If you animal has been diagnosed with cancer, my four legged companions hope this site helps. The greatest mystery on earth is death..
After your shock, panic, possibly rage and terror wear off, and the agony sets in, know that some do beat the disease, others live a lot longer than expected and right now your treasure is on earth. Please view your companion and try to push the cancer into the background after the initial shock. Our animals become our guides in this very painful and mysterious journey.

Whatever decisions you make, will be the correct ones!

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Morgan died on Dec 14, 2001, three months short of his 14 birthday. He defeated cancer but his little heart finally became too tired. For over two years and a half years, Morgan battled bone cancer. He battled it through supporting his immune system..no chemo or radiation..he was not a candidate..supplements, diet, and plenty of rest. One of his many nicknames was the flaxseed kid..There is no proof but he was overdosed with flaxseed oil and cottage cheese for the first 1/2 year of his diagnosis. His vet was amazed at how well Morgan did with his heart condition, advanced age and all. The vet saw him a week before he died and was still amazed and then shocked at his sudden death. Miracles do happen!

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Click here to find a geographic list of oncologists in your area The anti inflammatories, anti bacterials and anti virals Morgy had been receiving may have done the trick to be a cancer survivor.

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Feature LINKCurrent Chemotherapy in Oncology
Susan M. Cotter DVM, DACVM (Oncology and Internal Medicine)
Tufts University,
School of Veterinary Medicine
North Grafton, MA

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A few research articles on inflammation, blood flow etc and cancer
David has allowed me to add the possible importance of Piroxicam over Rimadyl for cancer fighting properties..click HERE

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Pet Monuments - Headstones - Garden Memorials at reasonable prices-a lovely testimonial

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.A list of discount vet pharmacies can be found by clicking here .

click here for shopusanimal's mongraph on olive leaf extract

I am currently going giving his littermate Hammy Same(S-Adenosyl Methionine). It has both anti depressant effect and "USED TO IMPROVE HEPATIC GLUTATHIONE LEVELS AND MAINTAIN AND PROTECT LIVER FUNCTION". One of the cheapest places I have found it on the net is http://www.iherb.com There is a cat and dog version put out by http://www.cosequin.com/veterinary/denosyl.htm -here is link to their research article -one of the cheapest places I have found it is at my affiliate

do a search for liver and you come up with denosyl
A general abstract calls it S-Adenosylmethionine: a control switch that regulates liver function. Recently read of a research study on dog with severe liver disease and SamE. Another recent study suggests SAME can be used for S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAMe) for the treatment of acetaminophen There is a study on gallstones "Methionine, but not taurine, protects against formation of canine pigment gallstones.
Am also planning to buy taurine in liquid lecithin base. Again recently read a research article showing that it benefits the heart of dogs and possibly helps to prevent seizures.

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Pet Monuments - Headstones - Garden Memorials at reasonable prices-a lovely testimonial

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You might want to read up on graviola , a possible tumor killer.
You might also want to read up on melatonin. I am working on a page filled with research abstracts here
For instance, there are suggestions that "that melatonin protect against doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity without interfering with its antitumor effect
Another source is grape seed extract or from grape skin...Resveratrol or Proanthocyanidins-supplements that have anti cancer properties...click here to skim research abstracts.
Then there is bromelain. Please click here. (I decided to review abstracts for supplements to actually see if there were documented research rather than just folk remedies and testimonials. You can also print out some of those pages to show your vet in case they aren't holistic or in case they are curious.)

Dr. Charles Loops, a homeopath DVM now has a website. Here is his list of supplements. although I don't agree with him on downplaying of flaxseed oil and cottage cheese.

By combing cancer literature, one can also find ways of helping our companions by bringing attention to our vets human cancer helps, ie bisphonsophonate -Clondronate "known to reduce the incidence of bone metastasis, relieve bone pain, prevent fractures and reverse hypercalcemia" and possibly extend life. lef org bisphosphonate clodronate(which can be given orally (sold in Canada under Bonefos). links on Cancerlit for Alendronate (abstracts)
Some people are trying Artemether for osteosarcoma and breast cancer. You don't need a prescription. It is about $60 dollars a bottle.(from Wellcare Pharmaceuticals in Los Angeles (310-377-0056) It is used for malaria. You can read about it here The theory is trapping iron.." Seattle scientists have shown that a compound extracted from the wormwood plant seeks out and destroys breast cancer cells, while leaving healthy cells unscathed."
Here is a message board on Discussion of Artesunate for Cancer Therapy. there is a link there where price appears to be $6.00 .
A Canadian write up on Bonefos-much cheaper than Aredia-around a 1.80 a pill for Bonefos and over 1000 dollars for Aredia Zometa appears to be next generation of bisposphonates

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Herbal Medicine, Healing & Cancer A book that gives a huge amount of information based on years of experience with humans.

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Pets Living With Cancer: A Pet Owner's Resource

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Veterinarians Guide to Natural Remedies for Dogs : Safe and Effective Alternative Treatments and Healing Techniques from the Nations Top Holistic Veterinarians

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Why Is Cancer Killing Our Pets?: How You Can Protect and Treat Your Animal Companion

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Annie Loses Her Leg but Finds Her Way A children's book that also soothes adults

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Another children's book that is so soothing..she has also written one for the passing of dogs..."Cat Heaven sounds like paradise. A rhyming text describes a realm in which felines are fed from God's countertop, a place where they no longer get stuck in trees because now they can fly. There are thousands of toys, and soft angel laps in which to cuddle. There is even a quiet time to look back on former homes and loving people."

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Some of these abstracts you might want to bring to the attention of your vet.
I continually update this page. Hopefully I will soon have up links for hypercalcemia and maligancy of hypercalcemia. Two people have now written that the dogs appear to be doing better on Fosamax. One reported that she also bought Inflam-away by Premier Labs the appetite seems to have gotten better Osteoprotegerin Here is another suggestioning that Osteoprotegerin may be used to manage bone cancer pain. "Another one suggesting why Osteoprotegerin blocks bone cancer-induced skeletal destruction, skeletal pain "
It is so important to have yearly visits and to constantly feel for lumps or bumps..the quicker you take action, the odds are more in your favor! Since Morgan was diagnosed with cancer, I have been hearing more and more success stories about EARLY DETECTION!
Stereotactic radiosurgery in Florida .The procedure costs approximately $2,200, roughly the same as for traditional veterinary radiation therapy. Certain animals may be eligible for a $700 UF subsidy, in addition to free follow-up care and imaging. Contact Small Animal Hospital front desk at (392) 4700, Ext. 4700.
"Radiosurgery has been used to treat certain brain tumors and arteriovenous malformations in people for many years," Lester said. "We have been able to transfer this technology to animals and are using it to benefit our cancer patients."
There are some free/partially free trials going on now for innovative treatment of certain cancers at Wisconsin
800)DVM-VMTH-please check their webpage -ie melanoma, newly diagnosed lymphosarcoma,vaccinate related sarcomas in kitty cats,DOGS WITH SOFT-TISSUE SARCOMAS ACCESSIBLE FOR BIOPSY,DOGS WITH ANY TUMOR ACCESSIBLE FOR BIOPSY.
how to recover from bipolar disorder

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The Healer's Way: soothing music for those in pain, Vol. I ~ Stella Benson - solo harp -
A friend highly recommends harp music for your companion. She played solo harp music for her companion round the clock and saw that it soothed Zani. The San Diego Zoo and other zoos also use harp music to sooth and help heal their animals. It is also soothing for us. Amazon has a small but good collection of CDs.

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Diet is so important-please read the following abstract

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Clin Tech Small Anim Pract 1998 Nov;13(4):224-31
Interventional nutrition for the cancer patient.
Ogilvie GK.
College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Department of Clinical Sciences, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Colorado State University, Ft. Collins 80523, USA.
Dogs and cats with cancer have significant alterations in carbohydrate, protein, and fat metabolism, which can result in cancer cachexia and subsequently can decrease quality of life, reduce response to therapy, and shorten survival time. Nutritional modulation may be beneficial in the treatment of cancer patients to reverse these metabolic alterations. There is evidence that foods relatively low in simple carbohydrates with moderate amounts of high-quality protein, fiber, and fat (especially fats of the omega-3 fatty acid series) are beneficial for pets with cancer. In addition, certain supplemental nutrients may have potential to reduce the risk of developing cancer, or the growth and metastases of established malignant disease. Nutritional intervention can be a powerful tool for controlling malignant disease and for reducing toxicity associated with chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

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side effects with chemotherapy-excellent and technical
"The mechanism of the vomiting/diarrhea is that the chemotherapy kills the gut crypt enterocytes, so several days later, the villus tips in the small intestine are denuded (similar to viral enteritis). Carafate and pepcid will not help as the problem is rarely gastric. Peptobismol is often very helpful, as is metoclopramide."
"Knowing breed related problems. Shetland Sheepdogs and giant breed dogs (Deerhounds, Wolfhounds) are more likely to have chemotherapy problems than other breeds of the same size. We routinely adjust doses and use prophylactic medications in dogs like these."

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Next suggestion is to buy Donald Yance's book- Herbal Medicine, Healing, and Cancer : A... ..Herbal Medicine, Healing and Cancer is for humans but the information within it is so awesome and it contains preventative tips also. Donald Yance has reviewed the literature and has treated human cancer victims for over twenty years..amazon sells it for less than $16 dollars! I wish I had known aboutthat book two years ago when I started the search to keep Morgan alive. Yance explains why possibly flaxseed and cottage cheese may work-He explains what butryic acid is..He mentions Spes as a great pain killer for cancer..and on and on.. Another great book "A Bag of Pearls"-it contains a great deal of information on Chinese Patent Medicine and explains the formulas that are mentioned in Dr.Goldstein's book-seven forests products-His book is the Nature of Animal Healing. You can order those products for $12 dollars directly and the book for $20 dollars..The number is 1-800-544-7504. There are even Chinese Herbs to Treat Lung cancer-especially worrisome to a lot of us who fear our beloved companion's cancer will metasize..usually lungs are the endgame-ugh

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Subject: LSU Oncologists Seek Cancer Patients for Clinical Research Trials
LSU Oncologists Seek Cancer Patients for Clinical Research Trials
Oncologists in the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine’s Cancer Treatment Unit are investigating novel treatments for several different types of cancer and are actively seeking cancer patients to participate in ongoing clinical research trials for these new studies.
LSU oncologists Drs. Neal and Glenna Mauldin are involved in many laboratory and clinical research projects, including analyzing and understanding the effect of altering blood supply to tumors by inhibiting angiogenesis, as well as novel studies on breast cancer in cats and dogs.
The Mauldins are seeking cats with mammary gland tumors and oral squamous cell carcinoma. They are also in need of dogs with previously treated, relapsed lymphoma; non-resectable and/or metastatic oral melanoma; and non-resectable mast cell tumors. Most of the clinical research trials are partially or completely funded.
Veterinarians with patients that might fit the mentioned criteria and would like to discuss possible qualifications for the study may contact Gaye Gomila, clinical research associate, at (225) 578-9526, or Maura Egan, oncology research associate, at (225) 578-9548. < In May of 1999, my Morgy(D.O.B 1988),a mini schnauzer started limping. He had been play fighting with his littermate-the Ham(Hammydog). My vet and I assumed his limping was result of an injury that should heal and that was that. Sure enough he was back to jumping and getting on the dining room table for the cats' food... until the next episode with occasional intermittent limping- this time he was chasing a puppy around-after the next episode when he stopped using his back right leg entirely-Morgy was given x-rays. The xrays showed the bone had been eaten away and the tentative diagnosis was osteosarcoma-Since Morgy has a heart condition-my vet vetoed bone biopsy-he also didn't sedate Morgy for the x-ray-he joked we could perfect x-rays but because of Morgy's heart-a dead dog-A second set of x-rays were given a month and a half later. The diagnosis was changed to bone cancer but not osteosarcoma(which usually appears in large breeds(if you have a large breed puppy please read this monograph- it contains great nutritional information -it also warns about feeding your puppy too much calcium and cites research that says it is not the ratio of calcium to phosphorous but the absolute level of calcium)- and usually in front leg(where most of weigh bearing is substained--Morgy constantly bore weight on that back right leg when fighting with Ham
-Fungal infection was ruled out valley-fever-Coccidioidomycosis (Morgy hadn't been to southwest which has avirulent fungus which could do that type of bone rotting-tick disease imitator ruled out- -again except for lameness-no other symptoms were present-osteomyelitis was also ruled out-again none of the symptoms- no prior trauma-ie bone break etc to a limb. The x-rays were sent for a free reading to a California vet hospital and the canine radiologist also felt it was bone cancer. Almost two months after Morgy died, I found an article describing schnauzers with osteosarcoma in their back legs with bone infarctions rather than tumors..with research suggesting looking into fat metabolism.
At that point the rollcoaster ride began and still is continuing...thank goodness. The vet had told me that he didn't expect Morgy to live past last February My vet perscribed Rimadyl as the painkiller. In his practice,he found that Feldene-although it has some possibly anti tumor properties,caused too many GI upsets. Morgy's breed wasn't as much at risk for the dangers of rimadyl. That is questionable. Labs are one of the most population breeds-as of 1999 Rimadyl was perscribed to four million dogs-no statistical analysis has been done since vets are not required to keep records of what breed of dog they prescribe the medication. So Labs might rank high for reported incidents-but we don't know of ratio of how many Labs haven't had side effects. My vet ruled out amputation because of Morgy's heart condition. Otherwise,Morgy's leg would have been amputated and spared him the extra weight of carrying it around,spared him the pain of the bone cancer,and spared him being so protective of that leg and having to compensate for keeping his leg out of harm's way. I would have been spared the terror of a possible fracture,worrying when other dogs wanted to play with him,worrying about people possibly bumping into the leg with strollers etc-worrying about how to keep the leg clean-
One cold winter night,a golden safety net was thrown to me. I met a Canadian holistic vet on the street who spoke to me for 20 minutes and answered as best he could all my questions. He said that I had a chance of treating Morgy holistically to help his little IMMUNE SYSTEM battle the cancer. He recommended Wysong dog food,fresh food,flaxseed oil and cottage cheese and supplements to help boost his immune system. Then my nonstop research started-re detoxifying Morgy's little body,finding natural remedies such as herbs etc. (Many of the links on found on the main page of ThenSome's Pethealth Links

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Biol Res Nurs. 2003 Jul;5(1):3-17.
Rethinking nutritional support for persons with cancer cachexia.
McCarthy DO.
National Institute of Nursing Research, 31 Center Drive, Room 5B-13, Bethesda, MD 20892-2178, USA. mccarthd@mail.nih.gov
Cancer cachexia is a poorly understood syndrome of anorexia, weight loss, and muscle wasting that negatively impacts quality of life and survival in cancer patients. Research has clearly implicated pro-inflammatory cytokines in the biology of cancer cachexia. More recent research implicates products of arachidonic acid and suggests that cachexia may be a chronic inflammatory condition rather than a nutritional aberration. To date, nutritional support to slow weight loss has focused primarily on increasing calorie intake. Alternatively, many foods contain factors that can modulate the synthesis or activity of pro-inflammatory mediators, especially the synthesis of prostaglandin E2 from arachidonic acid. These factors and foods are sometimes called nutraceuticals, and research is needed to evaluate their efficacy in combating cancer cachexia.

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1: Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2003 Aug 22;308(2):403-7.:
Chitosan inhibits prostaglandin E2 formation and cyclooxygenase-2 induction in lipopolysaccharide-treated RAW 264.7 macrophages.
Chou TC, Fu E, Shen EC.
Department of Physiology and Biophysics, National Defense Medical Center, Taiwan, ROC. tcchou@ms5.hinet.net
Chitosan, a deacetylated chitin, has been reported to accelerate the wound healing and exert anti-inflammatory effect but the possible mechanisms involved are still unclear. Enhanced production of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and pro-inflammatory cytokines has been shown to contribute to immunosuppression and cytotoxicity during wound healing. In this study, we examined the effect of chitosan on cyclooxygenase pathway and cytokines production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated RAW 264.7 macrophages. Our results first demonstrated that chitosans (MW=50,000, 150,000 or 300,000) significantly inhibit the overproduction of PGE2 as well as cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) protein expression and activity accompanied by attenuation of pro-inflammatory cytokines production such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-1beta formation but increase of the anti-inflammatory cytokine, IL-10, formation in LPS-treated RAW 264.7 macrophages. These results suggest that the beneficial effect of chitosan on wound healing may be associated, at least partly, with the inhibition of PGE2 production by suppressing COX-2 induction and activity as well as attenuation of pro-inflammatory/anti-inflammatory cytokines ratio in activated macrophages.
To read more on cachexia research click here I learned how flaxseed oil helps so many health conditions;coenzyme q 10 and IP -6 also so many possibilities. There are so many natural pain killers( and anti-inflammatories(yucca,licorice,etc) and remedies for nausea(ie ginger,marshmellow,etc) and tummy problems and help for liver(milk thistle,paratox,livervit,LiverCare etc) and heart aids(dandelion root,hawthorne,etc)-I hope you visit the links to herbal remedies and herbal research on the main site.
The Basics of Detoxing Your Liver mentions even tumeric, artichokes,lecithin, "N-acetyl cysteine (NAC). NAC is a form of the amino acid cysteine converted to the important antioxidant and liver-supportive enzyme glutathione in the body. NAC has shown significant ability to enhance Phase II detoxification reactions in the liver.",etc. "
Piroxicam is a prescription drug.

piroxicam
"Piroxicam is a non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory medication possessing analgesic and antipyretic properties in animals. The mode of action is not fully established at this time, but may be through the ability of Feldene® to inhibit biosynthesis of prostaglandins, know mediators of inflammation. Most recently, piroxicam has anecdotally been shown to inhibit the growth of some cancers in dogs. These findings have stimulated controlled studies to collect further scientific evidence regarding its efficacy"

Please click here to add your website for your beloved animal-sharing is comforting and we might help others who share the same boat
huge monograph on cancer management
Antiangiogenic Therapy for Canine Cancers
"Cancers in dogs depend on angiogenesis to survive and proliferate. Tumors create new blood vessels that supply them with oxygen and nutrients, allowing them to grow in size and spread throughout the body. Antiangiogenic therapy cuts off these new blood vessels, effectively starving tumors and preventing their growth. Cancers may be controlled with effective doses of antiangiogenic drugs"..Another area under study at the Angiogenesis Foundation is the role of diet in controlling canine cancer. Foundation researchers have been testing green tea and soy incorporated into dog food as a way of dietary cancer suppression. Both green tea and soy are food substances that contain natural angiogenesis inhibitors. This approach may complement drug therapies. ..The Foundation has also tested drugs that are already FDA-approved and available for angiogenesis inhibitory properties, and hopes to develop practical antiangiogenic treatments based on drug availability. One approach, known as the 'Navy Protocol' (OLCAT-007), uses COX-2 inhibitors along with inhibitors of blood vessel cell proliferation and invasion. The Navy protocol was named after a 2-year-old golden retriever who was the first canine cancer patient to be successfully treated with antiangiogenic therapy. So far, more than one dozen dogs have received the Navy protocol. The Foundation is working with the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo and other leading institutions to study these protocols....The drug company Bayer has tested an antiangiogenic pill called Tanomastat (Bay 12,9566) in dogs with lymphoma.

"Two separate lines of evidence suggested to the Penn researchers that the immune system doesn't play a crucial role in inhibiting tumors. First, in strains of mice lacking the cells normally found on the front lines of the immune system — T-lymphocytes, macrophages and NK cells — tumor growth was nevertheless suppressed when the protozoan Toxoplasma gondii was contracted. Further support came from the earlier observation that the tumor under investigation, the B16 variant of malignant melanoma, produced no antigens recognizable to the mouse's immune system."

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