Here are excerpts from some of the email we receive. We hope it can help you in making some of your choices and decisions in the choice of a veterinarian, specialist and treatment. By law we cannot list the names doctors here on the site, therefore we encourage you to email us and others to help you thoroughly investigate your choice of health professional. Also post on our message board to share information with others on a one to one basis.

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"My standard dachshund, Maxwell had an endoscopy two weeks ago due to
frequent vomiting of blood.  The veterinarian who performed the
procedure (a board certified internist) told me when I picked up Maxwell
that he had lymphosarcoma.  Of course I was shocked and upset.  I was
also told that Maxwell had a kidney stone and a bladder stone.  Pretty
serious indeed. 

This news was delivered on a late Friday afternoon.  I was informed that
I could call for the biopsy results on Monday, but that as this
veterinarian was leaving the country on Tuesday I should consider making
an immediate appointment to start chemotherapy.

I could not make a rush to judgment for a diagnosis this alarming.  I
decided I would speak with other experts and fellow pet owners who could
sympathize and educate me on lymphosarcoma.  Wow did I find out a lot of
information in such a few days and met many new wonderful people via the
world wide web.

By the time Monday afternoon came I was still struggling to decide what
our next move would be.  When I was finally able to reach the
veterinarian and speak with him about the biopsy samples, I was stunned
to hear that Maxwell DID NOT have lymphosarcoma, but a serious ulcer
condition.

My holistic veterinarian had cautioned me over the weekend to not get
upset until the biopsy samples were read by the lab and we had the
results.  She said what looks like cancer, may not always actually be
cancer and thank goodness for her words of wisdom.

So I would like to share this story with anyone who has felt "rushed
into chemotherapy" before all of the results are finalized. Please sit
back and take a deeeeeeeep breath first, before making any decisions
concerning your pet.  One day at a time is the best motto to live by."

Kathy and Maxwell/NJ

 

 

Consult on May 1, 2000 with Dr. Ima Idjit

Within 5 minutes of meeting him, I was ready to leave. Decided to stay and
see if I could pick his brain about something I don't know but can research
later.

My first clue that he may be weird:
He had A LOT of certificates on the wall in the waiting room. They were
Ohio State University (DVM), Feng Shui Institute (how to arrange furniture
for the flow of energy in your home), the Pacific College of Oriental
Medicine (a good thing), Bach Flower Power Workshop (most likely a weekend
class vs a full course of study), the Hahuermann (sp?) College of
Homeopathy, a number of acupuncture certificates, and, my personal favorite
that I would NOT have posted anywhere, a certificate for Reading Features,
Faces, and Styles. (Can you read my features and face and tell that I think
you are an IDIOT??!)

My second clue, when I almost left:
He said he could give/sell me some immune system boosters. I asked him what
kind. He said oh, different things. I asked like what, he said he wasn't
going to tell me. I asked why, he said because it's HIS formula and he
wasn't going to give that out. I clarified that I didn't want to copy his
formula or anything, just wanted to know what he was using for immune
system boosting. He ignored me. What an ass.

Dr. Ima Idjit then changed the subject and suggested a raw food diet, of turkey
and chicken necks and backs along with other foods (he would give me a
handout about what my dog should eat). I can buy 5 lb bags of frozen
chicken and turkey necks and backs from U Don't Wanna Eat This Poultry, a
feed store. I asked if they were organic and he said he wasn't sure. I
asked if they were preservative free, and he said he
thought so. HE DIDN'T KNOW. He also suggested I could get poultry from a
health food store in a local suburb. Note: (my snide comment to myself)
Feed stores are famous for having wonderful quality of free-range, organic,
no preservatives, no hormones, pesticide-free poultry.

I asked him about the possibility of salmonella, etc. on the raw poulrty,
and should I soak the raw food in hydrogen peroxide-he said to use a little
Chlorox bleach in a gallon of water if I wanted to soak the food, but he
would just feed without soaking anything. The ratio of Chlorox to water
would be on a handout.

I asked him about hecta lava. Dr. Idjit said he could get it if I wanted
it, but
he didn't think it would do anything to the nasal carcinoma. He said it was
ok for bone cancer but not for squamous cell carcinoma and he could order
it if I wanted it.

He said he could get Venus Flytrap Extract, which is made in Germany. It
takes 4 - 6 weeks to get it here because the FDA slows the process. He said
this has a 50% success rate in slowing and/or stopping subcutaneous and
squamous cancers, but it has to be injected. (Of course, only he could do
the injections).

Asked him about astragalus. He seemed clueless. Considering his certificate
from Pacific College of Oriental Medicine, I thought he would know about
this.

Dr. Ima Idjit said he wanted to try autoimmuneurine injections on Ally,
where he would
inject her with her own urine. I told him I had not heard of this. He said
that re-injecting her own urine into her will "free up" her antibodies and
these would go directly into helping the immune system (more like "fre up"
my money!). He also said it cures lupus, which she doesn't have. After I
mentally picked myself up from the floor where I was rolling in laughter
and pointing at him, he continued and said he *highly recommends* this
treatment. I wonder if the lupus people know there is a cure.

I asked him if he had worked with anyone on immune system support whose dog
was diagnosed with nasal carcinoma. He said no. Okaaaaay, so that means I'm
gonna
be the first, experiemental one? And have her urine injected into her?  HA!
What an ass.

He DID say essiac may help, the Flor-Essence brand, and to use 1 oz twice a
day, mixed in with chicken broth, and do it daily from now on with no
limit. Hmmm, generally, homeopathy relies on a limited use of specific
things, not a continued use of things.

He mentioned that chaparrel migh retard the growth of tumors, but had no
idea how much to give or how often.

I had typed out a copy of Ally's nutritional regimen, and asked him what he
thought I could add. He made some changes, deleted some things, and made a
copy for himself. He asked me to re-do it and fax it to him when I
finalized her diet. AS IF I'M GONNA SEND HIM ANYTHING!

Dr. Ima Idjit then suggested giving Ally TWO HUNDRED THOUSAND units of Beta
Carotene TWICE daily--yes, that looks like this: 200,000. He also said his
special formula included selenium and vitamin E "fused" with amino acids,
all mixed in the right porportions (by the dark of the moon???) were shown
to reduce breast, prostate, and colon cancers by 60% in humans...too bad he
didn't have the research to back him up on this because I would have liked
to see the references.

He also said he had *something* 250 times more powerful than Noni juice!
but it was a BIG secret and he'd have to "mix it up" for me--it's in powder
form. Oh boy! Goody goody!

Asked him about vitamin E and cancer. He hadn't a clue. What a total jerk.

He recommended 3000 mg of ester-C twice a day, and I could start her on the
full dose right away.  I asked if there might be any gastrointestinal
problems with starting her on 3000 mg TWICE a day, but Dr. Idjit didn't
think it would cause diarrhea or anything.

He said that flaxseed oil and grapeseed oil were the best combination of
omega 3s and 6s.  His special formula also had maitake and IP-6, as well as
powdered Chinese herbs (big secret) and a very special extract of bovine
colostrum that you cannot find in stores or on the net--something that only
HE can get. He's special alright, *real* special.

Dr. Idjit said he was going to work up the special formulas that I would
need. I asked him how much, and told him I only had a certain amount in my
checking account--figuring that would be the most graceful way of getting
me an 'out.'  He said he'd work out a 2 week supply instead of a 4 week
supply, and include his special formula that would counteract the effect of
all the vaccinations she's ever had, and that I would continue with the
formulas indefinitely. He wouldn't know the cost until he put everything
together, just for me!

THEN, he did a physical exam. He said his special formula would help with
her appetite. I said her appetite was fine. He said she may have a thyroid
problem. I said we had her tested for thyroid and it was normal. He said
sometimes the thyroid test comes back normal and it really isn't. I think
HE came back abnormal from whatever planet he was on.

As I was waiting in the front while he concocted his special secret
formula, the receptionist asked me to sign a paper. I read it and said, we
didn't discuss acupuncture. She seemed puzzled. I said (again) we didn't
discuss
acupuncture, and I don't want Ally to have acupuncture, so I'm not signing
it. She repeated what I said and I said yes, I understand acupuncture can
help many things, especially arthritis, but I had not read anything about
acupuncture helping with cancer or it's symptoms when the dog had no symptoms.

The bill, complete with all his secret potions and decoctions and concoctions?
A whopping $175.00.  As I said earlier, I said that I didn't have that much
in my check book and couldn't possibly pay for the things he wanted me to
take home. Ended up paying only for the office visit/consultation: $63.00
(too much for what I got)

Susan (California)

Oct. 2, 2000
   "I write this following letter with a heavy heart...Seldom
is there anything more devastating than to be told a loved one
is afflicted with a disease that is running rampant within their
body, and the prognosis of a quality life looks dim..this is
what I faced today...I brought my beloved Sonny to the vet's
after he displayed signs of depression, not eating, or even able
to drink water..X-rays were taken of a suspiciously swelled area
in the lower left jaw..A third portion of the lower left
mandible is destroyed (disintegrated) by a mass tumorous
growth...The vet will take x-rays of other portions of the body
to ensure that this is an isolated incident, and not spread
throughout other regions of the body...upon diagnosis from the
radiologists, he will then decide whether surgery will
benefit..I fear euthanasia the only humane recourse...Need I
describe the devastation I am feeling right now?...My beloved
Sonny, this magnificent dog who has seen me through so many bad
times...the joys we shared together..I know without any doubt,
would have put his own life on the line to protect me...I mourn
the very real possibility that I may be losing such a vital part
of my life within these next few days...his state of
deterioration has come about rapidly...As I am crying too hard
to continue this letter, I now focus on these next few days,
which will be incredibly difficult to face.

  Oct. 10, 2000
    "The phone call came approximately 9:50 am this
morning...Sonny has what the labs consider as a Grade 1 type
tumor (out of a scaled grade of 1 to 4, 4 being the most
aggressive)...this type of cancer is considered as Osteosarcoma,
found frequently in the leg joints of the giant breeds...this
portion of the jawbone affected will be removed, and Sonny will
undergo chemotherapy treatments following surgery...today, I
noted a little discomfort, and administered another Rimadyl, but
his appetite remains strong..I have been poring the web sites
about this type of cancer, and reading all I can about it..I
will, per vet advisement, of course, seek a more holistic
approach with his diet, if this is in his best interests..this
won't be easy, but the worst part of my shock and sorrow of the
matter has already taken place..he now needs my strength
to "borrow" time..and I intend to make any time I have with my
beloved Sonny as quality as I can..I pray none of you who
receive this communications have to go through this, or ever
have to experience this again, if you already have...it is
devastating..it isn't curable...and cancer is one of the leading
cause of deaths in our furry friends...Blessings to you all.
    I am sure I will find this web site a blessing in the
months to come...I hate the thought there are others out here
who are/have experiencing the pain as I am, but I thank God that
there are those of you who understand this devastation.

  Donna Svabik (Ohio)

An Ode to Sonny -Sonny is featured in our Gallery

We walked along life's path together, for nearly eight years now, my
friend...What a source of comfort and companionship you've been in those
years for me...your love and loyalty, unconditionally given, never wavered
from its strength....you left no doubt in my mind, with your own life at
stake, you would have given me ultimate protection against any harm or
threats....Likewise, I too, wove my lifestyle around your comforts and needs,
seeking only your best interests at heart...Although you cannot speak a human
language, there were no barriers through our communications...we seemed to
reach out and help each other through our times of distress....Your dignity
contained within, awes me, my friend...rarely have I seen one carry
themselves with such poise and confidence as you...your demeanor has taught
me valuable lessons in life..there were times you displayed the simple logic
that escaped my own reasoning...Yes, my friend, I know that in the broad
scope of the life chain, you are considered as a "lesser" animal than a human
being...Sonny?...I have yet to meet a more humanlike breed of canine such as
the BullMastiff..and you , to me, are certainly one exceptional
BullMastiff...This Ode is dedicated to you...and all others who feel the same
as I about their special friends....Always, will you live on within my
heart....Donna