Question:
I read the letter from C.M., Ocean, N.J., regarding the tumor that was removed from under her dog's tongue and the recommended removal of the dog's lower jaw and had to tell you my story.
I had a 3-year-old English sheepdog that developed a tumor in his lower jaw that had invaded the lower left side of his jawbone. The biopsy came back as malignant, and we were told to have his lower jaw removed, which would give him about an additional nine to 18 months to live. My husband and I felt that was a barbaric thing to do and refused. We did some research online and found a wonderful holistic veterinarian. Our dog was put on a raw meat diet, given shark cartilage, vitamins C and E, selenium and MSM. He told us the dog should not have any vaccines at all. We took the dog to this vet every month, and he took a picture of his mouth, and we were able to watch the tumor shrink. In less than a year, the tumor was completely gone and the jawbone had grown back. The only way you could tell there was ever anything wrong with his mouth was that his teeth on the lower left were all crooked. The dog lived a full life until the age of 12 when old age claimed him.
R.B., Morganville, NJ Jan 03, 2010
Answer:
Many readers will find hope in your letter when it comes to alternative treatments for cancer. Your dog had two good things in his favor -- youth and caring owners. I am a strong advocate of using various supplements to boost the cancer victim's immune system and to counter DNA damage. Such steps should always be taken whether or not conventional treatments like surgery, radiation or chemotherapy are given. The same holds true for various human cancers and other chronic degenerative diseases. Fortunately for animal and human patients, a more integrative approach to treatment -- including the use of various herbs and nutraceuticals -- is being adopted by many professionals. For veterinarians, I recommend the multi-authored textbook "Integrating Complementary Medicine Into Veterinary Practice," edited by Robert S. Goldstein DVM (Wiley-Blackwell, 2007).
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