Question:
In March 2004, we adopted a 50-pound mixed-breed dog from the local animal shelter. Three months later, our groomer noticed a growth in her mouth, and our vet removed a tumor from under her tongue. When the lab report came back, it said that she had a malignant melanoma, with "high potential for local recurrence as well as metastasis." We were told she would likely not survive a year.
A local animal hospital recommended that they remove her lower jaw, along with most of her teeth -- a move that they said might give her an additional nine months. When I expressed horror at causing such stress to an animal for such short-term results, they told me they routinely perform at least one of these operations a week!
Needless to say, I turned them down, and our dog has been going strong for the past five years. Still, I wonder whether such procedures aren't more cruel than helpful and whether they're actually aimed at making a hefty profit for animal hospitals at the expense of grieving and well-meaning owners.
C.M., Ocean, NJ Jul 05, 2009
Answer:
Certain cancers, especially of the skin, bone, lymph system and breast, are far more common in dogs than in humans. According to two Scandinavian surveys of canine mortalities, cancer ranks directly under "deaths from old age." Vaccines and ingredients called adjuvants (containing aluminum and mercury) may play a significant role in immune-system dysfunction, resulting in cancer. There are many other cancer-, mutation- and birth-defect-causing chemicals in our food, water and home environments, which contaminate dogs and cats at much higher levels than people. Any external agent, like a free radical, can damage the DNA of a cell. If a genetic mutation takes place in that cell, it may become cancerous by blocking normal immune-system activation of the tumor-suppressing gene (P51). Potent antioxidants that neutralize free radicals and help boost the immune system, supplements like zinc, magnesium, vitamins C and D, selenium (in Brazil nuts) and retinoic acid (from vitamin A in yams), fucoidan (from brown seaweed), quercetin (in pine bark), Maitake mushrooms and herbal teas (like green tea), are some of the low-cost nutraceuticals and herbs for treating cancer and cancer prevention. Good nutrition is paramount for cancer patients.I prefer this approach to your dog's type of cancer, for which a vaccine may soon be developed, rather than radical surgery, hazardous irradiation and more risky chemotherapies. Good for you and your dog for refusing the surgery.
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