From time to time I receive comments from readers who express opinions about what they will consider in treating their dog’s cancer.
These particular folks segregate themselves into a single group…the “anti” people.
First, we have those who are very impressed with conventional veterinary care. This is my background, so I see the appeal. Big machines, big words, big science, big studies. Strong, powerful, reliable, reproducible.
And getting re-soundly beaten, mercilessly, by canine cancer.
Members of this camp tend to be “anti” herbs, supplements, dietary manipulation, and other forms of “hocus pocus” that don’t have multiple double blind, placebo-controlled studies done to support efficacy and safety.
The other “anti” people want to rely on things like homeopathy and acupuncture to cure their dog’s cancer. They don’t want to “poison” their dog with anything that is not “natural”.
Please, everyone, it is time to wake up!
First, to the “anti alternative” set (conventional care only): have you taken a look at the efficacy data for chemo and radiation treatments of systemic cancers lately? If you have, you will no doubt agree that the numbers, overall, are abysmal.
And you guys, who don’t want to use anything that comes compressed in a tablet or in an injection vial, you need to wake up too (the “alternative people”). If a certain conventional protocol can give your English Mastiff another year of life, you just extended your dog’s life 10-18% or something. Suppose a human lived for 80 years. This human’s life would be proportionally extended another 8 to 14 “human” years with this treatment!
On top of that , if you think that a little Carcinosinum under your dog’s tongue will cure the osteoarcoma making his leg swell twice it’s size, you are probably living in a dream.
Now, let’s get a grip on the big picture. It is absolutely critical to balance efficacy with life quality, to weigh survival times with what is manageable, and to factor in personal ethical considerations and beliefs with guardianship. Aspects like these are fundamental.
But, it is high time to avoid letting our rigidity, bias, and resistances get in the way of what can help. Weigh all options, be flexible, formulate a plan choosing from all the of what is available, modify it as needed, and do it.
If you need help getting the structure and data you need to look at all these aspects of canine cancer care, from all angles, consider the Dog Cancer Survival Guide.
I wish you all the very best,
Dr D
Homeopathy is a therapy that is very popular amongst dog owners. It's non invasive, ccompletely natural and there are no side effects.
This particular therapy has been used in people since 1796, when it was discovered by the German scientist, Samuel Hahnemann. At around the same time, Hahnemann was also using homeopathy in animals so it has been an option for our dogs for as long as it has been an option for people.
How does homeopathy work in our dogs? Those who practice homeopathy believe that illness is caused by any disturbance in the life force of the body. This means that a disease firstly affects the energy levels, then appears as a symptom. So, if you're going to treat a disease, you can't just treat the symptoms, you have to resolve the problems at the body's energy level.
Homeopathy involves giving a patient a very small dose of the substance responsible for causing a disease, which then cures the symptoms. You'll have heard of the expression "like cures like". Creation of a homeopathic remedy takes into account all aspects of a dog's health, including their emotional state of mind. Because each dog is different, even if they have the same symptoms, each remedy is specific to that dog.
Homeopathic remedies are created by diluting plant and animal substances, and even synthetic materials, many times in water or alcohol. They are shaken vigorously between dilutions. By the time the dilutions are finished, the shaking has activated the energy of the ingredients. This energy helps your dog's body to heal itself.
Dogs are often treated with homeopathy for bruises, difficulty birthing pups, and bites and stings. It's also been found to be very helpful in the case of emotional distress such as fear of storms or separation anxiety. This is because the remedy works on your dog's energy levels.
Some people don't believe that homeopathy works. However, many veterinarians are now studying homeopathy, and can offer it to you either as an alternative, or in conjunction with conventional treatments. Vets can complete a continuing education course in homeopathy, and can then be recognized as a Certified Veterinary Homeopathist.
If you'd like to try this treatment on your dog, ask your vet for a referral to another vet who can treat your dog with homeopathy. If he doesn't know anyone who can help, check the website for the Academy of Veterinary Homeopathy at www.theavh.org and you should find a veterinarian who can help.
Homeopathy is safe, non toxic and you can use it to treat your dog and have no concerns about any adverse side effects. It is an option you may wish to include in your pet health toolbox.
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veterinarian Dr. Susan Wright.
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