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Helping Penny Fight Lung Cancer Holistically

by Jeanne
(Pennsylvania)

My dear 10-year-old beagle/lab etc. mutt started some fairly regular coughing in July. I took her to the Vet who treated her for an infection. The cough continued and upon returning to the Vet, they did an x-ray revealing a mass near her diaphragm.

We then took her to another Vet who did a CAT scan revealing the extent of the cancer (quite large involving most of one lung and some of the other). They opted not to do a biopsy for fear of spreading the cancer and referred us to another Vet to have surgery. I was leery of this due to her age, but away we went. Upon reviewing the results of the CAT scan and other indicators, this Vet advised against surgery due to the extent of her cancer and offered to euthanize her for us or stated that we could take her home and make her comfortable. We opted to take her home.

On the way home I became more angry that this had happened and made up my mind to give her a fighting chance. I tried locating a holistic vet and found how difficult this can be. I started researching her condition on the internet. I am aware that the internet is a great place for information but is full of misinformation also.

I contacted people on the internet and finally was able to locate a holistic Vet and made an appointment. Between the information that I was able to glean and help from this wonderful Vet, Penny has been in reasonably good health up to this point.

She is still sometimes fussy about what she eats, but she is full of energy most of time, still loves to play, has gained weight and although she still occasionally coughs, it is less often. I make a lot of her food for her as I feel that this may have had a contributing factor to her health and to the quality of life she now has.

I realize that she is still ill, but I am so happy to still have her with us and to have her still enjoying life.

(Submitted Wednesday, Dec. 26, 2012)

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Nov 12, 2015
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Maggie, same issues as Penny
by: Scott

Jeanne - I am very sorry to hear you lost Penny, but amazed she had the extra two years she did.

We received a very similar diagnosis for our five-year old Golden Retriever. She has a mass on one lung and it is compromising her trachea a bit. She has good days and bad.

I was told surgery was not a realistic option and our chemo option simply didn't feel right. So, I'm looking for some guidance on holistic healing. What type of diet and/or supplements seemed to help Penny?

Thank you for taking the time to lend your experience.

Jun 29, 2015
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Penelope Update
by: Anonymous

I am posting to let everyone know that Penelope lost her fight. She passed away 2 weeks before Easter.

I am not sure what the actual problem was, but feel that the cancer had spread to other parts of her body. She had developed a growth or tumor in her mouth, but that was responding a bit to treatment. While I was heartbroken to lose her, I was glad that I had her as long as I did, and she had a good 2 years she wouldn't have had otherwise.

I miss her so.

Oct 07, 2014
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Help for Milo
by: Susan

The last visit to my vet in the US was not a good one, my senior Pomeranian, Milo always had a collapsed trachea now after x-rays, my vet told me he has a mass on his lung causing more pressure on his trachea. There is nothing more the vet is doing except for giving him a bronco dilator and cough tabs, so I have been searching for an holistic approach in helping him.

I started the Budwig diet and read your comments about Avemar, which I am now trying along with Beta Glucan and PMG.

My question is since I have the Avemar powered packs, how much do you give a dog of 12 pounds (5kg)? And is Immunovet better to give dogs than human quality Avemar?

Thank you.

Jul 16, 2014
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Avemar and Beta Glucan
by: Anonymous

Sorry for having taken so long to answer you. We have been away working. For a dog your size I probably still would give 1 pill of each daily. After a bit, you could probably back the Avemar off to 1/2 pill per day. Don't give the Avemar in conjunction with anything that contains Vitamin C. Another product you might want to consider is Apocaps, which I know you can get in the UK. I have been using them for 2 of my dogs and have seen some results. I haven't been using them long enough to say much more, but everything I have read gives me hope for these 2 dogs. Look up the info on the Internet to get more information.

Jul 03, 2014
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Please Help Molly
by: Nick

Hi,

I have ordered the Avemar and also the Beta Glucan (I don't want to bombard her with med's so thought I would just try these 2 and see how she gets on.)

Have you any idea on dosage I should use for Molly who is 13KG?

Thank You.

Nick

Jul 03, 2014
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Thank You
by: NIck

Hi Thank you very much for taking the time and trouble to write to me re Molly.

She is still able to go for short walks and appetite is good at the moment but breathing is becoming more rattly but she is still wagging Her tail and getting lots of love and hugs.

We have found it very difficult in getting anybody in the UK to make up remedies and one who was happy to do so could not get some of the herbs.

It would appear that the USA has a more open mind to treating pets.

I will keep looking and once again thank you very much for taking the time to contact me.

I'm pleased that Penny is still with you and am sure that she appreciates all of the love and attention she is getting as is Molly.

Kind Regards
Nick

Jul 03, 2014
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Hellp for Nick and His Dog
by: Anonymous

I have used various thigs for Penny, some directly from my holistic vet and some just from research. I am not sure what all is available outside the US. I am sure you can probably get Avemar. I would also get a Beta Glucan of some sort to augment this. I also use PMG Pneumotrophin from Standard Process,and Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang. These are both specific to the lungs. Shiitake and Ganoderma mushroom powders are very helpful. You could try Transfer Factor.

You need to keep the overall health of your dog in as good a shape as possible. As far as quantities of these products, you will need to research them as to dosages for a dog your size and weight. Read all you can and check the facts. There are a lot of bogus products on the market. Be careful, too, as to not overload your dog or give them products that do not work well together. Research well.

My little Penny is still with us. She has other problems developing, mostly due to age, as she is now 13, but every day is a blessing.

Jun 23, 2014
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Please Help Molly
by: Nick

Hi

My dog is 14 (very active and young for her age) but until recently was full of health and vitality.

She developed the same symptoms and diagnosis as you have described with the same suggestion from our vet.

She still wants to play and eats well but both of her lungs are affected. She is not in pain but coughs if she gets over excited and her breathing is labored.

She is very loved and part of the family and we have been advised to give her plenty of love and attention (which we have for the past 14 years) and when we think she is getting worse to have her but to sleep.

We have been told that 14 is a good age and agree if Molly was in a lot of pain and very lethargic but she isn't and like yourself want to give her the best chance or assistance we can.

Could you advise the treatment and medication prescribed by your holistic vet as we are based in the UK?

Thank You.

Nick

Feb 15, 2014
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Help for our dog
by: Anonymous

Our beloved dog, Rudy, was just diagnosed with lung cancer and has fluid/breathing around the heart. Vets say there is nothing they can do. We have to try!! Can you please tell me what remedy you are using? I am trying to find a holistic vet in the Charlotte, NC area. Thank you and I am so glad to hear your dog is going better!!!

Feb 02, 2013
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Fantastic
by: Anonymous

See if you can locate a holistic veterinarian in your area. There are some good herbal treatments that might help. I am not a vet so I would not give advice. Look on the internet for good books. Just be careful of the scammers. I found them, too. The internet is a good place for information, it is also full of misinformation. God bless and good luck.

Feb 02, 2013
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Fighting Lung Cancer in my Great Dane Too
by: Nikki Trest

I can completely understand where you are coming from... I was so angry when we left the veterinary hospital after our Great Dane was diagnosed with lung cancer, because they made me feel like because we didn't have the surgery that there was no reason to fight for him. I got on the internet when I got home and found some homemade recipes and my baby (Jake) has not skipped a meal since. He plays and acts like his old self just a little shorter breaths and it may not be "healing" him but it is strengthening our bond even more, which gives me a little bit of comfort in such a heart wrenching time.

Jan 17, 2013
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Hope
by: Lisa

I was so happy to read your comment about Penny. I've been searching the internet day and night for information. I'm now hopeful for my precious "MaMa".

Thanks!

Dec 27, 2012
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Congratulations for not giving up
by: Jackie

I read your post and it really made me so happy that you fought for your dog and found a way to keep her with you longer. I have no doubt that the food we feed our animals (and our children) definitely does contribute to their longevity and I know that, in the future, I will be cooking all of the meals for my dogs (I do for the most part now).

I wish you and Penny all the best. Thank you for your enlightening story.

Jackie

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