Dr. Pitcairn's Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs and Cats (58 page)

Avoid exposure to cadmium, which is known to increase the formation of stones. The most common source of cadmium exposure for pets is cigarette smoke (even more reason to quit).

In addition to these dietary measures, I would use one of the following treatment programs for the tendency to form stones, either small or large in size.

Homeopathic
—The treatment most likely to be effective, in my experience, is this sequential homeopathic treatment: First give the remedy
Thuya
(or
Thuja
) occidentalis (
arborvitae
) 30C, using Homeopathic Schedule 4 (
view
).

Wait for one month and then do the same treatment (Schedule 4) with
Silicea
30C. This treatment program will not be effective in every case, but will with many and is worth trying. It is important not to give the remedies more than once.

Homeopathic
—
Urtica urens
30C: Very helpful when there are large stones in the bladder with subsequent bleeding from irritation of the bladder wall. Use until surgery
can be done to remove them. Use Homeopathic Schedule 5.

Herbal
—Barberry (
Berberis vulgaris
): This herb is good for an animal with arthritic or rheumatic (muscle and joint soreness) tendencies in addition to bladder or kidney stones. Use Herbal Schedule 1, (
view
), for a month to give it an adequate try.

Herbal
—Sarsaparilla (
Smilax officinalis
): Useful in cases where “gravel” and small stones are in the urine, accompanied by bladder inflammation and pain. Urination may be painful and blood may be passed. Often the animal suited to this herb will also have dry, itchy skin that flares up most in the springtime. Use Herbal Schedule 1, (
view
), for a month to give it an adequate try.

If your dog does have surgery to remove bladder stones, here’s a treatment to relieve pain and assist recovery afterwards. Start it the day
after
(not before) surgery, if possible.

Homeopathic
—
Staphysagria
(stavesacre) 30C: Use Homeopathic Schedule 2 (
view
).

BREAST TUMORS

Breast tumors are more likely in older females that have not been spayed. Spaying your pet while it’s young not only helps to ease the pet population problem, it also helps to prevent breast tumors. Like any problem with growths or tumors, it is best to avoid vaccinations and to emphasize the purest foods. A pure diet is especially important because the hormones that stimulate cancer growth are more likely to be higher in meat by-products. By using organic meats (or even just human-grade meats from a market), you significantly reduce exposure.

T
REATMENT

In many cases, breast tumors are malignant and radical surgery involving removal of associated lymph nodes is recommended. My experience, however, is that this is not always the best approach. Surgery will result in a weakened immune system and can result in a decline in health. I find that the animals that have had surgery or chemotherapy cannot usually be helped by the alternative methods I use. You can try a more natural approach first, however, and, if there is no progress, consult a veterinarian about the possibility of surgery or other treatment.

It is difficult to give you general advice because this is a serious problem that requires professional evaluation. If your dog develops such tumors, I suggest that you have her examined by your veterinarian. If the tumors are not thought to be malignant, you certainly could try one of the following treatments. If they are thought to be malignant, however, you should work with your veterinarian rather than go it on your own.

One of these treatments may be suitable.

Homeopathic
—Use this sequential homeopathic treatment: First give the remedy
Thuya
(or
Thuja
)
occidentalis
30C (arborvitae) using Homeopathic Schedule 5 (
view
). Wait for 1 month and then give
Silicea
30C, also using Schedule 4.

Homeopathic
—
Lachesis muta
30C (venom
of bushmaster snake): This is suitable for a tumor that is in a left breast when the skin over the tumor is dark, bluish, or blackish. Use Homeopathic Schedule 4 (
view
).

Herbal
—Poke root (
Phytolacca
) is a very important herb for treating inflammation, infection, and drainage from the breast. It is indicated for tumors or hardening of this tissue with discharge of pus or bad smelling fluid. Use Herbal Schedule 3 (internal) and 4 (external), (
view
), for as long as is necessary.

Herbal
—Goldenseal (
Hydrastis canadensis
) is generally useful in treating any kind of cancer, especially if it is associated with a loss of weight. Use Schedule 1, (
view
), for as long as it seems helpful. When using this herb for long periods, supplement the diet with extra vitamin B complex, as goldenseal tends to deplete the body of these vitamins.

Note:
Remember that nutrition is all-important. Besides the natural diet, offer large amounts of vitamin C (500 milligrams to 5 grams daily, depending on the size of your animal), as well as vitamin E (50 to 200 IU) and vitamin A (2,000 to 5,000 IU) each day. All three vitamins are useful for detoxification.

BRONCHITIS

See “Upper Respiratory Infections.”

CANCER

The dreaded disease cancer is becoming increasingly common in our time. Research suggests that environmental pollutants and chemicals in food are major factors in the development and support of this group of diseases. The way I see it, there are many factors that seem to “cause” cancer, but they don’t take effect unless the individual is in a weakened, susceptible condition.

The condition of the thymus gland and its associated lymphatic tissues and immunological functions is extremely important. If an animal can be kept in excellent health with good food, adequate exercise, access to fresh air and sunshine, and a stable emotional environment, the immune system will be strong. Whereas a weaker animal might succumb to the effects of carcinogens, the strong one will more likely resist and detoxify them. Prevention is really the most we can do, and it is very important. No drug or vaccine can ever take the place of good health.

P
REVENTION

Certain influences in animals’ lives increase their exposure to carcinogens, and you should help your pet avoid them as much as possible. They include: chronic exposure to cigarette smoke; riding in the back of a pickup truck (from inhaling exhaust); resting on or close to a color TV set; drinking water from street puddles (which can contain hydrocarbons and asbestos dust from brakes); frequent diagnostic work with x-rays (all radiation effects are cumulative in the body); use of strong toxic chemicals over long periods (as with flea and tick control); and consuming pet foods high in organ
meats and meat meal (concentrators of pesticides and growth hormones used to fatten cattle, which can promote cancer growth), as well as preservatives and artificial colors, known to cause cancer in lab animals.

Unfortunately, for a pet that already has cancer, the time for prevention has passed. By avoiding these toxins, however, we will at least not be adding stress to an already burdened body.

In addition to these precautions, a fresh natural diet is imperative. (Cancer is difficult enough to deal with. Don’t compromise when dealing with a disease of this seriousness.) Supplement the diet with vitamins C, A, and E, as well as yeast and fresh raw vegetables (particularly sprouts and grasses, notable for their B vitamin and trace mineral contents).

T
REATMENT

What can we expect in treating cancer? Helpful treatments have three possibilities: maintaining good-quality life during the time remaining, extending life beyond what is usually expected, or curing the condition with diminution or disappearance of the tumors.

The majority of my cases fall into the first two groups, because most of the animals I work with are older and not particularly healthy to start with. But even then the animal’s quality of life usually remains good, much better than expected, during nutritional and homeopathic treatment. However, the animal may not live much longer than was expected when diagnosed. This outcome is true of about a third of my cancer cases.

Another third of my patients live longer than expected, sometimes considerably longer, especially if they are younger and have not had prior surgery. Eventually, they do succumb to the disease. This is more likely to happen with some types of cancers than others, of course.

The remaining third do better than this, with the tumors no longer growing—perhaps even regressing and disappearing for a while. As you would expect, this improvement is more likely to occur in a younger animal with more vitality. It seems to be very important that there be no prior use of corticosteroids or surgery if I am to obtain results like this. The use of nutrition and homeopathy depends on a vigorous immuno-defense system, so this system must be kept in tip-top condition.

Though chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery can have dramatic and rapid results, the quality of life for the animals afterwards does not impress me. Life is more than just physical duration. To me it is not enough for the patient to be alive—there must also be some pleasure in that life. From the beginning of my career in veterinary medicine, I have been averse to the harsh treatments used for cancer. It just doesn’t feel right to me.

Further, I don’t think that conventional treatment is effective in prolonging life. Recent evaluations of research into cancer
treatment methods show that, contrary to popular belief, the overall death rate from cancer has stayed the same over the last 35 years. (Because of earlier diagnosis, the survival rate only appears to be longer than it used to be.) Considering the discomfort entailed in conventional treatment, I don’t think it is worth it.

So, let’s say you have thought about this and still opt for the conventional program. Then, I suggest the following measures to help support the body during conventional cancer therapy.

• Avoid commercial foods completely. Feed only fresh, unprocessed foods, including as much raw fare as the animal is willing to accept (see the discussion about food under “Breast Tumors”). Use only organic meat, if you can get it.
  
• Give high levels of vitamin C (one gram daily for every 15 pounds of body weight). Give half of this in the morning and half in the evening.
  
• Give oat tincture as described under “Behavior Problems.”
  
• Use only spring, distilled, or other pure water, not tap water.
  
• If your animal becomes ill from the drugs used during treatment, feed cooked oatmeal (with milk and honey) if possible and give the homeopathic remedy
  Nux vomica
  6C, using Schedule 2 (
  view
  ).
  
• Avoid all vaccinations. Giving a vaccine to an animal with cancer is like pouring gasoline on a fire.
  

On the other hand, if you decide to forego conventional treatment, follow the instructions above and add the following treatments as well. Start with the goldenseal and the treatment with
Thuya
(or
Thuja
).

Herbal
—Goldenseal (
Hydrastis canadensis
) is generally useful for treating any kind of cancer, especially if it is associated with a loss of weight. Use Herbal Schedule 1, (
view
), for as long as it seems helpful. When you use this herb for long periods, you will need to supplement the diet with extra vitamin B-complex.

Homeopathic
—
Thuya
(or
Thuja
)
occidentalis
30C: Use Schedule 4 (
view
). This treatment should be done at the outset of any cancer case, as it removes the influence of prior vaccinations that may stimulate the growth of tumors.

If there is not enough improvement after three or four weeks, then try one of these treatments, using Schedule 6(b) (
view
).

Homeopathic
—
Natrum muriaticum
(salt, sodium chloride) 6C: This is most helpful with cats that have solid tumors or lymphosarcoma, especially if associated with appetite problems.

Homeopathic
—
Silicea
(silicon dioxide, quartz) 6C: This is most helpful with dogs that have solid tumors or lymphosarcoma, especially if associated with a ravenous appetite and weight loss.

Homeopathic
—
Conium maculatum
(poison hemlock) 6C: This is indicated for the animal that has very hard tumors.

Homeopathic
—
Phosphorus
6C: Useful
where the tumors tend to hemorrhage or bleed persistently.

It is very worthwhile working with an experienced veterinarian who can offer other homeopathic treatments, as there are many, many, other homeopathic medicines that have a place in this treatment program. Success is greatest when medicines carefully selected for the individual case are used.

CATARACTS

See “Eye Problems.”

CHOREA

See “Distemper, Chorea, and Feline Panleukopenia.”

CONSTIPATION

Constipation sometimes occurs when animals don’t get enough bulk in their diet or don’t get enough exercise. If a dog or cat is not allowed to evacuate when the urge is there, the animal may develop the habit of holding its stool. A dog that is not let out often enough or a housebound cat with a dirty litter box is most likely to develop this habit. In relatively simple cases like this, the following treatments will generally suffice.