Cancer has become the number one cause of death in all canines--the Akita is no exception.  For that reason, I bring this page to you as a source of alternatives in treating canine cancer.  The information here is for all breeds and also for cats.  I have been using all of these therapies on my 10-year old female Leonberger who is doing well.  The earlier you start, the better the prognosis.

First, please discuss everything with your vet.  Caring for a dog with cancer must be teamwork.  If you’re working with a holistic veterinarian, then perhaps a lot of this information is already known to him/her; that saves a step.  If you’re working with your regular vet, you may have to educate him/her to some new ideas.  Most vets are totally open to learning about new ways of treating an old enemy so don’t hesitate to open discussions.

Any surgical procedures that are available should be used to remove primary tumors since it is the primary tumor that can send out seeds for metastasis.  Other cancers like leukemia, lymphoma and hemangiosarcoma are usually cancers of the blood, lymph system or blood vessels, which make it more difficult to locate and remove a primary growth.  In these cases, it’s probably not going to be operable but that does not translate to hopeless. 

Dr. Terence Fox at Buck Mountain Botanicals in Montana explained to me that cancer has many names but only one cause (in his opinion), a breakdown of a naturally occurring process of APOPTOSIS. 

Apoptosis is genetic program in all of us and our dogs that tells cells it’s their time to go.  Apoptosis is regulated by the P53 tumor suppressor gene (the gene has been directly linked to osteosarcoma and hemangiosarcoma in studies done with Rottweilers).  A mutation occurs in this process that allows mutant cells to grow out of control and that is cancer.  The different names of cancers are usually given to the type of tissue, area of the body, or system that harbors the mutant cells.  For example, mast cell cancer forms from mast cells which are naturally occurring cells in the body, spindle cell carcinoma derives from naturally occurring spindle cells etc.  I’m making this as simple as possible but it is far more complex in reality.

ONCOPLEX

For decades, the word was out that something in cruciferous vegetables protects animals from cancer; in 1992, scientists from Johns Hopkins University identified the active constituent as a chemical called sulforaphane. Broccoli contains more sulforaphane than the other vegetables. The best source of it comes from sprouts that have grown to the second leaf stage; these seedlings contain between 10 to 100 times as much sulforaphane as a full-grown broccoli.

To date the sulforaphane research focusing on cancer has discovered that this protection results from stimulation of the body's own antioxidant and detoxification system, which is comprised of what scientists call Phase 2 Enzymes.  The enzymes eliminate carcinogens from the body before they can cause DNA damage. This action protects healthy cells from cancer triggering chemicals.

More exciting from a cutting edge point of view is a paper in the March 2000 issue of Cancer Research which reported for the first time that sulforaphane can cause cancer cells to self-destruct, that it triggers programmed cell death or apoptosis.   Research that is more recent reports on the genetic mechanisms by which these broccoli chemicals work.  For example, a recent study on breast cancer showed sulforaphane binding to mammary tissue after just a single dose of broccoli sprouts.   Earlier studies from 1997 and 2000 demonstrated that sulforaphane prevented carcinogens from triggering cancer in breast tissue. Other benefits of this supplement include increasing the liver’s capacity to detoxify potential carcinogens.  Sulforaphane glucosinolate is the precursor of sulforaphane and ONCOPLEX contains sulforaphane glucosinolate (SGS).

When Jazzie was first diagnosed with adenocarcinoma in May, 2007, I started her on Oncoplex. That may be an explanation why her lung mets did not show symptoms until January of 2008; they usually show metastasis within 3 or 4 months.  I still have her on Oncoplex and recommend it to everyone who owns a dog!  Use it as prevention, especially in those breeds most prone to develop cancer. You, your family and your pets should all be taking Oncoplex and I do not make a penny on this recommendation!  You can order it online at the following websites: 

http://www.itcpharmacy.com/store/cart.php?m=product_detail&p=458

http://www.drallmd.org/index.asp?page=productView&prevPage=products&id=473

http://www.mornin-glory.com/store/cgi-bin/quikstore.cgi?search=yes&hits_seen=900

http://www.theroadtohealthyliving.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=529

http://storesense.paradata.dxstorm.com/centerforholisticmedicine/Detail.bok?no=410

NEOPLASENE is an exciting and very effective treatment available from Buck Mountain Botanicals.  I have never used it topically though there are many people who have, but as an oral treatment it works this way:  A small amount is ingested with food twice a day.  It circulates within the bloodstream and attacks and kills the mutant cells wherever it finds them.  It takes over and induces apoptosis.  Where the genetic program has broken down, Neoplasene takes its place.  There is some controversy over its use because it is very powerful but it is also very effective.  You need to contact Dr. Terence Fox at Buck Mountain Botanicals to discuss its use and dosage since it is his treatment protocol.  His phone number is 1-406-232-1185.

The key to giving Neoplasene is to prep the stomach because it will induce vomiting—it is an emetic.  The vomiting is not terrible but it’s not going to help treat the cancer so prepping the stomach is vital.  You must also make certain a large amount of food and water is present to make the Neoplasene absorbable.  There is a sheet that I’ve put together to help you.  It’s called Diet for Neoplasene and it’s attached.

There are two groups available online that you should join since everyone on these groups is using Neoplasene and some of these stories will fill your heart with joy! 

 http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Neoplasene_for-Cancer

The other group is even larger with a great many downloadable sheets to help you—there are over 400 people supporting each other.

theblacksalvecanceropenforum@yahoogroups.com

Dr. Fox is firm in stating two prerequisites for using Neoplasene.  (1) absolutely no NSAIDS or other forms of anti-inflammatory medicines.  The reason is simple—neoplasene heats up the cancer cells to destroy them.  By using an anti-inflammatory, you prevent the Neoplasene from doing its job.  You may notice that your dog seeks a cool place after eating.  That’s why.  By all means, use Tramadol for pain as needed, or one of the homeopathic remedies, like Traumeel.  

His next request is no other treatments should be used when using Neoplasene.  Because of this statement, you really need to make certain you want to use Neoplasene and not use the following treatments which work in a different way.

AVEMAR

There is an alternative to Neoplasene, one that does not seem to have negative side effects.  It is a human treatment that is gaining recognition within the oncology community as a supplement that also induces apoptosis from a different direction.  

Avemar is derived from fermented wheat germ; it comes in powder form—in packets.  For humans, one package daily, mixed in water is the dose; for dogs, you can add it to yogurt or put it into capsules and then make sure you provide lots of water to dilute the Avemar.  Results of studies show it greatly improves survival and quality of life.  It is more expensive than Neoplasene but definitely worth using for any pet with active cancer. There are no gastric side effects with the exception of a possible soft stool periodically; but with Avemar, there is no fear of intestinal necrosis.  It’s too new to say with certainty that it would be suitable for prevention of cancer in a cancer prone line or breed, but I cannot see why not since it does not damage healthy cells. It is an immune modulator which is important for overall health.  We know that cancer is also an immune system failure. 

Avemar originated in Hungary.  The company manufactures an identical supplement for pets called ImmunoVet but it is not available in the United States. I have contacted the company to request information on ImmunoVet; they told me to use the Avemar because they are not exporting ImmunoVet into the States.  The dosage for ImmunoVet/Avemar is:

Cats - up to 5lbs 1/4 gram 1/4 teaspoonful of powder once a day sprinkled on food.
Cats - 5 and up lbs 1/2 gram 1/2 teaspoonful of powder once a day sprinkled on food.
Dogs - up to 22 lbs 1 gram 1/2 teaspoonful of powder once a day sprinkled on food.
Dogs - 22- 44 lbs 2 grams 1 teaspoonful of powder once a day sprinkled on food.
Dogs - 44- 66 lbs 3 grams 1 and 1/2 teaspoonful of powder once a day sprinkled on food.
Dogs - 66- 88 lbs 4 grams 2 teaspoonful of powder once a day sprinkled on food.
Dogs - 88 lbs and up 5 grams 2 and 1/2 teaspoonful of powder once a day sprinkled on food. In animal studies ImmunoVet (Avemar) had a strongly significant, dose-dependent anti-inflammatory effect. 

Click here to read more about how Avemar works to fight cancer. 

PAWPAW:
www.pawpawresearch.com

PawPaw is a fruit that is being used with seemingly excellent results.  Visit the website to learn more about it.  Briefly, cells need energy to survive; cancer cells need more energy than any other cell since they are fast growing.  Estimates are that cancer cells require up to 17% more energy.  They get the energy from glucose which is a product of digestion.  Covering the outer surface of cells is the mitochondria which takes in the glucose sent to cells through the blood.  Using the glucose and oxygen, the mitochondria converts it into energy which is called adenosine tryphosphate, or ATP. 

To slow the growth and perhaps, ultimately destroy the cancer cell, it is important to reduce the ATP which will take the wind out its sails, so to speak.  Research shows that the substance acetogenins blocks the production of ATP.  Dr. Jerry McLaughlin, an oncology pharmacology professor at Purdue University discovered that the PawPaw fruit has the highest concentration of acetogenins and drastically reduces the ATP produced in cells.

It is given by capsule which is available from this company:

http://www.theherbsplace.com/Paw_Paw_Cell_Reg_p_432.html

One capsule every 6 hours to maintain the level of acetogenins.in the blood. Visit the website mentioned above and watch his videos to learn more.  At the first sign of any gastric problem, you stop using PawPaw because once there are no cancer cells in the body, it will begin to affect normal cells.  As long as there are cancer cells or high ATP users, the acetogenins will negatively affect those cells.

ARTEMISININ

The next effective treatment is Artemisinin (Arte) which is an extract from the wormwood plant.  Arte is used successfully to treat malaria throughout the world.    

http://www.bonecancerdogs.org/main/document/50

Cancer cells have the highest concentration of iron in their cells because they need that iron to stimulate growth, get a good blood supply going and eventually kill the host!  Arte attacks cells with the highest concentration of iron much like the malaria parasite which also contains a lot of iron.

An article appearing in Life Sciences in 2001 by Drs. Singh and Lai at the University of Washington detailed the rapid and complete destruction of a radiation-resistant breast cancer cell line in vitro.  The destruction occurred within 8 hours and had little effect on normal cells. 

Artemisinin has two semi-synthetic derivatives: Artesunate and Artemether.  A paper published in Oncology in 2001 described the cytotoxic effects of Artesunate against a wide variety of cancers including melanomas, breast, ovarian, leukemia and colon cancers. The growth of all of these cancers was inhibited by 50%. A source for this combination of Arte and its derivatives is Wellcare Pharmaceutical Co.

www.hepalin.com

The source for the high quality Arte used at Washington State University is Holley Pharmaceuticals.  Here is their website:

http://holleypharma.com/

Arte must be given on an empty stomach.  Allow at least 3 hours to elapse after feeding and then give the Arte; wait one hour before feeding again.  Holley Phamaceutical will advise you on dosage.  I have a 140 pound dog that is on 300mg daily split into two or 150 mg twice a day.  Using fat helps the absorption—I give the capsules with some wild caught salmon oil gelcaps and in organic butter or frozen yogurt.

Give with butyrex which further helps with absorption and is also available from Holley.  Here is information on that supplement:

http://holleypharma.com/main.php3?primNavIndex=6&mainURL=%2Fpages%2Fpages938520.htm

Artemisinin has an extremely helpful Yahoo group with many people using it.  Success stories with bone cancer, leukemia and other cancers are exciting to read about:  These people answer questions and support and guide each other.

artemisinin_and_cancer@yahoogroups.com

For more reading on Arte, visit these sites:

http://www.mwt.net/~drbrewer/canart1.htm

http://www.drlam.com/A3R_brief_in_doc_format/Artemisinin.cfm

http://www.townsendletter.com/Dec2002/artemisinin1202.htm
 

MELATONIN

I started her on 20mg of Melatonin at bedtime or with her evening meal.  Melatonin is a hormone produced by the pineal gland which is the master gland—the alpha gland!  It tells the endocrine system how to function.  There is some research showing that a shortage of melatonin is linked to cancer and supplementing with that amount can increase the survival rate of cancer patients.
 

http://altmedicine.about.com/od/cancer/a/melatonin_cance.htm 

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/34048.php

IP6 with INOSITOL

As mentioned above in the discussion on Arte, tumor cells utilize iron as a growth factor. Researchers are constantly searching for a drug that would be able to attach to iron molecules and remove them from the body, producing an effective anti-cancer drug, without harming the patient.  The chemotherapy drug, Adriamycin (doxorubicin), is an iron binder, but comes with severe side effects, including heart damage. 

There is a naturally occurring compound that chelates (attaches to) iron without side effects.  Inositol hexaphosphate (IP6), is found naturally in seeds and bran; it selectively removes iron from abnormal cells without side effects. You can learn more about the effectiveness of this natural treatment here:

http://www.annieappleseedproject.org/ip6andincom.html

http://carcin.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/25/11/2115

I started Jazzie on IP6 with Inositol from Enzymatic Therapy.  I purchase it from The Vitamin Shoppe in my area.  She is on 6 capsules twice a day.

HOMEOPATHY 

Lastly, I have Jazzie on a program under Dr. Charles Loops, a renowned veterinary homeopathic. He has her on cell salts and special nosodes.  The aim with homeopathy is to do not harm so whatever decisions you make, I highly recommend a telephone consult with Dr. Loops.  Jazzie has been doing well with this program and the other alternatives that we are now using.  I would have a better sense of security about treating her cancer if she were on Neoplasene, but for this dog, it is not a safe treatment.   Visit his website:

http://www.charlesloopsdvm.com/

Supplements that I have used, from her initial diagnosis of adenocarcinoma in May, 2007 are the following:
Reishi mushroom
Turkey Tail mushroom
Cordyceps
Milk Thistle
A plant based digestive enzyme
Astragulus

The supplements listed above are all used to support the immune system.  Google Seven Forests Chinese Herbs for some other excellent herbal supplements.

 As health problems occur, I will add a supplement.  For example, with her lowered immune responses, she has had a problem with bladder infections so I keep her on D-Mannose which prevents bacteria from adhering to the bladder wall. 

My goal in fighting cancer is to make my beloved friend as comfortable as possible and prolong her life. Since she is no longer on Neoplasene, I can use a steroid as needed to keep her comfortable and to increase her appetite.  We started using dexamethasone 3 weeks ago after I found a peer-reviewed article that showed research with adenocarcinoma of the lung and dexamethasone.  One dose of the steroid stopped the proliferation of the lung cancer by 75% within 5 days. What have I got to lose at this stage by worrying about the long term side effects of steroids????  Because dexamethasone can make dogs uncomfortable by causing heavy panting, I use a very small amount and not every day.

DETOXIFICATION

When using these treatments, there will be a die-off of cancer cells.  In many cases, surrounding, healthy cells will consume the dead cells but with larger tumors, there can be too many cells self-destructing to allow the body to consume all of the dead matter.  You need to support the body with milk thistle herb, proteolytic  enzymes like Wobenzyme, strong probiotics, and one of the clays like Pascalite (www.pascalite.com).  In cases of lung cancer, you may see an increase in secretions as cells die-off.  Do not try to speed the process--allow the body time to deal with detoxification.

If you need to email me, please feel free.  I totally understand the gnawing fear that goes with a cancer afflicted pet.  The feelings of helplessness can be overwhelming.  I cannot make a decision for you—you must do that with the support of your veterinarians but I can fill you in on how I'm treating my own dog.

Please send me any information on something different, new, hopeful, encouraging that you are using for your pets so that it can be shared. 

Barbara

If you need to email me, please feel free.  I totally understand the gnawing fear that goes with a cancer afflicted pet.  The feelings of helplessness can be overwhelming.  I cannot make decision for you—you must do that with the support of your veterinarians.

Please send me any information on something different, new, hopeful, encouraging that you are using for your pets so that it can be shared. 

Barbara
bouyet@gmail.com

(c) 2008