How Medicinal Mushrooms Can Fight Cancer in Pets: A Comprehensive Guide
Hello, I’m Dr. Andrew Jones. If you’re seeking to enhance your knowledge about natural pet health and wellness, you’ve landed in the right place.
Today, I’ll share crucial insights into the use of medicinal mushrooms for treating cancer in pets. These fungi have been revered for their healing properties for thousands of years, providing not just nutrition but also being utilized in the treatment of infectious diseases and various types of cancers. Interestingly, a 5,000-year-old mummy was even found with a birch, indicating the ancient use of these mushrooms.
The Power of Medicinal Mushrooms
Medicinal mushrooms contain a plethora of beneficial components such as alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenes, and particularly polysaccharides like beta-glucan, which is renowned for its immune-stimulating properties. Given the vast array of mushrooms available, it can be overwhelming to choose the right type for your pet. Therefore, I want to simplify this choice by highlighting the five most potent medicinal mushrooms for cancer treatment in pets.
Top Five Medicinal Mushrooms for Pets
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Turkey Tail Mushroom (Trametes versicolor) Turkey Tail is scientifically known as Trametes versicolor and has been a staple in Asian medicine for centuries. Recent studies have underscored its effectiveness against cancer, making it part of conventional treatment regimens in Japan for cancers like colon and breast cancer. The polysaccharides PSP and PSK are believed to be responsible for its anti-cancer properties. In dogs, particularly those with hemangiosarcoma, Turkey Tail has been shown to extend survival times significantly. It’s also a safe supplement, with minimal side effects and well-tolerated by most dogs and cats. The typical dosage is about 100 milligrams per 10 pounds of body weight daily.
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Reishi Mushroom (Ganoderma lucidum) Known as the ‘king of mushrooms’, Reishi contains many of the same beneficial polysaccharides as Turkey Tail. It has been studied for its effectiveness against lung and colon cancer and certain blood cell cancers, such as lymphoma and leukemia. The studies suggest that Reishi can induce apoptosis, or cancer cell death, making it a viable adjunct therapy for these conditions. For pets, the recommended dose is 50 milligrams per 10 pounds of body weight daily.
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Chaga Mushroom (Inonotus obliquus) Chaga grows on living birch trees and is rich in antioxidants and betulinic acid, which contribute to its anti-cancer properties. Research has shown that Chaga can arrest the cell cycle and increase apoptosis in dog bladder cancer, suggesting its potential as an alternative treatment. Chaga is also safe for pets, and for a 20-pound dog, a quarter teaspoon of ground Chaga daily is typical, or it can be brewed as a tea.
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Lion’s Mane Mushroom (Hericium erinaceus) Lion’s Mane is beneficial for brain health and nerve repair, which is crucial for pets with cognitive dysfunction or nerve damage. While also having anti-cancer properties, it’s predominantly known for promoting nerve growth. The typical dose for pets is 50 milligrams per 20 pounds of body weight daily.
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Maitake Mushroom (Grifola frondosa) Maitake is commonly used in Asia and known for its immune-stimulating and anti-cancer properties. It has been shown to be effective in small scale studies against breast and colon cancer. A standard dosage is 50 to 100 milligrams per 10 pounds of body weight daily.
Medicinal mushrooms offer a promising natural treatment for various cancers in pets. Whether used individually or in combination, such as in our Immune 7 blend that includes Turkey Tail, Reishi, and Maitake, these mushrooms can significantly support your pet’s health. If your pet is diagnosed with cancer, I strongly recommend considering these options.
Thank you for tuning in to this edition of Veterinary Secrets on medicinal mushrooms for cancer. Don’t forget to subscribe and hit the bell for notifications. Click the link below to receive a free copy of my book, which provides more insights into natural pet care.
I’ve searched for the last 2 products you mention for cancer I dogs – Immune 7 and the Health Supplement? Can’t find them….please help…..we’ve been given a death sentence for our Zoey..
Hi Beverly, very sorry to hear about your dog’s diagnosis. Can you let us know which video you are referring to, so we can provide more information on the products you are looking for?
11 yr. old lab with grade 2 leg tumor with spindle cells. Trying panacur c 3 days on 4 days off with turkey tail, change, reishi, safflower,ecg, cur cumin. After 2 month of panacur 3 days on 4 days off, then what regiment is best with the panacur c? Also is your cbd oil or cannabinoid blend better for cancer? Thank you
Hi, Dr. Jones has suggested that switching to a daily lower amount of panacur may help long term, after the initial month regimen. Also, the Cannabinoid Blend may be a better choice with the issue, as the additional cannabinoids have been shown to have a greater impact.
https://shop.veterinarysecrets.com/supplements/ultimate-cannabinoid-blend.html
Dr. Jones, my 13 yr old Frenchie has cutaneous lymphoma. A large tumor has already been removed, but pathology report says margins werent clean. Due to her age and my budget decided to forego chemo and instead have added a combo mushroom extract, fish oil and turmeric to each of her meals. My vet is now suggesting prednisone. My question is will there be any contradiction between the natural supplements I’m using and the prednisone?
Prednisone can be used but we do have safer steps:
Lymphoma in Dogs
Lymphoma is cancer of the lymph cells (lymphocytes) and lymphoid tissues. Lymphoid tissue is found in lymph nodes, spleen, liver, intestinal tract, and bone marrow. The type of lymphoma depends upon where the cancer originates: it may be the skin form, the intestinal form, or generalized, and may spread throughout the lymph nodes (called multicentric). Signs for you to watch for include a firm lump that grows and won’t go away. Some pets have an increased appetite but continue to lose weight. Others have problems breathing and may show overall weakness if they are becoming anemic.
Treatment
The problem with this type of cancer in dogs is that it can’t be cured by chemotherapy – it ONLY puts it into a temporary remission, and then comes back.
It was common to see in veterinary practice, with so few options.
Natural Remedies – Here are some to consider:
FLAVONOIDS. These are compounds in a class of their own. They compose the thousands of structures that give the bright color to fruits and vegetables. They are antioxidants as well as having anti-cancer properties. These include flavones (apigenin), isoflavones (genistein), and flavonols (quercetin). Purchase a mixed bioflavonoid product that contains polyphenols, particularly EGCG (epigallocatechin-gallate), which is the specific flavonoid isolated from green tea. The dose for a ten-pound dog or cat is 250 mg daily.
CURCUMIN. This is part of the spice turmeric. It may inhibit the growth as well as spread of tumors. It has also been shown to decrease the side effects of chemotherapy. The dose is 250 mg per ten pounds of body weight daily.
APOCAPS. This a neutraceutical supplement which is getting positive reviews from dog owners and veterinarians alike. Apocaps® CX helps dogs by unlocking a natural biological process in the body called apoptosis. Apoptosis safely and naturally dismantles and clears old and damaged cells from the body.