Cancer treatment for dogs can be either traditional or holistic. Small, localized cancers can be removed surgically or eliminated employing holistic approaches and the dog’s prognosis can improve significantly. However, a permanent treatment is not possible, when metastasis has occurred.
Shortcomings of Traditional Treatments
There are three main conventional treatments that can be applied for dogs with cancer:
- Chemotherapy
- Radiation therapy
- Surgery
Chemotherapy and radiation are known for their side effects. These methods only suppress the symptoms without eliminating the underlying cause. Surgery cannot always be an option because cancer isn’t usually diagnosed in its early stages and when the disease is diagnosed, it may be too late for surgery.
Holistic Cancer Treatments for Dogs
More and more vets will recommend the holistic approach. Holistic treatments treat the body as a whole and aim to find the causes of the disease. The treatments will strengthen the body’s self-healing abilities. In many cases, a weak immune system favors the development of cancer in the body. There are some basic concepts in the holistic treatment:
- To eliminate the potential causes of cancer
- To administer a proper diet completed with supplements
In order to eliminate the potential causes of cancer you have to change your dog’s environment so as to restrict his contact with airborne pollutants, toxic household chemicals, herbicides and pesticides.
Homeopathic Remedies
Homeopathic remedies can be used as an alternative for traditional drugs or when there is no other option for your dog’s treatment. Homeopathic remedies have a positive influence on the overall health of the body:
- Improve the dog’s immune system, which may be responsible for the development of cancerous cells
- There are no dangerous side-effects
- They also treat the symptoms of the disease
In homeopathy, dilutions are used at different stages of the disease. The dilutions contain only natural ingredients from plants, animals and minerals. Such natural ingredients include:
- Echinacea purpurea
- Viscum album
- Uncaria tormentosa
- Sylibum marianus
- arsenicum album
The dilutions strengthen the immune and lymphatic system and stop the multiplication of the cancerous cells.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture can be used to relieve the pain of dogs with cancer. It also helps in reducing some symptoms of the disease. Acupuncture should be combined with other holistic treatments.
Diet and Supplements for Dogs with Cancer
Diet is among the most essential components of the healing of your dog. Feed your dog home-made, raw and organic food. You can also buy quality health food free of growth hormones. Kibble food is not recommended for dogs with cancer because they may contain fillers and additives that facilitate the development of cancerous cells. Your pet’s diet must be:
- Poor in carbohydrates (as carbs feed the cancerous cells)
- Rich in high-quality proteins
- Rich in unsaturated fats such and omega 3 fatty acids (which can be found in fish oil and flaxseed oil)
You have also add to your pet’s diet high doses of supplements such as:
- Antioxidants including vitamin A and C, zinc, selenium, coenzyme Q 10
- Digestive enzymes such as amylase, lipase and protease, which have metabolic functions.