Holistic Dog Health

Two years ago our dog Maxx of ten years got very ill just after he had fully recovered from a surgery that removed a cancerous tumor. Our vet told us that this was it and that it was only a matter of time that our boy would pass away, there is nothing I could do for him, we were told. Well we were absolutely not going to give up on our loving companion of ten years so easily.

Shortly thereafter disappointed and heart-broken we took our boy home, putting him down was not an option. He is family and we would not give up on him so easily, especially when we could see so much life and love in his sparkling eyes. My husband and I started researching on the internet for alternative medicines for dogs.

Fortunately, we found medicinal options that we felt would safely help Maxx get started on his way to getting well again. Many of these medicines we read about were holistic and although we live in a big metropolitan area, some were not locally available. However, we were fortunate to find that some of the holistic medicines we needed for Maxx were sold on-line, while several others were available in stores a short distance away.

Over a short time of giving Maxx these holistic medicines, his health began to steadily improve. Although Maxx's overall health steadily improved, he still suffered from arthritis in the joint of his right front paw, which occasionally caused him to limp.

In addition to the holistic medicines we also found a great animal holistic rehabilitation center fully equipped with state-of-the-art equipment. We also learned it provided acupuncture for pets. The center had multiple rehab equipment, one of them being an underwater treadmill which Maxx could use to rehab his rear legs without putting weight on them. We could also get his acupuncture treatments all in one visit. The staff was great, and made us feel right at home. The veterinarians had vast experience in animal rehabilitation as well as being well versed in Chinese and Western herbs. After a few months of taking Maxx to the clinic we were able to arrange for Maxx to receive his acupuncture treatments at home twice a month.

We are so happy to say that these holistic medicines have turned our boy Maxx's health completely around and we recently celebrated his twelfth birthday (10/07)! The holistic approach has let us enjoy Maxx for two more wonderful years and counting. Just like humans, always get a second opinion if in doubt.

Just like in humans, cancer in dogs is a very serious condition which can seriously impact the life of both the dog and its owner. As with
humans, cancer in dogs is on the increase and today, excluding accidents, almost half of all dogs aged 10 or over are likely to die from
the disease. One of the most common cancer in dogs is the mastocytoma (or mast cell tumor), which is what our family dog Maxxamillion was
recently diagnosed with. What a shock this was to my husband and I because we had taken Maxxamillion to the vet two years earlier for a
fatty tumor that was growing around the top of his left front leg. A biopsy was done and we were informed that the tumor was comprised of
fatty matter and at that time the test showed no sign of cancer. The cause of mast cell tumors is unknown.

The statistics on cancer in dogs was a bit alarming to us, and in fact, the current rate of cancer is higher in dogs than it is in humans.Incidences of cancer in dogs are very difficult to accurately estimate. On average, the highest incidence of cancer occurs in dogs 6 to 10 years of age. Because dogs can't tell us where it hurts, medical treatment for dogs is very different from the medical approach for humans.

According to our veterinarian, Maxxamillion's cancer was spred by the tumor cell itself. Other studies indicate that one of the most
common cause of cancer in dogs is commercial dog food toxins, and preservatives in their diet. Cancer in dogs is always tough to handle because treatment can't be administered as aggressively to them as it is to humans.

Dogs today are a big part of our families and we want to give our loyal companions the best medical attention we can. Early detection and treatment are the best ways to manage cancer in dogs. Treatment of Cancer in Dogs is usally treated by conventional forms of radiation therapy. There are different treatment options for cancer in dogs. Each tumor type within a location has a different treatment and prognosis. Canine Lymphoma is another common form of malignant cancer in dogs. Your pet's diet should most often be low in fat and calories.

One of the options that was recommended to us by our vet for treatment was radiation therapy. Although we live in a big metro city, the problem is that there are very few veterinary clinics that offer this radiation thereapy treatment. Radiation therapy, can also be very grueling on an older dog, and also very expensive. Moreover, it is not a suitable treatment for many cancers. The closest treatment center that we could find for Maxxamillion was over 40 miles away. Before radiation, our vet recommended that we
talk to an encologist about having a 3d ct scan done to determine if the cancer cells had spread beyond the tumor that was removed, but actually, Maxxamillion had two tumors removed, and each tumor weighed 3 pounds. The first tumor did appear in the x-ray and when the vet removed it, he found the second tumor that was hiding. The first tumor was benign and only the second tumor was cancerous. A 3-d ct scan entails putting an animal under anesthesia.

The 3-d ct scan would determine the extent of the cancer or if he was cancer free. Although our vet assured us that the cancer was contained within the tumor he had removed, and there was a possiblility that some cancer cells may have gone beyond the tumor. We were advised that it would be best to take Maxx for his 3-d ct scan five days after the surgery, at which time it was still very difficult for Maxx to move and walk, but we figured that if this was the best fight he had, it was better to go ahead with the radition. Unfortunately, it is an expensive procedure. The radiation therapist also informed us that because Maxx was overweight he would run the risk of complications because fat does not allow the anesthesia to metabolize as it does in thinner dogs. Maxx's 3-d ct scan was performed. After the procedure, which took approximately four hours, Maxx woke up from the anesthesia and was allowed to come home. Max was still groggy from the anesthesia 12 hours later, which we knew might happen because he was overweight.

Due to the fact that it scared us so much and that we would lose him to the anesthesia, we and the therapist came to the decision that it
would be best to monitor Maxx and hope for the best at his age. We didn't want to inflict any more suffering on our baby. Radiation would
have consisted of 25 daily visits with anesthesia being administered each time. If the tumor does come back there is a possiblty that he can have surgery again. For now he is 11 years old and doing much better. He lost a little bit of his step, but he still walks around, plays a lot, goes for short walks, and has fully recovered from his tumor operation.

Both benign and malignant tumors are seen in dogs. Common benign tumors include lipomas, non-viral papillomas, sebaceous gland adenoma, and perianal gland adenomas.

Frequently seen cancers include lymphoma, melanoma, mast cell tumors (which are considered to be potentially malignant, even though they may have benign behavior), and osteosarcoma (bone cancer).

Certain breeds are more likely to develop particular tumors, larger ones especially. The Golden Retriever is especially susceptible to lymphoma, with a lifetime risk of 1 in 8. Boxers and Pugs are prone to multiple mast cell tumors. Scottish Terriers have eighteen times the risk of mixed breed dogs to develop transitional cell carcinoma, a type of urinary bladder cancer.

In 1985, Professor R. Wolter of the Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire in Alfort, France, formulated his "Ten Commandments" for feeding dogs. These ten rules, reproduced in part below, will help dog owners avoid the most common errors with regard to the practical aspects of feeding dogs.
1. Give the Dog Plenty of Water to Drink

Cool, potable water should be available to the dog at all times and should be replaced frequently. Average water consumption is sixty milliliters per day per kilogram of body weight, or higher in puppies, lactating bitches, working dogs, or in hot weather.

2. Change Food Gradually

Any change in a dog's diet should be gradual, over a period of one week, so the dog's taste, digestion, and metabolism can adapt, and so that its intestinal microflora, which is much more adapted to the type of food eaten than that of humans, can be reconstituted as a function of the new food.

3. Feed Regularly

A dog is happiest when it eats the same food every day, from the same dish, and at the same time and place. The number of meals depends on the dog's physiological state, which should be frequently evaluated.

4. Control the Amount of Food Eaten

The size of the portions given is calculated as a function of the dog's daily energy needs and the number of calories the food contains. Portion size should be re-evaluated often to avoid any decline into obesity, and should be changed as the dog's weight changes.

5. Give the Dog a Balanced Diet

Whether the food is homemade or commercial, it should contain all the nutrients the dog needs, in sufficient quantities and in proportions appropriate for the dog's size (small, medium or large breed), physiological condition (maintenance, breeding, sport), age (puppy, mature adult, old dog), and pathological state if need be.

6. Choose the Dog's Food Carefully

The choice of food is not insignificant. Nutritional balance should be the overriding consideration. There are three basic criteria for choosing the right food for a dog: its age (puppy, adult, mature adult, or old dog), its level of physical or physiological activity (active dog, sporting dog, breeding dog), and its size (small, medium, or large).

7. Use the Food Properly

The manner in which the food is given is just as important as what is in the food. This is why, when feeding commercial food, it is essential to follow the manufacturer's instructions. When feeding homemade food, certain words should never be heard, namely "My dog eats what I eat," "My dog eats what he wants," and "My dog only eats..." Finally, table scraps, sweets, sugar, cake, and chocolate have no place in a dog's diet. (It would be better to give the dog bits of rind from cheese.)

8. Cleanliness is Next to Godliness

Commercial foods offer the best guarantee of healthful cleanliness. Used properly, they present no risk of food poisoning. Open cans of dog food, fresh food, or defrosted food should be kept cold, and dry food should be kept in its re-closed bag in a dry place. If the dog does not finish its meal, the remaining food should be thrown away. The dog dish should be washed every day.

9. Keep Track of Individual Results

A diet's effectiveness, and the effects of any changes, should be kept track of through such simple indicators as changes in weight, the health of the dog's hair, the characteristics of its excrement, its appetite, and its day-to-day behavior.

10. Do not Hesitate to Consult the Veterinarian

By training, a veterinarian is also a dietitian for both sick and healthy dogs. Consult your veterinarian for persistent lack of appetite or bulimia, abnormal weight loss or gain, persistent diarrhea or constipation, worrisome physical or behavioral problems, or any notable changes in thirst or appetite that might be signs of a general illness requiring a thorough examination.

Maxxamillion's Dog House