MAST CELL TUMORS

My Pomeranian has been diagnosed with cancer in his back paw, They would normally do a biopsy except he also has a 4 of heart murmur so they don't and I don't want them to give him general anesthetsia. They are going to check his leg lymph note, but what can I do at home to help his immune system fight this. Thanks, Maria

Answer:

Dear Maria, I am so terribly sorry to hear this. I would consult a vet that works in natural DIET, homeopathy and acupuncture and use both for the dogs. Tumors are sometimes referred to as tangled qi and severe blood and qi stagnation in eastern medicine. There is supplemental care that can be administered with herbs and needles. To determine treatment we must know if malignant and/or stage of tumor. The danger with mast cells is the secondary damage produced by the chemicals they emit. These cancers spread incredibly fast. It sounds like we dont even know if this is benign or malignant due to not having performed a biopsy. How about a needle biposy? What do his labs look like? Does vet think it is localized or is your dog showing signs that it has metastasized. With mast cell tumors you must act fast. I would absolutely overhaul his diet but gingerly and keeping in mind the necessary steps if he has a sensitive stomach, food should be ALLERGY FREE organic, free of pesticides free of all chemicals that are found in dog food or regular human food. Some great recipes can be found in DR PITCAIRN'S COMPLETE GUIDE TO NATURAL HEALTH FOR DOGS AND CATS. Mast cells are related to allergies. Mast cells can release several biologically active chemicals when stimulated, among them histamine, heparin, seratonin, prostaglandins and proteolytic enzymes. Although these chemicals are vital to normal bodily function, especially immune response, they can be very damaging to the body when released in chronic excess. This is not "proven" in allopathics but if your dog is repeatedly exposed to what he is allergic to causing the mast cells to respond then they will overemit and the cancer will very quickly spread. However, dogs can be allergic to anything from food, to grass to pollen to mold to dust mites. Also, never again give vaccines, if there is a problem with your state or city with rabies, ask your vet to do titers from here on out. And that will show the level of antibodies in the blood and will suffice for the vaccine. To his natural diet, i would add omega 3's fatty acids, antioxidants, glycoproteins. Regular vets are not up to date on glycoproteins but glycoproteins have shown promising results in stopping metastasizing of cells and help modulate the immune system. To know proper amount with size and weight of your dog you would need to consult with a professional who uses them. Did your vet discuss options? Are you going to do radiation? In my opinion it should be removed due to all the secondary issues mast cell tumors produce, if it is malignant but it is of course very dangerous with level 4 heart murmur. I do not know the size of the tumor but is there any way heavy sedation can be used? A echocardiogram might be worth the expense to get a better idea of the heart murmur and if it can withstand surgery. Does your dog tire quickly after exercise? This would prove the "level 4 murmur." Is there persistent cough? If there isnt I would get immediate second opinion on level of heart murmur to make your decision about the surgery. I am sorry to hear of your dilemma. You would need to know the stage of tumor as to know how to treat. Are there signs of lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, coughing, anorexia? It is of utmost importance to get all this diagnosed immediately, confirmation of level of heart murmur and stage of cancer to know exactly how to treat. There are benign mast cell tumors as well. Holistic medicine is used as a preventative, sometimes when it is a malignancy and the proper diet has not been fed earlier and the dog was over vaccinated you must use western medicine to remove tumor and holistic medicine as supportive care. Then once evidence of tumor is gone, the animals' lifestyle can be changed to a holistic one to prevent this showing up again. Mast cell tumors do often come back. If you have more questions you can acess me from my website found on my setting page. Best of luck to you and your pom, Shanti