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Nutritional Requirements for Pets With Cancer

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Cancer… taking a positive approach

Carolann Hamilton

www.healthycanine.ca

Cancer…..taking a positive approach
One of the most frightening things a person can hear from their veterinarian is that their beloved pet has cancer. Many people feel discouraged and believe nothing more can be done for their pet. This is not the case. It is never too late to make positive changes.

The following information has been gathered from many years of research and study as well as actual personal and professional experiences dealing with dogs and cancer. This information is provided to assist you in your general understanding of some of the basic cancer therapies available.

Feeding your dog processed foods instead of a biologically appropriate diet, in my opinion, plays a major a role in the breakdown of health. The immune system can be compromised by nutritional deficiencies caused by these improper food choices for your dog. Meeting the basic nutritional needs of a dog with cancer can be a significant challenge but malnutrition can increase the risk of complications and decrease survival rates. I have found that dogs with good nutritional status have an improved response to therapy, better quality of life, and oftentimes, cancer remission.

You must begin by removing all sugar or sugar producing foods from the diet immediately as sugar feeds cancer and causes the cancer cells to rapidly grow and multiply. Other items to remove from the diet include all grain; dairy, except some cultured dairy; and limit sweet and starchy vegetables. Incorporate raw organic dark green leafy vegetables into the diet, such as dandelion, broccoli and spinach as these vegetables supply nutrients and chlorophyll that are needed for tissue repair. They also cleanse the blood and are very important in aiding immune response. Feed fresh red clover flower heads, mushrooms and/or organic mushroom extracts especially Maitake, Reishi and Shiitake mushrooms to enhance immune response and help fight viral infections. I would also recommend that you start your dog on a good green whole food supplement.

Other beneficial items that could be added to the daily food regime include organic cottage cheese mixed with freshly ground organic brown flax seeds. Fresh garlic is very important as it stimulates the immune system, detoxifies the liver and repairs liver cells. Amino acids such as L-Arginine and L-Ornithine enhance immunity and retard growth of tumors and cancer. These amino acids are best taken in a multiple amino acid formula along with a good B-complex vitamin formula for better absorption.

Some other excellent food choices would be foods containing vitamin B17 [laetrile] such as apple with seeds but use the seeds sparingly; bamboo shoots, beet tops, blackberries, boysenberries, cashews, cherry kernels to be used very sparingly; cranberries, currants, flax seeds, gooseberries, huckleberries, loganberries, pecans, plums, raspberries, mung bean sprouts, alfalfa, lentils, buckwheat, garbanzo beans, strawberries, walnuts, watercress, carrots and yams. All foods and supplements should be organic to avoid adding chemical poisons to an already immune compromised body.

Below are some products that I have found beneficial in cancer therapy. I have no financial interest in any of these products and only recommend them because of my past experiences with them in cancer therapy.

Primal Defense

Digestive Enzymes with HCL

AHCC Complex along with Fucoidan

Graviola

Shark Cartilage

“Deep Health” and “Essiac Tonic” by Herbs Etc.

There are also a number of herbal and homeopathic remedies that can be used specific to the type of cancer and symptoms your dog has. Professional advice is best sought for proper administration of these remedies.

In keeping with the general health of your dog, you should become aware of toxins and the role they play in contributing to cancer. Most scientists agree, at least 80% of all cancers, are caused by toxins and carcinogens entering the body and invading healthy cells. Many toxins in very small so called "safe" levels are cumulative and are best avoided if at all possible. These toxins build up in the body and if the liver cannot manufacture the specific enzymes to deal with them dangerous mutations at the cellular level occur causing damage. Eventually the body can no longer deal with the effects of these harmful toxic elements, and mutated cells begin to form.

To avoid carcinogen exposure, there should be absolutely no smoking around an animal with cancer; do not feed processed food or foods containing artificial flavours and colors; avoid environmental chemicals such as pesticides, fungicides and herbicides as dogs are greatly affected by these chemical poisons due to their lower body weights and closer proximity to the floor or ground. Find alternatives to chemical household cleaners, fabric softeners, shampoos etc. Toxic flea preparations; pills, powders, drops etc. parasite medications and vaccines all contribute to toxic overload in your dog's body.

Below are some chemicals that are found in many dog shampoos. They should be avoided! Pet owners must be very aware that full ingredient lists are not required to be listed on pet products. It is always best to contact manufacturers and request a full list in writing of the ingredients in their products before using them on your pet.

Sodium Lauryl Sulphate (SLS):
Used as a foaming agent the material safety data sheet (MSDS) on this substance gives strong warnings to avoid skin contact and seek medical advice if spilled on the skin. Yet this is one of the so-called “safe” chemicals, we expose our dogs to on a regular basis. Medical studies show it to be not only a skin irritant and implicated with severe dermatitis, eczema and psoriasis but it is absorbed into the body and is retained in the eyes, brain, heart, liver, and other organs with potentially harmful long-term effects. SLS may retard healing and cause cataracts. Other research shows that SLS can react with other ingredients in the bottle, forming potentially cancer causing nitrates and dioxins. Large amounts of nitrates may enter the blood stream from just one shampooing.

Sodium Laureth Sulphate (SLES):
SLES is the alcohol form of Sodium Lauryl Sulfate. Concerns regarding SLES are very similar to SLS. SLES is slightly less irritating to the skin, but may cause more drying. All the above applies to this chemical also.

Diethanolamine (DEA):
Also used in shampoos to enhance foaming. Government testing confirm its cancer causing effect on animals from skin contact. Check with the manufacturer of the shampoo you use on your dog to see if you can find these related chemicals in the products: Lauramide DEA, Oleamide DEA, or Cocamide DEA

As a dog owner, you know that your dog does sense your concern and worry, so try to stay positive as you spend quiet time with him or her visualizing the healing process as you cuddle and caress your pet. Also, if it is your belief as it is mine, please take the time to pray for your dog as prayer and meditation along with gentle touch, massage and visualizing a healthy body will all help in the healing process for both your dog and you.

In closing, you can help to prevent cancer by feeding your dog a proper diet, avoiding the addition of unnecessary toxins to your dog's body, and finding safer alternatives to the use of chemicals in your home and garden. From my experiences, many cancers may be prevented through proper nutrition and lifestyle choices for your dog, They give you their all…..give them your all by researching the facts and making the right choices for your four footed friends!

To your canine's health!

Carolann Dogs Worldwide.com
Copyright © 2007 by Dogs Worldwide All Rights Reserved
This article has been reproduced courtesy of Princess Healthy Canine Consulting, Carolann Hamilton, Canine Health and Nutrition Consultant. askcarolann@healthycanine.ca www.healthycanine.ca

Carolann has studied Animal Nutrition at the University of Guelph , as well as Animal Diseases and Parasites, and Dermatology. She has also successfully completed numerous related courses and attended a number of seminars and workshops in canine health, nutrition & related topics obtaining over 34,000 hours of combined research and study in general, with an emphasis on canine health and nutrition. She has been consulting in canine health and nutrition since 1994 and also offers seminars on subjects pertaining to canine health and nutrition.
reprinted with kind permission from Carolann

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The above information is simply informational. It's intent is not to replace the advice of a veterinarian nor to assist you in making a diagnosis of your pet. Please consult with your own veterinarian for confirmation of any diagnosis. Your pets life may depend on it.