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Malamutt Snowball's Fight against Lung Cancer

by Simon Shields
(Ballarat, Victoria, Australia)

Snowball in her favourite chair watching the cricket

Snowball is a 2.5-yr-old female malamute. She developed an annoying cough. After X-Rays the doctor's diagnosed lung cancer. Snowball was given a week to live. She is still going after 4 weeks. She seems to be improving, although it is hard to tell.

I have been giving her human mince. I hand feed her morning and night. In the mince I've been including Essiac, Cordycepts (from neways herbal mushroom tablet), Green Tea pills, Chinese herbals, plus her cortisone and amoxy 500 (penicillin). I've been coating the mince in flax oil. The hardest thing to get into her is the Essiac. I've also given her wormwood. I give her a herbal relaxant at night to calm her so she gets a good night's sleep. She is not coughing up blood any more.

She is still alert and receptive to affection. She comes and tells me when she needs to do her toiletries - she is very much a lady (she always does her jobies in private and crosses her legs when sitting down). Her breathing is less laboured. I also treat her to bacon every day. I've had aromatherapy with Eucalyptus oil and sesame seed oil. Eucalytpus helps fight infection and clear airways, sessame seed oil calms her. Her eyes are blood shot, probably because of the ginkgo biloba to help blood flow.

I don't know how long she will last, but I'm doing my best for her and she seems to be pretty happy. Also I've been giving her filtered water, with a slice of lemon.

She hasn't much energy, although when I take her to the park each day to meet other dogs, she is very enthusiastic and shows good signs.

Looking for a good way to get the Essiac into her.

If anyone wants to communicate to me via email sshields2173atgmail.com (replace at with @)

I live in Ballarat Victoria Australia.

Regards
Simon

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Nov 15, 2012
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Kobi passes on
by: Linda

I had to put my 6yr old Boston to sleep today. He had metastatic lung cancer. We don't know where the primary tumor was. Only became sick in the last 3 weeks, was being treated for a tick-borne disease. That wasn't working, then they thought it was autoimmune hemolytic anemia. He started to perk up but after 10 days on the steroid, he stopped eating and drinking. Brought him back to the vets and they finally did x-rays because his breathing was so labored. X-ray showed many lesions in his lungs! Took him home to spend one more night with him but didn't want him to suffer so brought him back to the vets today.

My son held him, the drug was given and he died peacefully in my son's arms. We are truly devastated and angry! Cancers are caused by damage to the cells. We people in our greed for more, more and more have poisoned our earth and sky with all sorts of chemicals. This dog should have had a nice long life, but between flea/tick and heartworm meds, and vaccines every year with chemicals in all, it's no wonder our animals get cancer!

Nov 16, 2011
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Im so sorry
by: J H

I have just read your story about Snowball. What you felt is what I am beginning to feel now. I have just been told that my female dog has a large tumor in her lungs. I feel a bit like its not real but know it will soon hit me.

Its a large tumor - the size of an orange - and I really don't know what to expect. All we can do is keep her free from pain. She is eating and happy but she may only have a few months.

I am so sorry about your Snowball - it's like losing a part of yourself. I hope I can be strong for the rest of my family.

Hoping that your pain is easing xxxx

May 22, 2009
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Snowball
by: Linda

I am so very very sorry for your pain and loss. Malamutt's though bigger look so much like my favorite breed, the Siberian Husky. What a gorgeous picture of your best friend. My heart goes out to you- I feel your pain and know what you are going through. May your precious memories help bring you peace in the days, weeks, and months to come. GOD BLESS YOU!

Apr 17, 2009
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I'm so sorry about Snowball
by: Hazel

Simon,

I was so sad to get the news... I thought she was doing well... As the doctor said, cancer is aggressive in young dogs.

I think you did all you could to help Snowball, and she did live a few weeks longer than the doctor said she would, so I hope (I am sure) Snowball appreciated that.

Saying goodbye is difficult but your fond memories of her will never die.

Stay positive and healthy!

Best regards,
Hazel

Apr 17, 2009
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thanks hazel
by: Anonymous

thanks hazel, i had never heard of that sweetener. Snowball died today. She was fine this morning. She had a good appetite, she had her bacon and her medicine. Kerry and i went shopping to purchase cottage cheese to use with the flax oil. We opened the door and she came out to meet us, her tail wagging. She made a little down syndrome boy who was passing our house with his mother smile. I was about to take lightning for a walk when, snowball screamed in pain. She collapsed, we rushed her to the vet. He had to euthanize her, he thinks one of her lungs must have collapsed suddenly, he explained that cancer is very aggressive in younger dogs. We were devastated. I dug a large grave in our back yard, and placed her in a wooden bed, and placed a towel over her. We said our goodbyes. We will plant a rose tree where we have buried her. She was a beautiful dog. She was particularly attached to me. She liked to come to my bedside at night. I used to massage her temples she loved that. We'll never forget her, she made a lot of people happy.

regards
simon

Apr 17, 2009
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Snowball, fight on!
by: Hazel

Thank you Simon for your post about Snowball's fight against lung cancer. Although it's still too early to tell, it seems Snowball is doing well with natural remedies! I hope she will keep fighting on and win the battle!

Thanks also for sharing what you've been doing to help Snowball. I am sure many dog parents will find the information useful.

Yes - I guess it's not easy to get Essiac into any dogs because it is not particularly yummy! Have you tried adding Stevia sweetener to the tea? You may know that stevia is an herb with sweet leaves. You can get stevia sweetener as a sugar substitute. Try adding about 3 drops of stevia to 1/2 oz. of Essiac and use a needle-less syringe to squeeze the tea into her mouth.

Some people also have had success in mixing Essiac with gravy powder.

Good luck!

Please keep us informed of Snowball's progress.

Wishing you and Snowball all the best,
Hazel

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