Get Dr. Dressler's Dog Cancer Diet FREE When a person hears the news that a loved dog has cancer, it can be very, very difficult to accept. Especially at first.
One reason is that it seems like everything was fine just a little while ago, or maybe even currently. Perhaps a lump was noticed, or maybe a little limp, or a slight cough, or it could have been that there was a lab test that lead to the diagnosis. Maybe there is nothing immediately apparent, from your point of view, that would lead one to suspect cancer.
How is it possible that a dog can seem totally happy, eating, drinking, moving around, being social, and have cancer at the same time?
Well, before you do anything, consider a second opinion. Any professional vet will be okay with this, and it wise to double check to make sure the dog cancer journey is a path you are on.
What about those dog cancer warning signs though? Doesn’t cancer mean there is weight loss, loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, thirst changes, or other signs? If you were to look at some of the lists you see online, you might also expect things like bad breath, yellowing of the skin or eyes, abdominal swelling, difficulty breathing, spontaneous bleeding, difficulty breathing, or an unusual odor. Right?
Wrong.
You are the recipient of incorrect information here folks.
Here’s the real story:Â these dramatic signs (and we talk about “signs” in veterinary medicine, not “symptoms” like physicians do) in actuality are not seen until very late in the disease process of cancer.
These are not the typical signs of cancer at all. They are the signs of something different, a certain tipping point in the development of cancer.
The lists that you read elsewhere are actually the signs of a stage called “decompensation“. The clearest definition of decompensation lives on Wikipedia:
“Decompensation is the functional deterioration of a previously working structure or system.”
The focus here is on the breakdown of normal functions. When a medical problem is compensated, this means that the body is correcting the effects of the problem so it can function normally.  These dogs are acting normally while they have cancer. Our dogs have lots of safety features built in to their physiology. If something is a bit off, these mechanisms kick in to adjust so the body works properly.
However, these built-in safety systems have a limit. They correct up to a certain point, and then the problem becomes too much. Suddenly, there is a shift and the body has an often sudden change which can be seen from the outside as a “sign of cancer”. This tipping point is called decompensation.
The fact that decompensation exists one reason cancer is hard to accept. It explains why a dog can have cancer but not be showing any signs of it (decompensation has not occurred yet), and it also explains why the signs of cancer can appear rather suddenly out of the blue (the dog’s body was not able to compensate for the disease effects any longer).
The take home message is this: test healthy dogs for cancer. Do fine needle aspirates, biopsies, blood and urine tests, X-rays of the chest, and ultrasound the abdomen as your dog ages. Start in the last quarter of life at least annually, if not more frequently. You can get a list of average life expectancies in the Dog Cancer Survival Guide based on either breed or size (for mixed breed dogs).
Best to all,
Dr D
About the Author
Dr. Demian Dressler, DVM is known as the "dog cancer vet" and is author of Dog Cancer Survival Guide: Beyond Surgery, Chemotherapy & Radiation. Visit his blog and sign up free to get the latest information about canine cancer. Go to http://DogCancerBlog.com.
{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }
The last quarter of life is too late to be doing these tests. I’d say the last half of a dog’s life is more appropriate. My dog, Casey, was a yellow Labrador Retriever who died at the age of 8 after a 2 1/2 year battle with mast cell cancer (diagnosed when she was 5 1/2, and which is not what killed her) and hemangiosarcoma (diagnosed August 2009 when I found a lump on her neck — she collapsed on December 13, 2009, and was euthanized). Casey was on chemo (cyclophosphamide, Piroxicam) and had had a clean ultrasound on October 3rd. Her expected life span was something like 12-14 years. Pictures of Casey can be sen at http://pets.webshots.com/album/575924110sJrAHD. She was a Therapy Dog at Children’s Hospital in Cincinnati. It was a huge loss to a lot of people when she died. I am now writing a book on her life to raise awarness of hemangiosarcoma.
Anita Eisthen
My yellow Labrador Retriever, Ian, was also taken by hemangiosarcoma at age 11. At the advice of the vet at the time, we opted for no chemotherapy. I then acquired Ian’s half-brother, Conor, (the result of cryogenic artificial insemination). Conor is also a yellow Labrador Retriever. His cruciate ligaments blew out in both knees at 18 months, then he developed iris cysts and was diagnosed with mast cell cancer at age 9. As much as I hate to admit it, it just seems like the entire gene pool of many of these breeds is now corrupt. It’s heartbreaking. Where did all of these maladies come from all of a sudden? Is it the flea/tick preventatives? Vaccines? Foods?
Dr. Dressler,
Months ago, I took my golden retriever in to have a lump in his abdomine
checked out. My vet told me to keep an eye on it after his examination. He
thought that the lump was most likely a non cancerous tumor. After a couple
months went by, I noticed that the growth had got quite a bit bigger, so I took
my dog in again. My vet tried to use a needle test to try to extract a sample,
but the growth was so firm, that he could not get the needle to penetrate, so
he made an incision instead. After viewing the growth from inside, he told me
that my dog had a growth called fibrosing streatitis myositis. I was then sent
to a specialist who did a much larger incision to extract some inner samples
of the growth to be sent out to a lab. The biopsy came back as spindle cell
sarcoma. A surgury was recommended to remove the tumor, but I was told
it would be risky because of the tumors size and location. I decided not to have
the surgury performed. Weeks have passed now, and the tumor is quite huge
and firm. It fills in both sides of my dogs abdomine, and underneath. His hind
leg is now suffering from swelling and lameness. Because the tumor is seeking
more territory, it is now pressing against his organs and stomach, causing total
lack of appetite, and the ability to hold solids down. My vet recommended a
half cup of ensure twice a day. I also add some ground up chicken or beef to
the ensure. I have to totally feed him with a spoon, then holding his mouth some
what shut se he does not spit the food out. He is also losing weight quite rapid.
(I forgot to mention something earlier). Please read on. I was told that the tumor
is now starting to press against my dogs areas, that will soon effect his ability
to urinate and pass a bowel movement. This is the latest from my conventional vet.
My dog will not eat on his own anymore, but he is drinking water. I’ve tried Artemisinin,
cantron, milk thistle, proteo enzymes, IP-6 Inositol, liquid herb detoxifiers, multiple
vitamins, fish oil, and so on. I considered giving him neoplasene taken orally, but
was told that neoplasene could cause complications because of the tumors size,
and possibly leave a hollow hole once the tumor was attacked. The cancer is far
along, and I’m feeling like my options are running out. I’m considering 2 last options.
Apicot seeds, B17 along with B15, or Essiac tea capsules, ( Ojibwa herbal blend),
or something from the cancer fighting strategies site. I would deeply apprieciate
your opinion on these options, and my general email. I’m also concerned that
this form of cancer may be so far along at this time, that no magic bullet or
supplement will work, and that maybe I should just see my vet to give him a
peaceful exit, but at the same time, If i can find something out there that will
shrink the tumor and give my dog a little longer to live, It’s worth pursuing.
If not, I have to say that I’ve at least given a good fight concerning my dog.
Phil
To everyone out there helping their dogs fight cancer – - I’m with you. Don’t stop. Don’t stop questioning and fighting and doing everything you can. Sometimes our wonderful vets look at the inevitability of a disease and approach us with the “it’s kinder to realize the truth now than to live in false hope” attitude. But you know what? Our Shadow was given 2-3 weeks to live, and we had seven wonderful months of him being very happy, active and loved. Our vet was amazed that he was doing so well. Shadow still left us much too soon, but he taught us to learn all about a good diet, natural supplements, and making sure he had joy around him every day. Please read Dr. Dressler’s book – the knowledge is priceless for all our animals, not just those with a diagnosis. Don’t stop. Don’t stop. Don’t stop. When your vet gives you an opinion, ask for a test to show you the proof. If your gut feels that you want to know more but you don’t want to question your wonderful vet – QUESTION. You are the only voice your dog has, and any vet worth the qualification should respect your need to KNOW.
For those of us who have loved and lost, the fight continues. Stay on board. Let’s help everyone else out there with encouragement, love, and as much support of Dr. Dressler’s research as possible. Dog cancer should not be a death sentence. Humans are beating the odds because of knowledge; early detection and good treatment. Our dogs can do the same. My Shadow taught me so much, and I will not let him be a single chapter in my life. He’ll be here to help me help others.
Phil, I feel for you. If you can get the mix of ingredients contained in Apocaps, please try them. Our boy did so well on them. I can’t help but wonder if you can get to another vet who would be willing to try surgery. If your dog is getting weaker, surgery won’t be an option much longer. But you have to decide how you feel about it. If a vet understands you want to try to remove all or part of the growth to give your dog relief, knowing the risks, your opinion should be respected. Your dog (I don’t know his/her name) may not make it out of surgery, but then again, it may. It’s a fine line and a scary decision. Bless your heart, I’m thinking of you both. Please let us know your dog’s name so we can send some special thoughts out.
Bottom line, what is your dog telling you? You know him or her better than anyone. I think the thing we all hate the most is to think that our dog is holding on just for us. But when you look in those eyes you’ll know what he or she wants. Without a doubt, your dog knows how much you love.
Susan, Thank you for your message and kind remarks. My male Golden
retrievers name is Gibson. He is 7 years old. I’m from Garden city,
Michigan, in Wayne county. I’m not exactly sure what Apocaps is, but
I’ll look into it. Feel free to email me. psdouglas141@juno.com
God bless Phillip
My 9 1/2 yr old Rottie, Boots has lymphoma. We didn’t notice until he started losing weight rapidly. He is on prednisone to shrink the lymphoma, It has worked a bit, he’s gained a little bit of weight this week. We opted for no chemo. It’s also in his blood. He’s doing ok, he has a good appetite & still runs at the park. We take our 3 dogs to the park every day…if it doesn’t rain too much. We’ll keep him with us till he doesn’t feel well. He loves people & has always been very confident. I’ve been giving him more omega 3 & vit c also. I am going to make sure my other 2 dogs have regular check up, they’re both 5yrs old.
All of you should try Transfer4Life supplements. This makes the dogs
already amazing immune system work five times better…all the steroids, radiation, chemo, accelerate the situation. These supplements are by 4LIfeProducts. http://www.4life.com ….this is not your typical “western” method of treating cancer. One thing is what all vets recommend.. take your animal off of ALL GRAINS. I am currently
doing this. My dog had a tumor removed on his leg 8 months ago…
so far.. I don’t know if this will work, but I am hopeful and will not subject my animal to the cruelty of chemo and radiation.
I too feel it is extrememly important to no have any grain…my dog was diagnosed with bladder cancer 2 years ago last September. God knows how long she had it before I realized she had blood in her urine. She had 8 rounds of chemo as well as Piroxicam daily. She is still the Piroxicam. I had her on Hills Cancer ND at the time…high fat is very important…no, no, no carbohydrates…NONE…NO PEAS, AND NO CARROTS…turns to sugar…bad carbs. ONLY BROCCOLI OR GREEN BEANS. I supplemented her and still do with 4,000 units of Omega 3,6,9. 1 Mannose cap, 1 cranberry cap, this helps to prevent the urinary infections.
I believe it is truly a miracle that she is still cancer free, I am so, so lucky to have her….I treasure every moment I have with her. She is the glue that holds me together through life.
I now have her on only raw ground beef,(once in a while cooked chicken) I buy the best I can, mix with 2 tablespoons of cottage cheese, 1 1/2 tsp. of wheat germ, 1/3 can of salmon or fresh salmon I grill and only a hand full of Orijen kibble—grain free for the crunch she needs for her teeth. NO NO GRAINS!!!!
Dear Sandra,
I was interested in checking out, but could find no data in the portion of the site tabbed “science”. Can you provide the readers with some objective information about this product? Specifically it’s application to cancer (preferably dog cancer, but human is okay too..).
They would be very interested to know!
Thanks
Dr D
Dear Patti
well, to be honest I devoted the first part of my book to answering that question. Aside from the obvious breeding and in-breeding issues (it may be time to start thinking about getting away from propagating certain breeds…you heard it here first folks and don’t start throwing tomatoes quite yet), we live in civilization. Part and parcel of this choice and inevitability are the diseases of civilization. We are seeing the effects of modern society on our dogs as a reflection of ourselves on earth.
Dr D
Research Curcumin. It stops cancer growth, and is miraculous.
Suzanne Summers even wrote about it in her book Knockout….