Mammary Cancer
Receiving a cancer diagnosis for your pet can be incredibly upsetting. Each tumour type has its own treatment options and outlook, and navigating these decisions can feel overwhelming.
At Holistic Vet Care, our fully qualified vets are here to support both you and your pet every step of the way. Our aim is to support your pet’s whole body and to help you feel informed, supported, and confident in their care.
Please don’t hesitate to get in touch to discuss whether holistic support may be appropriate for your pet.
Book your free introductory consult
Not sure if we can help? Book a free 15min introductory consult with one of our holistic vets!
It’s a chance to get to know us, ask questions, and decide if you want to use our services with zero obligation.
Introductory consults can be in person or via Teams. Terms and Conditions apply.
What is mammary cancer?
Mammary cancer occurs when there are cancerous tumours affecting mammary tissue. They are the most common tumour types in female dogs, and their impact can range from mild to serious (depending on the stage and type).
Holistic treatment
Please be advised that conventional treatment is provided by your regular veterinarian, as we do not offer surgical or conventional medical interventions at Holistic Vet Care.
Traditional Chinese Medicine
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) can be a valuable part of supporting the health and recovery of pets with mammary cancer, alongside their conventional treatment plans.
With acupuncture and carefully selected Chinese herbal medicine, we aim to support pets with mammary cancer in the following ways:
- Help the body tackle abnormal cell growth.
- Help support normal cell cycling and regulation.
- Help minimise side-effects from medications (e.g. chemotherapy).
- Reduce pain and inflammation.
- Help ease nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea.
- Help promote a healthy appetite and weight gain.
- Support the immune system.
- Promote energy levels and vitality.
- Help support long-term health and resilience.
Through these approaches, our fully qualified vets aim to support your pet throughout their treatment journey to help improve their comfort and quality of life. Even if your pet is scheduled for surgery, we can help support pre-operative stability and comfort and assist with post-operative recovery and wellbeing.
Food therapy
Let food be thy medicine, and medicine be thy food.
Cancer causes metabolic abnormalities which can lead to weight loss, muscle atrophy, impaired immune function, and fatigue. From a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) perspective, food therapy is foundational in addressing underlying “patterns of disharmony” (the way disease presents within the individual).
We aim to support the body’s natural balance with tailored whole-food diets, rather than heavily processed pet foods which can contribute to inflammation.
Every pet is unique, however, and our goal is to tailor dietary recommendations to your pet’s individual TCM diagnosis, stage of disease, and overall constitution. Specific guidance can be discussed in detail with one of our qualified vets during your consultation.
Claiming insurance
Many pet insurance providers now offer cover for complementary and holistic therapies, including herbal medicine, acupuncture, and laser therapy. However, we recommend checking what is included in your plan as cover varies between policies. Please bear in mind that all consultations, treatments, and herbal prescriptions must be paid for at the time. We will then help you claim back from your insurer.
Frequently asked questions
What are common clinical signs of mammary cancer?
The clinical symptoms of mammary tumours vary depending on the stage of cancer.
Signs of more advanced disease:
- Weakness and lethargy
- Inappetence and weight loss
- Not as “bright” as usual (appearing unwell in themselves)
How is mammary cancer typically treated by conventional vets?
Please be advised that conventional treatment is provided by your regular vet, as we do not offer surgical or medical interventions at Holistic Vet Care.
Surgical removal of the ovaries (spaying) is often recommended, as mammary tumours are hormone dependant.
If performed prior to metastasis, complete surgical excision of the tumour(s) can be curative (i.e. the patient is cured) for benign or low-grade tumours.
Chemotherapy is often recommended alongside surgery, as a form of palliative care (not curative), if metastasis is suspected/confirmed.
It is important to discuss the risks/benefits of these options, regarding quality and length of life, with your primary vet or oncologist.
Must I leave my current vets to seek treatment at Holistic Vet Care?
No – we work alongside your conventional vet. We don’t replace conventional or emergency treatment. Our aim is to support your pet’s whole body and to help you feel informed, supported, and confident in their care.
Many complementary therapies are used alongside conventional treatments to improve patient welfare and can help improve prognosis. While adverse herbal-drug interactions (HDIs) can occur, they are uncommon when therapies are prescribed appropriately and monitored carefully.
When interactions do occur, the most common scenario is the herb enhancing the effect of the drug – which may allow conventional treatment plans to be adjusted by the prescribing vet.
We always encourage open communication between you, your primary vet, and our team to ensure your pet receives safe, balanced, and well-coordinated care.
Please don’t hesitate to get in touch to discuss whether holistic support may be appropriate for your pet.
Can I fully replace conventional treatment with holistic treatment?
No, holistic treatment should not replace conventional diagnosis or medical care.
At Holistic Vet Care, we work alongside your regular veterinarian. Conventional treatment is essential for diagnosing the condition, assessing severity, and managing emergencies or complications. Our role is to support your pet’s comfort, overall health, resilience, healing, and long-term wellbeing.
We always encourage open communication between you, your primary vet, and our team to ensure your pet receives safe, balanced, and well-coordinated care.
How do herbs help fight cancer?
Warburg effect:
Cancerous tumours have high energetic demands because of how fast they can grow and spread. The Warburg effect describes how cancerous tumours often rely on glucose to meet these demands.
Certain compounds found in whole herbs may help influence how fats and glucose are utilised in the body. Therefore, potentially minimising the nutrients available for rapidly dividing cells.
Entourage effect:
Plants contain many molecules which have the potential to interfere with tumour metabolism, and some compounds have demonstrated cytotoxic effects against cancer cells in laboratory or research settings.
However, any of these compounds on their own would not be enough to treat the cancer successfully, as cancer has the capacity to develop resistances to treatment.
In whole herbs however, these compounds act synergistically with each other, and lower doses of each compound is needed. Therefore, the entourage effect may help reduce the likelihood of cancer cells developing resistance to treatment.
Are there holistic treatments capable of curing cancer?
Holistic treatments generally are not considered to be curative for cancers. However, they have the potential to improve the patient’s quality of life and may positively influence expected survival.
How Long Does Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Take to Show Results?
The rate and degree of improvement depend on your pet and the severity of disease. Some animals show marked improvement in a matter of weeks, whilst others may need months. With TCM, improvement is steady and sustained, so patience is required.
How do I know which holistic treatments are suitable for my pet?
Talk to your vet before trialling any new treatments. Once registered with us, you can also ask our holistic vet.
What should I avoid when using holistic therapies to treat my pet’s cancer?
- Processed/non-whole food
- Food containing refined sugar, and/or synthetic ingredients that won’t be found in nature.
- Commercial kibble/tinned food is excessively heated and processed
How do I know if food is processed or “whole”?
Raw, and homemade meals are examples of whole foods.
Food is not whole if it has been altered from its natural state
- If you can’t pronounce the ingredients – it’s processed
- If it has added sugar/sweeteners/fat – it’s processed
How does my pet’s dietary needs change as a result of their cancer?
Energy requirements may change over time depending on disease progression:
- Pre-clinical stage of cachexia = normal energy requirements
- Active, untreated cachexia = increased energy requirements (increased expenditure)
- Final stages of cachexia = decreased energy requirements (hypometabolic)
Many pets with cancer have higher energy requirements and therefor need to eat more. Consult your vet for assistance in calculating your pet’s daily calorie requirements.
My pet is reluctant to eat, what can I do?
- Offer small, frequent meals
- Handfeeding
- Warm food to body-temp (~38*C)
- Add tiny bit of warm water (enhance smell, flavour, and soften texture)
- If patient continues to be unwilling/unable to eat, discuss options with your primary vet.
Which dietary supplements would be beneficial?
Please discuss these options with your primary veterinary surgeon before giving them to your pet.
Evidence varies between species, tumour types, and disease stages, and research is ongoing. Some supplements that have been studied in relation to cancer support include:
- Vitamins A and D – aim to increase apoptosis (programmed cell death)
- Vitamin E – consists of tocopherols which have shown cancer-preventative effects, but more research is needed.
- Omega-3 fatty acids (EPA) – studies suggest limit tumour growth, prevent cachexia, prevent metastases, reduce lactate levels, increase tumour sensitivity to host immunity, and increase survival times. Is also anti-inflammatory.
- Arginine – studies suggest can inhibit tumour growth and increase survival times in dogs.
- Turmeric – anti-inflammatory (NOTE – turmeric should be combined with black pepper to improve absorption).
Get in touch
Where are we located?
Suite A, Blisworth Marina, Blisworth, Northampton, NN7 3FG.
We are located just outside of Blisworth, between Northampton and Towcester. Our clinic is at the Blisworth Marina, providing a peaceful, relaxing setting, with ample parking.
