Dog Cancer Journey is dedicated to every pet parent who has received the news that their beloved fur companion has cancer. I wish to share my experiences with you to bring hope, create awareness, and help you learn what your vet isn’t telling you. I am here to let you know that you are not alone.
What Inspired Dog Cancer Journey?
We treasure the pets that come into our lives because they leave the most profound and lasting imprints on our hearts. So when we receive the news that they have cancer and realize that our time with them will be cut short, devastating is the only word to describe it.
My journey started with Sasha, my first big girl, who battled mast cell cancer throughout her life. Then came Ice, my husky boy, who endured bone cancer, and lastly, beautiful Blueberry, who unexpectedly succumbed to hemangiosarcoma. But it was their will to fight that took us on a dog cancer journey of note.
Over close to 20 years, I’ve experienced cancer in dogs, not only my own, but those of family and friends. You never get used to hearing the words, “your dog has cancer.” It’s a tremendous blow, and then comes the change in appetite, pain, and late nights spent sleeping on the floor to comfort them. Having consulted with multiple veterinarians, including a holistic vet, I did some digging of my own, which led to my discovery of cancer-fighting solutions that are natural and can make a difference to your dog or cat’s quality of life, and this is what I want to share with you.
Pet Cancer Rates are on the Rise
Sadly, cancer rates, particularly in dogs, have skyrocketed over the last few years. More alarmingly, cancer seems to be affecting younger dogs. According to FETCH a Cure, approximately 47% of dogs and 32% of cats are diagnosed with cancer.
I learned just how costly and often inaccessible certain treatments for pets with cancer are. While chemotherapy is a standard treatment for most types of cancers, it simply wasn’t an option for Sasha and Ice. I know many pet parents who also cannot afford the high costs of chemotherapy or surgery. This led to my investigation into alternatives, such as CBD, turkey tail mushrooms, and superfoods, as well as ways to help ease your fur baby’s discomfort while fighting back.
Not only are these remedies recommended against cancer, but they can also support cats and dogs impacted by arthritis, skin problems, and many other types of debilitating diseases.
What You Should Know About Pet Cancer Remedies
When I first dealt with Sasha’s mast cell cancer diagnosis, I had no clue that alternative or supportive therapy was an option for dogs with cancer. Products, such as CBD for pets, weren’t popular, and standard treatments included chemotherapy and cortisone for pet cancer.
Today, pet owners are bombarded by products, some of which make unrealistic promises about improving their pet’s health. For example, CBD is great for skin conditions and mobility, but THC has cancer-fighting properties and was recommended by my holistic vet. If you prefer CBD, look for a high-quality and full-spectrum CBD oil.
Before introducing your pet to cannabis, check my page on CBD for Pets, where I provide a breakdown of its benefits, side effects, and how to choose the right solution for cats and dogs with cancer.
If you’ve received the news that your fur companion has cancer, my thoughts are with you. Through awareness and prayer, hopefully, you can share many more good days as you navigate your pet’s cancer journey.
Discover the Latest Pet Health Tips
Have you ever wondered whether there’s a connection between the food we give our dogs and cancer? Maybe you’re dealing with conditions other than cancer in your pet and want to know what the best treatments are? Well, this is where the latest pet health guide and tips come in. Discover a series of articles that look at common conditions affecting cats and dogs, from finding relief for your pet’s arthritis to the challenges of dealing with canine parvovirus. Learn the steps for prevention, intervention, and recovery.
Alternative therapy, such as good food choices and homeopathic remedies, is not a cure, but a natural way to improve discomfort and hopefully give them some extra time.
Are Alternative Therapies Safe for Pets?
You can introduce your pet to many natural remedies, supplements, and foods to improve their immune systems when they’re fighting cancer or recovering from illnesses such as Parvo or Kennel Cough. Dog Cancer Journey lists some of the safest and most effective alternatives you can give to cats and dogs to relieve pain, boost their immunity, and relieve the symptoms of cancer.
Why Vitamin C Matters
For most of us, vitamin C is the “go-to” supplement for colds and flu because it fights infection while strengthening the immune system. Well, you might be surprised to know that it works very similarly in pets. Vitamin C not only boosts the immune systems of cats and dogs, but it has also been shown to fight cancer cells with promising results. Furthermore, researchers are looking into the role of vitamin C in improving the effectiveness of certain types of cancer therapies. But before you decide to offer your feline or canine companion a side of citrus, they can only tolerate buffered or water-soluble vitamin C.
You can learn more about the benefits of vitamin C and safe and effective dosages for cats and dogs by checking out my guide on Vitamin C for Pets.
Sasha’s Cancer Journey – Mast Cell Cancer
Sasha was my beloved Boerboel x Rotti and truest companion. She lived until she was twelve years old after losing her battle with mast cell cancer in 2017. By the time she turned seven, she had undergone several surgeries to remove the tumors that had developed across her body. Soon after her eleventh birthday, Sasha developed a large mass in her hind leg that was confirmed to be cancerous and inoperable.
When Sasha received her last diagnosis of cancer, the vet gave her a 3-month prognosis. His words were: “3 months, maybe 6 if you’re lucky.”
By working with a holistic vet and creating an alternative treatment plan for Sasha, she lived for another 10 months after her tumor diagnosis. It was a dog-cancer journey, not the end of the road.
Ice’s Cancer Journey – Osteosarcoma
Ice was a healthy boy throughout his life, so when we received the news he had bone cancer, it was shocking to say the least. Ice’s symptoms didn’t start with a visible lump or swelling, but a limp that rapidly worsened. Due to his age and the progression of the cancer, amputation wasn’t an option.
Bone cancer, or Osteosarcoma, is a devastating disease. Without amputation, the prognosis is only 2 to 4 months.
Ice’s pain became unbearable, and eventually he stopped eating. Our 12 year old Icicle spent his final day walking in a beautiful park at his own pace before we said goodbye.
Blueberry’s Cancer Journey – Hemangiosarcoma
Blueberry was a whirlwind of a dog. Stubborn and wilful yet loyal and loving, Blueberry was my big girl who absolutely loved running after her ball. Berry had a tough time. She had two cruciate ligament surgeries, and not long after her recovery, I noticed unusual belly swelling. During this time, she also ate less of her food, which was concerning because my girl loved her meals.
Once the vet examined her abdomen and performed an ultrasound, I received the news that she had a mass in her spleen. Blueberry was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma. She needed emergency surgery, and a 3 kg tumor was removed from her spleen. The prognosis for Hemangiosarcoma with surgery alone is 1 to 3 months. With chemotherapy, survival time increases to 6 months or more. I decided to move forward with chemotherapy, which was fortunately covered by my pet insurance. In addition to chemo, Berry was placed on a regimen of turkey tail and lion’s mane mushrooms. She got an extra 10 months before I had to say goodbye.
Dog Cancer Journey is not intended to replace the advice of a professional veterinarian. It is an informative guide offering tips for safe and natural remedies that you can incorporate to enhance the quality of life for pets diagnosed with conditions such as cancer, arthritis, and more.
All recommended remedies are based on extensive research, discussions with a holistic vet, and personal experience.
Location: Cape Town, South Africa
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