Following are selected posts to the Holisticat (TM) Mailing List on the subject of cancer. There's a lot of information here, and the posts are arranged in ascending chronological order. If there is a particular word you're looking for, it's probably best to utilize the "Find in Page" function in your edit menu!

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<12 Aug 98 From: LINDA <linda---@ Re: [HOL] Intro and very sick kitty>

Hello everyone,
I'm new here, and to holistic cat care, so please - be gentle.  I've been a cat owner for at least a couple of decades.  My husband is newer  to the club, he's only had cats since we married.  We live in suburban Maryland, and both work on Capitol Hill.  We currently have two cats at home, and they've got really distinct personalities.  Carrie, a calico, is about five years old, a classic chatty, prissy calico cat, and has been diagnosed with cardiomyopathy for about two years.  I adopted her from a shelter, where she was known as having some sort of litter box aversion.  We have worked hard at learning more about her problems and making our home comfortable and secure for her.  She's come a very long way (quoting from our middle daughter here, who can now pet Carrie for a few minutes at a time!! ;-))

However, today I'd like to ask you all for advice about Bonkers.  Bonkers is twelve or thirteen years old.  He adopted my husband around the time we were dating, and we couldn't imagine why this wonderful, loving, brown tabby cat was not already ensconced in his own home.  He was wandering my suburban neighborhood street in the middle of winter!  We took him to the vet, he checked out just fine, and he's been our doll (especially my DH's friend) since, including a move of house, and a couple of other cats comings and (sometimes sadly) goings.  He's not been exposed to any known environmental poisons beyond what we too have known.

About two months ago, however, Bonkers was not eating right, was picking up food and dropping it beside his dish and trying to eat it there, and so on.  I finally watched very closely from the side of his head and learned that he was having some sort of problem with his mouth or teeth or tongue.  We had had him for his teeth to be cleaned, but this was beyond any discomfort that should have caused him.  This cat who had been prone to more the *over* than under-weight side was also a bit lighter than he ought to be.  We took him to the (alo) vet, who found a mass at the base of Bonkers' tongue, and biopsied.  She says that it is cancer.  (I'm relaying my husband's information here;  we're sort of accustomed to "his and her" cats, although we both love both of 'em a lot).

I found this list about the time Bonkers' diagnosis was made.  Both these cats are indoor only now.  Bonkers and a previous cat, Cendrillon, were indoor/outdoor, until we learned via a nasty fight Bonkers had that there were feral cats in the area too near.  (Turns out that our neighbor feeds a group).  I feel bad that after Cendrillon's death from a tumor, I was still not paying attention much to the possible reasons for that; and I feel a bit guilty at having brought Carrie, a bunch of problems in some ways, into the household when Bonkers was really revelling in being an "only cat" for once.  I hope that the stress Carrie added to our household didn't create some of Bonkers' vulnerability.

At any rate:  Bonkers has been eating pretty well, with spoon feeding.  We mash his food around so that it is nearly liquid, and push it into a pile periodically as he eats.  We are accustomed to feeding the cats twice a day, although my husband has been feeding smaller, more frequent meals to Bonkers when we can manage.  Bonkers drinks water pretty well still.  He is sleeping even more than he used to (I figured he was getting older some months ago when I noticed he slept a lot when we were at home days).  Maybe because he can't lick, Bonkers is now biting his fur off, and then we find it either in his water dish or around the house in fairly large hanks.  This is really demoralizing for both of us.

I've been reading for only about a month on this list; from my own (human) experience I am more open now to alternative medicine and more holistic health management than I used to be, and I think my husband is, too.  I think I'm more steeled to pets' illnesses and death because I've had pets most of my life, than my husband.  This cat Bonkers was there for my husband when because of a nasty divorce, my husband wasn't getting to spend much time with his kids (they've all reconciled with him now, thankfully!); he says it is so ironic the timing of Bonkers' illness!

I finally approached my husband with the idea of trying some alternative approaches with Bonkers, and we are (I think) prepared, although guilt-ridden at not having attempted something like this earlier.  (I was really worried I'd have my husband weeping aloud somewhere had I opened the discussion earlier, though).  I have been putting some vitamin C in the food we use to deliver alopathic heart medication (Tenormin and Baby aspirin) to both cats.  We bought some Essiac tea and some Bach's Flower Rescue Remedy but I'm not really sure just what to DO with them that would most help..

I would appreciate hearing from you if you can offer any specific advice on what to do in this case.  I appreciate your advice may be that it is too little, too late, but would prefer you refrain from posting or emailing to that effect right now at least -- we need to approach things from a very positive angle now, I think.  Especially those of you who have had experience working with cats with cancer, I would be very grateful if you could tell me what you did or used that was of help.

(My husband lost his eldest sister to leukemia when he was a teen, and so he, in particular, is devastated that something so similar is bringing prolonged  distress to Bonkers.)

Your prayers of whatever faith you prefer would also be gratefully shared!
Cheers,
Linda S.

Hi Linda,

I'm also (sort of) new, and I'm sure you will get alot of help here, but I do have some info for you about the essiac tea:  I would brew up the tea/capsules, let it cool down to room temp and try to syringe it into Bonkers - lovingly, of course (VBG), twice a day.  I would also give him 2 capsules of shark cartilidge twice a day (helps cut off the tumors food/blood supply) and I also suggest you look into using either Acemannan (an injectible aloe derivative that your vet would have to give) or Ambrotose (an edible/oral aloe derivative that you can order either through the company or any one of their distributors - and no, I'm Not a distributor).  The following is some info on both the Acemannan and the Ambrotose that I received from another list (FeLV) that I'm on, from Linda P. <AskforArt@aol.com>.

 "Ambrotose is simply a combination of eight essential sugars (there are over 200 in nature), but these 8 are the *only* sugars used by the body's cells to communicate with each other..  Without these sugars a T-cell or an NK cell cannot recognize an invader cell and destroy it. Works on all cells in the body, and crosses the blood-brain barrier into the brain, allowing communication within the brain, also.  In nature you can find these sugars *only* in vine-ripened fruits and vegatables.  The
parent plant produces these sugars just as  the produce is ready to drop to the ground--this is done in preparation for the seed to start a new plant. So, unless you are eating fresh fruits and vegetables from your own garden, and your cat is eating prey that has eaten the same, you and your pets are *not* getting the nutrition your bodies need to function properly.

 This is all very new science, and the original research on Manapol and Acemannan was done at Carrington Labs <www.carringtonlabs.com>.  The scientific team that discovered Manapol (2 of the 8 sugars) and Acemannan (an injectable form of mannose, one of the sugars and the active  ingredient in Aloe Vera) is now at Mannatech, and they hold the patent on
Ambrotose (Ambrotos=from Latin and Greek, immortal).  Ambrotose is a natural product extracted from vine-ripened plants, and each batch is assayed to assure uniform potency.  The discovery of the eight sugars is listed in the 24th edition of Harper's Biochemistry, a standard medical textbook which should be available at your library.  The Mannatech website  <www.mannatech-inc.com> has very little information about the scientific aspects of their products. One of the best pieces of information about the products is located at <www.alternativemedicine.com>.  Use their internal search engine and type in "Dr. Steve Nugent".  Click on the first article. It lists Dr. Nugent's qualifications and his opinions on Mannatech products."

Hope this helps some.  My prayers are with you and Bonkers.
Kat (New Jersey)

Dear Linda,

I am so sorry to hear about the anguish you and your DH esp are going through.  My sweetheart kitty Ernie had cancer--feline leukemia related fibrosarcoma.  I used Acemannan to shrink the tumors...which it did do. (However, the protocol is to inject the Acemannan into the tumor and into the stomach, so the procedure itself is quite invasive.) Unfortunately, I lost my baby in April, and it was w/out a doubt the hardest thing I have ever gone through, so I can really sympathize.

I didn't find this list until after Ernie passed away :'(, but I have been reading like crazy since then--both on this list & in books &
articles.  One book which I have found very helpful of late is _The Encyclopedia of Natural Pet Care_ by CJ Puotinen (1998).  There is a whole section on alternative/holistic treatments for cancer.  One treatment I read about is Willard Water which you can get in a good health food store.  Apparently this has been used since the 1960s w/ livestock for a number of conditions (improved digestion and assimilation of nutrition, etc.) including cancer.  I began mixing it in the cats' water this week. I use two tablespoons per gallon of "good" water (spring, distilled) as per directions.  I have one cat w/ the feline leukemia virus, though
George doesn't have cancer.  The disease, a virus which causes the immune system to break down, is named after a disease cats commonly succumb to when infected w/ felv.  There is also discussion about Essiac tea.  The recommended dosage is 1 tsp per day per 10 lbs body weight. (I'd use a syringe.) There are a number of other treatments listed....If you can't get the book, let me know and I'll xerox the section and send it to you via snail mail if you like.

As long as Bonkers is still fighting (and it sounds like he is), then that's plenty reason not to give up. Sending Bonkers healing thoughts and prayers--

 Susan

Hi all

Just came across a good basic cancer article on the altvetmed site. Linda, you could also use this site to access a holistic vet near you if you decide to. Anyway, the article doesn't go into a whole lot of *detail* but the reference list at the end is really good, and the articles mentioned would probably be fairly easy to track down. Cancer Management in Small Animals
http://www.altvetmed.com/Cancer.html

Also, pp. 289-307 of CJ Puotinen's "The Encyclopedia of Natural Pet Care" is devoted to cancer in animals. Richard Allport's "Heal Your Cat the Natural Way" is a good remedy book to have on hand. His small cancer section is mostly for pain management, which is useful. Diane Stein's "The Natural Remedy Book for Dogs and Cats" is a wonderful reference to have on hand, and
can help you learn about different therapies. Anitra Frazier's "The New Natural Cat" is apparently an excellent resource as well, tho I don't have it yet. Linda, this isn't the whole slew of info I'm sending to you, just a start. I hope some of it can help.

Take care all
Kathy and the cats

Hi all

Welcome William and Fifi! Oh, man, all these kitties with the dreaded C. William, luckily I didn't experience chemo with Kashmir, so unfortunately I can't help you with that. But have you looked into or heard of essiac tea? I've got lots of info about that and other stuff, which I'm trying to organize, but that would be a good place to start. Boy, you've got one tough brave little girl there. The rusty coloured fur is an indication that her immune system needs some help. I wonder -- Mary are you there? -- if
echinacea might help. Vits A, C, E and the mineral selenium are also important. The list of cancer fighting herbs and supplements is incredibly long, and growing more so. I've recently heard of using something called Willard Water in a cancer fighting regime, but I've not got any experience with it and haven't investigated it, but someone else may know more about
it. What are you feeding her? Most important place to start. All of these things will help to support Fifi in her fight. I wish you luck and please let me know when and how I can help!

Take care
Kathy and the cats

If Fifi's mama / daddy wants to email me privately at <muddypaw@>, I can forward a bunch of info on Lymphoma.  I have a
friend whose dog was just diagnosed with it and have been saving posts and gathering info for her.  I don't know how much help it will be, but just let me know.

Release....
Kristy

Hi William,

What a brave kitty you have!  I'm so glad Fifi is doing well on the chemo.  Here's something interesting I just read in Dr. Earl Mindell's "Live Longer & Feel Better with Vitamins & Minerals".

He says Yeast is "nature's wonder food", and that yeast "helps cancer patients subjected to heavy radiation (given yeast daily, some patients did not suffer from the anemia and vomiting which occurred in patients not protected by yeast."

The other thing you can try is Crabapple (a Bach Flower Essence) which is good for cleansing.  Another option is a great homeopathic remedy - Nux Vomica which is traditionally used to purge the negative effects of antibiotics, chemo, MRIs.  Usually just 1 dose (2 pills dissolved in a a bottle of spring water) is good enough.

U can also give Fifi Vit C, E, and A (smaller amounts of the latter 2 since they are fat-soluble) to boost her immune system.  And Pau D'Arco and Red Clover herbs are good for cancer.

Hugs for Fifi from me and purrs from my little kitty rascals for brave Fifi cat:)

Sandy and the mountain cats

In a message dated 98-08-25 02:59:49 EDT, you write:
<< Willard Water in a cancer fighting regime, but I've not got any experience  with it and haven't investigated it, but someone else may know more about   it. >>

Willard Water is similar to the water TAkionic sells. TAkionic products simulate the energy of the sun and "turn chaos into order". Takionic also  sells special water. I believe Willard water is the same idea and does basically the same thing as as the Takionic water. It may help to turn cancer cells back into normal cells when used in a cancer fighting regime.

Emily

On Thu, 22 Oct 1998 13:45:46 EDT Jnglecats@ writes:
<<Sandy, how much of this do you give Booey, and how often?  does anyone  know if there are any dangers or side effects at all to this?  I want to get >>

As far as I know, Essiac Tea has no dangers or side-effects.  Usually (not saying always tho one could debate this point) herbs just don't have the noxious side-effects that something synthesized in a lab would.  So as long as George doesn't OD on this stuff, he should be ok.

I don't use the name brands tho have been told that only the "true" Caisse formula should be taken..I consider that marketing hype.  I got a  bottle at my local HFS which has the 4 ET herbs +  Cat's Claw added to it.  It has the human dosage so I just divided it by close to 20 to be on the safe side.  This comes out to 1/3 tsp a day of the liquid mixed w/ 2/3 water.  I don't even bother to measure any more,,just dump some in his food like I do the ACV, liquid aminos etc.  Course I also gave 1 dose of a homeo remedy in June right after she found the polyp and told me 90% of mouth polyps are cancerous.  So dunno if the homeo remedy did it or the ET combo.  But I'm gonna stick w/ the combo anyway cuz I figure it can't hurt.

Oh, in case u are interested, the brand I use is by a co called Peruvian Rainforest Botanicals, Inc. (nci) and it has an authenticity seal of some sort .  I paid $26 for 16 oz (undiluted).  Next time, I'm just gonna brew it myself by adding the herbs to Boo's herb mix esp since I already have 3 of the 4 ingredients for ET.  Just noticed - looks like it has an additional herb, watercress.  That's cool, cuz it's a diuretic which is good for everyone esp Booey.

Good to hear ET helped Ann's d*g so much.  And Kathy has been using it for Kashmir too.  Hope it helps poor brave Georgie-poo

Sandy, owned and operated by the mountain cats

Sandy wrote:
<<As far as I know, Essiac Tea has no dangers or side-effects.  >>

Hi again,

A long long time ago, I tried Essiac tea for Rudy.  It made him sicker (vomitting and diarrhea) than he originally was.  Scared me silly.