Cancer Playbook for Dogs - Cancer Playbook

Treating Your Dog's Cancer Naturally

Natural treatments for dogs with cancer include many options, such as dietary changes, supplements, and plant medicines like cannabis. Some of these treatments can directly kill cancer cells, as well as strengthen a dog’s overall health and enable their immune system to better fight cancer. These approaches can often be used alongside conventional therapies to improve their effectiveness and reduce side effects.

Full-extract cannabis oil, or FECO, has become popular as a treatment for cancer in dogs. FECO contains two major categories of compounds, cannabinoids and terpenes, that can produce anticancer effects, alleviate pain and inflammation, and stimulate appetite. Cannabis infused oils are also effective products, and are especially great for enabling precise dosing.

Cannabis products are usually dominant in either THC or CBD. THC is the cannabinoid that produces substantial psychoactivity, whereas CBD does not. It appears that both THC and CBD are important for achieving the best results possible against cancer. However, it is especially critical to start with very low doses of THC to avoid side effects. It is also ideal to work with a veterinarian who can monitor your dog’s treatment, as this will determine whether a particular protocol is working. There are no guarantees of anticancer effects when using cannabis, but evidence suggests it can produce moderate to profound results in many cases. At the least, cannabis is often an effective complementary treatment alongside conventional therapies. For dogs that cannot tolerate conventional treatments or for whom those treatments failed, cannabis offers a source of hope for extending life or achieving remission.

Tips for Checking Your Dog's Health While Petting Them

The next time you’re petting your furry friend, take the opportunity to check for any suspicious lumps or lesio ns. Be sure to run your hands over their entire body and note any irregularities. If you do find something out of the ordinary, it’s worth considering a visit to the vet for a closer look. Keep an eye on the area over time – if it grows or your dog experiences any other symptoms, it’s crucial to seek professional advice. In addition, to reduce the risk of cancer, you may want to consider a preventative CBD protocol or changing your dog’s diet.

Dog Reported Outcomes

Jack Russell Terrier, Hammer

Lymphoma, Bladder, and Oral Cancers

Age at Diagnosis: Unknown / Age at Time of Report: 6-7 months later

One eye was apparently shut most or all of the time

Targeted treatment (either chemotherapy and/or radiation)

None reported

Cannabis

Apparently infused oils or cannabis-infused dog treats

None Reported

5-6 months of conventional target therapy alone was ineffective, as the oral and bladder cancers had both gotten significantly worse, although the lymphoma had not changed. After adding cannabinoids to the conventional therapy, in 2-3 weeks Hammer’s eye began to open a little. 1-2 weeks after that, the oral tumor had completely disappeared, as Dr. Hazzah could not find it.

Reported by Dr. Trina Hazzah

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Bouvier des Flandres, Luna

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Lymphoma

Age at Diagnosis: 6-7 / Age at Time of Report: 7-8

Visual lumps and malaise instigated visit to the vet. Incontinence, lack of appetite and desire to drink were symptoms of FECO use, which were effectively managed

Surgery to remove spleen

None reported

Cannabis

THC FECO, administered in balls of butter

Started with 3 BB-sized FECO doses per day. Doses slowly worked up to 3 rice-grain sized amounts per day

None Reported

Stopped kibble, began giving raw and cooked meat, 1 anchovy per day, and frozen bone broth as needed

Despite prognosis of 2 weeks, Luna lived for 1.5 years with “gusto and exuberance”

German Shepherd, Fenway (Male)

Intestinal Lymphoma

Age at Diagnosis: Unstated / Age at Time of Report: At least 6 Weeks Later

Weight loss, severe diarrhea, fecal incontinence, nauseous, very picky with food (which caused stress for owner and dog), depressed mood, high inflammatory markers, high calcium, bad liver and kidney values, all apparently related to the lymphoma

Chemotherapy (Lomustine)

Budesonide (steroid), Ondansetron (Zofran; for nausea), Entyce (for appetite)

Cannabis and supplements

Sativa and indica THC oils, CBD oil

Not reported

RxClay, psyllium husk, Firm-up, Nutri-gest, Pet-Tinic, and Vitamin B shots

None reported

After 6 weeks of using cannabis oils, Fenway had improved dramatically – diarrhea cleared up, incontinence gone, eating regular food again easily, gained 6 pounds, and had improved mood. Budesonide discontinued at some point. Owner told oncologist Fenway was being taken off chemo; she was skeptical until seeing the new lab reports. These showed improved liver and kidney values, high calcium had resolved, and inflammatory markers down. She then said, “Whatever you’re doing? Keep doing it”