A Silver Lining in 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: October 2nd, 2018
This is a blog about dog cancer. As such, you are probably here looking for some advice. Something useful to help this dire predicament you are in with your loved dog.
Most often I will write about some outside the box approach to treating your dog’s disease. Maybe a new therapy that is coming up, or a supplement or some other clinical tool that you can use to help beat the odds. This was the drive leading to The Dog Cancer Survival Guide, Apocaps, the Coping Guide and the monthly webinars,.
But there is more to this picture than trying to keep your dog healthy and happy.
What do I mean? I mean you. What is going on with you, as a dog guardian, as a person dealing with something that it seems has no solution.
You are all in different stages of the dog cancer Iditarod. The Iditarod is a grueling, 1,161 mile long dog sled race that takes place in Alaska. It is long and it is hard. It requires ongoing emotional strength and fortitude to continue in harsh, extreme conditions.
Coping with dog cancer is indeed like the Iditarod. Those of you on this road know what I mean.
I was speaking with a man today with a Lab recently diagnosed with bladder cancer (transitional cell carcinoma). He said something that I should share with all of you in this journey. It went something like this:
“Now that I know, every day becomes more precious. I have always loved my dog. But now, each day I have with my dog is important.”
This is the silver lining of dog cancer. Although a huge, dark cloud overshadows much, you may be able to find a hint of silver somewhere. Each day is important. Each 24 hours is filled with many minutes and many more moments.
Each moment is a chance to share your world with your loved dog.
I would like to leave you with a quote. This is from Viktor Frankl, Holocaust survivor, about his time in a concentration camp. I hope you find it comforting.
“…everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms — to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way.”
Best,
Dr D
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.
Also, what is the daily dosage of Apocaps for a 77 lb. dog?
Thanks.
Dear Chris-
the label is here:
http://apocaps.com/product-facts/
3 caps three times a day. If cost prohibitive, you can drop it down to 2 caps 3 times daily, should still provide benefit, in my experience at least. Have your vet supervise…
Best,
D
Dr. Dressler,
Thanks, and completely understood regarding being able to review my proposed diet/supplement schedule.
With respect to some of the supplements, such as Co-Q-10, one other question – am I correct in inferring that if the source for such supplements is, “through your vet or at a health food store,” that I would also be okay to buy them through, for example, Costco? Just coincidentally, I learned on Saturday that Costco actually sells Co-Q-10, and if that is acceptable, then of course getting them at the Costco price would help from a budget perspective.
Costco also sells Lutein, but that’s not the same as luteolin, correct?
Thanks again.
Dear Chris,
yes, it is okay to use the human grade supplements, including the ones from Costco. Co-Q-10 has some bioavailability issues, so try to find one that has a lipid (oily) type base to increase the amount that gets in the bloodstream.
Right, lutein and luteolin are different. Apocaps in the best source of luteolin, and it is combined with the curcumin, apigenin, silymarin and other goodies, so you don;t have to worry about administering those separately.
Best
D
I have just started going through all of your blog entries on canine cancer. I have lost 3 dogs to cancer and just had another diagnosed with STS. Whitney is 13 yrs old and is a retired sled dog from my team. Her brother, Naoisha, died 3 yrs. ago to lymphosarcoma even after chemotherapy.
I am a dog musher so I have a few dogs:) but all are part of my family and have a forever home even when they retire from working in harness.
I wanted to let you know about a fundraiser I am doing for Canine Cancer
Awareness, Inc. which is an organization that helps people with the financial burdens of cancer treatment for their dogs. Here is a link to my firstgiving donation page which explains what the dogs and I will be doing Paws Against Canine Cancer
Anything you would be able to do to help get the word out about this fundraiser (people from all over the world can participate) I would greatly appreciate it. I will be doing posting about the dogs on the trail at my FB page for Prairie Isle Dog Trekking (link at the donation page) plus others will be able to post what they are doing.
I am grateful for you sharing your knowledge to others about canine cancer.
Helen Corlew
Praiirie Isle Dog Trekking
Tellington TTouch Pratitioner
Dear Helen,
I will post about this in the next blog-
Best,
Dr D
Hi Dr. Dressler. I just downloaded your book on Sunday night, and finished it yesterday afternoon. My little girl was diagnosed with bladder TCC on May 24th, and it has grown aggressively since then. We tried the piroxicam/mitoxantrone chemotherapy, but she did not respond to that. There is a slight positive aspect in that, currently, both her ureters and her urethra appear to be unblocked, although her urine streams are getting shorter and “thinner.”
I have a couple of questions:
With respect to apocaps, am I correct in understanding that if I use those, I would not have to “mess with” any of the other big gun supplements? If that is a correct understanding, am I also correct in assuming that apocaps take care of the complications between EGCG and quercetin?
Since apocaps appear to only replace the big gun supplements, I am also assuming that I would want to still include the cancer spread preventative supplements and multivitamins, correct?
With respect to the cancer spread preventative supplements, is there any problem with me just adding branched chain amino acids, modified citrus pectin, and mushroom-derived polysaccharides altogether in her regimen?
I’ve actually drafted a proposed feeding/supplement/medication schedule for my pup based on your book, and am planning to review it with her vet and oncologist. I realize that this next request is a fairly big favor, but if I were to send it to you, would you possibly be able to give it a quick review, and give me your thoughts?
Thanks, both in advance for your response to the above questions, and for your book. It has been very helpful, and I truly wish that I’d come across it back when we first got her diagnosis.
Dear Chris,
I am sorry you and your dog are coping with this.
Yes, apocaps were designed to combine the bulk of the apoptogens discussed in the Guide.
Yes, still add the cancer spread supplements.
No, there is no problem with the addition of the supplements you named.
As to individual case consults, I only rarely do these as I have a 3 doctor practice of my own with many patients, and this is a fee service.
Another outside the box idea is gemcitabine with iv vit C and K3:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16952707
take to your oncologist and discuss the plan…
Best
Dr D
My Jack Russell Terrier has been diagnosed with aggressive mammary cancer and Palladia was one of the chemo treatment options, but the costs are prohibitive to my financial situation. Is Kinavet similar in pricing, and I notice in the link info that it only makes reference to treatment of Mast Cell cancer.
Dear Rob,
Kinavet is not cheaper unfortunately. You might check into Care Credit and other options in this post-
https://www.dogcancerblog.com/blog/the-cost-of-my-dogs-life-part-1/
I hope this helps
D
Just a quick PS
I have seen the word “apocaps” in several of the comments, just wondering what it is??
thanks, linda
Dear Linda,
here is a link– apocaps is a supplement designed to restore normal apoptosis levels. Apoptosis is programmed cell suicide, which is a hot area in cancer research. Apoptosis is a fundamental way the body removes deranged cells. Cancer cells are able to side step apoptosis.
Best
D
Dr. Dressler,
I have a few questions in regards to starting treatment for Sassy, (Rat Terrier) 14 lbs, CUTE as a button…’-)
She had a mast tumor removed from her leg in June, and now has just had several more removed from her neck and shoulder (July 28th). All but one small one were removed – with her being under for so long and the fact that that tumor was hard to reach, the vet felt that she was already under a little too long and brought her out of anesthesia. The Palladia is to start on Tuesday, Aug.2…
She is now (started right after surgery) on Metacam, once a day, #14 mark, Amoxicillin, 100 mg 2 times a day, 25 mg benadryl 3 x a day, along with fish oil, 1000mg, 3 times a day, with 10 mg pepcid, once a day. Her appetite is really good, all of her life she has eaten dry food. A few months ago I purchased Purina’s One Beyond dry food, which she really likes, but after her first surgery, she didn’t seem to want to eat the dry food, so I picked up some “Boots & Barkley” wet food, along with “Pet Pride” wet food, and she has been eating these very well. I have added steamed cauliflower (mashed) to either of them, and she just eats it up… I also added another dry food, “Taste of the Wild”, last Saturday, which have no grains in their ingredients, which she does like (she ate it also before this last surgery)
What do you think of Palladia, the cancer treatment, that would be given at the rate of 15 mg, one dose, three times a week. Would you recommend using K-9 Immunity Plus to the treatment, on the days in between the Palladia?
Thanks for your professional thoughts and opinions—
linda
Dear Linda-
there is a lot to your question- could fill a book! (it has actually, you might want to check it out).
Have you downloaded the free pdf about the dog cancer diet on the top of this blog? I lean towards Kinavet as opposed to Palladia as a personal preference, but folks have their own ideas and until we get studies comparing the two the jury is still out. I like the old K-9 immunity better without the flavoring. I would look into apoptogens as well.
All steps should be under veterinary supervision too….
Hope this helps
D
Dr Dressler – I am thinking your post to Karen was the answer to my post (Ann?). I am still somewhat confused about using apocaps…say I was starting from scratch with regards to her lymphoma. She is on metacam – that is a given for her arthritis and hip dysplasia. She was only taking antioxidants in between chemo and the cq10 was only for the doxorubicin. The K9 immunity has been a staple since the beginning. She didn’t tolerate n/d food at all so I added l-arginine supplements on a daily basis. Diet is no grain, hi-protein, hi fat.
Ok as of today – she is now getting elspar and lomustine as she is showing some drug resistance to standard Mad/Wis protocol. And we are adding gabapentin in a very low dose to help with (in layman’s terms) doggie sciatica.
Based on the latest – what are the top supplements that are appropriate for her now – as if I was starting from scratch…but given that metacam/l-arginine/k9 immunity/gapapentin are now in the picture….
PS – we determined her inappropriate urination is due to her lower back issues and not the lymphoma, not uti, not cushings, not addisons, not thyroid, not diabetes.
Thank you! Ann
Dear Ann,
All under veterinary supervision, I would be using 1/4 to 1/2 the labeled dose of Apocaps. I would consider perhaps adding melatonin as per the Guide. consider acupuncture for her back and if need be also muscle relaxer (methocarbamol) and I would also consider Adequan for longer term orthopedic benefit.
I hope this helps,
D
Hello Dr Dressler –
When my dog was dx 1/2010 with stage 3A, b-cell lymphoma, I scoured the internet looking for information. There were only a few books available and the information from scouring the internet was sketchy at best. We opted to do the CHOP protocol and she went into remission quickly. We finished the entire protocol and she held the clinical remission for 3 1/2 months – so we opted to do it again as she responded well the first time around. She went back into clinical remission quickly, we finished the protocol and she held the remission again for only 3 1/2 months. During the second protocol – I found your book! But have to admit I was overwhelmed with all the supplements listed. It was very hard to determine which ones were specific to lymphoma as it is a different beast! Can’t stimulate the immune system – just support it. Here we are again starting the CHOP protocol again (2 treatments in to it) and I find myself staring at your book again – trying to decide which supplements are best for lymphoma. She has always been on K9 immunity/transfer factor since first diagnosis. She also gets wild salmon oil, vit e, cq10, l-glutamine, milk thistle, digestive enzymes, probiotics. She is on a very, very low grain diet, hi protein and hi fat diet. She has been on metacam and cosquein for years as she has severe hip dysplasia and arthritis. So predisone isn’t on our protocol. On occasion she gets a pepcid when the chemo gives her reflux. She has handled all of this with very few side effects but I can tell that this time around she is reacting differently to the chemo. She has started to drink lots more water and she is urinating in the house in the middle of the night. She had a urinalysis which was normal. I had ordered up maritime pine bark and a homeopathic lymph support from down under and have been debating whether to give it to her or not. I have also heard of artemisinin but not sure if it is right for lymphoma. Am I missing an all important supplement? Or am I over-supplementing her? This lymphoma stuff is tricky – don’t stimulate but enhance…so I feel like I am walking a fine line as to what to give her. She is a 25 lb, 12 1/2 yr old, shiba inu (large frame) She still eats very well, she is still active considering her arthritis and having had both knees operated on years ago. The urination in the house is a concern as it just started happening. Should I really pull up her water bowl when she seems to really need it? I am reluctant to remove something that she may need to help fight this crappy disease. I am open to any thoughts on this as I am doubting my choices of supplements given that she can’t hold her own remission for more than 3 months.
Thank you – Ann
Dear Karen,
immune stimulation is different from worsening cancer. Cancerous lymphocytes do not respond like normal immune system cells, which is why lympho patients are immune compromised. We do not have a lot of data for LSA specific supplement protocols. I did a webinar on the supplement hierarchy and this will be in the second Guide edition, but basically apoptogens and immune supplements are top of the pile. I would most definitely go with 1/4 labeled dose of apoptogens, under veterinary supervision with food. Don’t use antioxidants with chemo or apoptogens in general like coq10 (unless you are giving doxorubicin). I would cut that along with the milk thistle if you are giving Apocaps.. Probiotics and digestive enzymes are nice but not top. I would definitely consider ND food due to the fatty acid content and its documented effects on LSA, introducing it over 14 days slowly. You don’t want the antioxidants in maritime pine with chemo or apoptogens and the COX inhibition is redundant with apocaps and metacam. Homeopathy has limited evidence for cancer longevity in general, but might enhance life quality a bit…
Inappropriate urination should be worked up at the vets- lots of reasons for this are possible-
Best
Dr D
Hello Dr. Dressler,
I have read your book cover to cover (virtually, since I have the download). My 60 pound, 11-12 year old Vizsla/Lab mix was diagnosed with high-grade, multicentric lymphoma about a month ago. I have decided not to pursue chemo as my main goal, due to her age, is good life quality for whatever time we have. I changed her diet immediately to the homeade version you suggest (whole meats, veggies, cottage cheese, a little whole grain oatmeal), and she is on plant enzyme therapy, CoQ10, an immuno-booster (Only Natural Pet), and a good omega-3 program. I am also giving her Beta Glucan, about 300 mg twice a day. Is this an appropriate amount? I am also considering putting her on K9 Immunity, Apocaps, and Arteminisin. Is this overload, or is it an appropriate protocol? She is still eating very well and she is up for walks and a little swimming, but she tires easily. My vet is conventional “all the way” and discouraged anything homeopathic and holistic (as this would falsely get my hopes up), and because I live in a small town, there is not a more-rounded-approach vet available. I am trying very hard to be her health care advocate with the best information I can get my hands on. Thanks for the reminder to keep my chin up throughout this for her, and thanks for any help you can give me……Kelly
Dear Kelly,
Sorry to hear the news.
It is hard to “overload” a disease which overloads us in spite of what we throw at it typically. I would skip the coq10, add the K-9 immunity, skip the beta glucan if so, add the apocaps, and add the artemisinin. Alternate art with apocaps on 5 day cycles. Also consider Neoplasene oral under these circumstances. Have your vet supervise the treatment (even if a conventional vet…)
i hope this helps,
D