Comments on: What I Do in my Veterinary Hospital http://www.dogcancerblog.com/what-i-do-in-my-veterinary-hospital/ Dr. Demian Dressler, DVM, the dog cancer vet blogs about canine cancer Sun, 05 Sep 2010 18:36:54 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: Dr. Dressler http://www.dogcancerblog.com/what-i-do-in-my-veterinary-hospital/comment-page-1/#comment-2278 Dr. Dressler Mon, 01 Feb 2010 01:07:37 +0000 http://www.dogcancerblog.com/?p=334#comment-2278 Dear Charles, I think the most important thing for you is to go back to the treatment plan analysis portion of the book. You need to get the following information: from the oncologist: what (in terms of results) do the three radiation options give your individual dog? How much life expectancy added? Odds of side effects (percentages)? Second: you need to define what type of person you are. What is your risk tolerance? Benefits of radiation are in proportion to risk of side effects. More benefit, more risk. Is your priority life expectancy or life quality (including time undergoing treatment)? Take some time to very carefully weigh the pros and cons. Cancer medicine is not black and white thus you need to give yourself permission to be the boss using the data you collect about the procedure and about who you are. It sounds like you are choosing between radiation and the other options. Pro oxidant levels of luteolin (in the Guide and in upcoming Apocaps), from a mechanistic standpoint, will interfere with radiation. Why not use the Full Spectrum approach (both conventional and alternative techniques)? The anti oxidants you are using (milk thistle, vitamins, and some of the fish oil formulations if they have a lot of antioxidant) may theoretically interfere with radiation, especially if you are using higher doses, so you may want to hold off on those unless your dog suffers radiation-induced side effects. A low (maintenance) dose multivitamin is not likely going to interfere with the radiation, nor are low doses of the other items. Hope this helps, Dr D Dear Charles,
I think the most important thing for you is to go back to the treatment plan analysis portion of the book. You need to get the following information:
from the oncologist: what (in terms of results) do the three radiation options give your individual dog? How much life expectancy added? Odds of side effects (percentages)?
Second: you need to define what type of person you are. What is your risk tolerance? Benefits of radiation are in proportion to risk of side effects. More benefit, more risk. Is your priority life expectancy or life quality (including time undergoing treatment)? Take some time to very carefully weigh the pros and cons. Cancer medicine is not black and white thus you need to give yourself permission to be the boss using the data you collect about the procedure and about who you are.
It sounds like you are choosing between radiation and the other options. Pro oxidant levels of luteolin (in the Guide and in upcoming Apocaps), from a mechanistic standpoint, will interfere with radiation. Why not use the Full Spectrum approach (both conventional and alternative techniques)? The anti oxidants you are using (milk thistle, vitamins, and some of the fish oil formulations if they have a lot of antioxidant) may theoretically interfere with radiation, especially if you are using higher doses, so you may want to hold off on those unless your dog suffers radiation-induced side effects. A low (maintenance) dose multivitamin is not likely going to interfere with the radiation, nor are low doses of the other items.
Hope this helps,
Dr D

]]> By: Charles Easterday http://www.dogcancerblog.com/what-i-do-in-my-veterinary-hospital/comment-page-1/#comment-2265 Charles Easterday Sat, 30 Jan 2010 01:08:18 +0000 http://www.dogcancerblog.com/?p=334#comment-2265 Dr. Dressler, I read your book and absolutely loved it. My ten year old labrador retriever Venus has adenacarcinoma. We went to MedVet in Columbus, OH today. The cancer is inside near the entry to her rectum. Surgery is not an option since it could make her incontinent. There are three options for radiation (Pallative, Intermediate, or Full course). An ultrasound and xrays do not show cancer spread. Venus's only sympton is she is straining to poop. What is your opinion on going the radiation route or completely using other remedies like Luteolin. Before reading the book, I had already put her on fish oil, vitamin E, milk thistle, and NuVet Plus vitamin. In addition, I selected Innova EVO as her food, since she had been on Eukanuba and then Innova Large Breed Senior. Any advice you can give would be great. Is there any chance that you could consult with her existing Vet Dr. Stacy Lozanoff, who is excellent. Thanks for your time!!! Dr. Dressler,

I read your book and absolutely loved it. My ten year old labrador retriever Venus has adenacarcinoma. We went to MedVet in Columbus, OH today. The cancer is inside near the entry to her rectum. Surgery is not an option since it could make her incontinent. There are three options for radiation (Pallative, Intermediate, or Full course). An ultrasound and xrays do not show cancer spread. Venus’s only sympton is she is straining to poop. What is your opinion on going the radiation route or completely using other remedies like Luteolin. Before reading the book, I had already put her on fish oil, vitamin E, milk thistle, and NuVet Plus vitamin. In addition, I selected Innova EVO as her food, since she had been on Eukanuba and then Innova Large Breed Senior. Any advice you can give would be great. Is there any chance that you could consult with her existing Vet Dr. Stacy Lozanoff, who is excellent. Thanks for your time!!!

]]> By: Lynne http://www.dogcancerblog.com/what-i-do-in-my-veterinary-hospital/comment-page-1/#comment-1191 Lynne Fri, 10 Jul 2009 07:21:11 +0000 http://www.dogcancerblog.com/?p=334#comment-1191 Dr D. We are considering starting our Cairn, who was recently diagnosed with lymphoma, on neoplasene. Have you had experience with this product on this cancer? Its mentioned on this site but not in your book. Your book has been a blessing as well as this site and we appreciate your time, support and love for dogs. Any news on a cancer vaccine? Thank you! Lynne Dr D.
We are considering starting our Cairn, who was recently diagnosed with lymphoma, on neoplasene. Have you had experience with this product on this cancer? Its mentioned on this site but not in your book. Your book has been a blessing as well as this site and we appreciate your time, support and love for dogs. Any news on a cancer vaccine? Thank you! Lynne

]]> By: Dr Dressler http://www.dogcancerblog.com/what-i-do-in-my-veterinary-hospital/comment-page-1/#comment-583 Dr Dressler Wed, 11 Feb 2009 23:06:35 +0000 http://www.dogcancerblog.com/?p=334#comment-583 Karen, although I cannot give advice for individual dogs, KBr is a common choice for seizure control these days. It takes longer to kick in than pheno once you start (technically up to 8 weeks or so, sometimes sooner), so you need to ascertain your motivation for the change if the seizures are being well controlled. It has different side effects compared to phenobarb and may be a gentler choice. You may run a risk of loss of seizure contrl during the shift. All of this should be discussed with your vet/oncologist. The e-book has a lot more info for you- The Dog Cancer Survival Guide- best, D Karen,
although I cannot give advice for individual dogs, KBr is a common choice for seizure control these days. It takes longer to kick in than pheno once you start (technically up to 8 weeks or so, sometimes sooner), so you need to ascertain your motivation for the change if the seizures are being well controlled. It has different side effects compared to phenobarb and may be a gentler choice. You may run a risk of loss of seizure contrl during the shift. All of this should be discussed with your vet/oncologist.
The e-book has a lot more info for you- The Dog Cancer Survival Guide-
best,
D

]]> By: Karen http://www.dogcancerblog.com/what-i-do-in-my-veterinary-hospital/comment-page-1/#comment-576 Karen Wed, 11 Feb 2009 03:48:26 +0000 http://www.dogcancerblog.com/?p=334#comment-576 Dear Dr. Dressler, What is your feeling toward the use of potassium bromide in lieu of phenobarbitol for the treatment of seizures/brain tumor. My 10 1/2 yr golden was diagnosed on Sept. 4, 08 with a brain tumor in the left frontal lobe. He is on Prednisone 10mg, one daily, every other day and 75 mg of phenobarb every 12 hours. I am also giving him Pycnogenol, Vit C, Astragulus, Selenium, Green Tea, Omegas 3 and 9, CoQ10, Kelp, Slippery Elm, Yucca, Dandelion Root, Tumeric, Alphalfa, Yellow Doc, Burdock, Triple Mushroom Complex, along with Milk Thistle and Sam-e, and Chlor-oxygen. I'm sure I forgot something! His energy level is great and I am more than happy to say he has not had a seizure since his original 3 grand mals on August 30, 08. He was given 3-6 months to live by the neurologist and has just completed 5 months. I know it's quality, not quantity, but he is still full of life and we take it day by day. Is there anything else you would add to this boy's intake. He is also on Innnova Evo dog food. Thank you so much, Karen Bender Dear Dr. Dressler,
What is your feeling toward the use of potassium bromide in lieu of phenobarbitol for the treatment of seizures/brain tumor. My 10 1/2 yr golden was diagnosed on Sept. 4, 08 with a brain tumor in the left frontal lobe. He is on Prednisone 10mg, one daily, every other day and 75 mg of phenobarb every 12 hours. I am also giving him Pycnogenol, Vit C, Astragulus, Selenium, Green Tea, Omegas 3 and 9, CoQ10, Kelp, Slippery Elm, Yucca, Dandelion Root, Tumeric, Alphalfa, Yellow Doc, Burdock, Triple Mushroom Complex, along with Milk Thistle and Sam-e, and Chlor-oxygen. I’m sure I forgot something! His energy level is great and I am more than happy to say he has not had a seizure since his original 3 grand mals on August 30, 08. He was given 3-6 months to live by the neurologist and has just completed 5 months. I know it’s quality, not quantity, but he is still full of life and we take it day by day. Is there anything else you would add to this boy’s intake. He is also on Innnova Evo dog food.
Thank you so much,
Karen Bender

]]>