A Path With Paws

Below is a list of common symptoms, diseases, or illnesses, followed by the name of the herbal formula(s) we recommend. Each of these formulas can be purchased on our etsy shop, Kingdom of Basil. Formulas with blue links have additional information available in a separate blog post.

If you already know a formula by its name, visit our alphabetical List of Herbal Formulas instead.

• Abdominal Cancer – Xiao Chai Hu Tang
• Anxiety in Dogs – Calm and Peaceful Formula
• Autoimmune Disease – Xiao Chai Hu Tang
• Back Pain from nerve or disc compression – Back Support Formula
• Bladder Cancer – Shao Fu Zhu Yu Tang+
• Blockage in Qi flow (aka Triple Burner Obstruction) – Xiao Chai Hu Tang
• Brain / Cognition – Heart and Brain Support
• Cancer (also see specific cancer types) – Xiao Chai Hu Tang; Si Miao San; Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang +
• Chemotherapy Support – Chemotherapy Support Formula (Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang); Xiao Chai Hu Tang
• Chronic Cough – Xiao Chai Hu Tang; Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang +
• Cushings – Si Miao San
• Digestion Poor / Emaciation – Eight Treasures
• Diarrhea – Stop Diarrhea Formula/Zhi Xie San
• Disc Disease – Back Support Formula
• Heart Disease – Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang +
• Heart Issues – Heart and Brain Support
• Hemangiosarcoma – Chai Hu Jia Long Mu Li Tang
• Immune System Support – Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang; Eight Treasures; Xiao Chai Hu Tang; Jade Wind Screen
• Inflammation / Inflammatory Disease (skin, gut, joints) – Si Miao San
• Inflammatory Bowel Disease / IBD – Si Miao San
• Itching (mild) – Xiao Feng San
• Joint Issues – Senior Dog Support Formula
• Kidney Cancer – Shao Fu Zhu Yu Tang+
• Kidney Support for Cats – Liu Wei Di Huang Wan
• Liver Support / Elevated Enzymes – Liver Support Formula
• Liver Tumors – Ge Xia Fu Zhu Yu Tang +; often combined with Xiao Chai Hu Tang
• Lung Cancer – Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang +
• Lung Metastasis – Xiao Chai Hu Tang; Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang +
• Lung Respiratory Infections – Jade Wind Screen; Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang +
• Lymphoma – Modified Hoxsey; Xiao Chai Hu Tang
• Mast Cell Tumors – Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang +
• Mobility – Senior Dog Support Formula
• Nasal Cancer – Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang +
• Obstructed Chi (aka Triple Burner Obstruction) – Xiao Chai Hu Tang
• Organ Health – Senior Dog Support Formula
• Osteosarcoma – Modified Hoxsey; Boneset if there is bone involvement to help with pain
• Pain – Senior Dog Support Formula
• Proprioception Issues (toes drag or turn under) – Back Support Formula
• Prostate Cancer – Shao Fu Zhu Yu Tang+
• Skin Cancer – Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang +
• Skin Disease – Qing Ying Tang
• Squamous cell carcinoma – Modified Hoxsey
• Tumors of the Upper Body – Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang +

Osteosarcoma or bone cancer is one of the most painful cancers but it is also one that I have had the most success with using integrative and alternative treatments.

When I was studying with my acupuncture teacher, Richard Panzer, I met an incredible great dane with osteosarcoma. She was fairly young and her prognosis was not good. However she would bounce into the clinic twice a week for acupuncture treatments, full of life. Her tumor slowly became larger but the cancer did not spread to her lungs, which is typical of this disease. Eventually when she became extremely painful they made the decision to amputate her affected leg. I heard that she later died of a disease unrelated to her bone cancer.

The first dog I treated with osteosarcoma, Maggie, had a similar story. She went a year before her bone was so weakened from the cancer that it broke and her leg had to be amputated in an emergency surgery. She is still alive over five years later. Here is her full story, Maggie’s story – Sometimes three legs are better than four.

In all the dogs I have treated, I see about 70% of them beat bone cancer. Most dogs die of something else. However, if amputation is not an option, pain becomes the factor that causes their human companions to put them to sleep. Even the strongest pain medications can not control the pain of osteosarcoma.

With no treatment, most dogs with osteosarcoma will live three months after diagnosis and die from lung metastases—when the cancer spreads to the lungs. However herbal medicine has some amazing tools to keep cancer out of the lungs and make it so dogs can live with osteosarcoma and sometimes go into complete remission if we can amputate the primary tumor.

I’m seeing more and more pet parents use an integrative approach — doing 3-6 rounds of chemotherapy combined with holistic medicine and where available, immunotherapy treatments. I recommend consulting an oncologist.

So what is my protocol for osteosarcoma?

1. Amputation – Above all I recommend amputation if it is at all possible. This is a very painful cancer. The only way to get rid of the pain is to amputate. There is no way to get rid of the primary tumor without amputation even with chemo, radiation, or immunotherapy. This is the most important treatment, in my opinion. I know it seems like a major and harsh option, but most of these dogs immediately feel better from amputation. It’s hard to recognize how much pain they have been in before we amputate. Pain medication can not adequately control the pain of osteosarcoma.
2. Immunotherapy — in recent years, two forms of immunotherapy vaccines are showing significant success in treating osteosarcoma: the “Yale/EGFR/HER2” vaccine which can be administered with or without amputation, and the “Torigen” vaccine which does require amputation and use of the body part to develop the vaccine. Be sure to ask your oncologist about both.
3. A cancer diet – this means a high protein diet with no grains. Ideally it should be cooked or canned. Raw is also ok if your dog will tolerate it and is not getting chemo. Don’t give this cancer the fuel it needs. Please see the article Diets for cancer in cats and dogs.
4. Artemisinin. – Follow this link for more information about the supplement and how it is given. Artemisinin is under study at the University of Washington for its effect against bone cancer in people. Do not use artemisinin if your animal is getting radiation.
5. Sanshedan Chuanbeiye – This is my number one herbal for keeping cancer out of the lungs. Follow this link for more information about this herbal.
6. Acupuncture – I recommend weekly or every other week acupuncture depending on the stage of illness. Acupuncture can slow down this disease, boost the immune system and help with pain. To find a veterinary acupuncturist in your area use this tool IVAS find an acupuncturist.

In addition I sometimes use the following:

1. Hoxsey like formula or Cancer Detox Support – if your dog is very hot with a lot of panting and heat intolerance or if amputation is not possible I recommend adding in this formula. If the primary tumor remains then boneset should be added to this formula to treat bone pain.
2. Mushrooms can help to boost your dog’s immune system and support them during treatment.
3. Pain medication, if amputation is not possible. This is a very painful cancer. If the primary tumor remains western pain medication is a must. Most dogs should be on a NSAID such as Rimadyl, Tramadol and possibly Gabapentin.
4. Radiation treatments, if amputation is not possible. Radiation treatments can help with the pain of osteosarcoma. I highly recommend talking to an oncologist about this option if amputation is not possible. If your animal is getting radiation do not give artemisinin. Milk thistle can help to enhance the effects of radiation and decrease the side effects.

If there is radiographic (x-ray) evidence of lung metastasis please read Breathing through cancer – holistic therapies to control lung metastasis in cancer; and talk to an oncologist about the “Yale/EGFR/HER2” vaccine referenced above. It is currently showing promising results in clinical trials for lung metastasis.

I have known quite a few very happy three legged dogs. Dogs are great at just taking life one day at a time. I believe that this is a treatable cancer. Every dog will follow their own path, however I have been amazed at how well this herbal and acupuncture protocol can work.

Even though I have had a lot of success in treating this cancer, I recommend that you consult with an oncologist to make sure you know all your options. If possible find a good holistic vet in your area to help create a herbal program for your dog and do acupuncture treatments. If they are trained in acupuncture but not herbal medicine bring them this article.

As with all articles on this blog, please consult with your animal’s primary veterinarian about coming up with a protocol for your dog or cat and before using these products. Every dog is individual and there may be a better protocol for your dog then what I suggest based on their personal medical history and constitution.

Some cancers are more aggressive than others and even though I have had a lot of success with treating osteosarcoma, this protocol may not work for everyone.

Very rarely does this cancer occur in cats. However even though this article is written for dogs, I have used these herbals in cats as well.

Return to Integrative and Holistic Methods for Treating Cancer in Cats and Dogs

I just saw a dog with a similar cancer to Maggie’s this morning and wanted to add one more page to Maggie’s story. I hope this is helpful to the folks out there working with the many dogs who suffer from osteosarcoma. Here is the protocol we used to treat Maggie’s cancer. I use a similar protocol for most of the dogs I treat.

Maggie’s protocol

• • Three treatment of radiation and three treatments of chemotherapy towards the beginning of her illness.
  • Amputation of her affected leg
  • A high quality, grain free homemade diet
  • A supplement called SanSheDan ChuanBei Ye, which helps to keep cancer out of the lungs. In Seattle this can be purchased at Lucky An Dong in the International District. One of my favorite supplements, it is made from apricot seed, fritillary seed, and snake bile. Often called snake oil by my clients, this supplement is very helpful for any lung condition and for keeping cancer out of the lungs.
  • Missing Link supplement to support her body and immune system.
  • After she was done with radiation, Artemisinin a powerful anti-cancer herb. This is a herbal supplement in research right now for treating osteosarcoma in people. It is absorbed by cancer cells (which have a high iron uptake) and produces free radicals which kill the cancer cells. This herb can not be given during radiation therapy or for two months afterwards.
  • Pain medications as needed
  • lots of love!

Please remember that every dog is different and that you should find a veterinarian to work with before starting any supplements.

Part 1 of this story

• If I had to offer one piece of advice from working with these dogs it would be amputate if at all possible and the cancer has not yet spread to the lungs. Every dog I have treated has had problems with the pain before lung problems from metastasis. If they have three healthy legs and the cancer is in a leg, amputate and amputate early.
• I have seen these dogs do so much better with combined treatments. Just chemo or radiation gets you so long, and just acupuncture can also extend life but the two together usually more than double the time and quality of life of these animals. Find a good oncologist or a veterinarian who specializes in cancer treatment and a good holistic acupuncturist and work with both.
• Love, love, love. Once again a loved dog who has an important place in the family will do so much better.
• Get many opinions. If one veterinarian tells you there is no hope talk to a second one. We all have our own experiences and expectations. There are many textbooks written on medicine but we all have our own tricks.
• Find some support. Working with any family member with cancer is difficult emotionally and having someone who understands what you are going through can really help. Sometimes that is another member of the family but if you are all alone reach out through forums or support groups.
• Research online. There is so much information available online although don’t believe everything you read.
  • Here is a super site on cancer in dogs. CanineCancer.com
  • Here is my cancer care page. I do not recommend using all the things listed on this page and usually do a consultation with clients to pick the best treatments for a particular animal.

Part 3 of this story

Maggie tries really hard to be a good guard dog. When you come to the door of her home, you can hear her barking in a strange muffled way, which makes you wonder until the door is opened and you realize she has a teddy bear in her mouth. That being said Maggie loves people and once she meets you she is all smiles, teddy bear or no teddy bear. Maggie has a way of smiling with her eyes that just draws people in.

When I meet Maggie she had been diagnosed with osteosarcoma or bone cancer in one of her front legs. At the time her family were exploring options to treat her but one thing was almost certain, regardless of treatment, in a year she would no longer be with us. Bone cancer has a very poor prognosis, usually causing death within three months with no treatment and within 6-12 months with aggressive treatment.

I could tell when I met Maggie’s family how important she was to them. Her family lived in a wonderful older home with one of those grand living rooms and they really liked having photos of those they loved in this space. When I walked in I immediately noticed that there were as many photos of Maggie and the kitties of the household as there were of the human family members. Her family told me how difficult it was for them to have Maggie sick because their previous dog had died of lung cancer and now Maggie also had a cancer that usually spread to the lungs.

We talked for a long time about the options that were available for Maggie. They had already seen an oncologist and had set up appointments for radiation and chemotherapy but they really were hoping for some way for Maggie to completely beat the cancer.

I always like to give people hope and tell them that not every animal follows the textbooks and that acupuncture can sometimes dramatically change the course of an illness but at the same time I try to be realistic. I explained that we could probably double Maggie’s time here and make her feel better but that it would be unlikely that we would completely get remission. I remember looking at this beautiful dog so full of life and her family who loved her so much and thinking that it was so tragic that she would not make it to old age.

As time passed Maggie did not get sick but she did become incredibly painful because of the tumor in her leg. I would show up to treat her and she would no longer get up most of the time. When I looked in her eyes, I saw so much pain. I felt so bad that not even the strongest drugs we had and the acupuncture could keep the pain away for her.

Amputation became the only option to stop Maggie’s pain but what a difficult decision. I saw her family struggle with the decision of what seemed like a major mutilation of her body to them. Maggie had lived almost a year with the cancer at this point and by everyone’s assessment she was supposed to be gone by now. Was it worth doing an amputation only to have her die a few months later?

Amputation is one of the hardest decisions for an animal’s human companions to make. So many thoughts go through their mind. Will they still be whole? Will they want to be alive with only three legs? Will they still be able to do the things they love? Will they understand why I did this or hate me for taking away a part of their body?

One day Maggie got up and when she stepped down on her front leg it broke right in two. The cancer had weakened the bone so much that it could no longer support her weight. At this point it became a much easier decision to make and Maggie had the leg amputated almost immediately.

With three legs, Maggie may not be able to go for long walks like she used to and the stairs are sometimes hard for her to navigate but Maggie greets each day with a playful spirit and a happiness to be here. She loves to greet neighbors who walk by and many people in the neighborhood know her as the dog that cancer could not take.

These days I do not treat Maggie as often and our main concern is keeping her legs healthy so she can continue to get around. I feel like coming to treat Maggie is like seeing an old friend.

She rolls over on her side after the needles are in and I stroke her belly and neck. If I stop for even a moment she lifts her head to look at me with those big eyes, “please don’t stop.” There is a familiarity and a comfort in visiting Maggie and it feels like I have been included in her special family of people who she shares her happiness, love and the journey of her battle with cancer.

When I stopped by Maggie’s house this week she bounced over to greet me with a tennis ball in her mouth and than run to the other edge of the yard to pick up another one. She raced around with the two tennis balls and a big smile, “look what I can do.” As I walked up to the door she bounced up and down next to me, “mom, look who’s here, look who’s here!”

It has been almost two years since Maggie lost her leg and close to three since she was diagnosed with cancer. This happy golden retriever with the sparkling brown eyes has beaten the odds.

2/17/2011 Update. It has been over two years since I wrote this and Maggie is still cancer free and doing well!

1/18/12 Maggie sadly passed away a couple days ago. She was almost 13 years old and it had been almost six years since her cancer diagnosis. We are all grieving for her, she was very loved. Please visit Maggie Rose a beautiful poem written in honor of Maggie by her human father.

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