Caninecancer.org.au

Thanks for a really great website. It would have been really good if something like this had been available a couple of years ago when my dog faced cancer. I think it would be a nice addition to include some of the alternative therapies on the website. There are many people that use this form of treatments to help with cancer. Another thing which is hard to find information on is amputation. It is hard to know if amputation is right for your dog and what is involved and how dogs manage after it. It can be a hard decision for an owner and there is a lack of material on it. It is hard to process when you are standing there at the vet but if you had information you could read it and then discuss further with the vet.

If someone was able to provide some studies on alternative medicines that have been published in a medical journal it is something to at least look at. I have kept the website to conventional medicine that is documented with studies to back it up. I think at this point in time with cancer they gives our pets the best chance and for me personally having used conventional medicine I would make the same choice again.

The thing is when Frodo got cancer his best chance was with the recommendations of his oncologist Dr Wyatt. This was chemotherapy after he had surgery. I did use supplements which were recommended by the holistic vet BUT I took the list to Dr Wyatt as he was the expert knowing if any of the supplements would affect his chemotherapy. Some things like Calcium Ascorbate (Vitamin C) can interfere (if given in the wrong dosage) with treatments which in Frodos case was Lomostine (chemotherapy for his type of cancer). I would never give any supplements without getting them checked by an oncologist EVER, if having any sort of treatment.

I realise a lot of people use alternative medicines and I fit that category. Even now I use supplements especially for the immune system with all my dogs. Do they work? I havent seen any studies that give any evidence either way. I'd like to think so as I am keeping the manufacturers of these supplements in business, not to mention the best fresh foods (nothing processed not even treats as I make myself). If anyone can refer me to anything evidence based on alternative medicines I would like to at least see it as I know it would appeal to a lot of people.

As for the amputation maybe one of the surgical oncologists might like to put an article together for us. As I frequent other forums I have seen discussion on the same thing with other dog owners. Perhaps having info available might help people make a clearer decision if they know what to expect.

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1. Sending tumours to the lab saves lives
2. Pet insurance allows you to give your dog the best treatments available
3. Using an oncologist gives your dog the best chance of survival.