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In researching something new I heard about, I came across this item and want to share it with all of you.
It is highly technical and most of it goes over my head, but reading through it I do get enough information to be excited about the possibilities this offers. I'm sharing the paper with my vet, and am hopeful of finding a trial in our area that Dusty could participate in.
This is a Faculty Research Lecture Presented by Professor M. Frederick Hawthorne entitled "From Mummies to Rockets and on to Cancer Therapy" Hawthorne Faculty Research Lecture
I urge you to pass this research paper on to your vets. You never know what good may come of it for you and others.
What set me on the search is that I just recently learned of a new technique for determining exact margins for these tumors. It appears that after the injection of a dye into the tumor, it is scanned and the margins can be determined. This would, of course, make it possible to do more accurate surgery and predict the rate of success in getting all the cancer cells.
We are going to see a specialist tomorrow and hope to discuss this with him. I'll let you know as I learn more about it.
My dog has problems with tumors too. He had one on the eye, and a very large one on his foot. He is old and surgery was not an option since the vets don't like to put old dogs under anesthesia. I found that castor oil treatments did the job and completely shrunk his tumors down to nothing and accomplished this within about 10 days. Take a cotton ball and run very hot water on it, squeeze out the hot water then dip it in castor oil. Hold this dipped cotton ball on the tumor for a few minutes. Repeat this process 3-4 times a day and you will likely be amazed that the tumor will shrivel to nothing in less than two weeks. My dog even had one INSIDE his ear and it was coming right out of the ear - so ugly and so big I though this would be the end but we did the castor oil and it shrunk it down to nothing. Incredible really. He has always had ear problems that we treat naturally with Dr Dogs Ear Oil but the tumors and castor oil were absolutely remarkable! Try it, you have everything to gain and save your dog from painful surgery and recovery. It doesn't take much time to get results you need. Another cancer inhibitor is turmeric, add 1/2 teaspoon to daily food and it can help fight it back too. Good LUCK!
Hi Dog Advocate, what type of tumours did the castor oil work for, was it spindle cell tumour? Was the tumour a raised lump under the skin and hair? (like my dogs). I so want to shrink my dogs tumour.
Also has anyone had any experience with 'Hample Natural Animal Medicines'? Particularly the Fibro Cell plan?
And has anyone had any experience with Black Salve Paste?
I'm very skeptical of these two 'treatments' that a holistic vet has suggested, the Internet doesn't give a strong indication of success.
Hi Southward Bound, how'd you go re: the dye injecting into the tumour idea? How come my vet hasn't told me about this? What is the procedure called? Really intrested to hear how you went Southward Bound.
Hi Southward Bound, how'd you go re: the dye injecting into the tumour idea? How come my vet hasn't told me about this? What is the procedure called? Really intrested to hear how you went Southward Bound.
Well, now, I forget what it's called. I understand it's a relatively new technique. The way the surgeon explained it is that the substance is injected at the time of surgery, and it makes the cancer cells "glow", so that they can be identified and removed, thus ensuring a cleaner margin. We have not pursued this further at this time, but plan to have a CT scan done of the tumor to see if the major blood vessels can be isolated and separated in surgery. The scan would be a first step in the decision making process.
It was during this extensive examination and consult that we were put in touch with a vet (and MD)who is also an oncology surgeon, and he suggested that it might be possible to remove the tumor but only a scan would tell us that. We are not leaning toward surgery but we do want to know that we did all we can and looked at all reasonable options. He said recovery would be several days of in-hospital stay and about 3 weeks at home. I was surprised, as I envisioned about twice that length of time for recovery.
Dusty will be 14 in April, and amazes everyone that at his age he is so full of energy and good spirits.
We don't want to lose that, but we know we would lose him at some point anyway, and it's getting harder for him to get around; we want to do the right thing by him, so this is a big decision.
In researching canine cancers, I came across this which I'll just put out there for anyone who is interested, for what it's worth. My understanding is that it is not applicable to sarcomas such as spindle cell, but I found it exciting and promising just the same.
It is by Professor Frederick Hawthorne and engagingly entitled, "From Mummies to Rockets and on to Cancer Therapy.†Hawthorne Faculty Research Lecture
I have a Boston Terrier who is 11 years and 5 months old. He has been diagnosed with a spindle cell sarcoma. It is on his front left paw. We have it had removed but since it was wrapped around other tendons and ligaments, they were not able to get it all. Our vet wants to amputate his paw or his entire leg. I just don't know if I want to put him through this surgery. He is almost 12 years old and he is very happy and seemingly in no pain. He has a big appetite and still plays with his brother, our 12 year old black lab. Does anyone have any suggestions for me and what i should do? Thanks so much! Diane
Diane ~ I'm sorry to hear this! I know how difficult and stressful it is. What is the normal lifespan of your breed? The smaller breeds generally can live much longer than the large breeds. His current age, almost 12, would be considered "old" for a large dog such as a lab. Compared to that, yours sounds like he's still a kid.
I have been told by owners with experience and by veterinarians and specialists that a dog can adjust pretty easily and do well with just three legs, especially if the amputation is in the front. You might research that more for your own peace of mind, should you lean toward going the route of complete or partial amputation.
(From the little you've told us, IF I were going to go the surgery route, I'd tend to want to just take the paw rather than the entire leg. This type of cancer (sarcoma) tends not to spread the way carcinomas do and he might be happier having a stump rather than no leg at all.)
Each case is different, and the factors you need to consider in your situation may be different from somebody else's. Is he sufficiently healthy overall to undergo anesthesia? Are you able to be at home to care for him during recovery? Can you do changes of dressings and does you schedule allow you to follow the doctor's directions exactly? Are you able to keep him separated from your lab for the necessary length of time? Are you able to prevent him from bothering his sutures? These considerations, and perhaps more (such as financial) all go into your decision process.
Also, keep in mind that Boston Terriers are among the breeds that have special needs when undergoing anesthesia. You need to discuss this with your vet and be sure you understand the particular risks in your breed, and that your vet is aware and experienced in that area.
Do some checking on your own about problems that anesthesia presents for a Boston Terrier so that you can knowledgeably assess the answers you get from your vet.
If you've read through this thread, you will see that many people struggled with a similar option. We decided not to do that; we opted for holistic treatment instead, and have had a little over two good years, and will keep going as long as he is not in pain and has the strength to comfortably move around on his own.
I wish you great success, whatever you decide. Please keep us updated, OK? We all learn from one another.
Our 9 yr old Gldn/RedBone has a fast growing spindle cell tumor on her bum. Our Vet does not recommend surgical removal.
I am interested in the carb free home cook recipes and holistic herbs & supplements. She loves to eat & want to assure beneficial meals & comforting for as long as we can. Please send me this information. Thank you kindly!!
Our 9 yr old Gldn/RedBone has a fast growing spindle cell tumor on her bum. Our Vet does not recommend surgical removal.
I am interested in the carb free home cook recipes and holistic herbs & supplements. She loves to eat & want to assure beneficial meals & comforting for as long as we can. Please send me this information. Thank you kindly!!
Sorry to hear this. You have a life-changing situation here, and one that will impact your days for some time to come. Fortunately, this is generally a slow growing cancer and does not easily spread. The downside, if you want to call it that, is that this will require time, attention, changes to your schedule, and some $$ for better foods (home cooked, raw meats, mackerel, salmon, etc.) and holistic supplements.
We've been at this for over 2 years now, and I wouldn't be honest if I didn't admit that some days I feel really overwhelmed and tired. There are those times but I bounce right back encouraged when I see how well Dusty is feeling. It has not been easy, nor inexpensive, but it has been worth it all! I only say this to prepare those who have just started this journey, or who are yet to start. Be prepared, committed and resolve to see it through so that you can look back and know in your heart you did all you could when the lights go out for your beloved furry pal and companion.
JeinJein, please read through all the posts, as others have done, and make a list for yourself that you can discuss with your vet. Find a holistic vet if you can, because a traditional vet will not be of much help. When I started talking holistics with my vet (and he's a good vet!) his eyes glazed over and his face went blank as he admitted that he knows nothing about it. Sadly, it seems he doesn't want to know either. But that's OK, he's a good vet and has a good practice and is satisfied with the way he does things. Once I realized that, I knew I needed to start searching for somebody else. Luckily we found an excellent vet who knows both western and holistic veterinary medicine. She's worked "magic" for us. I say "magic" because, while I've tried to learn as much as I can in the process, I still don't understand it all -- all I know is that whatever she tells us to do or give him, it works!
Let me know if you have any questions. I have a list of what we feed Dusty that I can send you to discuss with your vet. Just send me a dm with your questions when you are ready for that.
Here's the latest pic of our Dusty, during some of our colder weather when I put an old sweater on him to make up for the lack of a fatty layer of insulation (he's gone from 80 lbs to 66)...I thought he looked cute, and he seemed to like it as he often gravitates to the hot air vent in the living room floor looking for extra warmth.
(The tumor is visible on his left rear stifle, mostly to the inside of the leg so you can't see all of it, but it's about the size of a large grapefruit, or small cantaloupe, somewhat flatter though, and has not spread.)
Thanks SB for the reply. Dusty looks soo sweet ♥
(tried to attach our pic but needs re-sizing)
Sent dm, with much appreciation!
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But that's OK, he's a good vet and has a good practice and is satisfied with the way he does things. Once I realized that, I knew I needed to start searching for somebody else. Luckily we found an excellent vet who knows both western and holistic veterinary medicine. She's worked "magic" for us. I say "magic" because, while I've tried to learn as much as I can in the process, I still don't understand it all -- all I know is that whatever she tells us to do or give him, it works! 
