Spice of Life: Curcumin and Dog Cancer
Dr. Demian Dressler is internationally recognized as “the dog cancer vet” because of his innovations in the field of dog cancer management, and the popularity of his blog here at Dog Cancer Blog. The owner of South Shore Veterinary Care, a full-service veterinary hospital in Maui, Hawaii, Dr. Dressler studied Animal Physiology and received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of California at Davis before earning his Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from Cornell University. After practicing at Killewald Animal Hospital in Amherst, New York, he returned to his home state, Hawaii, to practice at the East Honolulu Pet Hospital before heading home to Maui to open his own hospital. Dr. Dressler consults both dog lovers and veterinary professionals, and is sought after as a speaker on topics ranging from the links between lifestyle choices and disease, nutrition and cancer, and animal ethics. His television appearances include “Ask the Vet” segments on local news programs. He is the author of The Dog Cancer Survival Guide: Full Spectrum Treatments to Optimize Your Dog’s Life Quality and Longevity. He is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, the Hawaii Veterinary Medical Association, the American Association of Avian Veterinarians, the National Animal Supplement Council and CORE (Comparative Orthopedic Research Evaluation). He is also an advisory board member for Pacific Primate Sanctuary.
Updated: August 5th, 2019
In researching topics for expanded treatments of dog cancer, I have discovered surprises aplenty.
Because of the desire for options beyond surgery, chemo and radiation for dog cancer, I chose to look in areas that I would have ignored just a few years back.
One of the hottest topics in cancer research right now is the dietary flavonoid group. This is just a bunch of substances that are found in foods which have beneficial effects against cancer.
We all know that certain foods or dietary choices have influence on cancer development and overall health. I came accross a statistic in human medicine that stated that about one third of cancers in people could have been prevented with lifestyle choices (this was excluding the effects of cigarette smoking).
One of the biggest lifestyle choices is the inclusion of certain foods that combat the effects of environmental carcinogens, genetic tendencies, trace water pharmaceuticals, viral DNA changes, dietary carcinogens, electrical field effects, and more.
Most of these naturally occuring flavanoids have very low toxicities. One of the biggies is curcumin.
Curcumin is found in turmeric, which is the spice that is used in curries. Curcumin is exceedingly interesting for dogs with cancer. It is one of the core ingredients I use in cancer supplement programs for my patients and I have seen literal shrinkage of different dog lumps, like hemangiosarcomas of the skin, fatty tumors (lipomas) , fibrosarcomas, and plasmacytomas. I rely on it a lot.
This substance is being used as a model for tons of anticancer drugs in development right now. Here is some info. Over 40 different curcumin analogs (new drugs using curcumin as a template) are being researched at Ohio State University.
Why not just use the curcumin, instead of going through all the bother of making these new drugs? There are two main reasons.
My grandfather left me these wise words: “When you want to find the reason for something, look for the dollar.”
So of course money has something to do with it. You can’t patent a naturally occurring compound. However, if you tweak its structure to produce a synthetic analog, get the lawyers together to protect the intellectual property, patent it, you are set for years. In this way big pharma protects profits.
Secondly, curcumin has some bioavailability problems. This means that the stuff doesn’t, to a large extent, get absorbed into the blood after it is taken by mouth. However, there are ways around this.
If you want to find out more about curcumin, please read the next post!!
Best to all,
Dr Dressler
Dr. Demian Dressler is internationally recognized as “the dog cancer vet” because of his innovations in the field of dog cancer management, and the popularity of his blog here at Dog Cancer Blog. The owner of South Shore Veterinary Care, a full-service veterinary hospital in Maui, Hawaii, Dr. Dressler studied Animal Physiology and received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of California at Davis before earning his Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from Cornell University. After practicing at Killewald Animal Hospital in Amherst, New York, he returned to his home state, Hawaii, to practice at the East Honolulu Pet Hospital before heading home to Maui to open his own hospital. Dr. Dressler consults both dog lovers and veterinary professionals, and is sought after as a speaker on topics ranging from the links between lifestyle choices and disease, nutrition and cancer, and animal ethics. His television appearances include “Ask the Vet” segments on local news programs. He is the author of The Dog Cancer Survival Guide: Full Spectrum Treatments to Optimize Your Dog’s Life Quality and Longevity. He is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, the Hawaii Veterinary Medical Association, the American Association of Avian Veterinarians, the National Animal Supplement Council and CORE (Comparative Orthopedic Research Evaluation). He is also an advisory board member for Pacific Primate Sanctuary.
When my dog was 5 years old (58lb black lab x) she tore her back left acl. I did manage to get her into surgery soon, but the vet stressed strongly that this was only a temporary fix, often times the other leg will tear, or the repaired leg won’t hold up forever, as well that arthritis will set in a lot sooner. Well it’s been 3 years and only 2 weeks ago did I see her leg becoming lame again, however when it warmed up outside she started using it again. So I put this down to arthritis. I started research online for ways to help with inflammation etc. TURMERIC came up and I have to say, it’s a really great anti-inflammatory herb, I have even started giving my mother it for her arthritis. I am still waiting to see just how effective it is but so far she doesn’t act like her leg is bothering her in any way! I am so excited about natural approaches to my dogs care as vet bills can be VERY expensive. Another great thing I give my dog is Apple Cider Vinegar (organic with the mother Braggs brand), this has an alkalinizing effect on the body I think (or so I have read) and an alkaline body resists disease more so than one in an acidic state. My dog suffers allergies, so I am also waiting to see if this has any effect on her allergies which I have not been able to peg to any certain thing. This might not work for all dogs, but my dog is a glutton and will literally eat anything I give her lol. The ACV threw her for a loop, but she just looked at me then continued eating.
Dr. Dressler, I have just finished your book. I can totally relate to the term Analysis Paralysis. My 13 year old chow/lab mix had an oral tumor downsized 3 weeks ago. It was too deep into the tongue to be completely removed. Because I told the vet I would do no chemo or radiation the mass was not sent for diagnosis. I feel this was a major error on my part as I now realize that even if you plan to treat “naturally” it is important to know the type of cancer. Due to the breed and my dog’s totally black tongue I imagine this cancer to be malignant melanoma, but of course, do know know for sure. My vet never mentioned the vacinne for melanoma or I would have probably approached things differently. I took her to a TCM vet a few days after the surgery. She put her on IP6, Wobenzyme, Canine Hepatic Support and Max’s Formula (Chinese herbs). I have added 7000mg of fishoil daily, turmeric sprinkled on the food, and melatonin at night. She is eating greatv(is on your cancer diet) and her energy level is good. I want to get the Apopcaps but not sure if I need to quit all these other supplements or can i still use them in conjunction with the apocaps (although I understand they should not be given at the same time). Any suggestions appreciated. Thank you for your most wonderful book. It is a wonderful blend of mental, physical and spiritual that is most uncommon in the medical field.
Can Curcumin be given when chemotheraphy is on?
I anticipate your answer about my dogs tumors. Can you help?
Thanks, Regina
My 3 1/2 year old Shar-pei was diagnosed with Familial Shar-Pei Fever and renal amyloidosis. I plan on purchasing your book, as the cancer diet will help with many diseases.We have started her on a variety of holistic and western treatment options and I ran across curcumin in my search. Would this be damaging to her kidneys or sensitive tummy and what would the dose be for ~30 pound pup? Also, where would I find it? Thank you for everything you do!
Dear Lacy
I am sorry, this is not a good dietary choice for renal amyloidosis.
There are also medical considerations with curcumin you need to discuss with your vet (it inhibitis COX-2 which may or may not be the best thing for your dog).
You need to consult with a veterinarian who knows about this stuff and also knows your individual dog’s medical history, etc.
D
I have a Lab/Australian Shepard mix . She has 3 tumors, one in her neck, one on her top front leg joint and one on her stomach. I have been giving her Curcumin in capsule form for about 2 weeks. Her tumors are getting bigger but she is not showing any discomfort. It is scaring me about the change. What should I do?
Thanks so much!!!
Regina
Dear Regina,
please see your vet ASAP!!!
Best
Dr D
Dr Dessler,
I have a 7 year old Vizsla who has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. She’s a prednisone, pancreatin, beta glucans and curcumin. This is all under her vet’s supervision. She currently gets 500mg of curcumin since I wasn’t sure what the proper dosage should be for a 50lb dog, is that sufficient?
Thank you Best regards,
HI
I have a female collie who is 12 years old, seemed to be very healthy and I just happened to notice her gums were pale, we ran bloodwork and all appeared good except a low end PCV. A couple weeks later she paled again and we ran bloodwork again and did an xray the spleen was enlarged and after an ultrasound we removed the spleen. Anyway it appears she has a hemangiosarcoma and there was at least a nodule on her liver in the ultrasound. We had to go back in a week later cuz she herniated for some reason the stitches broke down and there was another mass forming and a small spot already on her liver.
Can she be treated with the Apocaps and I have turmeric powder I can start her on in the meantime. We did start her on garlic and melatonin, we have her on milk thistle too. It was also was suggested to use Vit D is this ok to use with this type cancer I thought i read in your book, no.
She is fed raw and has been most of her life and before that homemade. She is eating well but we are keeping her activity level down while she heals from surgery. Oh I put the tumeric in small capsules to give if she won’t eat it in food. To get the 2 grams, she weighs 58 pounds, do I just weigh it on a kitchen scale or is the a comparable measurement in tsp.
Thanks so much, oh I already have your books.
Vicki
Dear Vicki
it was quite astute of you to notice her pale gums! Great job. I would double check with your vet on liver function. If liver function is adequate, apocaps is no problem. Your vet can see the product information here:
http://www.apocaps.com
There is litte benefit in oral vitamin d supplementation- the levels in the blood are too low when given orally for anti cancer effects. Get sunlight several times weekly for 10 minutes at least each time for active vit D. I would hold off on the turmeric until after healing as curcumin may have some blood thinning effects. The capsules will give you mg, and 1000 mg is 1 gram. Kitchen scale is not usually sensitive enough to measure grams. Be sure your pet care is under veterinary supervision too.
Hope this helps
D
Dr. Dressler,
Not sure if you can take the time to help me further on this, but I’ll ask. I have begun the YB as you suggested. He’s been on it for 5 days so now I’ll take him off for 5. I planned to feed him lots of fish for the oil and Omega 3, but I’ve also read that these may act as blood clotting inhibitors. So I’m torn which way to go. Obviously I want to fight the cancer, but I also do not want the internal bleeding to get worse. I guess this is one of those mental battles you go through on a regular basis. Any suggestions? By the way, he continues to play and has a great appetite. Still well under weight, but alert.
Dr. Dressler,
Thank you for your help. I’m looking forward to reading the book to see how else I may help him to enjoy his remaining life. He’s been an extraordinary companion, even my local vet comments in ways that I doubt he does with all pets he sees. I’ll go by your dosing and plan to follow up so you can hear the results.
Phil
Keep us posted Phil
Best
D