Neoplasene as a Dog Cancer Treatment
Dr. Demian Dressler is internationally recognized as “the dog cancer vet” because of his innovations in the field of dog cancer management, and the popularity of his blog here at Dog Cancer Blog. The owner of South Shore Veterinary Care, a full-service veterinary hospital in Maui, Hawaii, Dr. Dressler studied Animal Physiology and received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of California at Davis before earning his Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from Cornell University. After practicing at Killewald Animal Hospital in Amherst, New York, he returned to his home state, Hawaii, to practice at the East Honolulu Pet Hospital before heading home to Maui to open his own hospital. Dr. Dressler consults both dog lovers and veterinary professionals, and is sought after as a speaker on topics ranging from the links between lifestyle choices and disease, nutrition and cancer, and animal ethics. His television appearances include “Ask the Vet” segments on local news programs. He is the author of The Dog Cancer Survival Guide: Full Spectrum Treatments to Optimize Your Dog’s Life Quality and Longevity. He is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, the Hawaii Veterinary Medical Association, the American Association of Avian Veterinarians, the National Animal Supplement Council and CORE (Comparative Orthopedic Research Evaluation). He is also an advisory board member for Pacific Primate Sanctuary.
Updated: May 24th, 2020
I received a question recently asking if I had heard of Neoplasene, so I thought I should post about it.
Neoplasene is derived from bloodroot, an old herb used by native Americans. The stuff works but can be a bit much for an average dog lover to deal with. Read on.
It is delivered to the dog cancer patient in a salve that is rubbed on the tumor, or pills, or can be injected in the vein or around the tumor.
It is different from so-called “black salve”, as Neoplasene is a specific extract of bloodroot, not the whole herb. Only certain components of the plant are used.
There are a variety of successes documented, especially with tumors of the skin like fiborsarcomas, mast cell tumors, mammary tumors, and others.
Neoplasene is for use under veterinary supervision only. This is a good call by the makers of the product (Buck Mountain Botanicals). The reason for this is, when the ointment is applied to the tumor on the skin, the tumor cells start to die.
When the tumor cells die, the tissue tends to slough off. A hole is left which needs medical attention. This hole can be pretty big, especially if the tumor was on the larger side. Sometimes the defect produced after large sloughs can go down to the bone. Kind of heavy-duty for some dog lovers.
For more helpful tools and information, get a copy of the Dog Cancer Survival Guide
Other factors need to be considered before using Neoplasene. One is that your dog must not lick the ointment. An Elizabethan collar may be needed, sometimes for a long time. Another issue is the wound may need twice daily care. Finally, there can be pain or discomfort after application or use of Neoplasene, which may require the use of prescription strength pain control medication, in some cases.
Like many tools in medicine, we need to consider all the pros and cons of this treatment. For some dogs with cancer and those who love them, it may be a great match, but not necessarily for all.
I hope this information is helpful. For more outside the box ways to deal with canine cancer, check out the dog cancer e-book, The Dog Cancer Survival Guide, Beyond Chemotherapy, Radiation, and Surgery.
Best to all,
Dr D
Dr. Demian Dressler is internationally recognized as “the dog cancer vet” because of his innovations in the field of dog cancer management, and the popularity of his blog here at Dog Cancer Blog. The owner of South Shore Veterinary Care, a full-service veterinary hospital in Maui, Hawaii, Dr. Dressler studied Animal Physiology and received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of California at Davis before earning his Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from Cornell University. After practicing at Killewald Animal Hospital in Amherst, New York, he returned to his home state, Hawaii, to practice at the East Honolulu Pet Hospital before heading home to Maui to open his own hospital. Dr. Dressler consults both dog lovers and veterinary professionals, and is sought after as a speaker on topics ranging from the links between lifestyle choices and disease, nutrition and cancer, and animal ethics. His television appearances include “Ask the Vet” segments on local news programs. He is the author of The Dog Cancer Survival Guide: Full Spectrum Treatments to Optimize Your Dog’s Life Quality and Longevity. He is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, the Hawaii Veterinary Medical Association, the American Association of Avian Veterinarians, the National Animal Supplement Council and CORE (Comparative Orthopedic Research Evaluation). He is also an advisory board member for Pacific Primate Sanctuary.
Hi Keith
Can you manage to get a resupply? I really hope you did.
Kind regards
Caitlin
Has Neoplasene ever been used in internal tumours? Like a spinal tumour?
Hi Dagmar, there is an injection form of Neoplasene, a liquid form, and a topical form. I suspect that if the tumor is accessible, your veterinarian can get directions from the makers. Since they don’t sell to the public, the best thing to do is have your veterinarian contact them and consult, and if it seems reasonable, they can go ahead and get them set up with treatment options.
Hi Molly,
Do you know what company makes this so I can have the vet contact them??
Thank you
Neoplasene is made by Buck Mountain Botanicals 🙂
Hi molly, keith here again. My dog passed in august of 2019 so was unable to use the neoplasene in her treatment. However after October 2019 we were able to start our oldest dog on neoplasene prophylactically and she has been on it ever since, with great results (cancer presenting in mouth is now undetectable). But at this time I have very little left and Buck Mountain is not returning calls or emails from my vet. Do you have any insight or knowledge of what is going on at Buck Mountain? Or even another source? My vet has been trying to get a resupply for almost two months now.
I believe that Buck Mountain is the only company that grows the herb used to make Neoplasene, so if they aren’t selling it, it’s probably not available. I wish I had more information for you, but your vet is absolutely the best way to get it — they won’t sell or even talk directly to laypeople. Ooh, I hope you hear back soon!
Hi, I hear it being used in Prostate Cancer cases. Could it be successful if ingested? My dog was diagnosed recently and we are not able to operate it or use chemo. Now all we have is alternative treatments and supplements, so I am trying to research anything that can help…
Aloha Evelina, thanks for your question. Please see chapter 12 of The Dog Cancer Survival Guide for more information on Neoplasene and all of Dr. D’s precautions and recommendations. My understanding is that yes, Neoplasene comes in an oral form, however, you would not be able to administer it yourself, you will need to have your veterinarian reach out to the manufacturer and get it. They don’t sell direct to consumers. If you have the book, keep in mind that all of the supplements Dr. D recommends may help any type of cancer. And quality of life treatments and diet are a big help, too. Here’s a link you might find helpful: https://www.dogcancerblog.com/articles/book-excerpt/the-most-important-supplements-for-dogs-with-cancer/
just received two 230 ml. bottles of nepoplasine from my vet – it is available again!
my dog was started just today on neoplasineX oraly but one problem it is hard to come by my vet has only one vial is there somewhere I can call to see if more can be found
Hello Teresa,
From what we have been told, they lost an entire crop last year and simply cannot make it. But their hope is to resume production in Spring. Your vet can contact the manufacturer “Buck Mountain Botanicals” to see if they have Neoplasene in stock/ when they will be hoping to re-stock.
My vet contacted Buck Mountain in January and was told that they weren’t making any more neoplasene until the spring. They have not returned my email questions. Have you heard anything as to whether they have ceased production or whether they are having liability issues?
I have used neoplasene in the past for my dogs and the results are truly amazing. Am hopeful it will continue to be available but am concerned for my dog’s health.
Hi Keith! My understanding is that they lost an entire crop last year and simply cannot make it. If they told you they will resume production in the spring, I’m sure that is their plan!
Thank you much for the response. It was just confirmed last Friday that my dog has lymphoma. we hope to use neoplasene in conjunction with chemo at some point, but my vet hadn’t heard anything either. Have you spoken to them directly?
I personally have not, but I asked Dr. Dressler (I’m his editor) to call them earlier this year, and that is what they told him. I would think that if they say they will be back in stock, they will be.
just heard from my vet – they called and found out last years entire crop was ‘lost’ and they are replanting in april for this year. neoplasene will not be available until it is made in or around december of this year. unless of course it is ‘lost’ again. oh well.
My vet doesn’t know, where can we buy Neoplasene. Neoplasene is inaccessible in Poland, I didn’t find it in net, too. Help us, please, if you can. Roza needs this treatment. Barbara