sparing had adjuvant chemotherapy of alternating doses of carboplatin (300 mg/m2 IV) and doxorubicin (30 mg/m2 IV) every 21 days for a total of 3 cycles. Efficacy, toxicity, and previously identified prognostic factors for osteosarcoma were evaluated. The median progression free survival was 227 days (range 180-274), and the median overall survival was 320 days (range 153-487). The 1-year survival rate was 48%, and the 2-year survival rate was 18%. Age, sex, surgical procedure, and alkaline phosphatase activity above the reference ranges were not prognostic for survival. There was minimal toxicity associated with the chemotherapy. This protocol could be useful for the adjuvant treatment of appendicular osteosarcoma of dogs.

PMID:

 

15320595

 

[PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Commonly Used Chemotherapy Drugs

Doxorubicin (Adriamycin®) – Administered by IV every 2-3 weeks; side effects include those listed above and potential damage to the heart muscle. We recommend performing a heart function exam (echocardiogram) in some dogs before starting this drug. Less than 10% of all pets develop heart problems with this drug.

ADRIAMYCIN (doxorubicin) Please discuss all information with your vet
Adriamycin (doxorubicin) is a broad spectrum chemotherapy drug used to fight many forms of cancer and has been used for decades. Adriamycin is an orange-red liquid, which is diluted and painlessly administered directly into a vein. The slow intravenous administration of Adriamycin usually takes about 15 to 20 minutes. The patient lies quietly on a padded table during administration and rarely needs any form of sedation.
The dose is calculated by a measurement called Body Surface Area, which your veterinarian can calculate based on your dog's weight. Baseline complete blood count should be done before the first administration of adriamycin. You should also check with your vet about testing for kidney function and liver function. Your vet may also prescribe medicine to administer for nausea, vomiting or diarrhea which can occur (see below).
Please note: One of the major side effects of adriamycin is the potential to affect heart function. When it occurs, it usually develops after several doses. Breeds that are prone to having underlying heart conditions, dogs with a large heart on xray and dogs with a previous history of heartworm infection should have baseline EKG (heart rhythm tracing) and possibly echocardiograms (heart ultrasound) before receiving adriamycin. This is not mandatory for every dog but needs to be discussed with your veterinarian and oncologist.
Other side effects:
Hair loss: Pets rarely lose their hair, and if they do, they are not bothered by it as much as people are. In most pet animals, hair does not grow continually though out their lives like it does in people. Therefore, hair loss in pets is rare. Exceptions are certain breeds of dogs, such as poodles, Old English Sheepdogs and other breeds whose hair grows continually. In general, if your pet needs to visit a groomer periodically to be clipped, then your pet may experience some degree of hair loss as a result of chemotherapy. Cats may, however, lose all or most of their whiskers. Please ask your pet's doctor about the possibility of hair loss in your pet.
Reduction in the Number of White Blood Cells (Neutropenia): There are various types of cells in the blood. The decrease in the number of infection-fighting white blood cells is known as neutropenia. Many chemotherapeutic agents impair the bone marrow's ability to produce cells. As a result, neutropenia may occur seven to ten days after chemotherapy. Neutropenia, alone, is not a danger to your pet. However, your pet's ability to fight off infection is impaired by neutropenia. Therefore, prior to each chemotherapy treatment, your pet should have a blood test performed called a complete blood count (CBC). Should your pet have a significant reduction in the number of white blood cells, your veterinarian may wish to perform periodic blood tests, and/or prescribe antibiotics to protect your pet from infection.
Stomach or Intestinal (Gastrointestinal) Discomfort: Many patients experience some form of stomach or intestinal discomfort two or seven days after a chemotherapy treatment. Your veterinarian will prescribe medication to try to prevent or treat the discomfort. Below are listed some steps you can take at home.

Tissue damage: If Adriamycin is accidentally given outside the vein, severe tissue reactions can result, leading to tissue destruction. Therefore, Adriamycin is handled with the utmost care, and should only be administered by highly trained professionals. Secure intravenous access is paramount. If irritation of the injection site develops in the form of pain, swelling or redness, apply ice packs for 15 minutes every three hours. Call your veterinarian as soon as possible, and certainly if the condition persists for more than 24 hours.
Allergic Reactions: Allergic reaction to chemotherapeutic agents is rare, and not a problem you will have to treat at home. Should your pet have an allergic reaction to Adriamycin, it would develop upon administration, and your veterinarian and the hospital staff are trained to treat patients for allergic reaction.
Heart Damage: Adriamycin, in some rare cases, can irreversibly damage the heart muscle. The dose of Adriamycin prescribed for your pet is below the dose that usually causes heart disease. Less than 10% of patients develop heart disease as a result of Adriamycin chemotherapy. Your veterinarian will discontinue the use of Adrimycin if heart disease is detected at any time.

Find out from your oncologist what can be done to minimize the risk of heart toxicity. Ask about the use of Co Enzyme Q-10 to protect against heart disease from adriamycin. There is also a medication called Zinecard (dexrazoxane) which is used in humans to prevent toxicity from adriamycin. Ask your oncologist if your dog is a candidate for this medication if available.

Carboplatin (Paraplatin®) – Administered by IV every 3-4 weeks; side effects can include those listed above, but this drug is generally easier on the stomach and intestines.

Platinum compounds, such as carboplatin, are some of the newest agents being used in cancer therapy. They have been used with success in many types of human cancer. Although the use of these agents in animals is relatively new, they have shown promise in a variety of tumors. Carboplatin is a clear agent that is painlessly administered directly into the vein over 15-20 minutes. The patient lies quietly on a padded table during administration and rarely needs any form of sedation.

POTENTIAL SIDE EFFECTS OF CARBOPLATIN:
Reduction in the Number of White Blood Cells (Neutropenia). There are various types of cells in the blood. The decrease in the number of infection fighting white blood cells is known as neutropenia. Many chemotherapeutic agents impair the bone marrow's ability to produce cells. As a result, neutropenia may occur between 10 to 21 days after chemotherapy. Neutropenia alone is not a danger to your pet. However, your pet's ability to fight off infection is impaired by neutropenia. Therefore, prior to each carboplatin treatment, your pet will get a blood test called a Complete Blood Count (CBC). Should your pet have a significant reduction in the number of white blood cells, your veterinarian may wish to perform periodic blood tests, and/or prescribe antibiotics to protect your pet from infection.
Stomach or Intestinal (Gastrointestinal) Discomfort. Many patients experience some form of stomach or intestinal discomfort two to seven days after a chemotherapy treatment. Your veterinarian will prescribe medication to try to prevent or treat the discomfort. Some veterinarians recommend giving the medication even if there are no overt signs of discomfort. Please discuss this with your vet.  

Piroxicam (Feldene®) – Administered by mouth daily. This is simply a COX-2 inhibitor like Advil/Ibuprofen but made for dogs. Dogs cannot take Ibuprofen, that is toxic to dogs.  This drug can cause ulcers in the stomach or intestine. Notify your pet’s clinician if you observe loss of appetite, vomiting, or dark/tarlike stools, which could be a sign of digested blood from an ulcer. (I USE MELOXICAM IT HAS SOMEWHAT LESS SIDE EFFECTS AND I ALWAYS USE IT WITH PEPCID OR TAGAMET)

Piroxicam, a COX‐2‐inhibiting NSAID, is a potential antiangiogenic agent since it inhibits PGE2, which has proangiogenic effects. Some tumors will up‐regulate COX‐2 enzymes resulting in increases in growth factors, including vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Piroxicam is the most well studied NSAID, however, additional NSAIDs are currently undergoing evaluation in cancers such as transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder. The dose of piroxicam is 0.3 mg/kg daily to every other day. 

What sort of side effects may my pet have with chemotherapy?
The highest quality of life for your pet is our goal, but to be effective in controlling a devastating disease like cancer, chemotherapy drugs are very powerful. Fortunately, pets don’t have as many side effects as humans going through chemotherapy do. Hair loss (alopecia), common in humans but rare in dogs. It is seen mainly with breeds that have constantly growing hair (poodle, shih tzu, cocker spaniel, etc.). Cats generally do not lose body hair, but often lose their whiskers. Chemotherapy will slow the re-growth of hair in all pets receiving chemotherapy so grooming should be adjusted accordingly. Other potential side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea - most of which are easily controlled with medications / diet change and only last for a few days. A common side effect with many chemotherapy treatments is a decrease in the white blood cell count. This could make them more susceptible to contracting infections if the decrease is severe. You must routinely check the blood cell counts before every chemotherapy treatment to insure that the white blood cell count is not dangerously low.

Although the above are the most common potential side effects, they occur in less than 30% of the pets receiving chemotherapy. Other side effects are possible, but are often unique to individual drugs (listed above).

How should I handle body fluids while my pet is on chemotherapy?
Do not handle feces, urine or vomitus unless absolutely necessary within 24 hours of the chemo administration. If your pet has an “accident”, wear gloves and clean the area with disposable items (paper towels, baby diapers, etc.) and dispose in the trash. Wash your hands thoroughly when you are finished cleaning. In general, it is recommended that clothing/ bedding which is soiled by feces, urine or vomitus within 24 hours of chemotherapy administration should be washed twice in hot water.  (GEE THIS STUFF SOUNDS TOXIC)

 There is also another type of chemotherapy protocol, called the metronomic protocol. This protocol combines three medications: Piroxicam, deramaxx or Rimadyl (NSAIDs), doxycycline (an antibiotic) and cyclophosphamide, (an oral chemotherapy drug). These three medications work on slowing down the blood supply to cancer cells, and also slow down their growth. The principle behind this is called "anti-angiogenesis" (angiogenesis means "creation of blood vessels").


 Immunotherapy
The immune system has the ability to distinguish malignant cells from normal cells. Because malignant cells express non‐self or altered self‐antigens, these cells are recognized by the immune system as different. The concept that the immune system can recognize and eliminate cancer is supported by reports of spontaneous resolution of cancer in patients that have not received treatment and the increased risk of cancer in individuals that are immunosuppressed. However, the immune system is inefficient at eliminating cancer. Malignant cells have mechanisms to evade the immune system. Also, the rapid growth of many cancers overwhelms the immune system’s ability to destroy it. Strategies have been developed to stimulate the immune system to fight off cancer. Immunotherapy is becoming a more defined and effective form of cancer therapy. (HEY THAT'S THE WHOLE POINT OF THE TIPPNER CANCER PROTOCOL THAT LUCY DOES) Varying forms of immunotherapy have proven efficacious in dogs with oral malignant melanoma, osteosarcoma, and hemangiosarcoma.





AND FINALLY HERE IS A LINK TO ANOTHER DOG BLOG WHO IS GOING THROUGH THIS AS WELL.










Lucy never did radiation or chemo, she only did the Tippner Protocol. The Tippner Cancer Protocol combines immunotherapy and molecular cancer therapy using off the shelf readily available inexpensive natural substances. She is past 3 years after diagnosis by biopsy

I buy most of the 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

Antioxidents and Chemotherapy

If you choose to do chemotherapy, this is important.

 If you give too much antioxidents when using chemo drugs that are using an oxidizing type drug, (or radiation) it could possibly lessen the effect. (it's complex and controversial even among oncologists and many studies) 

BUT not all chemo drugs work on a oxidizing basis.

Of course some use of antioxidents in any case would help minimize side effects and help the dog would tolerate it better. Double edge sword in these cases with some of those chemo drugs. But everything else I use would be important to support the dog.

Read these articles on the uses or non use of antioxidents during chemo and which drugs are problematic with antioxidents. This way you can make an actual informed choice, rather than get a blanket statement from a vet.

http://csuvets.colostate.edu/pain/Articlespdf/ChemotherapyandAntioxidantsTheGoodBadandUncertain082106.pdf

http://www.vetcancerspecialists.com/blog/2011/12/1/the-controversy-over-antioxidants-and-nutritional-supplements-in-dogs-and-cats-with-cancer-do-they-help,-hurt-or-do-nothing/

http://jdc.jefferson.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1009&context=jmbcim

Dog Nasal Cancer Symptoms and Treatments

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. $300

Teach 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 New Mr. 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.V (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 at 7 months past diagnosis and she is in total remission)

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 Gleason Rufus, 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. Courtesy of Trudy Gleason 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 put Lucy into full remission in 4 months) Please read all these posts about using alternatives. I am not broke and my dog is fine. Please spread this information. Your vet just is not going to be that much help. You need to use them as a tool to get any meds you might need like Prednisone (use only when bad and in the beginning) , antibiotics when needed, Low Dose Naltrexone (which you will have to talk them into) and pain meds. Use my information for everything else needed.

List of Veterinary Medications for Cancer and Other Symptoms

Gosh, many of these are the same human drugs.

Acepromazine (PromAce)
Although acepromazine has several actions that might be useful, it is mostly used as a tranquilizer.

Allopurinol (Zyloprim)
There is one reason to use allopurinol: to reduce uric acid in the blood stream.

Alprazolam (Xanax)
Alprazolam, like its more famous cousin Valium, is a benzodiazepine tranquilizer. Alprazolam lasts longer than Valium. (need to verify this statement)

Amantadine
Amantadine was first used as an antiviral medication against influenza, but its main use now is as a type of pain reliever.

Amitriptyline (Elavil)
This antidepressant has been helpful for animals with obsessive grooming, inappropriate urination, and separation anxiety.

Amlodipine Besylate (Norvasc)
We have discussed hypertension and how it affects our pets. Right now the drug of choice for the treatment of hypertension in cats is Amlodipine Besylate. We invite you to learn more about its use.

Amoxicillin
Amoxicillin represents a synthetic improvement upon the original Penicillin molecule. Amoxicillin is better able to resist damage from stomach acid so less of an oral dose is wasted. While it is still susceptible to destruction by Staphylococcal enzymes, it does have a much broader spectrum against the Gram negative cell wall and is able to last a bit longer.

Amoxicillin-clavulanic acid (Clavamox, Augmentin)
The combination of amoxicillin and clavulanic acid (sodium clavulanate) is similar as for amoxicillin except that the clavulanate is able to protect the penicillin structure from destruction by Staphylococci. This combined medication can be used against anything amoxicillin could be used for plus Staphlylococcal infections (usually skin infections).

Arthritis: Medications for Degenerative Arthritis
Arthritis pain causes discomfort and loss of mobility in aged pets, and there are numerous remedies on the market. Which ones can be combined? Which are proven reliable and which may only work in some individuals?

Aspirin
Aspirin inhibits an enzyme called cyclo-oxygenase that is involved in the production of inflammatory chemicals called prostaglandins. Arachidonic acid, a fatty acid that is essential in the diet of cats and dogs, makes up cell membranes. When the inflammatory cascade is active, cells begin to convert their arachidonic acid into prostaglandins. Aspirin puts a stop to this.

Atenolol (Tenormin)
Atenolol is a beta blocker and has been designed to block the heart's beta-one receptors while leaving the beta-two receptors of other tissues alone.

Azathioprine (Imuran)
Immune mediated diseases are conditions where the immune system becomes inappropriately active and damages the body. Azathioprine is a common medication used in the treatment of immune mediated disease. It is a drug to respect and use wisely.

Azithromycin (Zithromax)
Azithromycin has activity against many bacterial species.

Benazepril (Lotensin)
Benazepril is an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor, also called an ACE inhibitor or simply an ACEI. Benazepril effectively acts as a dilator of blood vessels.

Bethanechol Chloride (Urecholine, Myocholine)
Bethanechol chloride works to strengthen the detrusor muscle’s contraction. If the lower sphincter is too tight from an upper motor neuron injury, this medication will help the bladder to contract harder to overcome it. If the bladder is flabby, this medication will help it regain some shape and strength so that it can empty in a controlled fashion rather than just leaking.

Budesonide (Entocort EC, Entocord)
How nice it would be to have a corticosteroid that could be applied to the site of the inflammation but not be absorbed into the body systemically! This is the idea behind budesonide.

Buprenorphine (Buprenex)
Buprenorphine is considered approximately 30 times stronger than morphine because morphine is more active at the mu receptor, so morphine is a much a stronger pain reliever. Buprenorphine is best used for mild to moderate pain.

Buspirone Hydrochloride (Buspar)
In veterinary medicine, buspirone has been especially helpful in the treatment of phobias (such as fear of thunder, people in uniform, etc.) and in the treatment of urine marking in cats.

Butorphanol Tartrate (Stadol, Torbutrol, Torbugesic)
Because butorphanol antagonizes the mu receptor, it will fight against opiates that are mu agonists: morphine, oxymorphone, meperidine, etc. If butorphanol is used with any other drugs that have sedating properties, these sedating properties will be more blatant.

Calcitriol (Rocaltrol)
This medication actually represents activated vitamin D. Vitamin D is not a vitamin in the way other vitamins are or in the way we think of vitamins; vitamin D is actually a hormone. It plays an important role in calcium phosphorus balance and can be beneficial in preventing the progression of kidney failure.

Carprofen (Rimadyl)
Carprofen is a member of the class of drugs known as NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), the same class as such common over-the-counter remedies as Advil (ibuprofen), Orudis (ketoprofen), and aspirin. The chief use for such drugs in the dog has been pain relief, usually joint pain or post-surgical pain relief.

Cefpodoxime Proxetil (Simplicef, Vantin)
Cefpodoxime is able to treat more complicated infections, so it is often selected for jobs where other antibiotics are expected to fail.

Cephalexin (Keflex)
Cephalexin is a good broad spectrum antibiotic, which means it is useful in most common and uncomplicated infections. It is especially useful against staphylococcal infections (most skin infections) and is commonly used for long (6-8 week courses) against deep skin infections (pyodermas).

Chlorambucil (Leukeran®)
A drug used most commonly for chemotherapy to treat cancer, chlorambucil is also used to treat some immune mediated diseases such as pemphigus, feline infectious peritonitous, or inflammatory bowel disease.

Chloramphenicol (Chloromycetin, CHPC)
Chloramphenicol represents years of antibiotic development. Due to its pH, it shines above most other antibiotics in terms of ability to penetrate. Chloramphenicol can easily pass deeply through purulent material to the organisms hiding within, through cell membranes to attack parasites living within, and into organs where other antibiotics cannot go.

Chlorpheniramine Maleate (Chlor-Trimeton)
Chlorpheniramine maleate has several important effects and uses. Most obviously, it's an antihistamine and it's used for acute inflammatory and allergic conditions such as snake bites, vaccination reactions, blood transfusion reactions, bee stings and insect bites, and to manage itchy skin.

Cisapride (Propulsid)
One of the stomach's most important functions is to grind the food we eat into a fine slurry that will pass through the intestines freely. A strong rhythm of contraction is necessary to effect this and this rhythm creates the stomach's motility. Cisapride is thus an excellent alternative to those patients who have unacceptable side effects with metoclopramide.

Cisplatin
The treatment of cancer is scary and the word chemotherapy conjures up unpleasant images. But what are the facts of these powerful medications? Cisplatinum is an important weapon against cancer.

Clemastine fumarate (Tavist)
Clemastine fumarate is one of the more effective antihistamines albeit relatively expensive. Its efficacy makes it a common first choice for itchy skin. It has found to be helpful in 30% of itchy dogs and 50% of itchy cats. Other studies have found higher percentages. Clemastine fumarate is probably the most reliably effective antihistamine for itchy dogs of all of the antihistamines available.

Clindamycin Hydrochloride (Clindadrops, Antirobe, Cleosin)
Clindamycin is an antibiotic of the lincosamide class and possesses similar properties to its sister compound lincomycin. To understand how these medications work, it is important to understand how cells make proteins.

Clomipramine (Clomicalm, Anafranil)
Anxiety is not a problem exclusive to humans. Many pets have anxiety about separation from their owner, aggressive pets with whom they share their home, and other issues. The medications used to help animals with these issues are the same medications that humans use. Clomipramine is the first to achieve FDA approval for use in dogs as well as humans.

Colchicine (Colchicinum, Artex, Colchily, Cholchicquim, etc.)
Colchicine is used in scarring diseases such as hepatic cirrhosis and in abnormal protein depositions such as amyloidosis.

Compounding Pharmacies
Sometimes the medication that your pet needs was designed for people and does not come in a form convienient for a cat or dog. A compounding pharmacy has the ability to reformulate the medication so that your pet may actually be willing to take it!

Cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan)
Because of its ability to kill rapidly dividing, cyclophosphamide has been used most successfully in treating cancer and immune mediated disease.

Cyclosporine
Cyclosporine, sometimes referred to as cyclosporin A, is an immunosuppressive agent. Unlike other medications of immune suppression that act by killing cells of the immune system, cyclosporine acts by interfering with helper T-lymphocyte interleukin production.

Cyproheptadine (Periactin)
Cyproheptadine is an antihistamine that in many ways is similar to other antihistamines with which we are more familiar. Cyproheptadine also has some other properties of interest. It also antagonizes serotonin, a neurotransmitter, in the brain. This leads to an increase in appetite and often is the reason this medication is used.

Deracoxib (Deramaxx)
Deracoxib is a member of the class of drugs known as NSAIDs, the same class as such common over-the-counter remedies as Advil (ibuprofen), Orudis (ketoprofen), and aspirin. The chief use for such drugs in the dog has been pain relief, usually joint pain or post-surgical pain relief.

Dexamethasone (Azium, Voren)
Dexamethasone is a member of the glucocorticoid class of hormones. This means they are steroids but, unlike the anabolic steroids that we hear about in sports, these are catabolic steroids. Instead of building the body up, they are designed to break down stored resources (fats, sugars and proteins) so that they may be used as fuels in times of stress.

Diazepam (Valium)
There are many uses for this medication since it is effective as an anti-anxiety medication, a muscle relaxant, an appetite stimulant, and a seizure control drug. The injectable form of diazepam is often used in anesthetic protocols.

Diethylstilbestrol (DES)
DES has only one primary use: treating sphincter tone incontinence in female dogs. DES is used at extremely low doses to avoid the toxicity issues that have been a problem for estrogen derivative medications.

Diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
Diphenhydramine has several important effects and thus several uses. Most obviously, diphenhydramine is an antihistamine and it's used for acute inflammatory and allergic conditions such as snake bites, vaccination reactions, blood transfusion reactions, bee stings and insect bites.

Dirlotapide (Slentrol)
The weight loss medication dirlotapide works not by preventing fat absorption into the body but by fooling the brain into feeling satisfied with a smaller meal.

Doxycycline (Vibramycin)
The tetracycline antibiotic family provides broad anti-bacterial protection by inhibiting bacterial protein synthesis. The body possesses many barriers through which antibiotics have difficulty penetrating. Infections behind these barriers can be difficult to treat. Doxycycline represents a modification of the basic tetracycline structure to enhance its ability to penetrate such biological barriers and to increase its duration of action.

Enalapril Maleate (Enacard, Vasotec)
The ACE inhibitor group of heart failure medicines has doubled the survival of heart failure patients. This is the only ACE inhibitor approved for non-human use.

Enrofloxacin (Baytril)
This medication may be used in either dogs or cats to combat different types of infections, especially those involving Pseudomonas. Enrofloxacin is also active against Staphylococci, and thus is commonly used for skin infections.

Erythromycin (Ery-tab, Ery-Ped, Eryc)
Today erythromycin has seen some resurgence in popularity. This is partly because of over use of drugs that had previously eclipsed erythromycin. Staphylococci developed resistance to the new drugs leading to a return to older drugs.

Erythropoietin
Erythropoietin is the hormone responsible for inducing red blood cell production by the body’s bone marrow. Erythropoietin is primarily produced by the kidney when a drop in blood oxygen is perceived, though 1% to 15% of the total erythropoietin produced comes from the liver. A dose of erythropoietin lasts about a day but its effect is seen approximately 5 days later when the red cell proliferation it has induced is mature enough for release into circulation.

Etodolac (EtoGesic, Lodine)
Etodolac is a member of the class of drugs known as NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) and is used for pain relief.

Famotidine (Pepcid AC)
More commonly known by its brand name Pepcid AC, this drug can be helpful in the treatment of Helicobacter infection, inflammatory bowel disease, canine parvovirus, ingestion of a toxin that could be ulcerating (overdose of aspirin, for example), any disease involving protracted vomiting, or chronically in combination with medications that irritate stomachs.

Fenbendazole (Panacur)
Fenbendazole (often abbreviated "FBZ") is used in both large and small animals. In dogs, it is useful against roundworms, hookworms, and the more difficult to treat whipworms.

Fentanyl (Duragesic Patch)
The primary use of the fentanyl patch is to provide a continuous delivery of pain reliever to a patient with on-going pain. These patches are especially useful after a surgical procedure but are also helpful in the management of cancer pain, or after injury.

Flea Product Comparison
Confused about flea protection? This FAQ compares the three popular topspot flea control products to assist you in determining which is right for your situation.

Fluconazole (Diflucan)
Fluconazole works by inhibiting the fungal enzymes that produce ergosterol, an important component of the fungal cell wall. Without adequate ergosterol, the fungal cell becomes weak, leaky, and ultimately dies.

Fludrocortisone Acetate (Florinef)
There is really only one use for this medication: the treatment of hypoadrenocorticism (Addison's disease). In this disease, the adrenal gland is unable to produce hormones called mineralocorticoids. In the normal animal, these hormones are responsible for the balance of sodium and potassium and without these hormones a life-threatening circulatory shock ultimately results. Fludrocortisone acetate prevents this circulatory crisis.

Fluoxetine (Reconcile, Prozac)
Fluoxetine is used in veterinary medicine for animals with anxiety, compulsive behavior, and other behavior issues. In 2007 a version of fluoxetine specifically labeled for animal use became available.

Furosemide (Salix, Disal)
The kidney is one of the most complicated organs of the body. Furosemide acts on the kidney to increase the body’s loss of water and assorted minerals and electroyltes.

Gabapentin (Neurontin)
Originally this medication was used for treating partial seizures in humans but it was found to be useful in treating neuropathic pain (the burning and tingling sensations that come from damaged nerves.)

Glargine Insulin
So far, studies show glargine works pretty well and in newly diagnosed diabetic cats, it seems to provide such good control - when used in combination with a low carbohydrate diet - that many cats revert to a non-diabetic status in a matter of weeks

Glipizide (Glucotrol)
This oral medication works by causing the pancreas to release insulin more effectively. It also helps increase tissue sensitivity so that smaller doses of insulin may have a greater effect. Some cats will respond adequately to this treatment and thus avoid the use of insulin injections at home.

Glucosamine/Chondroitin Sulfate (Cosequin, Glycoflex, Cartiflex, Arthri-Nu)
Degenerative joint diseases are painful conditions frequently treated with over-the-counter anti-inflammatory agents. It has been of interest to seek a medication that might actually strengthen damaged joints rather than simply blocking pain. Glucosamine and chondroitin sulfates theoretically represent a solution.

Griseofulvin (Fulvicin)
This medication is used to treat ringworm, a fungal infection of the skin involving fungi. While it's possible for a ringworm lesion to be localized and require only topical therapy, this is not the usual situation and oral medication is necessary to control the skin disease.

Heartworm Treatment
It has been said that the treatment of heartworm infection is somewhat of an art. There are several strategies that can be used including the option of not treating at all. The important concept to realize is that very harsh arsenic based drugs are necessary to kill adult heartworms and that treating for heartworm infection is neither simple nor safe in itself.

Hydrocodone Bitartrate (Hycodan, Tussigon, Mycodone)
Narcotics are able to bring about many bodily effects beyond the notorious addictive euphoria. Other effects include: analgesia, anti-diarrheal effects, cardiovascular effects, and cough suppression. Hydrocodone represents a narcotic developed to accentuate the cough suppression effect.

Hydroxyzine (Atarax)
This drug is an antihistamine used to deal in various ways with itchy skin. Hydroxyzine is frequently included in antihistamine trials for allergic skin disease.

Insulin Administration in Cats
Insulin is the injectable medication you use to control your diabetic cat’s blood sugar. This beginner's guide will explain how to give your cat insulin injections.

Interferon (Roferon, Intron A, Alferon N)
Interferons are generally produced in the body in response to viral infections and have antiviral activity as well as immunostimulating properties.

Itraconazole (Sporonox)
Itraconazole works by inhibiting the fungal enzymes that produce ergosterol, an important component of the fungal cell wall. Without adequate ergosterol, the fungal cell becomes weak, leaky and ultimately dies.

Ivermectin (Ivomec, Heartgard 30, Acarexx, Iverheart Plus)
Ivermectin is effective against most common intestinal worms (except tapeworms), most mites, and some lice. It is not effective against fleas, ticks, flies, or flukes. It is effective against larval heartworms (the microfilariae that circulate in the blood) but not against adult heartworms that live in the heart and pulmonary arteries.

Ketoconazole (Nizoral)
This drug fights fungal infections both minor and life threatening, but because of the way it works it can also be used to treat Cushing’s disease (a cortisone imbalance).

L-Asparaginase (Elspar)
The battle against cancer must exploit biological differences between cancer cells and normal cells. Asparagine is an especially important amino acid for lymphatic cancer cells and asparaginase is able to destroy it in a way that hurts cancer cells only. L-Asparaginase is a helpful chemotherapy agent, especially in the treatment of lymphatic cancers.

L-Deprenyl Hydrochloride (Anipryl, Eldepryl, Carbex)
There are two uses for L-Deprenyl (also known as selegiline hydrochloride) in dogs: the treatment of Cushing’s disease, an adrenal hormone imbalance, and the treatment of senile mental deterioration.

Lactulose
Lactulose is primarily used as a stool softener or in the treatment of liver patients.

Levetiracetam (Keppra)
As advances are made in seizure control in humans, medications eventually spill down into veterinary use; levetiracetam is a good example.

Lomustine
Lomustine is a member of the nitrosourea class of chemotherapy agents that act by binding DNA to other DNA strands or to protein in such a way that the DNA double helix strand cannot replicate. In addition to essentially tying DNA up, lomustine generates a by-product that prevents normal DNA function.

Loperamide (Imodium AD)
If your pet has diarrhea, it may be a condition that disturbs your well-being as well as your pet's. One medication that can help in some circumstances is the human medication Imodium AD. One interesting little fact: this medication is a member of the opiate class of drugs!

Loratadine (Claritin)
Loratadine represents a new generation of antihistamine that does not cross the blood-brain barrier and does not cause drowsiness. It also is much longer lasting than some of the classic antihistamines in use. The size of this tablet and its twice a day dosing schedule make it a convenient antihistamine for feline use.

Lufenuron (Program)
Insects are protected in the world by a hard exoskeleton made of a material called chitin. Lufenuron, Program's active ingredient, inhibits the production of chitin in insects.

Maropitant Citrate (Cerenia)
Maropitant citrate is a strong anti-nausea medication for dogs.

Meclizine Hydrochloride (Bonine, Antivert, Meclizine Hydrochloride)
An excellent product for people that can also be used for car-sick pets, meclizine hydrochloride is generally used for nausea relief due to motion sickness. It is also used to control the nausea resulting from vestibular disease, a syndrome characterized by vertigo and loss of balance.

Medication For Hyperthyroidism
The most common medication prescribed to treat feline hyperthyroidism is called methimazole (trade name Tapazole).

Meloxicam (Metacam)
Meloxicam is generally given to control arthritis pain in dogs though it can be given for many other painful conditions. It is often used an analgesic in conjunction with surgery.

Methocarbamol (Robaxin-V)
Methocarbamol is a muscle relaxant that exerts its effect by acting on the central nervous system (the nerves that control the muscles) rather than on the muscles themselves.

Metoclopramide (Reglan)
Motility disorders are common and may be chronic or of sudden onset. When motility is reduced in the stomach, food pools there and creates a sensation of nausea and bloating. In some cases, bile refluxes from the intestine into the stomach, causing irritation and more nausea. Metoclopramide (Reglan) normalizes stomach contractions so that food and bile can pass in the correct direction.

Metronidazole (Flagyl)
Metronidazole is an antibiotic especially effective against anaerobic infections. In addition, it has anti-inflammatory properties in the large intestine and is an effective anti-diarrhea medication. It's also an effective antibiotic against certain protozoal infections, especially Giardia.

Mirtazapine (Remeron)
The side effects make mirtazapine a desirable medication for animals. It has strong anti-nausea properties and acts as a strong appetite stimulant.

Omeprazole (Prilosec, GastroGard)
Omeprazole represents a different tact from other antacids: proton pump inhibition. The quantity of acid ultimately amounts to the quantity of protons. The proton pump is central to secreting acid into the stomach and with this pump inhibited, stomach acid production is halted.

Orbifloxacin (Orbax)
Orbifloxacin may be used in dogs and cats to combat different types of infections, especially those involving Pseudomonas. This medication is also active against Staphylococci, and thus is commonly used for skin infections.

Pentosan Polysulfate Sodium (Elmiron, Cartrophen)
Pentosan polysulfate sodium can be used in acute feline lower urinary tract disease to facilitate the resolution of the episode. It is more commonly recommended as an on-going therapy to prevent future episodes. The jury is still out as to whether or not it is effective.

Pentoxifylline (Trental)
Pentoxifylline is used to enhance healing in chronic ulcerative conditions such as dermatomyositis of collies and shelties and has been helpful in treating allergic reactions caused by physical contact with the allergen (i.e., contact allergic dermatitis). Ear margin vasculitis (blood vessel inflammation) can also be treated with pentoxifylline.

Phenobarbital
In dogs and cats, phenobarbital is probably the first choice for seizure suppression. It is effective, safe if used responsibly, and is one of the least expensive medications in all of veterinary practice.

Phenylpropanolamine (Propagest, Pro-In)
Phenylpropanolaminecan be used to help control appetite or as a decongestant, but in veterinary medicine it is used almost exclusively for the control of urinary incontinance in the female dog.

Piroxicam
The most common target of this medication is transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder, although it is also used against mammary adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and transmissible venereal tumors.

Polysulfated Glycosaminoglycan (Adequan)
In treating arthritis, injections are given twice a week for 4 weeks for a maximum of eight injections. Injections are given intramuscularly. Dogs, cats, and horses are the usual patients. There is another use for this medication and that is in the treatment of feline lower urinary tract disease.

Ponazuril
Ponazuril represents a new approach to treatment for coccidia, which can cause potentially life-threatening diarrhea.

Potassium Bromide (K Brovet)
This medication is generally reserved for dogs who cannot tolerate phenobarbital for seizures control due to unacceptable side effects or lack of effectiveness.

Praziquantel (Droncit)
Praziquantel is primarily used against parasites known as "Cestodes" (tapeworms). It is also effective against flukes.

Prednisone/Prednisolone
Prednisone and prednisolone are members of the glucocorticoid class of hormones. They break down stored resources (fats, sugars and proteins) so that they may be used as fuels in times of stress. We do not use the glucocorticoids for their influences on glucose and protein metabolism; we use them because they are the most broad anti-inflammatory medications that we have.

Pyrantel Pamoate (Strongid T, Nemex)
Pyrantel pamoate is effective against numerous parasitic worms, such as roundworms, hookworms, and stomach worms. When a new puppy or kitten is adopted and has been said to have been dewormed, the chances are it is this product that was used.

Ranitidine (Zantac)
Ranitidine is useful in any situation where stomach irritation is an issue and ulceration is a concern. It is often used in the treatment of Helicobacter infection, inflammatory bowel disease, canine parvovirus, ingestion of a toxin that could be ulcerating (over dose of aspirin, for example), any disease involving protracted vomiting, or chronically in combination with medications which may have stomach irritating properties.

S-Adenosylmethionine (SAMe, Denosyl, Zentonil)
In veterinary medicine, this product is chiefly used in liver disease.

Silymarin (Milk Thistle)
Silymarin has been traditionally used in the treatment of liver disease and, while it has recently been advocated for use in pets, all scientific information available concerns human use. Silymarin is regularly used for an assortment of liver diseases including cirrhosis and viral hepatitis in humans.

Spinosad (Comfortis)
Spinosad is an ultra-fast flea killing tablet that lasts an entire month. It is safe for dogs but not for cats.

Sucralfate (Carafate)
Sucralfate was developed as an adjunctive treatment for stomach ulcers in humans. It dissolves to form a protective covering over stomach ulcers and injuries. It's effective in the upper GI tract: stomach, duodenum, and possibly the esophagus.

Sulfadimethoxine (Albon)
Sulfa drugs may have numerous uses, but in small animals sulfadimethoxine is used almost exclusively for the treatment of intestinal parasites known as coccidia. These parasites are single-celled organisms capable of causing intense diarrheas in their hosts.

Sulfasalazine (Azulfidine)
Sulfasalazine represents an innovative exception in antibiotics used for colitis. Essentially, a salve is applied to the surface of the inflamed colon.

Terbinafine (Lamisil)
Terbinafine has activity against other types of fungi but at this time it is mostly used against ringworm.

Theophylline (Theo-Dur)
This medication has been a helpful airway dilator for humans with asthma and animals with heart disease or bronchitis.

Toceranib Phosphate (Palladia)
This medication was developed to address the mast cell tumor in dogs.

Trimethoprim-Sulfa (Bactrim, Tribrissen, Septra, Sulfatrim, Cotrim)
Trimethoprim-sulfa is known by many names as it's a commonly used antibiotic in both human and veterinary medicine. It's become a popular choice thanks to its broad spectrum and inexpensive cost.

Tylosin (Tylan®)
An antibiotic, tylosin is used for its anti-inflammatory properties in the large intestine rather than for its ability to fight infection.

Ursodiol (Actigall)
Ursodeoxycholic acid is one of the bile acids produced by the Chinese black bear and it has been used in the treatment of liver disease for centuries. Nowadays, it is produced in the laboratory rather than extracted from bear gall bladders.

Vincristine (Oncovin, Vincasar)
Vincristine is chiefly used as one drug in multi-drug combination protocols against lymphoid and round cell tumors.