SIMPLE CANINE CANCER DIET

SIMPLE DOG CANCER DIET

The following home-made cancer diet I used , and follows the "low carbs, high fat, moderate protein" principle. It is important to understand that some additional supplementation (eg. high-quality daily dog multi vitamin) is needed for complete nutrition.

Hi, I did give fresh cooked food, half home cooked, other half kibble.

The fresh cooked (well I would cook enough for about 5-6 days) was frozen ground chub of turkey that I would pan fry in coconut oil. I would add blueberries, canned carrot, canned spinach to this cooking, and then add half dozen eggs and cook it all. Never raw.

• At serving time I add high quality GRAIN FREE kibble,  half kibble half homemade dog cancer diet recipe. The kibble adds texture to hide pills mouth feel. Served with a little warm water to make gravy and aroma. I would simply drop the pills in and fork mix and serve.
  
  
  
  
• You can add sweet potato or canned pumpkin(not can pumpkin pie filling) as well. The pumpkin is great for sick tummies. And it is very good for them.

NSAIDS for Cancer Therapy

Piroxicam, an NSAID, is a non-selective Cox-1 and Cox-2 inhibitor and has anti-cancer effects in dogs, which is well supported by the veterinary literature. Since those papers, veterinarians have prescribed other NSAIDS such as Deramaxx or Meloxicam, in lieu of Piroxicam, because these newer selective Cox-2 inhibitors are associated with lower rates of side-effects, such as GI ulceration and upset. It is assumed (but not known) that the anti-tumor effects are due to the Cox-2 inhibition, so it is also assumed that cox-2 selective NSAIDs should work as well as piroxicam.

However, this remains to be supported in the veterinary literature. (Not enough studies), but Piroxicam (and possibly other NSAIDS) remains a reasonable palliative option with careful monitoring.

Famotidine (Pepcid AC)

Available in 10 and 20 mg tablets OTC

Background

Stomach ulceration in humans is a prominent medical condition and there has long been pressure to develop effective and convenient ways to control it. Until relatively recently, we relied on simply neutralizing stomach acid by pouring alkaline solutions (i.e., Alka Seltzer, Tums, Rolaids, etc.) into the stomach. In fact, ulceration is a complicated process and there are many ways to address it.

Control of stomach acidity is an important factor in the treatment of stomach ulcers. Acid secretion is controlled by a hormone called gastrin (secreted in the presence of food and leading to secretion of stomach acid), acetylcholine (a neurotransmitter), and histamine (that same substance responsible for the unpleasant allergic effects of hay fever).

Famotidine is a special antihistamine, as are its cousins cimetidine (Tagamet HB) and ranitidine (Zantac). This class of antihistamine is not useful in combating familiar allergic symptoms (itching, sneezing, stuffy nose etc.) In allergy, histamine causes unpleasant effects by binding so-called H1 receptors. Famotidine, ranitidine, and cimetidine instead bind to histamine receptors in the stomach called H2 receptors.

Cimetidine was the first such H2 blocker available and each generation has brought about improvements in terms of fewer drug interactions and stronger effect. Famotidine is the longest lasting of the H2 blockers (usually one dose lasts 24 hours). Famotidine is 32 times stronger in its ability to inhibit stomach acid than is cimetidine and is 9 times stronger than ranitidine. A newer H2 blocker called nizatidine is now available that offers the additional advantages of especially rapid onset of action and some effect on normalizing stomach contractions as well.

Famotidine is currently available in an over-the-counter formulation making it highly convenient for pet owners to obtain (though obviously one should not consider using medications licensed for human consumption without specific instructions from one's veterinarian). Famotidine is especially useful for pets with chronic vomiting.

How This Medication Is Used

Famotidine 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 or medication that could be ulcerating (NSAIDs, like Metacam Meloxicam Peroxicam Duramaxx aspirin and others, for example), any disease involving protracted vomiting, or chronically in combination with medications which may have stomach irritating properties.

In diseases involving frequent vomiting or regurgitation, the esophagus (tube connecting the mouth and stomach) can be ulcerated by continuing exposure to vomit/stomach acid. Antacids are also helpful in this type of situation to reduce damage to the esophagus. Megaesophagus would be a condition where a long-acting antacid such as famotidine could be helpful in mitigating injury to the esophagus.

Side Effects

The H2 blockers as a group have a limited potential for side effects, hence their recent release to over-the-counter status.

There have been some reports of exacerbating heart rhythm problems in patients who already have heart rhythm problems, so it may be prudent to choose another means of stomach acid control in heart patients.

Interactions With Other Drugs

There are some drugs that are absorbed better in the presence of stomach acid (example: itraconazole). The dose of such drugs may require adjustment in the presence of famotidine.

Concerns and Cautions

The dose of famotidine may require reduction in patients with liver or kidney disease as these diseases tend to prolong drug activities.

It appears that famotidine is safe for use in pregnancy but should probably be avoided during lactation.

Immunizations and Boarding for Pets with Cancer

Pet Vaccinations and Cancer

Educate yourself.  Your veterinarian cannot make this decision for you, nor should they.  You are your pet’s guardian.  It is your responsibility to give them the best care you can by researching and carefully weighing your decisions about their healthcare.

Most have never been told the truth about vaccinations.  On the contrary, you are likely to get annual notices from your veterinarian that your pet is “due for their annual booster shots”.  The evidence against vaccinating, however, is overwhelming.  Most veterinarians just choose to ignore the research because they don’t want to lose the income from giving booster shots to all those animals each year.
Vaccinations represent a major stress to the immune system.  They can not only cause side-effects and allergic reactions, they also contribute significantly to long term chronic disease.  Chronic health problems frequently appear following vaccination including skin allergies, arthritis, leukemia, upper respiratory infections, irritable bowel syndromes, neurological conditions including aggressive behavior and epilepsy, auto-immune diseases and cancer.
It is more and more common to see cancer in dogs and cats under 5 years of age.  Autoimmune diseases are on the rise as well.  Our companions are suffering from generations of over-vaccination, which combined with inadequate nutrition, poor breeding practices and environmental stresses are leaving each generation more susceptible to congenital disorders and chronic disease.
Vaccinations do help prevent serious illnesses, but they should be used with restraint.  Before vaccinating, consider the risk.  If your pet is indoor only and does not go for walks and will never be exposed to unvaccinated animals, the risk of infection is low.  The decision about vaccinations is very individual and should be guided by your own research on the subject before you go to the veterinarian.
IF your pets go outside and you have rabies in your area, give a rabies vaccine at six months of age. (Legal requirements vary from state to state.)
Generally, vaccinations do not need “boosting”.  Studies have shown that a single vaccination for parvovirus, distemper and panleukopenia results in long-term protection from disease. Simple blood tests can determine if your companion’s antibody levels for parvovirus and distemper remain high enough to resist infection.  Next time your veterinarian suggests a booster shot, request the blood test first.  (Rabies may be required by law every three years.  Check the regulations in your state.)
Research about vaccinations for Bordetella, corona virus, leptospirosis or Lyme vaccines unless these diseases are endemic locally or at a specific kennel.

Never vaccinate a sick or weakened animal. Vaccinating an already compromised immune system is almost sure to compound the problem!




For pets that are due for rabies vaccinations that are required by law in their state, owners can request their veterinarian write a letter explaining why such a vaccination is medically contraindicated at the present time, along with a copy of records indicating that the pet had previously been current on vaccinations.

Pets that are receiving chemotherapy can be boarded. It is recommended that the boarding facility be provided contact information for the treating veterinarian in case of any symptoms or illnesses that develop while the pet is boarding that might require medical assistance. Similarly, the boarding facility should be informed that the pet is immunocompromised and that appropriate hygiene recommendations be followed, such as thorough hand washing before the pet is handled. Owners should discuss the upcoming boarding of their pet with the treating veterinarian, who may wish to modify the treatment schedule according to the boarding schedule.

Educate yourself.  Your veterinarian cannot make this decision for you, nor should they.  You are your pet’s guardian.  It is your responsibility to give them the best care you can by researching and carefully weighing your decisions about their healthcare.

What are the typical side effects of chemotherapy in dogs?

What are the typical side effects of chemotherapy in dogs?

Compared to people who receive chemotherapy, pet animals experience fewer and less severe side effects because we use lower doses of drugs and do not combine as many drugs as in human medicine. The normal tissues that typically are most sensitive to chemotherapy are the intestinal lining, the bone marrow (which makes red and white blood cells), and hair follicles.

Toxic effects to the gastrointestinal tract are responsible for decreased appetite, vomiting, and diarrhea. These effects may be mild, moderate, or severe. In most cases, these signs are mild and usually resolve on their own or with oral medication given at home. Although infrequent, some dogs (and cats) may develop severe diarrhea requiring hospitalization and fluid therapy. In many cases, the gastrointestinal side effects from chemotherapy are not seen on the day of treatment. They often occur 3 to 5 days later.

Suppression of the bone marrow by chemotherapeutic drugs may cause a drop in the white blood cell count, leading to increased susceptibility to infection. The infection usually comes from the animal's own body (such as bacteria normally found in the intestines, mouth, skin, etc.). Severe infections may require hospitalization for intensive supportive care, including intravenous fluid and antibiotics. When a chemotherapeutic drug is used that is known to have a high potential for bone marrow suppression, a complete blood count (CBC) is checked several days after the treatment. If the white blood cell count is low but your pet is feeling well, antibiotics are prescribed as a preventative measure. Subsequent doses of chemotherapy are adjusted based on the results of the CBC. Anemia (low red blood cell count) is often a complication of cancer but is rarely caused by the chemotherapy drugs used in veterinary medicine.

Hair follicle cell in dogs (and cats) that are wire-haired or non-shedding may be particularly susceptible to chemotherapy. Certain breeds of dogs, such as terriers and poodles, will experience variable amounts of hair loss. Hair loss often is most evident on the face and tail. Whiskers and the long hairs over the eyes often fall out in cats. The hair will regrow once chemotherapy is stopped, but may initially have a modest change in color or texture.

Budget chemotherapy for mast cell tumors in dogs

This is what I read somewhere. Normally this does not apply to nasal cancer, but you might know someone whose dog has this. PLUS, some non biopsied nasal cancers might have an uncommon form of mast cell tumor rather than adenocarcinoma, so the addition below might help symptoms.


Conventional Treatment
"Probably the best affordable option is a combination of prednisone and lomustine (CCNU). Prednisone is given daily, and lomustine is given every 3-4 weeks. CBCs do need to be monitored routinely. We would also add in daily an H2 blocker (eg. Pepcid /Tagamet) and an H1 blocker (antihistamine such as Chlortrimeton or Benadryl)."

Dose for Mast Cell Tumors and growths & epuli in a 55-75 lb. dog example: 

1 tab 200 mg. Tagamet (Cimetidine) and

1 tab 25 mg. Benadryl (Diphenhydramine) caplet

twice a day for 3 weeks. 

 

With dogs who are terminal, the treatment is continued for the rest of the dog's life.

Some people have increased the Benadryl to 2 tabs per dose with no negative side affects and increased the shrinkage.  Each dog is different and you should decide your treatment accordingly. Always talk to your vet. Even when he doesn't like what you want to do just because you 'read it on the internet'. 

Research this yourself - you will see.

How This Works:

• Mast Cell tumors are comprised of T1 and T2 cancer cells. 


• Tagamet & Benadryl are over-the-counter drugs that encapsulate the T1 & T2 cancer cells. 


• Tagamet encapsulates T1 cells and Benadryl encapsulates T2 cells by cutting off the blood and oxygen supply. 


• This causes the cells to die which shrinks the tumors and puts the cancer into remission.


• You may see one tumor, but it is very likely that other tumors may exist in the body that you cannot see.


• When a tumor is surgically removed, you are only removing the one you can see.

Here are some dog owner who said it helps
http://www.veraboxers.com/cancer.htm