Fantastic fungus and dog cancer..medicinal mushrooms!?
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: April 13th, 2021
Yes, you read that right. Certain kinds of mushrooms have immune boosting and anti-cancer effects. Some examples of these mushrooms include Shitake (yes, the same one we eat in Chinese restaurants), Maitake, Reishi, Cordyceps, Coriolus, Agaricus and Cordyceps. The good folks over at Aloha Medicinals have known about this forever. I spoke with Dr. John Holliday who spearheads their research a while back to get the lowdown on this very interesting area. Subsequently, I began using their products on my patients.
And I found they work. They extend life, slow progression, and keep life quality high in dog cancer patients beyond traditional care expectations.
They do this in three main ways. First, they are immune enhancing. Second, they stimulate the immune system. Lastly, they help with the toxic side effects of chemo and radiation.
Coriolus contains two interesting compounds that have attracted major interest in China, PSK and PSP. PSK has made it all the way to stage 3 clinical trials (out of 4). Taken together, PSK and PSP improved survival times significantly for cancers of the lung, stomach, ovary, breast, colon, rectum, the nasal-throat area, and cervix. In addition, they improved life quality, decreased pain, boosted the immune system, and decreased side effects of chemo and radiation. Here is the link. These compounds are very exciting and are found in Aloha Medicinal products, as well as other medicinal mushroom blends.
An extract of Maitake taken by mouth was shown to help human patients live longer and suffer less cancer symptoms in a study out of Japan. Patients with cancer of the liver, breast and lung showed the most improvement, while those with leukemia, stomach cancer, and brain cancer showed minimal improvement. This paper also showed that the immune system was more active in the patients receiving the Maitake extract.
Cordyceps extract did slow the growth of tumors in mice, and was able to protect mice from some of the side effects from the chemo drug taxol in another study. In particular, the mice were able to regenerate their white blood cell counts, as white blood cell suppression is a frequent side effect seen with chemo. Cordyceps was also able to mitigate the effects of radiation toxicity in mice in a further study.
Immune suppression is a big part of cancer progression, and these mushrooms help overcome this problem via immune stimulation.Coriolus, Shitake, Maitake, Reishi, Cordyceps, Agaricus and others contain a carbohydrates in the beta-glucan family. Beta-glucans stimulate white blood cells (lymphocytes including T cells and NK cells, and macrophages) through several mechanisms.
Shitake extract taken orally was shown to increase red and white blood cell formation following radiation in mice. This may have positive effects for chemo agents that cause anemia and low white counts (which many do).
A clinical study is published in the Aloha Medicinals website, showing the benefit of a blend of different medicinal mushrooms in late stage cancer patients. Although they have an vested interest, it is still useful to consider.
I believe these mushrooms (K-9 Immunity, available through Aloha Medicinals), along with their boosting supplements (Transfer Factor) should be considered for a part of the full-spectrum care plan for dogs afflicted with cancer. According to Dr. Holliday, who is collecting large amounts of data on their supplement, he is possibly most impressed with the effects of these products for dogs with osteosarcoma.
Most of the whole mushrooms have an antioxidant effect, which may interfere with chemo and radiation. The use of these mushrooms should be timed after consultation with your vet or oncologist. Additionally, like any supplement taken orally, digestive upset is possible. They should probably be avoided in dogs with immune mediated diseases or other inflammatory disorders. Please discuss this with your vet or oncologist.
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.
Thank you for your blog Dr. Dressler.
I found Aloha Medicinals last February when my Golden Retriever was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer. She had already beat a mast cell tumor 14 months prior by surgery, low carb, no sugar food (EVO) and various supplements. After surgery to remove these 2 tumors, we opted for natural remedies as we were told none could say there would be promised benefit of traditional treatment – it was also very costly and 4 hours away. She was started on K9 Immunity and TF. We were no match for the aggressive nature though and it quickly spread to her lungs. Though we lost her on 11/27/09, she had 9 months of amazing energy and quality of life. Because she was a rescue, we had no idea how old she was, but estimated about 7 or 8. She had a litter before we got her and then, was spayed. We later found out, this was a possible factor in the breast cancer development.
Ginnie was an incredible dog with a great attitude and fought joyfully until to the last 2 days of her life when she went downhill fast. I am so grateful for these products. I have no regrets – she had a great life with us and because of her, I have changed the way I look at canine health completely. I now am using the ‘Dog Immune’ version of these mushrooms on my healthy 6 month old puppy. She is also a GR and was rescued from a puppy mill on New Year’s. She was saved at 14 weeks and has almost 3 months on the DI and has a shiny, healthy coat, great energy and we are so excited about being able to start her on these products early to help HER own system, fight anything coming down the pike.
Thank you for your work.
I am curious to know what kind of red dye is used in the capsules?
I thought red dyes were carcinogenic. Why do you dye?
I had started K-9 immunity right after I learned my dog had osteosarcoma. I had given my other dog with hemangiosarcoma the same product. Both dogs died in the time the vets said they would. I am giving my other old dog the product for his joints and overall health and he seems to be doing well with it. Not so sure about doing anything for cancer though. I spent a lot of money (a lot of money on some more conventional tx as well) both to no avail. Since I have had two older dogs in the last 7 months die of some form of cancer, I am not sure anything really works. I believe it is the luck of the draw. I understand how people feel when the dog is dx’d with cancer. The first time I was totally devastated and tried most anything (not chemo though) home-cooked diet, other special foods, supplements. I believe if Farrah Faucet spent millions on her treatment and she died anyway, I am losing faith that the horrible disease can be dealt with. What does it really take? I just don’t know. I have heard many stories of dogs surviving, but it may be because of the slow growing cancer the dog may have. Once I hear cancer again, sure I will do the special diet and supplements because as humans I believe we have to do something and I will feel better doing “something” but I will also realize that cancer is a death sentence. I may be jaded now, but I have a little experience and much emotional investment behind me not to mention the reality of this disease. Dr dresslers book helped get me through it all.
I purchased Cordyceps Vcaps today but how much does a dog need a day (or maybe how often a week?)
How many mg – s?
Doctor:
Certainly the etiology of “Doctor” Holliday’s first generations of cordyceps had to come from SOMEWHERE. Wouldn’t you agree ? He didn’t just find a few cordyceps in his backyard, did he ? I realize that the man has created a working cultivation lab, as well as an expansive research & development department. However, I disapprove of his product, as its first strains are of questionable origin.
I also disapprove of the marketing of these types of products because they are sold in a way that relies purely upon the desperation and emotional connection of people who want to keep their pets from succumbing to cancer. The careful language that Dr. Holliday SOMETIMES takes pains to spell out the NON-medical properties of his dietary supplement doesn’t always hit home with buyers who are dealing with the ravages of cancer in their homes. Many folks…and I mean MANY…will believe that this product is the answer to all of their problems. Not so.
I bought a labrador puppy from John Holliday. The puppies and their mother were being housed at the facility where Holliday creates his dietary supplement. The conditions that these dogs were kept in was deplorable; so much so that I nearly convinced my husband to buy more than just one of the puppies just so we could remove them all from those conditions. Feces and food in the same place, no grass or room to move. Just a fenced-in, concrete structure. The smell was awful. The mother was obviously in distress and all of the dogs were terribly hot. A random cardboard box was half-full with a blanket covered in feces. Holliday didn’t seem too concerned with the health of THOSE dogs; rather, he spent a good portion of our visit berating his son for not ordering copier toner, using a posture and language that even my husband found threatening. This man didn’t seem to be the miracle-working do-gooder that his website proclaims him to be.
Just food for thought, as I live right around the corner from his facility. I’ve seen the man in person…and NOT as a professional liaison. I suspect that not many in the veterinary community see THAT side of the “doctor.”
~ Carson City, Nevada
From a website called Zengia:
“Wild grown Cordyceps sinensis is extremely rare and the Chinese government has made it illegal to harvest the fungus due to environmental concerns. Genuine wild grown Cordyceps sinensis is only available on the black market and costs more than $9,000 a kilogram. It’s suffice to say that any company claiming its product is naturally harvested needs to be carefully investigated. ”
Also, a fascinating documentary, “Wild China” spoke at length about the cordyceps market in Tibet. Because it is illegal to harvest cordyceps, a black market for them has set up shop, operating in the midst of a most beautiful land and its peaceful people. It’s a detriment to their quality of life.
On one hand, in Tibet, you have Mount Kailash. It is (arguably) the most sacred place on Earth. It’s so powerful that it is forbidden to climb. People make treks, sometimes in repetitive prostrations, to get a glimpse of this mountain; to bathe in the water it provides.
On the other hand, you have men like John Holliday. Strutting, arrogant opportunists who rely on people who buy based upon emotional impulse and hopeful desperation. And look: he’s even willing to pay the black market prices because he can sell them for more money after they have been bottled ! What a guy.
If he cared half as much for his own dogs (and family members) as the folks who buy his cordyceps care about their own, then I don’t know if he could (in good conscience) proceed to schlep his modern-day rattlesnake oil.
Dear Reader,
In good conscience I should let you know that the Cordyceps used in John Holliday’s stuff is domestically produced. He has spent a good amount of effort creating cultivation techniques and thankfully does not need to use the black market to supply the world with product.
Just thought you would like to know….Thanks for the info about the situation in China.
Best,
D
My 12-yr old Am Staff Terrier has Grade 3 Mast Cell Cancer. If we are using K9 Immunity should we also include shitake mushrooms in her diet? How much is too much when it comes to mushroom supplements?
Also, if we are including shitake mushrooms in her diet, what is the best way to deliver them for max effectiveness? Raw or cooked? If cooked, any recommendations?
My 12 year old aussie was just diagnosed with a +10 cm. hepatacellular carcinoma of her liver, with multiple other lesions. Are medicinal mushrooms recommended for liver disease also?
Thanks
I’m confused. I gave my dogs some mushrooms I had cooked with breakfast and then wondered if that was safe. I “googled” mushrooms for dogs, and they all said it was poisonous and should NOT be given. I had forgotten I had given one of my daschunds some mushrooms earlier in the week, and she threw up and was lethargic for a couple of days. So ….? Now what?
My 12 year old mix (mostly dalmation, heeler,& retriever)was diagnosed with Visceral Hemangiosarcoma yesterday after an apparent rupture. The tumor is located in (or on) his spleen, there appear to be more smaller ones as well. The specialist recommended euthanasia. I refused and he has since regained color in his gums and has perked up a great deal, maybe about 80% of his usual energy level. Everything I have heard and read is pretty bleak. I am wondering which of these mushrooms have the most potential to help with this specific type of tumor. I am also looking at your book and wondering if, with this diagnosis, you believe there is information in those pages that can help him. I just can’t believe what I was told, I feel he has so much life left in him.
Thank you for your time.