Lump in gum

Question
My dog is going 10 yr old and he has the a lump growth in the gum area. I brought him to the vet and apparently according to the vet, 90% of these lumps are cancerous.

His advise for me is to send my dog for an operation to remove the lump and also to extract all his decayed teeth but the chances of him dying during the operation is 40%.

My dog has that lump for a few months already since i spotted it but he is eating, sleeping and behaving fine. Just that he has bad breathe. I do not see why I need to remove all his teeth and risk his life on the surgery table for that few more years of life which he might not have if the operation fails.

I did a blood test for him and the results did not turn out good so the chances of him dying during the operations are higher.

Please kindly advise me on what I should do.

Answer
Hi Celestine,

Thank you for writing to me about your senior dog.  It seems that you are between a rock and a hard place.  If your dog's values are poor, and you feel it is dangerous to operate then enjoy the time you have left with your pooch, make sure he doesn't suffer and try holistic, non invasive approaches that could possibly extend his life.

I would suggest that you look into Low Dose Naltrexone (www.lowdosenaltrexone.org).  Dr. Newkirk of Margate Animal Hospital(google it) will work with you through a phone consult to get your dog on this medication.

You can also change his diet to organic raw food.  There are many yahoo groups that are helpful and Dr. Newkirk can also guide you as well as suggests supplements.

Join some of the cancer groups on yahoo for people and for dogs.  Both are helpful.  Make sure you give your pooch Milk Thistle for his liver, Selenium, Tumeric, and Mushroom Science medical mushrooms.  

There is a cutting edge technique called the Cyberknife.  It can remove these tumors but I believe that the dog needs to be put out and it's also extremely costly.

Do not vaccinate or use any chemicals on your dog.

I wish you the best of luck.  Whatever you decide, make peace with it and enjoy every precious day you have left with your dog.

Best Regards,
Shelley Davis