Herbal and Natural Remedies for Dog Lymphoma

Canine Lymphoma and Treatment Alternatives

If your dog has been diagnosed with a serious type of cancer, canine lymphoma, you might be searching for effective alternative treatment options. In this post, I’ll share how I would treat my dog if she were diagnosed with lymphoma. Before we dive in, I want to express my gratitude for your support. It would really help if you could subscribe to the channel and click the link below to get a copy of my free book on pet health.

Understanding Lymphoma in Dogs

Lymphoma is one of the most common cancers diagnosed in dogs. It often presents in middle-aged dogs that have not been quite right for the last few weeks. During a typical veterinary exam, I palpate the lymph nodes under their jaw, in front of their shoulder blades, and behind their knees. It’s common to find all these lymph nodes enlarged, indicating multicentric lymphoma—a cancer of the lymphocytes, which are the cells that live in the lymph nodes. About 75% of dogs with lymphoma have this type, and it likely has spread to the liver and/or spleen. This is typically B-cell lymphoma.

Chemotherapy and Its Limitations

Chemotherapy is a standard treatment option, with protocols like the CHOP protocol offering median survival times of about 12 months. Newer drugs, like Tenovia, offer similar survival times, but these are not cures. Most dogs I’ve treated did not experience severe side effects common in humans, but it’s important to remember these are still potent drugs.

Alternative Treatments for Canine Lymphoma

1. Dietary Changes: The first thing I would do is adjust the diet by eliminating carbohydrates, which can fuel cancer growth. I would switch to a pre-packaged, complete raw food diet rich in protein and essential nutrients.

2. Increase Beneficial Fats: Introduce more beneficial fats into your dog’s diet, such as linoleic acid found in safflower oil. Research has shown that this can be particularly effective for cutaneous lymphoma, with some dogs achieving complete remission.

3. Dewormer as a Cancer Treatment: Fenbendazole, a common animal dewormer, has shown potential in fighting cancer. Although not a guaranteed cure, its mechanism involves destabilizing microtubules in cancer cells, which can lead to their breakdown.

4. Medicinal Mushrooms: Mushrooms like Reishi have shown promising results against cancer cells. They are potent immune system enhancers and could be beneficial for dogs with lymphoma.

5. Dandelion Root: Research, especially from the University of Windsor, has highlighted the potential of dandelion root in treating blood-borne cancers like lymphoma.

6. Cannabinoids for Pain and Cancer Relief: CBD and THC can be effective in managing pain and potentially combating cancer. These compounds have been extensively studied and shown to have multiple benefits in cancer treatment.

7. Supportive Supplements: Incorporating melatonin can be beneficial, especially for pets undergoing chemotherapy. It acts as an antioxidant and helps modulate the immune system to enhance the effectiveness of cancer treatments.

8. Flavonoid Supplements: Adding a flavonoid supplement, like green tea extract (EGCG), can provide additional support. These supplements have shown efficacy in fighting various cancers, including lymphoma.

9. Essential Fatty Acids: Ensure your dog is receiving a good quality essential fatty acid supplement. These are not only excellent anti-inflammatories but also have numerous anti-cancer properties.

Conclusion

Thank you for tuning into this discussion on alternative treatments for canine lymphoma. Don’t forget to subscribe for more updates, and click the link below to receive a free copy of my book, which further explores these topics.