Cancer In Dogs And Cats - Herbal Supplementation May Help

     The condition of cancer in dogs and cats carries special nutritional requirements which are not entirely agreed upon by medical science. What we do undsterstand is that a pet with cancer will undergo many physical changes as the body reacts to this unwelcome guest. Without intervention, including herbal supplementation, a pet will experience drastic muscle wasting and often significant weight loss.

It is vital that a dog or cat continue to take in enough fluids either through direct drinking of water or through their diet. Many cats, even when healthy, do not ingest a lot of water and so it becomes advisable to add moisture to the pet抯 diet through canned foods, fresh foods, partially soaked dry kibble, or gravies.

In addition to water, dogs and cats need to maintain a high level of calories, fats, vitamins, and minerals. Unfortunately, many dogs and cats with cancer, especially as it advances, reduce their intake of food or the cancer physically affects the pet抯 ability to eat or absorb nutrients. Less food means weight loss and unfortunately, a pet抯 diet quickly becomes unbalanced as it subsists on small portions, table scraps, or whatever a caring pet owner can get into it.

While Western medicine has come to rely on surgery, radiation, and/or chemotherapy to temporarily stave off cancer, for most cancer in dogs and cats these methods buy precious little time. Anywhere from a month or two to a year and a half is common, depending on the kind of cancer and severity.

These methods are not wrong, but they aren抰 always the best method. In fact, chemotherapy can depress or even destroy a pet抯 immune system leaving them vulnerable to illness and death. Herbal and natural remedies can help provide the missing link of nutrients that are necessary to keep a pet healthy and to help revive its immune system.

Medical records are filled with validation that supplementation with herbs has helped a pet live longer than expected and more importantly, helped them enjoy a good quality of life. Dr. Richard Clemmons, an Associate Professor of Neurology and Neurosurgery at the University of Florida, says various studies have shown that the supplement cat抯 claw has been used to bring about the successful remission of tumors, like brain tumors. Cat抯 claw comes from the Peruvian rain forest and the locals have long used it for the treatment of cancer.

Other natural elements have been shown to be effective in cancer treatment. Dr. Shawn Messonnier, author of The Natural Vet抯 Guide to Preventing and Treating Cancer in Dogs, says that burdock root has become an effective addition to supplementation for cancer patients. It eliminates any unwanted toxins from the body like environmental toxins or chemotherapy.

Other herbal treatments for cancer in dogs and cats include slippery elm to help soothe the digestive tract, sheep sorrel to act as a powerful anti-oxidant, turmeric root to act as an anti-inflammatory, and Turkish rhubarb root for an astringent and cleanser of the digestive tract.

There are numerous accounts of how these herbs work to help the body heal itself. While they may not fully send cancer into remission, they are a powerful natural addition to any cancer treatment regime. These herbs provide an extra arsenal in treating your pet抯 cancer that many holistic veterinarians stand behind. Of course, as with any supplement, always consult your veterinarian or qualified health care provider before use.

References: oncolink.org/types/article.cfm?c=22&s=69&ss=550&id=6002neuro.vetmed.ufl.edu/neuro/AltMed/Cancer/Cancer_AltMed.htmMessonnier DVM, Shawn. The Natural Vet抯 Guide to Preventing and Treating Cancer in Dogs. New World Library, 2006 Cancer in dogs and cats