Bone Cancer in Dogs, what are the options

Bone Cancer in Dogs is fast becoming too Common a problem with ourselves and our dogs and cats. Cancer represents a Breakdown of the immune system . Like allergies and autoimmune disorders , cancer is primarily a disease of the world, and that in itself indicates some strong environmental  factors that act a triggers. One example , it is known that rabies vaccination can trigger a particularly lethal form of sarcoma at the injection site in both dogs and  cats. To Quote Diane Klumb author of Almost Everything You Need to Know About Goldendoodles,  ”Genetics may indeed load the gun, but environment pulls the trigger”

Vaccinations can be one of the triggers  of any auto immune disorder. Think  about this ,, do you vaccinate yourself  or your children every year?  Then why do you allow your veterinarian to vaccinate your dog? Vaccines are like adding Flame to the Fire on a Dog suffering from bone cancer, or even predisposed to Cancer!! why do it?  Just so you know,, Yearly vaccinations are high Percent of Veterinary Incomes every year, Sometimes just because a vet says it so, does not make it such. You have a choice! You can have titers done instead of vaccinations every year.

In researching this article I found some interesting options for treating Bone Cancer in Dogs . This one of those options

In October 1998 Whole Dog Journal featured a story of a 10year old Belgian Sheepdog name Jet, Jets owners refused to have his leg amputated when he was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, an aggressive bone cancer. Instead they have him a tincture , which was prepared by Robert McDowell, a Australian Herbalist who specializes in animal care.

Bone-Repair Tincture

Recommended for animals with broken bones, bone injuries and bone tumors

Combine equal parts of horsetail, comfrey, yarrow and pink bark to make a tincture or purchase these tinctures and combine them in equal proportions.

Give 1 Drop per 7-10kbs if body weight twice daily

The result of Jet’s condition  using the above tincture. Jet’s vitality returned the shape of his bone mass changed. Nearly a year after his terminal diagnosis his only complication was a hairline bone fracture that healed with additional comfrey tincture and comfrey poultices,, a photo actually showed him romping on the beach (re:Natural Remedies For Dogs And Cats, CJ Puotinen, and Robert McDowell, Herbalist http://www.herbal-treatments.com/  This site offers free consultation and already formulated tinctures for sale)

To Quote Robert McDowell,” Since the 1950′s with the introduction of processed dog feed and more recently by the almost complete elimination of raw meat and bones in many cases from companion dogs’ feed, the efficient digestion and intake of suitably balanced essential minerals has become an important part of the osteosarcoma problem. Arthritis in young dogs of the bigger breeds is part of exactly the same situation, the only difference being that cancer reflects a depleted immunity on top of an unhealthy diet.

Additionally, inbreeding in certain species has set up a situation where both the immunity and the gene pool of many so called pure bred dogs make them dangerously susceptible to illness and congenital problems.

Added to this, we mostly take pups away from their siblings very young and bring them up on their own so that they miss out on all the rough and tumble play which toughened bones. Sometimes we subject them to long and inappropriate walks while they are still too young for such exercise and then constrain them to extremely lonely and boring existences while overfeeding them all at the same time.”

Here is a article I found on Ehow.com regarding Bone Cancers in Dogs

Considerations:Bone Cancer in Dogs

• Most dogs who develop bone cancer are middle-aged and older, although it can sometimes strike young dogs. It affects almost exclusively large and giant breeds. Rottweilers, Greyhounds, Bernese Mountain Dogs, Wolfhounds, Great Danes and Newfoundlands are some of the commonly affected breeds.

  Bone cancer in dogs often develops at the site of an earlier injury or surgery. Dogs who have had orthopedic surgery for dysplasia, anterior cruciate ligament repair and similar surgeries are more at risk.

  There is some speculation that factors such as early neutering, over-vaccinating and poor diet may contribute to bone cancer.

Types of  Bone Cancer in Dogs

• By far the most common type of bone cancer in dogs is osteosarcoma (OSA), accounting for about 85 percent of all cases of bone cancer in dogs. OSA tumors usually develop in the long bones of the legs, although they can occur in the spine, skull and jaw.

  Other types of bone cancers include synovial cell sarcoma, hemangiosarcoma, chondrosarcoma and fibrosarcoma. Synovial cell sarcoma and chrondosarcoma originate in the connective tissues around the joints and invade the bone. The other types may appear on virtually any part of the dog’s skeleton.

  Symptoms of Bone Cancer in Dogs

  • Over all, most bone cancer in dogs, tumors usually grow in the dog’s leg bones. Some tumors are very slow growing, starting deep in the bone, while others are aggressive and grow quickly. Most often the first symptom is a slight limp which grows progressively worse as the tumor destroys the bone. Depending on the location and type of cancer, there may or may not be a lump or swelling. Some stoic dogs with fast growing tumors will not show signs of pain, like limping, and will be normally active until a fall or slip causes the weakened bone to snap.

    Tumors in the spine and ribcage may cause limping and general stiffness. Bone cancer in the dog’s skull or jaw usually affect chewing and eating. Swelling and lumps are more common in skull and jaw cancer. In rare cases, the tumor may affect brain functioning, causing aberrant behavior and personality changes.

    While dogs with cancer may be asymptomatic at first, excruciating pain is a hallmark of all bone cancer. In later stages even strong opiates and pain medication do not mask the pain.

  Clinical Signs Bone Cancer in dogs

  • OSA has a characteristic “swiss cheese” appearance when viewed in x-rays because the bone is literally being eaten away. Other bone cancers may appear cloudy, or a cancerous mass can easily be seen. Because OSA is highly likely to metastasize, some veterinarians will do an ultrasound of the organs to see the extent of the spread. OSA most often spreads first to the lungs, where it is visible as small dark spots.

    Some veterinarians will suggest a bone biopsy, but oncologists and experts generally agree that adds unnecessary pain to the dog and costs to the owner. If the diagnosis is unclear, imaging with more sophisticated equipment is recommended instead.

Below is a list of Commonly Used Herbs in Dogs With Cancer and Their Possible Benefits

Alfalfa – antioxidant with cancer preventing properties

Aloe Vera – helps fight infections, antioxidant, boosts bone marrow

Artemsisin – see wormwood and article below

Astragalus – boosts immune system, anti-inflammatory properties

Burdock Root – removes toxins from body, blood cleanser, stimulates bone marrow, antioxidant

Cat’s Claw – shrinks tumors, immune stimulating properties, anti-inflammatory properties

Charparral – a desert plant used to treat tumors

Dandelion – provides nutrients, supports liver function

Echinacea – immune boosting properties, raise white blood cell counts, stimulates lymphatic system

Essiac – an herbal formula containing several herbs, useful in fighting certain cancers.  See our page about Essiac.

Flax – cancer fighting chemicals, antioxidant, and antiangiogenesis properties

Garlic- antioxidant properties, stimulates white blood cells in bone marrow, inhibits growth of cancer

Ginseng - antioxidant properties, protects against cancer formation, Red ginseng stimulates natural killer cell function,
inhibit tumor invasion, and has antiangiogenesis properties.

Goldenseal – potent anti cancer properties, anti-inflammatory, beneficial for digestive tract

Hawthorn – antioxidant properties, useful for cardiac side effects from some chemotherapy drugs (doxorubicin)

Hoxsey – an herbal formula containing several herbs, may be useful in fighting certain cancers

Licorice Root –  anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, stimulates immune system by enhancing interferon and
T cell production.  ”Natures cortisone”.

Marshmallow – antibacterial and immune-stimulating properties

Milk Thistle – protects liver, reduces toxicity from chemotherapy

Mistletoe –  extract Iscador is a cancer therapy, stimulates immune system, encourages cell death (apoptosis),  and
possesses anti-tumor and anti-metastatic properties.

Oregon Grape – alternative to goldenseal, stimulates white blood production from the bone marrow, anti-cancer
properties, supports liver function

Red Clover – contains nutrients, blood cleanser, can be applied directly to skin cancers

Saw Palmetto – said to help with prostate cancer in dogs

Turmeric – inhibits the growth of cancer, induces cancer cell death, antioxidant, and stimulates immune system

Wormwood –  (active compound is artemisinin) controls infections, selective killing of cancer cells when
administered with supplemental iron.

Yellow Dock – cleansing herb that stimulates liver function, high iron content

Bone Cancer in Dogs, educate yourself to all the options and treatments and make your own decision.

Bone Cancer in Dogs,Osteosarcoma