Cancer Care

Good nutrition is very important in any animal fighting cancer. A diet high in protein, moderate in fat and no grain or very low grain is ideal. Home cooked diets are best, but if that is not possible then a good quality high protein, canned commercial diet can be substituted. I do not recommend raw diets for animals with cancer.

Sample cancer diets

Dog

1 1/2 cups cooked meat
1 cup cooked vegetables
1/4 cup yam, sweet potato or pumpkin
1/8 cup nuts
2 T yogurt with live cultures
1 egg

Cat

1/3 cup meat or fish
1/2 egg
2 T pumpkin, sweet potato, or yam
1/8 teaspoon cod liver oil
1/4 teaspoon almond butter

*If possible I also recommend adding reishi, shitake, and/or maitake mushrooms to the diet. Mushrooms are strong immune stimulates and have anti-cancer properties.

General Supplements

  1. Antioxidants and Greens
  2. Digestive Enzymes - Prozyme or FloraZyme (Udo’s Choice Pet Essentials also has digestive enzymes in it)
  3. Omega 3 Fatty Acids - from flax or fish oils. 500mg per 40lbs

Immune Enhancing Formulas

I recommend Pet Life Formula. It can be purchased at LifeOne Sales. Cost is $130 per 473ml. Dosage is 1.5ml per 10lb twice a day. Alternatively a mushroom extract can be used. I recommend a combination of reishi, maitake, and shitaki dosed at 300mg per 50lb.

Coenzyme Q and IP6

Coenzyme Q is a compound made by the body which stimulates the immune system and works as an antioxidant. In animals and people with cancer it has been shown to be lower then in normal individuals. CoEnzyme Q10 should be given at 200mg per day for dogs and 50mg per day for cats. IP6 is important in stimulating certain cells which destroy cancer tissue. Cats should get 400mg two times a day, dogs 800-1600mg twice a day.

Detoxification herbs

Animal Apawthecary Detox Tincture. If you are using some of the above products this is not always needed. This is a good herbal supplement for any animal with cancer or undergoing chemotherapy.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture helps to strengthen an animal’s immune system, control pain, and stimulate appetite and energy during cancer treatments. For an animal undergoing radiation or chemotherapy I recommend acupuncture to help with detoxification and to keep their immune system strong.

Chinese Herbs

Chinese herbal formulas can be beneficial to help with pain and fighting cancer. Chinese formulas should be choosen by a practitioner with Chinese herbal knowledge and a good understanding of the animal’s overall constitution. Some Chinese herbs can be toxic if used incorrectly.

Artemisinin - Artemisinin is a powerful herb from sweet wormwood. It destroys cancer cells by producing free radicals in cells that uptake iron. Since cancer cells uptake iron at a high rate it is a safe and effective herb for treating cancer. Artemisinin should never be used with radiation therapy! It is given twice a day for 11 days and then stopped for 3 days and restarted. Animals on Artemisinin should be given an iron supplement. It can be ordered online at Holley Pharmaceuticals Company.

You should check with your veterinarian to make sure that none of these products interact with your animal’s current medications or conditions. Some supplements can be harmful if used incorrectly.