Notes on Neoplasene for treatment of Cancer in Dogs, Cats and all Animals -

In my veterinary practice I treat more cancer than anything else.  Neoplasene has been extremely useful for increasing longevity and quality of life in my patients.  Doing mostly phone consultation work with patients at long distances, I am often asked for some qualifying details on the use of the new "herbal chemotherapy"  (my label for it) Neoplasene.  Here is a bit of background for understanding this promising new choice in cancer treatment.

History - It is not registered as a prescription drugs as are most chemotherapeutic pharmaceuticals.  The formulator, Dr. Terry Fox, wanted to get the drug out on the market quickly, into the hands of those who could immediately create great benefit with it - veterinarians.  To present it as a drug for humans would have initiated a plethora of legal hoops to jump through and would have cost millions of dollars.  The drug would not have reached patients for years, and it's price would have been much, much greater.  The FDA has visited Dr Fox and examined his facilities and manufacturing practices.  They were satisfied with allowing him to go forward with Neoplasene on the market for animal use only, through sale exclusively to licensed veterinarians.


Neoplasene is a chemotherapeutic agent. Like any other chemotherapy treatment the use and optimal protocol needs to be prescribed and monitored by a veterinarian with Neoplasene experience. This will help ensure positive results and avoidance of many severe or extreme problems. Neoplasene can be well indicated after debulking surgery, although surgery if sometimes not in the best interest of the patient.

Neoplasene is contraindicated in cases where conventional chemotherapy treatment is used. Conventional chemotherapy attacks and depresses the immune system (and other systems needed for optimal health), while Neoplasene stimulates, uses, and needs the immune system (and other systems) for best results. Neoplasene is also contraindicated in cases where antiinflammatories or steroids (like prednisone) are used, though there are exceptions for certain situations. It has been designed to work best in combination with a comprehensive approach including optimal diet and supplementation, as well as homeopathy.

Often the most difficult obstacle for the oral form of Neoplasene (the most commonly used form) is palatability for dogs and cats.  It can be mixed with a strongly flavored food or syringed directly by mouth.  This is something best worked out on an individual basis.

Neoplasene is not a magic bullet, but it is very powerful.  And as is true for all things that are powerful, it can create apparent miracles or (when used without advanced medical knowlege) it can cause great harm.  It may not be appropriate in every case.  But where it is applicable the benefits can be extraordinary.

Wellness Brand Pet Food Warning - 1

Yesterday I had a phone consultation appointment with a client who lives in the midwest. I have been treating one of her cats since July 2009. It has been a great frustration and sorrow for me as Queen Rose "Smith" had severe symptoms that included severe pain that was poorly responsive to any treatment. It turns out she is likely a victim of the Wellness pet food thiamine deficiency. Thiamine is a member of the B vitamin complex. The deficiency disease is called Beriberi, still a common disease of impoverished countries, but not here in North America! After several months (and a significant financial investment with all her vets) Queen Rose was "cured" within days of starting vitamin B complex injections. Wow. This is yet another example of why I recommend variety as one of my primary dietary guidelines. Variety is so very important - in brands of commercial foods, in flavors within a brand, in types of meats and veggies in home prepared diets. Had Queen Rose's family been able to implement this simple principle from our very first appointment she would likely have responded very quickly. Severe oral pain and anorexia prevented any change in diet at that time. We wrongly trusted her Wellness brand diet to provide adequate nutrition for a curative response to my homeopathic treatment. Brief info on this recall and other current food recalls are listed on the AVMA website and can be viewed at http://www.avma.org/petfoodsafety/recalls/2011/default.asp. Note that the "best by" expiration-type dates listed at this site may not be accurate. This thoughtful client has been feeding Wellness almost exclusively for years to a very large, closed population of cats as she is a wonderful, big-hearted rescuer providing superb care to her crew. She has been experiencing severe problems in several individuals over several years. It has cost thousands of dollars. Many of her loved ones have improved relatively instantly with the supplemental B vitamin injections. So, the problem may be worse than Wellness knows, or worse than they are willing to admit. This is an enormous problem. More to come...

Meat for dogs and cats. Organic or ammonia?

I am often asked if one must feed organic meats when starting on feeding a home prepared diet for their pets. Many pet owners are reluctant to start thinking that the meat must be organic. I always reply that it is the same choice as it would be for us humans. Organic is always the better choice for the long run. If you have the room in your budget for organic, then do it. If not, certainly going from most commercial dog/cat foods to a home prep diet with conventional (non-organic) meat is still a huge leap in improvement for the nutrition of most pets. It is far better to start a superior diet that is not perfect than it is to not start at all.

That being said, the relative importance of choosing organic is underscored by the following report (from 1.6.10) on ammonia(!) in conventional ground meat. I believe it may be only one of many contaminants in non-organic foods. You may need to copy and paste into your web browser.


http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2010/01/04/ill-have-a-burger-and-fries-with-everything-hold-the-ammonia/?icid=mainhtmlws-main-wdl5link5http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2010/01/04/ill-have-a-burger-and-fries-with-everything-hold-the-ammonia/

Poinsettias and Mistletoe - Toxic for pets

Just a quick reminder that poinsettias and mistletoe are toxic if ingested. While most pets will leave them untouched, some will munch them right down to the stem! The most common toxic effect is gastrointestinal irritation, resulting in vomiting and diarrhoea. However, large amounts can be fatal.

It's kind of ironic that plants that represent beauty and romance can be so poisonous, no? Did you know that a homeopathic form of mistletoe is commonly used in the treatment of cancer? There is a very interesting truth I learned in vet school, "the only difference between a drug and a poison is dose." Think about that one for a while!

In the meantime, choose the placement of all your holiday decorations with care. Pet-Proof your seasonal decor and have a wonderful season with all the joy it is intended to bring. And if you do hang some mistletoe be sure to give all your four legged loved ones a big kiss from me!

Second Hand Smoke Kills Cats

Here's great news if you are looking for motivation to quit smoking. When people smoke in their homes, their pets take in second hand smoke just like non-smoking people would. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) is finally making an effort recently to make smokers aware that their habit hurts not only themselves and their families, but their pets as well. This reinforces what holistic veterinarians have been saying for years.

Most folks are aware of the scientific research that shows that people who smoke are more likely to get certain types of cancer and other diseases, but a lot of people don't know that the same goes for the pets of smokers.

It has been known for several years that cats who live with smokers are twice as likely to develop malignant lymphoma — fatal to three out of four cats within a year — and are more likely to get mouth cancer. Second-hand smoke doubles the risk of lung cancer in dogs with short noses and it puts long-nosed dogs, such as Collies, at 2.5 times greater risk of contracting nasal cancer.

In my practice lots of folks who are not very alternative or natural or holistic minded are motivated to become so after seeing success in their pets on treatment. Perhaps this info, too, will motivate smoking pet owners to get a little more healthier! One can only hope! Spread the word!

Swine Flu and Cats

From an AVMA news bite I've just received - Cat Flu Truths and Myths -

What is most interesting is that right at the end of this AVMA post is a reference to the Amer An Hosp Asso's THREE YEAR booster recommedation! I wish more conventional vets would pay attention....

Just a few weeks ago, a 13-year-old indoor cat in Iowa was diagnosed with swine flu. "Two of the three members of the family that owns the pet had suffered from influenza-like illness before the cat became ill," explains Dr. Ann Garvey, a veterinarian with the Iowa Department of Public Health.



Although everyone recovered, many pet owners remain concerned about their own cats and families. As is the case with so many other illnesses, the facts are hard to separate from fiction. We've debunked some misconceptions, and we offer facts and pointers to help you deal with cat infections.

Feline Flu: Myths and Facts



Cats can catch H1N1, aka swine flu This is now fact, thanks to the confirmed Iowa case. It's reason for caution and concern, but not panic. "The risk of other cats becoming infected appears to be low at this point," says Dr. Alfonso Torres, former chief veterinary officer of the United States and current associate dean for public policy at Cornell University's College of Veterinary Medicine.
People can give cats swine flu Experts believe that people can transmit the H1N1 virus to cats and ferrets. "We're seeing reverse zoonosis, with the virus jumping from people to animals," explains Torres. But few such cases have been documented. According to Dr. Kelly M. Wright, director of The Cat Clinic of Orange County in Costa Mesa, Calif., "generally, these types of viruses target different cells in the respiratory tracts of humans and other mammals." In other words, a virus that can thrive in the respiratory tract of one type of mammal isn't likely to do so well in another.


People can give cats other types of flu Experts believe this is likely but uncommon. Nevertheless, it's better to be safe than sorry. "Avoid direct contact with pets if you have the flu," advises Michael San Filippo, a spokesperson for the American Veterinary Medical Association. "Keep them off of your bed and be sure to cover up coughs and sneezes. Wash your hands regularly." He adds, "Pets are members of our families, so exercise the same precautions that you would for other friends and family."


Cats can catch other types of animal flu That statement has been true on occasion. A 2006 report from Cornell University's College of Veterinary Medicine mentioned that cats can contract avian flu -- aka "bird flu" -- and also transmit the virus back to birds. "This helped the virus spread between poultry farms," says Dr. Wright. It's also one of the many reasons you should always keep your cat indoors.


Human flu and cat flu are the same This is a myth, according to Dr. Wright. "The term ‘flu' is used to describe an influenza virus," she explains. "But cat upper respiratory viruses are most typically the feline herpes virus (FVH-1) and feline calicivirus (FCV)." She adds, "I think we use the word ‘flu' descriptively so that owners understand that the symptoms of these conditions can mimic a human flu virus."
How to Help Your Cat

Although true flu among cats doesn't occur often, your cat can still develop respiratory problems and other symptoms that resemble human flu, as well as symptoms unlike those associated with human influenza. A cat with a respiratory infection may not only sneeze and cough but also lose its appetite, develop a high fever and find it difficult to breathe through its nose. The cat additionally could squint, develop cloudiness or heavy discharge from the eye, and experience severe swelling of the tissue around the eyes.

Any cat that develops such symptoms needs to see a veterinarian. The veterinarian can recommend treating the respiratory symptoms with antibiotics, which will help combat the bacteria contributing additional discomfort to the cat. Your veterinarian can also prescribe an ointment to ease eye symptoms, and nose drops to relieve nasal congestion.

Although animal health experts continue to investigate how well the human swine flu vaccine works on cats, a readily available vaccine -- the FVCRP -- can help prevent most other feline respiratory infections.

"FVCRP is a common combination vaccine recommended by the American Association of Feline Practitioners every three years that will help protect against both the calicivirus and the herpes virus," says Dr. Wright. "These are the two most common respiratory viruses in cats today."