Hi Rys and Breeze,

So glad to hear that Breeze has passed through the 2 weeks without too many bad side effects.

From what I have read about astragalus, I know that it can interfere with any kind of steroid meds (which include prednisone and such), and that it shouldn't be used in people with any kind of autoimmune disease... and who knows, if cancer is a type of autoimmune disease.

I am always cautious about using any kind of supplements that haven't been proven, or studied in a clinical setting. Although, this herb seems to have been tested and in-vitro and in-vivo results published from China... but I am always weary of things that are only published from one country, and not confirmed with other medical centers around the world. How were the trials controlled, how did they collect and analyse the data, etc?

Also, what may work in humans, doesn't necessarily translate to animals, and vise versa. Before adding any kind of supplement to your dog's treatment, please be sure to consult with your veterinarian. And if you decide to consult with a holistic vet... please make sure that they are board certified in veterinary medicine first.

There is so much information available on the internet... anyone can make a website and post anything... there is no control over that. So, you can't believe every single thing that you read there. For instance... something that was quite popular on the internet years ago was using shark cartilage for cancer. Their claims were that sharks did not get cancer... Well, that was not true, and sharks do get cancer, mostly chonrdrosarcomas (cancer of the cartilage), but other cancers as well. It was true however, that the shark cartilage (and other cartilage) extract had antiangiogenic properties in-vitro (meaning, in cell culture experiments)... but given orally to humans (or animals) it had absolutely no anti-tumor effects, plus the digestive jiuces in the stomach destroyed it once swallowed. I have worked in the antiangiogenesis field for at least 20 years... and remember that very well. It was very promising (as are so many things we have discovered in the lab) until they are tested in animals and humans, and then we find out they don't really work. Unfortunately, there are many companies that are still preying upon cancer patients and selling this unproven treatment in nutrition stores all over the country.

So just please beware. If a supplement can maybe help... and not interfer with the disease or it's treatment, and doesn't cost you your home, etc... then I am all for it... If it can't hurt, and there's a slight possibility of success. But anything that is scientifically unproven and can hurt you or your doggie... well, just please beware! Do your research... and not just by surfing the web (where absolutely anyone can post anything!)... but search for published peer-reviewed papers on PubMed, for instance...

As for the raw diets... I really don't have much experience with that. You just have to make sure that you are not introducing any new pathogens from the raw meat, into your already immune-comprimised (chemo and cancer) animal... same as with humans. If I were you, I would phone around to your local vets and find one that has experience with raw diets (as most do not recommend it)... Please stay away from breeders or other folks who think they know it all... base all their experience on anectoctal testemonials and have no degrees in veterinary medicine and/or nutrition, etc...

You know, I have worked in the human cancer field for over 20 years now (angiogenesis and brain tumor research) ... and even though I have seen so many patients that were strict vegetarians, into holistic food and super healthy... get cancer, and die from it just like everyone else... Some patients would react well to their chemo treamtents, others did not... It was (is) always an individual thing, and even though pathologies may be pretty much the same, there are great differences in the genetic profiles of these cancers.

But like you and so many others, I too decided to try whatever I could to save my sweet baby. I guess it's just human nature to try and save our loved ones... I did try to research everything first, before trying it... and based all my decisions on that. But in the end... it did not help my sweet Jake. But maybe his cancer was already spreading microscopically by the time of his surgery and we couldn't see it yet on the films... so who knows...

I don't want to discourage you... not at all! But we are so far from a cure for most cancers, because it's really so complicated... so many things are involved, mostly at the molecular level... But that doesn't mean you shouldn't try everything you can to help your baby... Just beware of what you read on the internet, and always always check with your veterinarian first before trying anything new.

Sorry for the big lecture... I didn't mean to let it drag on... Look, quite a few of the Tripawds members here have had their dogs survive way past the usual 4-5 months survival stats... Some with chemo, some without... Others, like my baby, lost their battles way too soon. So, we all just take a chance... and give them love and support and hope for the best. That's all we can do.

I hope and pray that your sweet Breeze, kicks all the stupid stats in the butt (they are after all, just numbers)... and survive a long, long time!!!

Sending you and Breeze a big fat hug!!!

Angel Jake's Mom