CANCER AND YOUR PET

by Cat Donnelly, Pet Nutritional Consultant, AlternativePets.com

I don't think there is a word in the English language that does not strike terror in the hearts of people and pet owners like the word Cancer. The traditional view of Cancer is that it seems to strike without warning from nowhere, and it must be cut out, irradiated, or chemically destroyed.

While Cancer is clearly something that has gone horribly wrong in the body, for people who do not wish to employ such invasive or toxic measures, there is hope to treat it naturally. In my opinion, to treat cancers in a suppressive and toxic manner does nothing to address the reason for the state of dis-ease in the body. This is why cancer survivors live in constant fear of its return.

With a holistic regimen, we aim to eradicate the cancer by helping the body drive it out naturally, or at the very least, may give the pet the best quality of life for as long as possible. With more advanced stages of Cancer, you have to make the best of your own situation. By taking a look at the factors that cause and encourage cancer, you can help the body achieve a status that is possibly cancer-free. It may also be advisable to follow the regimen to keep a cancer survivor in a state of remission.

FACTORS THAT MAY CAUSE CANCER:

Exposure to Harmful Radiation - according to Dr. Martin Goldstein, there is NO such thing as a safe dose of radiation. Your pet's risk of genetic and immune system damage correlates directly with the total amount of radiation they have received over their lifetime. This is why we do not let our veterinarian X-ray our pets without good reason.

Ultraviolet Radiation From the Sun - can damage DNA cells in the skin which ultimately can lead to skin cancer. Pets love being out in the sun on a beautiful day, and exposure to the sun's Vitamin D3 is an important component of pet health. We must, however, be aware that at certain times of the day and at certain times of the year, sunlight is very dangerous. The sun is most damaging in the middle of the day. Therefore, early morning and evening is a good time to take your pet out to exercise. Pets exposure to the outdoors should be controlled in the summertime when the sun is the most harmful.

Exposure to Toxic Chemicals - Environmental factors are widely believed to be one of the major causes of cancer because chemicals toxify the body and thereby damage the immune system. No level of exposure to these substances can be considered safe. This is why we promote managing our pet's rearing without resorting to chemicals for worming, heartworm prevention, flea and tick management, and food preservation. Filtered water is also very important to help filter out toxic substances such as fluoride, chlorine and arsenic.

Just as with humans, the liver and kidneys are largely responsible for storing, metabolizing and/or detoxifying unwanted substances that enter the body. Think of the liver and other cleansing organs as if they were a sponge. When it gets saturated with toxins and starts to fail, toxins stay in the body and the other organs of the immune system become more susceptible to damage, which in turn causes their function to decline. Therefore, we do not recommend using chemicals around your pet. Before purchasing a pesticide, herbicide or cleaning product, check the label. If it states, "Hazardous to Humans and Domestic Animals," the product may cause cancer. Many common household products and products used in rearing pets have hazardous warnings on them. This is also why water filtration is particularly important when treating cancer.

Additives in Pet Foods - most pet foods are chemically preserved with toxic substances that were normally developed and used as herbicides, pesticides, or to keep tires supple, etc. These things are mostly not allowed in food for human consumption, and don't belong in your pet's food either.

After educating myself on chemical preservatives, I discovered that the cereal aisle in the supermarket is 98% filled with BHT as a preservative. I've noticed a big difference in my kid's health when I switched to only using cereals that were preserved naturally with mixed tocopherols (vit E derivative) or ascorbic acid (Vit C). The same was true when I got my pets off of ethoxyquin, BHA, BHT, and other chemical preservatives.

Yeast Eradication - A pet that has systemic yeast has an impaired immune system that cancer thrives in. For further information on this health problem, I recommend reading the article that deals with Allergies and Systemic Yeast. (LINK TO ARTICLE)

Tobacco Smoke - It is now well known that the chemicals used in manufacturing cigarettes is harmful to the smoker, as well as the people or pets inhaling the second hand smoke. Many people choose to quit, though those who can't will either opt to smoke outdoors, or at least look into a personal air purifier like the ones available at Oxyfreshww.com. (When ordering, please use referring distributor # 180606370 ).

Vaccination - I implore anyone who has a pet with Cancer do some research on the toxic affects of vaccinations. Many naturopaths attribute Cancer and other health problems to the problem of massive over-vaccination of our pets today. Since vaccinations should not be given to a sick animal, any pet with Cancer should surely be able to get a health waiver from their veterinarian. Also, the only vaccinations required by law is rabies. Health waivers may be obtained for sick pets by your veterinarian. If your veterinarian refuses to do so, he is using the vaccination outside of the normally recommended protocol, and you may want to find a new veterinarian.

Hereditary Factors - many people and pets can inherit cancers and vaccine-related miasms if their ancestors were affected by toxins in their lifetimes. Leading a clean and healthy lifestyle will help minimize the risk if the family's past has been affected by these health issues.

NATURAL REARING PREVENTION PLAN FOR HANDLING CANCER

This paper is not a substitute for proper veterinary care. However, that being said, there are people like me who would choose to employ natural methods in handling this health problem over the traditional toxic therapies. This plan could be used in conjunction with whatever regimen your veterinarian prescribes, if you choose. I highly recommend your own personal research by reading books by Dr. Pitcairn, and Dr. Martin Goldstein. There is a wealth of information out there now which makes it easier to make informed choices in handling major and minor health issues.

A natural rearing prevention plan employs a regimen that enhances the level of nutrition and encourages making lifestyle changes in order to give the pet's body as much support as possible in handling this disease. While the prevention plan outlined here is in general terms, a personal consultation's prevention plan would attempt to address any special needs your pet may also have.

A private consultation will include a personalized diet and holistic program suggestions, all custom-tailored to your pet's personal needs. This is particularly imperative in pets with complicated health issues, or if you've done outside reading and have conflicting information.

The nutritional program and other recommendations outlined in this article are designed for pets who have been diagnosed with cancer, as well as those who wish to optimize their pets chances of avoiding this disease. My recommendations are below:

FEED YOUR PET A HEALTHY DIET

Poor nutrition is a direct cause of many major and minor diseases, therefore, a commitment to optimum health and longevity for your pet must include a high quality diet as the cornerstone of their health. Research has shown that a low quality diet -- meaning a diet loaded with chemicals, fillers, stabilizers, artificial colors and other flavor enhancers, ethoxyquin or other harmful preservatives, and by-products -- can lead to allergies, cancer, nervousness, seizure activity, hypertension, diabetes, weight problems, dry skin, and many other common ailments.

A homemade diet is recommended as the best you can do for your pet. Many embrace the raw diet, which I think is best for most pets, but there are also good cooked diets out there that are far more healthy than any kibble you could buy. There are several authors that are highly recommended. For raw, I recommend Kymythy Schultze. For cooked diets, the Pitcairn book is most popular and easy to follow.

Home preparation does not fit into everyone's lifestyle and for those people I recommend a high quality dry food. Because of what goes into pet foods today and what does not, it is important to know how to read labels, and know the history of the company manufacturing the pet food. In this constantly changing arena of holistic and natural pet foods, AlternativePets.com recommends Azmira Pet Foods and Flint River Ranch. These products use only high quality, human-grade ingredients -- healthy ingredients that are useful to your pet's body.

FRR can be ordered by calling (909) 682-5048 and telling them that you were referred by Distributor AK53 (Cat Donnelly). Be sure to specify that you want to order either the Lamb/millet/rice kibble or the Dry Water Recipe (that you add water to in order to create a stew). The Dry Water Recipe does contain some wheat, but it also contains some wonderful anti-oxidants as well. Be forewarned that they have a new telephone system and have not worked out all of the bugs, yet. I would be glad to call your order in for you!!

There are many Cancer diets for people and pets that are available to the public, therefore, the program outlined below gives general guidelines. It is important to understand that each pet has it's own particular needs. This can also be used as a stop-gap recipe to use until you do further research to get your pet on the most optimum diet that fits their specific needs.

HOME-PREPARED RECIPE

Meat Stew

Ingredients:

1 pkg of chicken or whole chicken or 2 lbs. Cubed steak (or other meat ofchoice like venison, etc.)
Water
4 cloves of garlic
One bag frozen, or 2 cups fresh vegetable from the list below
(Grains are only optional and probably not recommended. If you chose to add a grain, please go with whole brown rice or oats).

Arugula
Asparagus
Broccoli
Brussel sprouts
Cauliflower
Yellow and deep-orange vegetables such as carrots and squash
Cabbage (can cause gas in some pets)
Carrots (with tops if organically grown and well washed)
Celery
Collard Greens
Cucumbers, served raw and peeled
Dandelion Greens
Green Beans
Kale
Leaf Lettuce served raw (can be juiced)
Parsley
Spinach
Squash
Turnip Greens

Place chicken in large crockpot, with water and garlic. Cook on LOW for 6 hours or until the chicken is completely cooked (can be left less cooked if humans are not going to consume this stew).

Add 1 bag frozen/fresh vegetables, stir, and cook for 5 to 10 minutes. Stew is ready to serve when cool. Remove bones before serving. Refrigerate for up to 6 days -- then discard.
#### NOTE: WHEN SERVING, ADD FLAX SEED OIL ONLY WHEN STEW IS COOLED TO ALMOST ROOM TEMPERATURE or give it as a separate supplement during or after mealtimes.

See explanation below:

Sulfur-rich proteins combine with flax seed oil to create a new substance called a "lipoprotein." Studies have found that by feeding people with terminal cancer this oil-protein combination, the yellowish-green substance in their blood was replaced by the healthy red pigment, hemaglobin.

When flaxseed oil and sulfur-rich protein are combined, the ALA and the EFAs in the flaxseed oil become water-soluble and electron-rich which causes the cell membrane to become more flexible and fluid-like. The electron-rich fatty acids now allow for efficient transport of materials and energy between the inner and outer cell membrane. This is important to the health of all cells and to the entire immune system.

(A simple recipe for humans wanting to achieve these same cellular benefits is to add 1 to 2 teaspoons of ground flaxseeds to 1 cup of organic yogurt, preferably goat yogurt).

Foods to Avoid:

Peanuts
Processed refined foods
Saturated fats
Salt
Sugar or other sweeteners
White flour and any wheat products
Lunchmeat Hot dogs, Smoked or cured meats (anything containing sodium nitrates)
Limit dairy products
Barley
Black Pepper
Processed Cereals
Cornstarch
Cranberries
Grains in excess
Canned fruit

FEEDING SCHEDULE:

Feeding once a day may lead to many health problems such as hypoglycemia, diabetes, obesity, digestive disorders and many other problems. When you feed one meal a day, your pet's body produces insulin which prevents fat cells from releasing fat into the bloodstream, where it can be picked up by other tissues and burned. When insulin is not stable in the body, it throws the hormones and brain chemicals out of balance and in turn the body starts storing fat to save itself.

Therefore, just as in humans, it is extremely important to feed our pets 3-4 times a day. When you feed several small meals a day, the body burns fat more effectively and stays healthy.

Breakfast: High quality pet food or homemade meal.
Lunch: High quality pet food or homemade meal.
Midday: Light Snack.
Dinner: High quality pet food or homemade meal.
Before bed: Light snack.
Fruit/snack suggestions:

Apples
Peaches
Cantaloupe
Honeydew
Bananas (in moderation due to high glycemic index)
Jicama

SUPPLEMENTS:

We do not recommend discontinuing traditional medications cold turkey, or discontinuing them at all. This is YOUR decision based on how the following program works. We highly recommend you work closely with your veterinarian. A holistic veterinarian can be found at Altvetmed.com. I raise my family and pets in the belief system that although medications can be very effective, most may also cause side effects that can eventually lead to other health problems. Many pet owners are now looking into alternative methods of treating cancer. A more natural approach is outlined below.

With our supplementation program, we try to use our rule of 4. There are many who believe that if the body is bombarded with more than 4 supplements at a time that the treatment is less effective. While it is sometimes necessary to break that rule, it is something we try to adhere to. Also, with any regimen, it is sometimes good to skip a day or two of the supplementation after the first 30 days. This theoretically prevents the body on becoming too dependent on that particular supplement.

Cancer is not a disease that can be prevented with one or two supplements because of the accumulated damage that is in the pet's system as a result of our modern toxic lifestyle and manner of pet rearing. There are several steps that need to be taken in order to keep this disease in remission.

The program outlined in Chapter 1 is for basic health when no cancer has been diagnosed, or to help the body as healthy as possible. Please feel free to contact me privately for specific recommendations from the list in Chapter 2 if your pet is currently battling a specific form of cancer. You may select the products that you and your vet feel are most appropriate to benefit your pet's unique situation.

CANCER PREVENTION PROGRAM

CHAPTER ONE (in addition to a natural diet)

Start your pet on a daily regimen with a high quality Pet Vitamin/Mineral Supplement:
Mega Pet Daily capsules, or Nupro liver flavored powder are highly recommended.

Super C 2000 - This staple nutrient has been found to kill bacteria, viral infections, yeast and fungus, making it a vital protector of the body. Excellent as a general detoxifier, it has proven beneficial against cancer and degenerative diseases. Acidifies the urine and eliminates bacteria known to cause bladder and kidney problems. Builds resistance to allergies.

Many pet nutritionists feel that modern pets have a sub-clinical vitamin C deficiency (scurvy) without supplementation. NOTE: pets with a history of crystals or stones in the bladder or kidneys should first consult with a veterinarian.

Nature's Finest Herbal Wormer - a natural wormer to be used daily for the first 30 days to rid the body of parasites, and then one week out of every month thereafter.

CHAPTER TWO

After the first 30 days, these are some of the cancer-fighting supplements that can be used, depending on your pet's individual needs:

Immuno Stim'r tincture - is a replication of Renee Caisse's formula (ESSIAC Tea) has been widely used for more than 50 years, successfully addressing cancers, cysts, tumors, degenerative diseases, and chronic viral and bacterial infections, and it stimulates the immune system.

Nature's Power granular formula. Nature's Power contains powerful anti-oxidants and was developed when the owner/founder of Nature's Finest Pet Foods own dog came down with cancer. It contains garlic, parsley, licorice root, zinc, selenium, dandelion, basil, black walnut hull, blessed thistle, chapparal, gotu kola, orange peel, milk thistle, tumeric, pau d'arco bark, St. John's Wort, astragalus root, cat's claw, Echinacea, ginko, hawthorne berries, peony root, red clover blossoms, goldenseal, shitake mushrooms, ginseng.

Immune Factor (Bovine Colostrum). Best when given half hour before meals for optimum absorption by the intestinal tract. Bovine Colostrum is a wonderful overall immune enhancer, shown to be beneficial in fighting yeast, fungal, immune and other health problems by repairing the lower digestive tract.

Yeast and Fungal D'tox - a natural anti-fungal, antibacterial and anti-yeast product. Some pets have yeast issues and its eradication can take longer than in other pets. Please contact me if there are any questions as to the length it is appropriate to give this tincture. It is important to give this tincture faithfully for at least 30 days. If you get bogged down in yeast detoxification, contact me for further support.

Blood & Lymph Detox - Activates the immune responses for conditions associated with a build up of catabolic wastes in tissues, resulting in cancers, tumor growth, cysts and skin ulcerations.

Newton's #1 Detoxifier - A homeopathic complex composed of specific remedies, which stimulate the liver, kidneys, spleen and colon to function properly. Quickly improves the organs of elimination for a speedy recovery, used alone or synergistically with other products, as a catalyst to enhancing health and wellness. Once the Newton's detox is complete, proceed to the next chapter. NOTE: This is a combination homeopathic formula which is not recommended by classical homeopaths. It is highly recommended that you contact a good classical homeopath for your pet's specific needs. Contact me for a good referral.

Shark'rah (shark cartilage) which is know to have joint lubricating properties as well as being an anti-cancer agent.

Grape Seed Extract - GSE has clinically been proven to kill most types of viral and bacterial infections. It is an excellent addition to any immune stimulation program, when severe or chronic infection is present.

Mega Omega - Omega-3 fatty acids are extremely important because they modulate prostaglandins, which are very active biological substances important to nearly every bodily function. They suppress tumor-promoting prostaglandin E2 by increasing prostiglandin E3 and suppressing AA. They also inhibit cancer wasting. EPA and ALA, as well as other related omega-3 fatty acids, plus GLA from evening primrose or borage seed oil, have been found to kill a number of tumor-cell lines and cause a significant reduction in tumor growth in animal studies.

Oxyfresh Oral Hygiene Solution is wonderful for pets with cancers of the mouth (or oral hygiene problems of any sort)! For best results, place in water, as well as spritzing it directly on the affected area. The addition of the Oxyfresh Pet Gel and toothbrush in the oral hygiene routine is also highly recommended.

I highly recommend keeping a nutritional diary for use in a full health evaluation or nutritional evaluation whenever needed.

ELIMINATE TOXINS IN AROUND AND ON YOUR PET

No supplementation plan will be successful without keeping the pet's environment clean. I highly recommend looking into natural rearing as much as possible because chemical wormers, internal monthly heartworm pesticide pills, external spot treatments and vaccinations are highly toxic to your pet and should be employed with extreme caution.
Many household cleaners contain formaldehyde (embalming solution), which causes severe irritation to eyes, throat and skin. Some floor polishes contain chemicals that can cause cancer as well as damage to the heart, kidneys, liver and central nervous system. It is important to keep your pets in a well-ventilated area when cleaning, or better yet, research into less toxic cleaning substances to protect you and your family. One great place to start is at oxyfreshww.com! Again, please use 180606370 as the referring distributor #.

Avoid the following:

Air fresheners.
Carpet powders.
Plastic or Ceramic Pet bowls - All plastics out-gas toxic fumes which can pass into the foods. Ceramics are porous and harbor bacteria. Stainless steel or glass bowls are recommended.
Fumes from all household cleaners, bleach, paint or dusting products.
Toxic flea products - If the label states "Hazardous To Humans And Domestic Animals", don't use it
Toxic shampoos.
Toxic flea collars.
Paint chips from lead based paint.
Rawhides - Many are dipped in a solution of salt and bleach
Cheap painted pet toys
Red food dye.
Ethoxyquin or other chemical preservatives in pet foods.

Exercise:

Exercise has anti-cancer effects and increases the efficiency of the immune system. It helps with muscle development, digestion and overall health. A well-conditioned body will work and perform better and increase the ability to carry blood and oxygen to muscles. Exercising burns fat , increases your pet's metabolism which aids in all detoxification. Be sure your pet gets at least an hour of exercise everyday, weather permitting. Do NOT over exercise older pets, or pets suffering from hypoglycemia, epilepsy, heart problems, etc. Good sense needs to be employed in considering your pet's physical limitations, and new exercise programs should be eased into.

The preceding program is a healthful recommendation, and not intended as a substitute for quality veterinary care. If you have any questions, please contact:

Cat Donnelly

AlternativePets.com
(479) 643-3026

cat@alternativepets.com

or

naturalpetfoods@aol.com