Alternative Cancer Treatment for Pets

Cancer seems to be on the up rise for our pets - both dogs and cats are getting cancer at younger ages. Some of this can be traced to over vaccination, other culprits are poor food, nutrition and environmental toxins.

After having two cats with intestinal cancer, I saw how ineffective western medicine was as far as treatment goes - chemo/radiation which didn't offer much quality of life. I chose to go the holistic route using mainly homeopathy.

My vet Dr Maggie Federhart began the treatment for Clarence, a lovely stray cat I took in. Dr Federhart has had success attaining remission with certain kinds of cancers. She felt I would be best served working with Dr Charles Loops. I worked extensively with Dr Loops and the tumor we initially found in Clarence's intestines was gone after months of homeopathic treatment. Clarence later passed of a heart condition he had all along.

One year later, I found my Nick had the same symptoms as Clarence and went back to Dr Loops - who works mainly through phone consultations. Nick went into a short remission and had a good quality of life. He lived several months past what western medicine may have given him but with a better quality of life without chemo.

Speaking from this experience, if your dog or cat has been diagnosed with cancer, find yourself a good holistic vet to work with - it can add years maybe to his life and give him and better quality of life. Check out the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association to look up a vet with good credentials that is located near you.

The book Why is Cancer Killing Our Pets? by Deborah Straw explains the different kinds of treatment and how to protect them from getting cancer.

Both the veterinarians I used do phone consultations to pet guardians. Dr Federhart, who trained with Dr Pitcairn, (Dr. Pitcairn's Complete Guide to Natural Health of Dogs and Cats) has a web site - Animals Naturally.

Dr Loops also trained with Dr Pitcairn but then went off on his own to develop a unique homeopathic treatment plan by treating and curing himself of chronic ailments. His web site is here. Dr Loops also treats other chronic conditions successfully - in fact he takes on many cases that other vets have given up on.

Another resource for holistic treatments is Shirley's Wellness Cafe online. My vet told me about this and it gave us some other alternatives to try with testimonials from other pet guardians.

I hope that with better quality food, less vaccinations and better overall health, my other cats live to an old age without getting cancer or any other chronic disease.

Pets Overheating - An Emergency!

With summer comes high temperatures and while uncommon, our pets can overheat just like us if they are tied in a spot outdoors with no shade or left in a hot car.

These situations should be avoided at all costs - our pets deserve humane treatment and should never be left outdoors without shade and water on hot days. Even with the windows open your car will quickly overheat causing their body temperature to rise resulting in brain damage or death.

The first sign of overheating will be panting, sometimes intensely. The mucus membranes and skin become deep red as the body shifts circulation to superficial areas to increase heat loss. Nausea, dizziness and weakness quickly ensue if the body temperature does not drop. High temperature can impair the regulating center in the brain causing greater danger - the skin may become cool and the animal is usually faint or may lose consciousness.

This is an emergency situation and veterinary action is needed immediately. Rapid cooling is necessary to avoid damage such as rinsing or emerging in cool water. Do not use ice water as this will worsen the situation causing shivering and constricting the surface blood vessels, both canceling out the body's cooling mechanism.

Simply by providing shade, water and cool temperatures for your pet you can avoid a very life threatening situation on hot summer days.

TNR - It Saves Money!

How to handle feral cat colonies is a topic of controversial debate. Some groups advocate using archaic and cruel methods to kill them while the flip side offers to trap, neuter and release them back to the colony where they are fed, sheltered and cared for by volunteers.

According to an economic study commissioned by Best Friends Animal Society, trapping feral cats to kill them is not only inhumane but is a useless waste of tax dollars.

The study found that given the estimated 87 million homeless cats in the US, it would cost government agencies about $16 billion to trap and kill them as opposed to approximately $9 billion for supporting Trap, Neuter and Release programs run by rescue organizations and individual volunteers.

Tell this to any group trying to kill ferals rather than manage the colony - money talks! For more info on TNR contact Alley Cat Allies.

Information from Feline Wellness magazine.

Dangers of Third Hand Smoke

We have all heard the dangers of second hand smoke for pets and people but studies now show that third hand smoke is also really bad for our pets.

According to a study done by Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory and reported by Mulligan Stew pet foods, third hand smoke is comprised of the toxins that settle in the carpets, walls, upholstery, clothes and even skin and hair.

Second hand smoke is inhaled but third hand smoke is absorbed into the body by skin exposure, dust inhalation and digestion. Cats and other animals are at risk because they are closer to the surfaces that these toxins settle on.

If you smoke or live with a smoker...you could be endangering yourself and your pet...so QUIT!

Shirley's Wellness Cafe

If you are looking for options for traditional Western medicine to treat your pets - check this web site out. Shirley's Wellness Cafe offers all sorts of options with testimonials from people who tried the treatments. Everything from acupuncture, herbs, homeopathy and nutrition is covered with references to vets who use these modalities.

I use this frequently even with all my many vet books at home. People write in with new ideas and treatments and how to use each one. They cover cancer treatments, liver issues...all sorts of serious and mild pet illnesses. Takes some reading to go through it all but well worth looking into!

Flower Essences for Geriatric Pets

Is your pet elderly but not seriously ill? Maybe she just sleeps too much, and is not interested in things like she used to be? I combined a few flower essences to help my 18 year old cat Chica and 17 year old Yoko that you might find helpful.

Both were not being as active as usual - not surprising given their age but I did see more spark in their eyes after giving the remedy for a few days.

I combined Bach Flower Remedies Wild Rose (restores the life force and the will to live), Olive (restores strength and capacity for revitalization), and Clematis (restores alertness and focus). For Chica who also has chronic renal failure I added Crab Apple (remedies toxicity). I make up a dropper bottle using two drops of each remedy in water. Then I dose two drops several times a day.

I add this to their food, milk or water for 4-5 days several times a day, whenever they seem less perky or more inclined to sleep rather than participate in activities. It does seem to restore their zest in life. Try it!

Homeopathy for Feline Agression

A few of you have mentioned having problems with aggression in your cat or cats in the household. I have listed some suggestions in other posts but recently found this forum that really hits the nail on the head. The most important thing after choosing the right remedy is the dose - this is crucial for getting to the root of the problem.

I am having difficulties with Al our deaf cat being very aggressive to anyone he comes near - his most obvious symptom is dilated pupils right before he attacks. I gave him Belladonna 30c three days ago plus put flower remedies in the water for all and so far all has been calm! If he acts up again, I will go up to the 200c strength, dosing once and see what happens. I use 30c often as finding 200c is not easy - some stores will special order it for you but others usually don't carry it.



I have included the info in the forum below (in italics) for you all to have for reference. If you want to read it yourself click ABC Homeopathy. My comments are in regular script.

Teach yourself T-Touch (short for Tellington Touch) There are books and classes on this. Very easy, and you can use it on them, while you are sitting with them, instead of just petting them as it will retrain their brains, not to fight or flight but to calm down. (I have read this book and used it int he past - will give it another try. It is a very simple technique to calm animals by massaging small circles all over their bodies.)

I mainly use 200C remedies with my animals, one pill diluted in four ounces of water and I dose them one teaspoon as needed.

-Belladonna-Pupils are dilated, glassy-eyed look, anger, flies into a rage,they may have red, hot, ears, or eyes, and may tear up bedding or furniture, inflammation, restless, delirious, aggressive.

-Hyoscyamus-Hypersexual, animals that hump legs, or whatever they can, even if neutered, suspicion, jealousy.

-Lachesis-They hate anything around their neck especially collars, are jealous and suspicious but not as intense as Hyoscyamus, aggression comes from a perceived threat, think of a snake striking its prey, worse when sleeping, be cautious when dealing with them just waking up.

-Staphysagria-Females or males who spray, have aggression, resentment that another animal is brought into the house, any changes in their life that result in anger of the animal, anger, a must to use after any female has been spayed. Also good for decaying teeth where the tops are blackened and yes, it will reverse it. They also cower/shake/startle at loud voices or sudden moves, like if you go to pet them, from their memories of previous abuse. I helped a dog over come his abuse with this remedy, and he would not let anyone get within 10 feet of him. Now he is like a barnacle on my leg and plays again like a puppy.

-Nux Vomica-Chilly, thin, wants to be left alone, bossy, first in line for food and attention. Great for hairballs, constipation or diarrhea with lots of straining and detoxing.

-Stramonium-Post-rabies vaccination aggression, fear triggers the aggression, fear of the dark or bright lights.

-Merc Viv-They are worse from discipline, may bite and snarl when disciplined, tend to have mouth problems, do not like the extremes of hot nor cold.

-Phosphorus-Narrow-bodied, very vocal especially with food, vomits water or food within 30 minutes after eating, class clown, life of the party, burn out quickly, bleed easily. Fear of thunder and fireworks as well.

-Pulsatilla-Shy,sweet, affectionate, dogs that bark when you leave because they don't want to be left alone, prefers cool surfaces to lie on, eye discharges.

-Natrum Mur-Worse from consolation, they are fine when you pet them, and then they lash out, and sulk afterwards. Likes salt, worse from heat or sun, good for any animal that has been abandoned, separted from mom too early, or siblings too early. Works nicely in conjunction with Ignatia if needed.

-Ignatia-Good for any animal who has grief, sadness, loss of appetite from this, any animal that has been abused, neglected, abandoned, lost a loved one, etc.

-Sepia-Animals that are difficult to medicate, very chilly, sad, like to hide, and have dirty, waxy, itchy ears. I use the 30C daily here, until resolved.

Arsenicum Album-Poisoning, very thin animals, who have a fear of being left alone and worsen when left alone, solitude is a no-no because of their anxiety, obsessive cleaning of themselves, very chilly, thirsty, but drink little sips of water often, may or may not eat, and hangs head over food but does not eat, they are restless and change positions often, weakness, symptoms worse before midnight.

I use a spray bottle of water with Rescue Remedy in it to discipline my cats when they are out of line. It seems to set them straight and calm them. It gives them a stern warning without inflicting fear in them.

Ignore bad behavior when possible and reward, reward, reward good behavior.

Every group of animals has its dominators and non-dominators, it is how they survive in the wild. The goal is to make the best life possible where all these creatures can live in harmony.

I recommend the book written by a homeopathic DVM Homeopathic Care for Dogs and Cats by Don Hamilton. (Great book - my bible for homeopathic treatment!)



Let me know if I can be of help to anyone with more info or suggestions!