| I developed a diet for my dog Beanny based upon some of Dr. Ogilvie's findings and the Budwig protocol. It includes plentiful amounts of anti-oxidents and supplements thought to be cancer fighting. Most holistic veterinarians will tell you to immediately stop feeding your dog commercial pet food as the ingredients are often not of high quality and the processing of the food significantly decreases the nutritional benefits. A diet made with whole, raw, and non-processed foods enables the dog to get the maximum nutritional benefits. It is imperative that you boost the dog's immune system so it can fight the cancer. Click here to view Beanny's Anti-Cancer Diet. |
| Dogs with cancer have special nutritional requirements and feeding your dog a cancer fighting diet can be an important component of treatment. Some of the most comprehensive work on this subject was done by Gregory Ogilvie, DVM at Colorado State University. Dr. Ogilvie had previously worked in the Boston area, and treated one of my dogs for lymphoma many years ago, so I was already familiar with his commitment, compassion, and vast knowledge about dogs with cancer. Also very interesting was the work done by Dr. Johanna Budwig, for which the famous Budwig protocol was named after. More information about Dr. Budwig's work featuring flaxseed oil and low-fat cottage cheese can be found at the bottom of this page. I incorporated the work of both these physicians into Beanny's anti-cancer diet. Dr. Ogilvie found that while cancer cells thrive on sugars, they starve the body of proteins and carbohydrates. Cancer cells can use sugars, but not specific types of fats as a primary source of energy. When the cancer cells use sugars for energy, they produce lactate, a waste product that poisons the host. Lactate depletes the dog's energy, allowing the cancer to weaken the body and the tumor to grow stronger. This condition is called cancer cachexia. The diet recommended by Dr. Ogilvie consists of:
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| Nutrition for the Canine Cancer Patient |
| Dr. Gregory K. Ogilvie, from Complementary and Alternative Veterinary Medicine, edited by Allen M. Schoen, D.V.M. MS and Susan Wynn, D.V.M. Mosby Press, St. Louis, 1999. Dr. Ogilvie's article, "Nutritional Approaches to Cancer Therapy," covers a wide spectrum of tests using various diets in dogs with and without cancer. He reports that one of the biggest problems in dogs with cancer is cachexia, or progressive involuntary weight loss. He states that cachexia leads to decreased quality of life, decreased response to treatment and shortened survival time. Cachexia is caused by the tumors and treatments alike, and is caused by metabolic alterations to the dogs system. Dr. Ogilvie feels diet can help in cancer treatment, and outlines the differences in dogs with cancers ability to metabolize carbohydrates, proteins and fats. Carbohydrates Dr. Ogilvie reports that tumors need glucose to live, which are simple sugars found in many carbohydrates. It gives energy to the tumor, and robs energy from the dog. Further, tests conducted proved that the dogs ability to metabolize carbohydrates is altered in dogs with cancer, unlike the dogs tested who did not have cancer. He recommends that dogs with cancer have a reduced amount of carbohydrates in their diet, and further states that the use of lactated Ringer's Solution can give tumors energy and food to grow. He reports it is best not to use these, unless medically indicated. Proteins There is a competition between the dog and cancer for the amino acids found in proteins. Dr. Ogilvie states that it is a good idea to provide high quality proteins and amino acids to dogs with cancer. Tests have shown that some amino acids decrease toxicity in the dogs body. Two amino acids noted in particular are arginine (enhances the immune system) and glutamine (which aids in maintaining health of the gastrointestinal tract. Glutamine can also help with vomiting and diarrhea associated with chemotherapy. Fats Not only do dogs have metabolism differences with carbohydrates, but they also show abnormalities in lipid metabolism. These abnormalities contribute to immune suppression. Malignant cells cannot use lipids for energy, so Dr. Ogilvie suggests adding much more fat to a dogs diet, and in particular, the essential fatty acid, Omega-3. He not only states that Omega-3 fatty acids will help a dog with energy, but can actually help stop tumor growth. Omega 3 fatty acids are a wonderful source of DHA anti-inflammatories, and are helpful almost across the board in canine cancer patients. Generally these are found in fish and flaxseed oil supplements. However, when flaxseed oil was studied in canine patients it was found that this short-chain fatty acid cannot be manipulated into long-chain fatty acids by dogs, like humans and rats can do. Dr. Ogilvie's current recommendation is to use an algae source for this important fatty acid. He recently changed his previous recommendation of salmon or fish oil as a fatty acid source because of the increased levels of heavy metals and organophosphates that have been found in these products across the board. The brand he recommends as a source for a straight DHA fatty acid supplement that is sourced from algae (no heavy metals) is called Algal-900 DHA. His recommended dose is 30/mg/kg/day. Foods rich in Omega-3 include salmon and other cold water fishes and these can be added to your dog's diet in small portions. It is important to limit the amount of Omega-6 fatty acids in your dogs diet, as it has proven in tests that these oils can cause cancer to grow faster. Those oils would include GLA's, or primrose oils, borage oil and black current oil. Vitamins and Minerals The list of these that Dr. Ogilvie recommends are: Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Selenium, Iron Miscellaneous nutrients suggested are: - Glutamine - Arginine - Therapeutic enzymes, especially those containing L-asparaginase - Garlic (in limited quantities as too much can be toxic to dogs) - Green and Black Tea |
In a study of dogs with lymphoma that were treated with chemotherapy, dogs who were fed a diet high in fat had longer remissions than dogs fed a diet high in carbohydrates. Typical commercial dog foods are high in carbohydrates and low in fat although some premium brands now carry high protein formulas. If you can not prepare a home cooked diet for your dog, Hill's Pet Food Company has introduced a commercial diet for dogs with cancer called Canine n/d. This food contains high amounts of protein and fat and fewer carbohydrates. Recent studies have shown that dogs with lymphoma, oral and nasal cancers had increased survival times and a higher quality of life. However, the protein source in this food is not of the highest quality and therefore it is a distant second to a home cooked, all-natural, human grade diet that takes into account the special nutritional needs of a dog with cancer. Dr. Ogilivie at the Angel Care Cancer Center in California has developed this homemade diet that the Hill's Canine n/d mimics. A balanced homemade formula for dogs with cancer. The following recipe will make three days worth of food for a 12-15 kilogram dog. Ingredients/ Amount Lean ground beef, fat drained 454 grams (1 pound) Rice, cooked 227 grams (1 1/3 cups) Liver, beef 138 grams (1/3 pound) Vegetable oil 63 grams (4 ½ Tbs) Fish oil 9 grams (9x1000-mg fish oil capsules)* Calcium carbonate 3.3 grams** Dicalcium phosphate*** 2.9 grams (3/4 tsp) Salt substitute (potassium chloride) 1.9 grams (1/3 tsp) * Note: Owners are encouraged to feed the highest fish (or preferably docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)) oil dose tolerated by the dog. ** Calcium carbonate is available as oyster shell calcium tablets or TumsÒ tablets (0.5 g in regular Tums, 0.75 g in Tums Extra and 1.0 g in Tums Ultra). ** * Bone meal can be used in place of dicalcium phosphate. Directions: Cook the rice with salt substitute added to the water. Cook the ground beef and drain the fat. Cook the liver and dice or finely chop into small pieces. Pulverize the calcium carbonate and vitamin/mineral tablets. Mix the vegetable oil, fish oil (break open capsules) and supplements with the rice and then add the cooked ground beef and liver. Mix well, cover and refrigerate. Feed approximately one-third of this mixture each day to a 25- 30 pound dog. Palatability will be increased if the daily portion is heated to approximately body temperature (Caution: when using microwave, avoid “hot spots,” which can burn the mouth). Nutrient Profile (% dry matter basis): Protein 35.3 Fat 41.6 Carbohydrate 17.8 Calcium 0.65 Phosphorus 0.54 Sodium 0.36 Potassium 0.68 Magnesium 0.05 Energy 1,989 kcal/kg as fed |
Why shouldn't you give your dog commercial dog food? Read what is really in dog food from the Animal Protection Institute's report. |
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| The Budwig Diet Plan for Dogs by Barbara Bouyet |
Additional resources related to nutrition and diet for the canine cancer patient Monica Segal http://www.monicasegal.co m/health/cancer.php |
Doctors who told cancer patients they had to have chemo, radiation or surgery, or told them nothing more could be done for them, giving them only weeks to live, retested
them and declared them cancer-free, wrote Dr. Budwig. She claimed her success rate with cancer patients was over 90%.
Cancer epidemiologist John D. Potter of Seattle's Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center said, "We're discovering a plethora of bioactive substances in plant foods."..."
These compounds seem to interact with every step in the cancer process, mostly slowing, stopping, or reversing them..." Yes, he said that the substances in plant foods
can stop or reverse cancer.
One of the keys in the Budwig diet is consuming foods that offer nutrients that help cells absorb oxygen. Dr. Otto Warburg received the Nobel Prize in 1931 for discovering
that when cells can no longer absorb oxygen, cancer can develop. Dr. Budwig built on that knowledge and was the first to develop a diet and protocol that restores cells to
normal functioning.
At the heart of the Budwig diet is organic, cold pressed, liquid flax seed oil blended with cottage cheese or “quark.” Dr. Budwig discovered that when these two foods are
blended together, the sulfurated protein components in the cheese, such as cysteine, bond with the oil, making it more water soluble and easier to digest and metabolize.
Consequently, more of the essential fatty acids and electrons in the highly unsaturated flax seed oil reach the cells and have a healing effect on the cell membrane where
carcinogens attach themselves. The membrane of each cell is made up of lipids. Flax seed oil can improve this important outer cell lining that is crucial to cell function and
division.
Her plan eliminates damaging fats and foods from the diet and replaces them with healing foods and life-saving essential fatty acids. Along with diet, she emphasized the
benefits of sunlight and stress reduction. Dr. Budwig had over a 90% success rate with this protocol with all kinds of cancer patients over a 50 year period. She worked
with humans but she herself recommended using the flax oil and cottage cheese for dogs with cancer. Obviously, her overall diet plan of fresh fruits and veggies is
intended for her human patients—our pets can stick with carb free and sugar free diets, foods as close to organic as possible and the FLAX OIL/cottage cheese mix twice a
day.
A main component of the Budwig Protocol is flaxseed oil Dr. Budwig discovered that FLAX OIL supplies the omega-3 and omega-6 oils that are deficient in cancer patients
so the cell membrane can aid normal cell replication and attract oxygen to the cell. EFAs are also converted by the body into prostaglandins which regulate kidney function,
inflammation response, immune function, keep blood vessels elastic, regulate blood pressure, influence platelet stickiness and properly metabolize cholesterol. A dog’s
body can only absorb a limited amount of oil so the instructions below are important for binding the oil to a sulfur protein to allow the resulting water-soluble oil to be
absorbed in greater quantities.
An interesting, though rarely discussed fact, is the raw food diets that have become so popular, are very high in omega 6 EFA’s but low in Omega 3s. Omega 6 fatty acids
harden the cell membranes making it difficult if not impossible for penetration into the cell. This effectively sets up a barricade to protect the cancer from the supplements
you may be using to destroy those aberrant cells. Omega 3 fatty acids, soften the cell membranes allowing penetration of supplements and oxygen, making the inner cell
less hospitable to cancer. The Budwig protocol should be used in conjunction with Artemisinin, Artemix, Avemar, Oleander, or anything else you are using. It enhances
what you are doing by softening the outer cell membranes to allow penetration of the herbal chemotherapy.
Purchase non-lignan organic flax oil—Barleans is a good brand. (Lignan oil has the flax seed hulls in it which is good, but it’s better to grind your own and add it. Not only is
it fresher but it’s less expensive because you will then be purchasing more oil when you buy your oil.)
There's one really important thing to do with the FLAX OIL to make sure it's maximally absorbable by the body. You need to blend it really well with a high protein dairy
product so the oil becomes water soluble. I use a hand held, immersible blender and blend until it looks like cheese cake or cheese with no signs of oil rising to the top, sort
of like a smoothie. Don’t save left over mix, start with a fresh batch for each serving. If your pet does not like it, then add a tiny bit of smelly sausage or anchovies, salmon,
about a thumbnail portion and blend that into the already smooth concoction. Add some veggies or fruit to the mix if your dog likes those things. Many dogs do like some
fruits and the natural sugar is not harmful in small amounts—it is the processed sugars that kill. Abbie loves it when I add a quarter teaspoon of soft cheddar cheese.
Before blending, I empty two capsules of digestive enzymes into the mix, one capsule of probiotics and an Oncoplex capsule. Because it is very rich for a dog, adding the
enzymes helps to protect the pancreas, and the other ingredients are added because it’s easy to get them into Abbie that way!
Dosage:
The ratio of FLAX OIL to cottage cheese is 1:2 (1 tablespoon of flax oil to 2 tablespoons of cottage cheese). For a large dog (100 pounds) with cancer, your goal is 6
tablespoons of FLAX OIL per day but you should work up to it to avoid causing diarrhea. Start with 3 tablespoons of FLAX OIL per day for a couple weeks then go to 4T for
a week, then 5T for a week, then 6T. For a 50 pound dog, cut the dose in half and for little munchkins, cut that in half again. For prevention, 1 tablespoon of FLAX OIL
per 100 pounds should be helpful.
Cancer loves an acidic environment because it cannot survive in an alkaline environment. Sugar causes acidity, plus it feeds cancer so avoid all sugars. A grain free diet
is best unless you are using Neoplasene. In that case, use a high protein diet of cooked foods and the rice that Dr. Fox recommends.
You can give the Budwig mix as an after meal treat—Abbi, my young Leonberger, is now getting this once a day for prevention along with twice daily capsules of Oncoplex.
To keep her weight under control, I use it as a meal replacement in the morning along with some cooked chicken or beef. I have learned so much in fighting cancer with
Jazzie and I am praying that I can use some of the information to save Abbie. Time will tell.
** There has been some controversy and concern over using flax seed oil for dogs.
A few vets claim it is not possible for dogs to convert flax seed oil into omega 3 while others make no such claim. They all state, however, that the jury is still out on the dog’
s ability to utilize flax seed oil.
A new oil that is superior as a source of omega 3 and does not need to be converted for the body to utilize it is CHIA SEED OIL. If you are planning to use this formula for
a dog or cat, switch up to organic Chia Seed Oil.
An excellent book covering Budwig and other holistic therapies is now available from Dr. Steven Eisen: www.dogcanceradvice.com
Dr. Eisen’s book is well worth the price for the download since he offers new and important information on fighting cancer with a holistic approach.
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