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Featuring Demian Dressler, DVM and Sue Ettinger, DVM, Dip. ACVIM (Oncology), authors of The Dog Cancer Survival Guide

Yunnan Baiyao for Dogs: Chinese Herb for Bleeding Dog Cancers

Updated: April 27th, 2023

Summary

Yunnan baiyao for dogs with cancer may sound weird because it’s used for bleeding problems. But in certain cases, it is really useful.

yunnan baiyao for dogsToday’s article is about an herb from Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM): yunnan baiyao for dogs with cancer. Yes, the chinese herb, also spelled yunnan paiyao, can be used in some cancers.


This episode of our podcast Dog Cancer Answers addresses yunnan baiyao.


Bleeding Cancer Causes

Some canine cancers are associated with bleeding, like internal hemangiosarcomas.  Hemangiosarcomas are tumors that occur in the linings of the blood vessels, so they can be pretty bloody.

But even other types of cancers can bleed. For example, sometimes chemotherapy drugs increase bleeding tendencies. Sometimes tumors rupture, and internal bleeding results.

Again, not every tumor is bloody. But when they are, finding a way to control that internal bleeding is a good idea.

Especially nice would be something that can be given in a capsule at home.

A Supplement That Stops Bleeding??

Conventional veterinary medicine teaches us that there is no such thing. But hey, let’s remember: there is more to healing than what we may have been exposed to here in the West.  My alma mater is consistently ranked number one or two best veterinary school in the nation, but I didn’t learn about supplements until I started my own studies.



Yunnan baiyao is a good example. This is a well-known treatment in China. Its name means “The white medicine from Yunnan province.”

It’s well researched in China, and, perhaps more importantly, comes from a medical tradition that has been in existence for thousands of years. Our Western medical researchers are beginning to show interest, and so far, most studies here show that there are reasons to study it more.

Yunnan baiyao is a blend of herbal ingredients, not one single plant. Here in the West, we’re used to thinking about individual treatments for individual problems. Supplements are usually made of only one ingredient.

That’s not the way TCM thinks about remedies or treatments. With their thousands of years of experience, they often make blends of several different components. Yunnan baiyao is no exception.

The precise recipe is a guarded secret in China, but the ingredients include various yam roots, ox gall bladder, pseudoginseng, and sweet geranium.

How Yunnan Baiyao Works (we think)

It seems that yunnan baiyao activates the platelets, the tiny blood cells that help form clots. Why is this important?

Well, because blood clots are the first step in a scab. When platelets are active, they form little plugs, or little corks. That’s the way they stop a hemorrhage.

Think of the last time you cut yourself. Remember how the blood flowed, and then slowed down, and a red oozy mass formed? That’s your platelets in action.

So we think when a dog takes yunnan baiyao, the herbal formula activates the platelets, which slow bleeding down and help stop it.

Keep in mind that this remedy is not fully understood, and there are some veterinarians who just don’t think using it is worth it. But there are plenty who disagree and feel that as long as it’s safe, using it in serious cases is warranted.


 

For more tools to help fight dog cancer that you may have not heard of, get a copy of The Dog Cancer Survival Guide.


When To Use Yunnan Baiyao

I wouldn’t recommend using yunnan baiyao without consulting with your veterinarian. It might not be necessary for your dog’s specific case. But if your dog is having internal bleeds, or if your dog has the bloody cancer called hemangiosarcoma, your veterinarian might want to use it to help control bleeding.

How much to give?  The following dosing is a bit rough.  These are general guidelines that you should check out with your veterinarian:

  • For dogs under 10 lbs, give 1 capsule by mouth one time a day.
  • For dogs from 10 to 30 lbs, give 1 capsule by mouth two times a day.
  • For dogs above 30 but less than 60 lbs, give 2 capsules two times a day.
  • For dogs above 60 lbs, give 2 capsules three times a day.

Do not give Yunnan baiyao on an ongoing basis.  It is best to give it on alternating days, or for a 5-day on, 5-day off cycle that repeats.  You should also be aware that there is some evidence that this medicine may elevate liver markers if given daily for prolonged periods of time.

Best to all,

Dr D

Editor’s Note: Where to Buy Yunnan Baiyao

It is not as easy to get yunnan baiyao online as it once was. If your veterinarian doesn’t sell it (and most who recommend it do), the best bet is to check your local supplement store, particularly if they stock other TCM remedies. If they don’t stock it, you might ask your veterinarian to order it for you from Jin Tang http://tcvmherbal.com/. You can also try Pine Street Clinic: https://pinestreetclinic.com/products/yunnan-baiyao

 



Further Reading & References

Brennen McKenzie, MA, MSc, VMD, cVMA, Yunnan baiyao for patients with hemorrhage, neoplasia, Veterinary Practice News, December 11, 2017

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center’s discussion on Yunnan Baiyao

Institute of Traditional Medicine Discussion of Yunnan Baiyao

Tansey C, Wiebe ML, Hybki GC, Patlogar JE, Murphy LA, Bianco D, Nakamura RK. A prospective evaluation of oral Yunnan Baiyao therapy on thromboleastographic parameters in apparently healthy dogs. J Vet Emerg Crit Care (San Antonio). 2018 May;28(3):221-225. doi: 10.1111/vec.12712. PMID:  29727528

Morris BR, deLaforcade A, Lee J, Palmisano J, Meola D, Rozanski E. Effects of in vitro hemodilution with crystalloids, colloids, and plasma on canine whole blood coagulation as determined by kaolin-activated thromboelastography. J Vet Emerg Crit Care (San Antonio). 2016 Jan-Feb;26(1):58-63. doi: 10.1111/vec.12345.  Epub 2015 Jul 28. PubMed PMID: 26220153.

Ness SL, Frye AH, Divers TJ, Rishniw M, Erb HN, Brooks MB. Randomized placebo-controlled study of the effects of Yunnan Baiyao on hemostasis in horses. Am J Vet Res. 2017 Aug;78(8):969-976. doi: 10.2460/ajvr.78.8.969. PubMed PMID: 28738008.

Lee A, Boysen SR, Sanderson J, Wagg CR, Chalhoub S. Effects of Yunnan Baiyao on blood coagulation parameters in beagles measured using kaolin activated thromboelastography and more traditional methods. Int J Vet Sci Med. 2017 Apr 12;5(1):53-56. doi: 10.1016/j.ijvsm.2017.01.004. eCollection 2017 Jun. PMID:  30255049

Wiinberg B, Jensen AL, Rojkjaer R, Johansson P, Kjelgaard-Hansen M, Kristensen AT. Validation of human recombinant tissue factor-activated thromboelastography on citrated whole blood from clinically healthy dogs. Vet Clin Pathol. 2005 Dec;34(4):389-93. PubMed PMID: 16270265.

Frederick J, Boysen S, Wagg C, Chalhoub S. The effects of oral administration of Yunnan Baiyao on blood coagulation in beagle dogs as measured by kaolin-activated thromboelastography and buccal mucosal bleeding times. Can J Vet Res. 2017;81(1):41-45.

How One Company Brought Traditional Chinese Medicine To The Modern World And Made Billions, Forbes, Michael Schuman

Yunnan Baiyao – What’s the Clinical Evidence? by L. Graham

 

Leave a Comment





  1. Heidi Keitz on March 3, 2018 at 9:29 am

    Hello to all and blessings to you and your dogs,my guy was just diagnosed this past Tuesday after getting dental work done,the cost of surgery at this time is not feasible for me as I’m spread out with vet bills with my 19 almost 20 year old sun conure who I’ve had for 18/19 years and her kidney disease/failure,but that’s another story,my vet did prescribe the Yannan Baiyao but in a smaller dosage than listed here,I need to find a more reasonable place to purchase this so I can give my guy a better chance,my vet just charges to much to mail it.
    I’m hoping I don’t lose this site it’s very informative and I want to add it to my daily places to check,
    Wishing you the best,

    • Diane on March 11, 2018 at 2:38 am

      Hi Heidi, I’ve been using Yannan Baiyao for my fur baby for over a year now and it has helped with the bleeding from his nasal cancer. Hope this helps you. All the best to you and you dogs.

    • SHERRY L HAAG on July 21, 2019 at 1:16 pm

      Walmart carries it at decent rate

  2. dsull3306 on February 6, 2018 at 9:10 am

    If the capsules are too big, can I open it and mix with food?

    • Courtney on February 14, 2018 at 9:46 am

      Yes, you definitely can!

  3. Daniel on February 2, 2018 at 6:22 am

    Hey, have a doubt can we use yunnan baiyao tong shu? For Hemangiosarcoma?? Please suggest???

  4. joanne grant on January 20, 2018 at 12:58 am

    please try the Budwick Diet for dogs ..my dog has problems .9 months now she is doing great.

  5. Natalie Lense on January 15, 2018 at 3:03 pm

    My e bully is doing fantastic. He is out living all expectations….my HEALTHY 130lb boerboel just ate one pill…is she in any danger???????? HELP????

  6. Kryzia on December 29, 2017 at 8:18 pm

    Dr. D,
    My dog has an ear hematoma– would this be appropriate to use?

  7. Andy on December 5, 2017 at 3:06 pm

    I just want to provide feedback on using Yunnan Baiyao. Our lab came down with Hemangiosarcoma on his heart. Broke our hearts. They gave him several days to a week to live. That was in March 2017. After much research we started him on Yunnan Baiyao, two morning, two at night (90lb lab). He made it till Aug 25th, a full 5 months. You know what? He got another full summer and he was HAPPY. I recommend this to all of you for your dogs with bleeding cancers. And always remember this: for the years of love you get, you must endure a few months of sorrow at the end. As far as I’m concerned, it was well worth it. See you at Rainbow Bridge, buddy.

    • Karen Schultz on December 16, 2017 at 10:47 am

      I have an 8 yo boxer diagnosed this week with the same condition. Did u give your lab this dosage continuously or took a break at 5 days? My heart breaks for all those affected.

  8. Maria on June 27, 2016 at 1:01 pm

    My 10 year old Lab/golden Timber was just diagnosed with hermangiosarcoma, they did an ultrasound on Saturday and found she had a tumor on her spleen that burst and she’s bleeding internally. My Dr. Suggested I start her on yunnan baiyao. He’s hoping she gets strong enough for the surgery to remove her spleen. She is also breathing heavy. She is not eating as she normally does and sometimes seems confused. When we walk she stops and sits as if she doesn’t know what to do. Some nights she won’t even go out. I want to do what’s best for her, but I don’t want her to suffer. Is the surgery the best course for her? She also has some lesions on her liver. She’s my best friend and I don’t want to lose her.

    • melissa on November 12, 2016 at 12:40 pm

      Hi Maria, my lab is my best friend in the world as well and he was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma three months ago when a tumor I didn’t know he had ruptured literally on our way to a check up with the vet. He exhibited no signs that anything was wrong so thank God we had that random appointment. He was rushed to surgery and within an hour he had a lobe of his liver removed long with several lesions. His other organs were clear, but about three weeks ago I noticed that he was having the symptoms you mentioned- he wasn’t eating normally, didn’t want to go out, and was having these sporadic bouts of shallow breathing which seemed to pass. I had him on CBD oil and stopped it when I thought it overly sedated him, but started it again a few days ago. I also ordered Yunnan Baiyo and it got here just before he had another episode which I am attributing to a bleed. He’s been on it for three days and I can not believe what I am seeing. He’s not breathing heavily, his gums are bright pink, and he’s not winded every time he stands up. He even went on a little walk yesterday. I truly believe this is a miracle pill. Despite the fact that we all have been given a grim prognosis, I feel like when we give up, they give up. I highly recommend the YB as well as CBD. We are determined to beat the odds over here! If anyone wants to talk, message back and I will provide my email address- this isn’t easy, but I’m not accepting a death sentence for my guy and neither should anyone. Only God knows when time is up, not vets or surgeons. Bless you all- #cancersucks

  9. Power System on July 8, 2015 at 4:00 am

    Just like finding out that a loved one has cancer; being told that your family pet dog has this disease is equally as devastating for sure! Pets can develop cancerous tumors and like humans early diagnosis is the key to effective treatment that may eradicate it therefore curing your beloved companion of this particularly nasty illness.

    Due to the excessive number of different types of cancers; it is best to initially discuss the various dog cancer treatments available with your vet to ascertain which treatment will work the best. Your vet will devise a unique treatment plan specifically tailored for your dogs condition and needs based on temperament, symptoms and progression of the disease.
    yunnan baiyao capsules

  10. Susan Kazara Harper on June 23, 2015 at 7:54 pm

    Diana, we’ve been trying to keep up with the posts. What is the latest news about your girl?

    • diana on August 19, 2015 at 5:14 pm

      Hi, Yes Sasha is home. The surgery was a success. She only needed it done on the one nasal passageway. The vets recommended not changing anything since she is a healthy dog. Turns out it was just a nose bleed that wouldn’t heal (thus far). Bloodwork done since the incident has been normal. She is due for more bloodwork in september. So weird. I just feel very fortunate that we were able to afford all the tests and treatment.

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