The Truth about Alternative Cancer Treatments for Dogs

Over the past few decades, certain types of cancers found in dogs have been escalating at an alarming rate. This has caused many dog owners to look for the best treatment for their pooch. Unfortunately most veterinarians in the U.S. are familiar only  with conventional medical approaches and thus tend to stay within the confines it.

Conventional medicine has it’s place…. and it’s limitations

Conventional medicine has it’s place, and in certain areas such as trauma, diagnosis, and needed surgery, it works wonders, but when it comes to promoting health and healing from illness, it’s often an expensive and more importantly inadequate protocol.

Often, veterinarians that  stay within the boundaries of conventional medicine, tend to focus primarily only the disease or cancer itself, giving little or no attention other internal and external factors. This generally leaves them treating the illness with one of two methods; Pharmaceuticals, or surgery. These approaches do have there place, however, drugs and surgery only address the tumor itself and not the underlying issues that caused the cancer in the first place.

Bad Genes?

Now, because certain breeds are more predisposed to certain types of cancer, this has left some in the medical field to wrongly assume that cancer is mainly genetic issue. Genetics do play a part but they’re not “the cause” and it’s important to understand that predisposed does not mean predetermined! Genes are simply blue prints,  it’s how well the body builds upon these prints which is largely controlled by external factors and the environment. For example, osteosarcoma in dogs is a type a  cancer that has increased dramatically in recent years, and because it is more commonly found in larger breads, many falsely assume that genes are to blame.

Larger breeds have much larger growing spurts as puppies and so it’s crucial that they receive proper nutrients to develop a healthy skeletal system. Many domesticated puppies are fed commercially manufactured puppy kibble that lacks most nutritional needed. On top of that these processed dog foods are often loaded with grains and carbohydrates causing a rapid growth rates which further decreases the density of the bones. Large dogs are heavy dogs, so now we have a problem.

The Problem

Improper diet is the leading cause in this recent canine cancer epidemic where 1 in 5 dogs die of a cancer related cause. In just about every disease including cancer, a dysfunctional immune system is a large part of the problem. The immune system is directly connected to the digestive tract and when the its challenged, so is the immune system. It’s only in recent decades that dogs have been subjected to a processed diet and the results of this improper diet are deathly apparent. Understanding  this dietary catastrophe, as well as how to design a “species appropriate diet”, is key for recovery as well as prevention.

Doctors are not Nutritionists

Doctors are not nutritionists and this includes veterinarians. They’re trained in medicine and very few of them actually study or practice canine nutrition. Even worst, what little formal education many of them receive in this area, is supplied by large dog food manufacturers. Unfortunately,  the curriculum of these profit minded corporations is rarely questioned within the conventional medical system. This is where there is a stark difference conventional and holistic veterinarians and their approaches.

Holistic Veterinarians & Their Approaches

Unfortunately, at this time in the U.S., there are few Veterinarians that embrace holistic medicine and understand it’s wisdom. That being said, it can often be difficult to label a veterinarian strictly conventional or holistic. Veterinarians that do practice holistically, approach illness and disease in a much broader capacity. They tend to look at the overall health and immune system of the patient as well as the underlying factors that have contributed to the disease. The body, (dog or any other) has an incredible ability to heal itself if the immune system is  functioning properly. In fact it only the body that can heal the body, everything else just aids in the process. Holistic practitioners recognize this and design their treatments with this understanding.

Currently, their are a few popular veterinarians that have been recognized for their deep understanding of  health as well as medicine. One that I highly respect as well is Dr. Karen Becker. She works with Dr. Mercola and does an outstanding job of informing and educating the veterinarian community as well as you everyday dog owners. Dr. Becker is a proactive and integrative wellness veterinarian and has been instrumental in clearing up many myths and misunderstandings regarding canine health and improper diets.

Dr. Demian Dressler, DVM is another doctor worth mentioning. He refers to his approach as “full spectrum treatments,” and embraces many alternative as well as conventional practices. He has a book titled, (The Dog Cancer Survival Guide) and goes into great detail regarding different types of canine cancer and the most common protocols.

Holistic Cancer Treatments for dogs

Finding a holistic veterinarian or even helpful alternative information can be challenging, I know. When my dog Henry was diagnosed with a malignant form of hemangiosarcoma and given 6-8 weeks to live, I was determined to do everything I could to help him.

With his specific type of cancer and the advanced stage it was in, conventional treatments weren’t  an option and his fate was solely in my hands. My goal was to construct an alternative canine cancer treatment to improve his quality of life and hopefully increase his stay a bit longer. With a lot of research and the help of some nutritionists and holistic practitioners, I was able to construct a treatment that was nothing short of miraculous.

Henry’s Story was truly amazing and inspired me to write “The Canine Cancer Diet” and share this information with those looking to give their pooch the best treatment possible. With cancer in dogs on the rise, and very little holistic canine cancer information available, I felt it necessary to share this information, especially with those looking for an alternative cancer treatment for dogs.