The Integrative medicine approach can save lives or at least offer an alternative to managing chronic conditions while maintaining a high quality of life. In some cancer cases, it provides a way to provide comfort and hospice care. In my practice, I try to get the pet owners to understand that a cancer diagnosis does not necessarily mean you need to euthanize your pet right then.
Cancer is a rising concern and we keep diagnosing all sorts of cancerous processes in dogs, cats and exotics. Western medicine offers certain options like surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy that will eradicate the tumors or at least attempt to. There is a lot of research regarding vaccines to protect pets against certain kinds of cancer. We are lucky to have the University of Florida involved in several clinical trials and advancing many of these options.
In my opinion, an integrative approach offers the best quality of life for the affected pets. In some cases, getting rid of the tumor surgically then following up with herbals, food therapy, and acupuncture will raise the immune system and relieve pain resulting in a longer lifespan.
What happens when the tumor is inoperable or there are no Western options? Well, then we focus on the Traditional Chinese Veterinary medicine approach and discover the underlying pattern in hopes that addressing that will result in minimizing the cancer process. This is the most remunerating aspect for me as a practitioner; when I can offer hope to pets in dim situations.
I wanted to share a successful case of a kitty named Peaches that came to us with a diagnosis of suspected Lymphoma. He had been vomiting daily, would not eat, and was rapidly declining. His mom was referred to us by her veterinarian. He had been through some Western treatment options and had an ultrasound confirming the infiltrative nature of the lymphoma in his gastroenteric tract
I told the owner that Peaches did not know about his diagnosis so he was living in the present moment and could fully enjoy life if we could help move the gut in the right way and improve his appetite. It would be our job to provide as much love and support while using Vitamin B12 aquapuncture, food therapy, and herbal medicines to care for him.
A diagnosis of Spleen Qi/Yin deficiency was made. He was put on the herbal formula Happy earth and given some food recommendations. Some supplements like probiotics and bentonite clay were prescribed.
The best thing about this story is that Peaches is currently doing well one year post-diagnosis and continues receiving herbal therapy and biweekly aquapuncture treatments. His latest Lymphoma test blood panel confirms his diagnosis and although we know the cancer is there, we are pleased it is not causing disease. He has stopped vomiting and has gained almost 2 pounds since we started therapy. This case exemplifies how TCVM for palliative care can extend the longevity and quality of life and perhaps keep a cancerous, invasive tumor from proliferating.
Dr. Mitsie Vargas is at Orchid Springs Animal Hospital in Winter Haven. She can be reached at drv@osahvets