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Soft Tissue Tumor In A Dog

by jenmercier - February 1, 2025 View Case Report

Sammy is a 11 yo MN chocolate lab who presented about a month ago with a SQ mass on the left lateral thorax. It popped up quickly and has grown significantly in just 1 month. It was painful for him to have it aspirated and unfortunately we did not achieve a specific diagnosis. The tumor sample had rare spindle cells but read out as neutrophilic inflammation. Since it did not exfoliate, and on rads there could be lytic areas on the ribs associated with the tumor, my best guess is a sarcoma. There is evidence of pulmonary metastasis determined by radiologist review but I can barely appreciate the pulmonary nodules.
The owner has elected NOT to pursue further diagnostics and is looking for palliative care.
She has found a protocol online touting the use of ivermectin, fenbendazole and zinc for which I have found no validation.

He is PU/PD, pants often but not like he is here in the exam room; no strong temperature preferences. Doesn't like the heat of the summer and is happy going out in the winter
Appetite is great!

Previous hx: care accident injuries as a puppy. chronic orthopedic pain in hips and hind end.

MSN: maintaining weight; quite sensitive with palpation down the spine and also around the hips, especially the left and down the lateral leg; anxious about manipulation of the hind limbs in general
INT: round SQ mass on the left thorax- lipoma; immediately caudal to it is a large firm round SQ mass that is intimately associated with the ribcage and deep underlying tissue

TCVM:
Tongue: light pink, a little dry, no coating
Pulse: deep, toned; after GB34 massaged it softened with decreased tone (as best I can determine, I'm not sure I trust myself yet though!)
Warm all over
slightly dry paws

Blood stasis, Blood deficiency, TBO?
Based on the aggressive and inflammatory nature of the tumor I think there should be signs of toxic Heat. What I have is overall warm and he is PU/PD.

Plan
Recommended fresh food diet that is low in carbs

Herbs: Modified Xue Fu Zhu Yu and ?
Based on herb lecture notes for OSA, FSA, should I consider Hoxsey or Si Miao San?
Should I add Vitamin A (and D?) as well?

Hoping I'm not getting to him too late.

Thanks!
Jen

by naturevet

February 9, 2025

Hi Jen,

I like your thinking and would select Hoxsey as the main means of targeting the tumor, and Xiao Chai Hu Tang (e.g., Voltrex (Gold Standard), Benefit Hips and Knees (Kan), or Minor Bupleurum with added Qin Jiao (Natural Path)) to address the 'reason for being' of the tumor.

The PU/PD, very early spring aggravation heat intolerance, response to GB 34, hip pains, and involvement of the lateral thorax all suggest Shao Yang involvement. Essentially, we can look at this as Shao Yang disharmony impeding normal peripheral blood flow, making the exterior prone to Blood stasis (due to too little water in those peripheral vascular rivers).

Many Blood deficient tumors have their inception like this, but if we treat this mass that way, we are likely to spur growth. The rapid development of the mass tells us that we cannot risk using Blood tonics to improve peripheral circulation, as the mass will only use those tonics to grow even more rapidly. Thus, we need a peripherally acting Blood mover, and will just have to count on the harmonization of the Shao Yang to fill the rivers later this spring, without use of tonics.

My favourite Blood mover for these round cell tumors is Hoxsey. It would be nice if you could shrink the mass enough that it becomes easy to remove the tumor surgically. You can even apply it topically using DMSO gel. Meanwhile, I would use the Minor Bupleurum of your choice (I probably would go with Voltrex) to resolve the underlying cause of the mass.

Vitamin A and D are fine, and you can mix them into the DMSO gel if you're using topical treatment. Otherwise, give orally.

There is also some evidence that injectable mistletoe extracts can help this type of tumor if there is someone in your area that does so. Even Fenbendazole has some basis in science per Pubmed, though maybe not specifically this situation.

Lastly, ensure the owner is feeding a real food diet, since it provides a better foundation for success when treating cancer with herbs.

Hopefully this helps you out. I'm optimistic you can get control of this.

Steve

by jenmercier

February 9, 2025

Would you NOT use the Modified XFZY or use it in combination with Hoxsey and Voltrex?
Would you do oral and topical Hoxsey?

Jen

by naturevet

February 9, 2025

Hi again,

I would not use any Blood tonic, including mXFZYT. Oral and topical Hoxsey are great

S

by jenmercier

February 10, 2025

OK. I can get Natural Path hoxsey tincture. How do I dose it? Is there another supplier you would recommend?

If I use it topically, how much to mix with the DMSO gel? Should the owner wash off after a certain amount of time?

by naturevet

February 10, 2025

I give 0.2 ml per 5 lbs, and do that at least twice daily. I don't use any other brand than Natural Path since many brands pull back on the anti-cancer herbs to improve the taste.

As for how to blend it with the DMSO, it's not very scientific. Clip the lesion, apply a layer of DMSO, then liberally apply several drops of Hoxsey onto the DMSO gel. Mix it in and leave it. I don't wash it off usually.

S

by jenmercier

February 10, 2025

Ok, last question. If she is set on continuing the ivermectin, would I expect any interactions/contraindications?

by naturevet

February 10, 2025

No, I don't think that will be an issue at all

S

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