Dear Dr. Dressler,
Thank you for this site; it is comforting to me at this difficult time.

I am torn whether to ampute my dog’s left, front arm and shoulder now or proceed with aggressive Radiation therapy first.

He has aggressive Liposarcoma, low grade, low stage (I asked and these were the terms given). I’ve had to be assertive in inquiry and advocacy to get him into the veterinary oncologists by referral within 2 weeks of the tumor appearing. Thanks to your blog and other web research, I managed it and am grateful I had the courage and fortitude to push through thus far. His CT shows no metastasis beyond his limb at this point.

The tumor arrived Jan. 1, 2009. Today, Jan. 28, 2009 the veterinary surgical oncologist went back in and removed all she could that remained of the cancer. She said without amputation she could not get it all, however. The pathologist from his first biopsy (which went slightly awry because the tumor ‘popped’ out during the procedure unexpectedly, yielding more than the intended circumference of removal than anticipated) indicated unclear margins).

We now await the pathologist’s report from this second surgery, although with the surgeon’s assessment that more cells remain behind without amputation.

I’ve read and carefully considered your posts re. Radiation Therapy and how serious it is and done the life expectancy estimation for my dear dog Milo. He is 10 now, a small terrier, min-pin mix, with an optimistic life expectancy of 15 years had cancer not visited.

Per your recommendation, I am considering the alternatives and options available to me. Both the veterinary surgeon and veterinary oncologist recommend the aggressive, 19 consecutive day Radiation therapy to target the remaining cancer cells. This seems very aggressive to me and I worry for the aftermath of toxic effects and latent consequences of the Radiation for the remainder of his next 5 years should we succeed in a cure.

Per your formula, he is NOT at the end of his life expectancy yet; he has at least 5 years left God willing.

My question is if I should be proactive and choose amputation with radiation (although the surgeon said that with amputation no radiation is necessary although what I’ve read says radiation is still advised…??? Is it?) or…

If I should subject him to this massive amount of radiation for 19 consecutive days and amputate only if/when another tumor/bump/lump appears later on?

Is there an option for amputation now with a lower dosage of radiation?

Is the risk of toxic, latent, residual effects from intense, heavy, radiation over the next 5 years a better bet than amputation now, while the cancer is still contained within the limb, plus a lesser amount of radiation as a ‘just in case’ treatment???

I want him to feel the least amount of ’sick’ and ’scared’ for the remainder of his days with the best quality of life and be cancer-free or at least cancer-clueless if possible!

He’s one of those dogs that just WANTS to run and fetch the tennis ball and play tuggie and look at the window and meet other dogs! Milo’s got that joie de vive in buckets, Dr. Dressler! He fits into that ‘type’ of dog you described when trying to make this choice in your post.

So I know he’d bounce back from amputation sooner than later! He’s a super trooper!

And I realize that cancer may reappear somewhere else later, maybe sooner, and then he’d still be one leg shy of a set.

Like the celebrity Christina Applegate who opted for a double masectomy after being tested and due to her familial breast cancer history of onset, I’m willing to be proactive and opt for amputation now because:

1) Both the original pathologist and today’s vet. onco. surgeon admit the cancer cells are still there in the back of his upper arm and due to the location, clean margins of removal cannot be obtained without amputation.

But I don’t want to take his leg off unnecessarily or prematurely either if radiation therapy could work withOUT resulting in likely toxic effects within the next 5 years of his expected life span.

I can’t seem to get a feel for the REAL fall out effect of such aggressive and intense radiation therapy on a little 18 lb. love of my heart dog! ‘They tolerate it so well’ is all I could get from the veterinary oncologist (probably because I wasn’t asking the correct questions I know!) But I’ve bought your book and will work to improve my game.

Radiation is gross. We all know it. I don’t want to radiate my dog if it means that 2 of his 5 years will be spent dealing with likely toxic effects of it in the form of new tumors FROM the radiation and plethora other fallout.

If amputation means ‘a stitch in time…’ or ‘a bird in hand…’ plus either no radiation or lesser radiation will more likely yield Milo 5 FUN, healthy, happy years with less radioactive fallout on his body, then I’m willing to do that.

What do you think? HELP! I’m on information overload.

I just bought your book and will begin the ‘coping’ exercises asap.

Milo’s spending the night at the oncology center tonight, my sweet little man. My love. My heart. I don’t know what to do!

Thank you and God Bless You, Dr. Dressler,

Please let me know…

Sincerely,

Lorene Moore aka Milo’s Mom

Hi Dr Dressler,
My Boxer Brandi has been dianosed with Canine cutaneous epitheliotropic T cell lymphoma(mycosis fungoides)in her mouth. Our vet told me this cancer doesn’t respond to chemo. I know this well as they did try chemo on Brandi’s brother for the same disease in 2005. It was not in his mouth but all over his body and the chemo did not work.
I was told Brandi’s is not as aggressive and to treat palliative, I take this as give up.
At once I started to do reseach on alternative treatments.
I ordered artemisinin and started her on 100mg 2x a day. Then I found your book, I ordered both the ebook and hard book.
Since being off the Arte on the 5 on 5 off schedule I have been alternating it with parsley and I have also bought curcuin but not used it yet.
I am going to be starting the arte again soon and would like to go with the 10mg/lb/day dose as per your book.

My question is do I give it 2 times a day or only once. She is 64.4 pound and 10 years old
So that would be 640mg of Artemin once or 320mg twice a day? I would have to measure out a half a capsule to get the 40mg as I only have 100mg capsules.
Also would the Luteolin be a better rotation supplement, she really doesn’t like the parsley and has been not eating all her dinner since using it.
also any ideas on what I could use on her mouth for the inflammation, it looks so sore.
Thank you
Peg & Brandi

Hi Dr Dressler,
Thank you so much for getting back to me. I am very happy with your book just get a little confused about some of the things.

I printed the info you gave me and will be taking it to the vet.
I have been keeping them informed of everything I am doing for Brandi. I told them if they are not giving me any options on treatments I will do what I have to to help her.

They are not happy with the use of Arte and won’t even talk about the dosage, however they are willing to run periodic blood work and checks on her to check for any other problems associated with it or any other supplement I use. To my surprise, they did prescribe Doxycycline when I ask and agreed with it. With that, I guess they ARE willing to work along with,m e but not comfortable with prescribing some herbal treatments.
They have even told me I am wasting my money using transfer factor and K9 immunity. I ask what they would give her for support and they said nothing.
They also are not happy with the cancer diet for Brandi, they feel that with a dog her age(10) it would be too much for her kidneys. As of now Brandi has no problems associated with kidney problems so I am not sure if they are right.
I should have ask you that question too. What would be the right diet for her given her age and lymphoma? Your cancer diet or the ND version?
Thank you again,
Peg & Brandi

There is a list of artemisinin-cancer related publications in:
http://depts.washington.edu/bioe/artemisinin.html

My Westie Abby who has bladder cancer was on Artemisinin and at first, the tumor shrank. However, due to constant vomiting, we opted to forego this treatment. Is there something perhaps I could give Abby to contradict the stomach upset in order to continue with Artemisinin. Also, I do feed Abby chicken. Could this iron source have been the reason for the stomach upset? What type of food do you recommend when administering Artemisinin?

I thank you for any response you can give.

Judi Conigliaro
gee_a_puppy@yahoo.com

FYI the webinar is recorded so you can listen later if you wish,
D

My dog, Nick is a 10 year old Akita with osteosarcoma. He had radiation treatment, ending 3 weeks ago. I want to put him on Artemisinin, but am getting conflicting info on how soon I can sart him. My vet says she’s found nothing about waiting after radiation and I can start him right away, various articles on the web say I need to wait 2 months. What is the earliest I can get him started?