Cancer
The scientific database PubMed retrieves over 10,000 entries for cancer and spontaneous remission. What this demonstrates is that cancer cells – even of their own accord – can reverse to healthy cells. If your dog has cancer, it isn’t necessarily a death sentence.
Having said that, according to the British Kennel Club, one in four dogs can be expected to die of cancer. The American National Canine Cancer Foundation says that one in three dogs will get cancer. Cancer is the cause of nearly half the deaths of dogs aged ten and over according to the American Veterinary Medical Association.
Early detection is vital, and signs include abnormal swellings and lumps, sores that won’t heal, foul breath, weight loss, poor appetite, difficulty breathing, and bleeding or unusual discharge from any orifice in your dog’s body.
Not all skin growths on your dog are cancerous; some are harmless. Vets can confirm whether a growth is cancerous or not with x-rays, blood tests, ultrasounds, and biopsies (where a tissue sample is examined under the microscope).
Conventionally, surgery and chemotherapy are used as treatments for dogs with cancer. These can buy extra time, extending a dog’s life for anywhere between one and eighteen months.
What causes cancer?
Cancer is ‘multifactorial’, meaning that there are many factors involved. In other words, there is no single cause for any one type of cancer.
Carcinogens
Carcinogens are cancer-causing substances. They are found in many common household products such as soap and shampoo, in petrochemicals, in pesticides and weedkillers, even in processed foods.
Age
Most types of cancer become more common as dogs get older. There must be a number of changes to genes within a cell before it turns cancerous. This can happen accidentally when a cell is dividing, or it can happen when a cell is damaged by carcinogens.
Genes
Some breeds of dog are more likely to get cancer than others. Breeds such as the Flat Coated Retriever, Golden Retriever, Boxer, Bernese Mountain Dog, and others, have more cancer in their lines.
The immune system
Dogs who have problems with their immune systems are more likely to get some types of cancer. Significant research exists to show that vaccines derange the immune system and increase the chance of cancer. Vaccines contain a well-known carcinogen, namely formaldehyde. Vaccines also cause dogs to develop antibodies to their own biochemicals, some of which are associated with cancer. Also, vaccines cause inflammation in the body, which is associated with an increased risk of cancer.
Body weight and exercise
Cancer experts suggest that by keeping our dogs slim and taking regular physical exercise, we can reduce the chances of cancer.
Viruses
Viruses are thought to cause some cancers, particularly retroviruses.
Bacterial infection
Some researchers think that particular bacteria may produce cancer causing substances in some people (and dogs are people, too).
Yeast overgrowth
Candida is a common yeast that can cause serious health issues when it invades the body. Many medications, especially antibiotics, actually help the Candida colonies to grow even faster.
Symptoms pointing towards a yeast overgrowth in dogs include a yeasty smell, dry or oily skin, fatigue, poor appetite, overweight, allergies, skin problems, nervousness, frequent diarrhoea or constipation.
The digestive system depends upon good organisms called Probiotics, and these can be impaired when there is candida present. Probiotic supplements will help.
Grapefruitseed Extract is proven to have a strong growth-inhibiting effect on bacteria, fungi, parasites and viruses. Because of its extremely low toxicity, grapefruitseed extract offers a broad spectrum antimicrobial without the side effects associated with pharmaceuticals. It is effective against more than 800 bacterial and viral strains, 100 strains of fungi, and a large number of single cell and multi-celled parasites.
Emotions
Eastern medicine asserts that cancer is more often experienced in people who suppress their ‘negative’ emotions. Another discipline called German New Medicine asserts that cancer and other illnesses are triggered when an individual experiences a conflict or shock, and that the illness will reverse when the individual has managed to come to terms with the original conflict or shock. If you feel that this might apply to your dog, or if there was some sort of trauma in the home as many as two years prior to the onset of your friend’s cancer, Emotional Freedom Technique can be used to help him deal with any emotional aspects that may lie behind the cancer.
Diet
Research suggests that a poor diet plays a big role in cancer. Cancer cells utilise carbohydrates for fuel but do not metabolise fats. There is some indication that, in dogs, high fat diets can help overcome the effects of cancer and even reduce cancer expansion. Following a Ketogenic diet has seen some amazing results. A number of herbal products can stimulate the immune system to attack cancer.
Dietary supplements:
Vitamins C and E, selenium, beta-carotene, green tea, grape seed extract, ginkgo bilboa, omega 3 fatty acids, gammolinolenic acid and coenzyme Q-10 are important nutrients for cancer patients.
CV247 was developed by the vet John Carter. CV247 development was based on the theory that cancer involves the deficiency of certain essential naturally occurring substances in the body. By replacing these substances, studies have shown that CV247 can result in wellbeing in the patient and, in many cases, regression in the tumour. The results obtained by using this treatment, both in controlled trials and in a study, appear to justify the theory. CV247 is available only through veterinarians. For a list of veterinarians using this supplement, go to CV247 or contact http://cvpharma.co.uk/.
Transfer Factor is concentrated colostrum (mother’s milk). The Institute of Lengevity Medicine in California tested Transfer Factor’s ability to increase Natural Killer Cell activity by killing living cancer cells. The research used peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) isolated from human volunteers. Test results showed that 4Life Transfer Factor™ increased the NK cell activity 103% above immune response without supplementation, more than two times higher than the next highest product. The study also showed that Transfer Factor Plus™ increases the NK cell cctivity 248% above normal immune response without supplementation, or about five times higher than any of the other previously tested products.
Natural Killer Cells are an important part of our body's defence against infection and sickness. They seek and destroy infected or malignant cells and cells infected by viruses (colds/flu's).
Herbs:
Echinacea boosts the immune system.
Astragalus is an anti-viral with immune-boosting properties.
Cat’s Claw contains immune-enhancing substances and antioxidant compounds.
Reishi and Maitake Mushrooms have been shown to activate NK Killer cells which attack tumour cells and prevent destruction of T-Helper cells.
Pau D’Arco has been reported to induce strong anti-cancer activity in the body.
Flax oil and cottage cheese or quark – for the average sized dog, blend two tablespoons of flax oil with two tablespoons of cottage cheese or quark, and give to your dog daily. There are many testimonials of dogs being cured of cancer using this protocol.
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