Our Newsletter is Launched!
For
some time now we've dreamt of publishing an online newsletter.  We
had often imagined creating a free publication where the latest canine cancer news and notices of recent
advances in treatments could be collected in one place.
Let us know
what you think of our effort. We  would
like you to inform us if you come across anything that should be
shared with other cancer dog moms and pops! Perhaps you'll see something in the newspaper about a promising new drug or treatment. Perhaps
you know about a veterinarian who is having exceptional results with his
or her cancer patients. Whatever – send it along!
Please e-mail
news items to us at authors@sparkyfightsback.com
.
FINDING
A GOOD HOLISTIC VET
Association Hosts Online Search
We
don't believe in putting all our eggs in one basket. Traditional
certified veterinary oncologists, in our opinion, should be your first
avenue of inquiry when your pet gets cancer. But holistic vets are
becoming more and more recognized, boasting survival rates equal
to or surpassing standard treatments (chemotherapy, radiation).
But
how can you select one with confidence? How do you find, for example, a
vet certified in acupuncture or chiropractic? Who can you trust to
handle Chinese or western herbal treatments? Who does homeopathy? What
about "immuno-
augmentive" therapy?
The American
Holistic Veterinary Medicine Association has the answers. Simply go
their website's search
page and enter what you are looking for and in what location.
Neat.
WHAT
BREEDS GET CANCER?
Are Studies Conclusive?
Forty-five
percent of all dogs will get cancer. Some studies show, however, that
certain breeds seem to be more susceptible than others. For example,
it's been reported that over 60% of golden retrievers will contract some
form of cancer in their lifetime.
We're not so
sure, however, about the breed-specific studies. The reason is that,
simply put, some breeds are studied more than others. In other words,
the incidence of cancers might be more in the counting than in
actuality. There is a genetic factor in cancer, but it's only one of
many.
We simply don't
know why dogs get cancer any more than why humans get cancer. Certainly
there are known conditions that contribute to the occurrence of the
disease: diet, environment, the water, the air, electrical fields and
radiation, emotional stress (yes, dogs get stress, too!) and more.
Many dog-owners
feel guilty when their animals get cancer. This is natural; we all
wonder if it's something we did (or didn't do) that caused it. But this
kind of guilt is nonproductive. Why spend time worrying about what's
already happened? Our advice is to concentrate on treatment, not
the possible causes. "Drop the guilt and get on with doing
everything you can to slow or stop the disease."
SORRY,
WE'RE ALL OUT!
Sparky a Hit at Book Expo America!
This year's
Book Expo America rolled into New York City for a three-day stint at the
Javits Center
on June 3-5. This is the largest  book-industry trade show in the U.S.
We were there for Foley Square Books, talking to people about our "Sparky
Fights Back." Our book-signing was scheduled for Sunday
afternoon, the last day of the Expo, at 2:30. We advertised
that Sparky would be present to give his "pawtograph." But
since the show was closing at 4 PM we worried that many visitors would
be leaving early and wouldn't be around to receive a signed book and
meet Sparky.
Our fears
proved to be wildly unfounded. We actually ran out of books, and
had to turn some folks away! A news photographer asked for a book and
John had to give her his spare copy (which Sparky signed, of course!).
There were
several other animals at the Book Expo. We spotted two other dogs (one
who "writes" children's books), a couple of owls, a
"guide" horse and a
three-toed sloth with a nature book publisher. It's amazing how
many books there are about animals – more than we ever imagined! We
can't believe that we were recently ranked as the number 3 book in
animals/pets on Amazon.com.
What Do You Feed a Cancer Dog?
Ginger,
a shepherd mix surviving hemangiosarcoma was written about in a recent issue of Dog Fancy. Her owners
published the daily diet they are giving her. We think this diet makes a
lot of sense. Our only suggestion would be to eliminate the Echinacea,
which recent studies show to have no real effect. We would add an ounce
or two of noni juice instead. But, overall, this and similar diets seem
to be really helping cancer dogs. You can find Ginger's diet printed here.
The Mar Vista
Animal Medical Center's web-site
features a nice page on nutrition therapy for cancer dogs and cats.
Incidentally, this site contains very complete information on lymphoma -
worth checking out!
Cure or Danger?
A woman told us
the other day that she had cured her dog of cancer by using chaparral, a
herb that grows in the American southwest. "And," she said,
"I know of another dog that was also cured using chaparral."
We always have
our ears open about unconventional treatments. I must confess that
neither Josée nor I had ever heard of this one. Apparently, the
southwestern Indian tribes have been using chaparral for many
years to relieve pain, inflammation, and to treat ringworm, colds,
bronchitis, digestive problems and cancer.
I looked it up,
and found that its use is not without risk – it is reported to be
particularly damaging to the liver in humans. But here was
this woman with a dog - two dogs actually – she claimed were cured
with it.
We haven't
checked with any medical professionals, so we're not suggesting you go
right out to a vitamin store and get some. Still, if this intrigues you, you can
find more – pro and con – about chaparral here.
Then run it all by a holistic vet!
Early
Diagnosis is Key
One
of the questions we are most often asked is "How will I know if my
dog has cancer? What do I look for?" The following ten signs
are condensed from the Animal Cancer Foundation's website,
where you will find more detailed
information. Remember that these are warnings – meaning "Get it checked out." They
are not, in themselves, definite indicators of cancer.
1. Swollen lymph nodes
2. An enlarging or changing lump
3. Abdominal distension
4. Chronic weight loss
5. Chronic vomiting or diarrhea
6. Unexplained bleeding
7. Cough
8. Lameness
9. Straining to urinate
10. Oral odor
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