If your dog has been diagnosed with cancer, consult with your veterinarian for the appropriate dog cancer treatment based on his breed, age and condition. There are dozens of types of canine cancer, and each case is unique in its scope, severity and progression, so there is no single treatment method that works best. In fact, each case should be examined individually to determine the best treatment plan. As a pet owner, it is important that you be aware of all of the treatment options available for your do with cancer. Here's an overview of a relatively obscure treatment for canine cancer, called Neoplasene.
What Is Neoplasene?
Neoplasene is a powerful and potentially dangerous ointment that is derived from bloodroot. Although it is a natural drug, Neoplasene is available through prescription only and must be administered under the watch of a veterinarian.
Functions of Neoplasene
Like chemotherapy and radiation therapy, which work to eliminate cancer cells by targeting and killing those cells that reproduce quickly, Neoplasene helps to reduce some cancers by killing cells as well. As the salve comes into contact with your pet’s skin, the cells that it touches begin to die. Unfortunately, Neoplasene does not discriminate between cancerous and non-cancerous cells. This is the reason that a veterinarian must help to administer the ointment.
Cells that have been affected by Neoplasene die and begin to slough off of the lower layers of skin cells. The result is often unpleasant and difficult for some pet owners to deal with. In most cases, Neoplasene treatment leaves gaping wounds in your dog’s body, around the area of the tumor or tumors. Less frequently, Neoplasene can strip your dog’s skin down to the bone.
Risks of Neoplasene
Because of its potency and potential to do serious harm to your dog’s skin, Neoplasene must be used very carefully. Your pet cannot have access to the ointment through licking, scratching or any other contact that can spread Neoplasene to other parts of his body. Special muzzles and collars are helpful in preventing your dog from licking his wound. Otherwise, near constant supervision is needed during a Neoplasene treatment regimen.
Although Neoplasene is cheaper than surgery, radiation and chemotherapy treatments, it is time intensive and requires multiple applications per day. Pet owners that are faint of heart or stomach may want to consider this when selecting a treatment program.
Due to the nature of Neoplasene, it is not appropriate for use in all canine cancers. In fact, its effectiveness is limited to surface tumors like mammary and mast cell tumors or fibrosarcomas. Otherwise, the Neoplasene cannot directly contact the tumor in order to eradicate the cancer cells.
If you are interested in considering Neoplasene as a treatment program for your pet’s cancer, consult with your veterinarian. It is a cheap and natural alternative to some other types of cancer treatment, and is successful in treating surface-level tumors and growths.