[Lena]

Hi Sharon,

I haven’t used any of those products accept the artemisinin. I assume the hepasunate should also not be given with radiation but you could check in with your vet on that.

Hope everything goes well.

best wishes,

lena

[Lena]

From Sharon –

Lena,

Okay I have collected the following:

Artemisinin 100 mg

Hepasunate 50 mg

K9 Plus wafers

GNC Ultra Mega Superfood Complex

Meeker Rasperry powder (waiting on it – not here yet)

So – now trying to figure out what to give whom and how much

Bailey is the one with the amputated leg – he has not yet started chemo – he weighs 80 #

Bongo cannot have surgery – started radiation therapy – he weighs #116

I know that Arte cannot be given while undergoing radiation – same with Hepasunate?

Any recommendations greatly appreciated. Bongo is also on Tramadol 50 – 4 tabs every 8 hours; Carprofen 100 1 every 12 hours; and Gabapentin 600 1/2 tab every 8 hours

Thank you again

Sharon

[Lena]

Hi Dora,

Fibrosarcoma can be a difficult cancer. The good news is that it is very slow to spread to other parts of the body but is very aggressive local. In Missy’s case, amputation would probably be curative without any follow up medications, supplements or herbals. I have seen older cats do very well with amputation if you end up going that route.

It’s been awhile since I have treated a cat with fibrosarcoma. The one who comes to mind was a beautiful younger black cat. Because of where her tumor was amputation was not an option. Her people removed the whole tumor and then we did acupuncture for her at least once a month for two years along with artemisinin, mushrooms and Sanshedan Chuanbeiye. She beat the cancer! And it has been about 4 years since I have seen her.

I would highly recommend considering amputation if it is an option. They really do very, very well. There will be a hard week of recovery but then you don’t have to worry about medications or herbals.

Protocel I have not heard of, but just did a little research. I would not use this product.

1. it is too much of a cure all – don’t trust anything online that cures multiple diseases.
2. they don’t want you to use herbs with it #3 they don’t seem to have any research or results to back up what it does.
3. It is too expensive (if it was worth it I may think differently) but I use price as a warning sign.
4. cats are sensitive – this product may actually harm Missy
5. With cats usually you can only give 2-4 supplements without making them sick – pick something that will help.

Here is Andrew Weil’s take on it: http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/QAA400820/Protocel-A-Bogus-Cancer-Cure.html

Hope this helps and I hope the consultation with the oncologist goes well. I’m glad you have a good team on board.

If you want a good holistic vet to work with in your area here are some tips

http://pathwithpaws.com/blog/2011/12/11/how-to-find-a-good-holistic-vet-to-work-with/

best wishes,

Lena

[Lena]

Hi Lisa,

Metronomic is kind of a weird term in that it can mean something slightly different from person to person. I have seen dogs do well on lower dose less toxic oral drugs given daily or in an on for a few days off for a many days cycle. With chemo I usually defer to the oncologists since they are the most up on what works the best and what is new. I don’t feel like my knowledge is strong there. If you have an oncologist in your area it might be worth a consult with them unless your vet does a lot of chemotherapy work. They may tell you that oral chemo works well for fibrosarcoma or they may tell you it does not. The last thing I would want is for him to be on a toxic oral drug that is not going to help. A stronger chemo drug would probably be better in that case. However if the orals will work well then that may very well be the way to go.

best wishes,

Lena

[Lena]

Hi Lisa,

Yes if it was in his elbow and the whole leg was amputated you have very good margins so need to worry about margins. Usually you need an inch or two around a tumor to get good margins with fibrosarcoma. With a leg it is very easy to get good margins, if it is say in a rib or in the skull it can hard to get margins.

-Lena

[Lena]

From Lisa – this went to my administrator somehow, not sure why but wanted to get it back here – The tumor was in his elbow….so if I’m understanding you correctly

there is still need for concern with “margins” even with amputation?

Sorry…just a nervous “mom” who needs clarification. Thank you so

much for your prompt response,

[Lena]

Just realizing that I probably should have folks start a new post about individual animals so everything doesn’t get tangled. Thanks for visiting and adding your questions!

-Lena

[Lena]

Lisa and Mark,

I have also found that with amputation for fibrosarcoma that it is curative. With fibrosarcoma the largest issue is local spread and with amputation you get margins. I have not seen a fibrosarcoma met myself, just regrow if large margins are not possible. It might be worth a visit with an oncologist just to get a second opinion but my experience echos what you have found. Plus you have him on some good anti-cancer supplements just in case.

best wishes,

Lena

[Lena]

Skinsey,

What beautiful boys!I am so sorry you are dealing with this. That is so difficult to have two be diagnosed at the same time. If you haven’t found my article on osteosarcoma here it is .http://pathwithpaws.com/blog/2011/05/08/three-legged-and-happy-how-to-holistically-treat-osteosarcoma-bone-cancer-in-dogs/. It outlines what I use with my clients.

One important thing – do not use artemisinin in Bongo while he is undergoing radiation or for a month after. The radiation treatments do wonders for pain – I am so glad you are doing them. I am currently working with one dog who was not a candidate for amputation and he had one radiation treatment and we are about three months out from radiation and six months out from diagnosis and he barely limps. Hoxsey with boneset may also be a consideration for pain if it fits. Hopefully the acupuncturist you work with will have some good ideas. If they are not an herbalist you can send them my article.

best wishes and healing thoughts! Let me know how everything goes.

Lena

[Lena]

Hi Lisa and Max,

I consider it safe long term unless radiation treatments are being used. I have had multiple dogs on artemisinin for two years and longer without problems. If we get to two years I give people the option of stopping it as usually you have bet the cancer at that point. Some do and some don’t.

best wishes,

Lena

[Lena]

I’m sorry Katy. I’m glad that you were able to let her go at the point she was at. It takes a lot of strength to be able to make that decision.

best wishes,

Lena

[Lena]

Hi Katy,

I think dementia is one of the hardest things to go through with an animal. It is so difficult to see their minds go. I have seen dogs improve but it is hard once they get to that point of circling and screaming. But yes usually you can get some improvement or at least help with their comfort.

A few things to think about –

Have you ruled out pain? Sometimes even if she don’t have arthritis they can have very bad headaches (in my opinion) and pain meds might help.

It might be worth trying light sedative or talking to your vet about something stronger like valium. I just started working with a dog with very advanced dementia and circling and dosing him with Tranquility Tonic three times a day really helps him be more relaxed and feel better.

I have seen some dogs improve when taken off all dry food and put on a high protein wet food or home made food.

If you have a good alternative medicine practitioner in your area it may be worth a check in with them to see if they have any suggestions http://pathwithpaws.com/blog/2011/12/11/how-to-find-a-good-holistic-vet-to-work-with/ I have had acupuncture and herbs help although usually not completely take away symptoms of more advanced dementia.

If she got worse on the Anipryl could it be that she is having a bad reaction to it? You may want to talk to your vet about stopping it and seeing how she does.

Ginkgo may help but truthfully I haven’t seen it help that much with the more advanced circling dementia animals I have worked with.

Finally if you feel like the time is near, I have worked with an very wonderful shaman named Rose DeDan who has helped both my own animals and my clients animals with issues around end of life. She does consultations by phone if you are out of the area. http://reikishamanic.com/

best of wishes and thank you for sharing you questions here

Lena

[Lena]

Hi Katy,

I think dementia is one of the hardest things to go through with an animal. It is so difficult to see their minds go. I have seen dogs improve but it is hard once they get to that point of circling and screaming. But yes usually you can get some improvement or at least help with their comfort.

A few things to think about –

Have you ruled out pain? Sometimes even if she don’t have arthritis they can have very bad headaches (in my opinion) and pain meds might help.

It might be worth trying light sedative or talking to your vet about something stronger like valium. I just started working with a dog with very advanced dementia and circling and dosing him with Tranquility Tonic three times a day really helps him be more relaxed and feel better.

I have seen some dogs improve when taken off all dry food and put on a high protein wet food or home made food.

If you have a good alternative medicine practitioner in your area it may be worth a check in with them to see if they have any suggestions http://pathwithpaws.com/blog/2011/12/11/how-to-find-a-good-holistic-vet-to-work-with/ I have had acupuncture and herbs help although usually not completely take away symptoms of more advanced dementia.

If she got worse on the Anipryl could it be that she is having a bad reaction to it? You may want to talk to your vet about stopping it and seeing how she does.

Ginkgo may help but truthfully I haven’t seen it help that much with the more advanced circling dementia animals I have worked with.

Finally if you feel like the time is near, I have worked with an very wonderful shaman named Rose DeDan who has helped both my own animals and my clients animals with issues around end of life. She does consultations by phone if you are out of the area. http://reikishamanic.com/

best of wishes and thank you for sharing you questions here

Lena

[Lena]

I have had people give Melatonin to their dogs daily for multiple years without any negative issues. Overall it is a very safe supplement.

[Lena]

Wow that’s great! I really hope it continues.

[Author]

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