We can see tumors, either on the body of a loved dog or with a tool to see the inside of the body. Many times a tumor is visible with an X-ray, ultrasound, MRI or a CT (“cat scan”).
Because of this we will automatically assume that the tumor is the only thing going on in a dog with cancer.
The problem is that there is often more going on than just a tumor. Tumors happen in a body, and tumors affect that body.
By supporting the body, we can get an edge in fighting dog cancer. This area is sometimes ignored in dogs receiving conventional cancer care. Since we want to use every tool at our disposal to fight cancer, which is very formidable, we need to focus on body support. There are many ways to do this that are covered in detail in The Dog Cancer Survival Guide.
One of the things cancers frequently affect is the immune system. Cancer can suppress the immune response. This happens in up to 70% of cancer patients. A healthy immune system is needed not only to help the body fight infections but also to fight cancer itself.
Cancers are often able to send out chemical signals that suppress the white blood cells directly. On top of this, patients with cancer experience stress. Many times this can be psychological, and sometimes the body itself reacts to the cancer by releasing stress hormones.
When these things happen, the immune system is weakened and cancer growth is stimulated.
So it makes sense that we would want to support the rest of the body that is fighting cancer.
There are different ways to help support the immune system. One of them is by providing a four-legged family member with glutamine.
Glutamine is an amino acid. Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins.
Cancers cause a glutamine deficiency in the body. read more at dogcancerblog.com