You and Cesar Millan
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: November 14th, 2018
All of you going through coping with a canine cancer diagnosis are in the trenches. Some are enjoying sunny days as they come, and some are in the depths of suffering.
I remember hearing a song once, and although I am not sure who the artist was, what he sang crystallizes what many feel:
“Nobody said it was going to be easy. Nobody said it was going to be this hard.”
It is so important to realize that you are not alone. In the face of terrible news, our natural response is to look out at the world and notice that everything seems to be going on like before, as if nobody cares or nothing is different. Dealing with feelings like this are first order in The Dog Cancer Survival Guide.
If you are in a dark place, please remember that thousands of people a day are experiencing the same thing you are.
I recently came across the story that Cesar Millan’s dog, Daddy, had passed due to cancer. Most of us in the dog world have heard of the Dog Whisperer. Here we have a man who, although a self-made celebrity, is affected by the very same disease as you.
Once I sat down with a calculator to figure out how many people are actually managing cancer in a loved dog. I was able to produce a rough figure based on the total number of dog deaths in a year. It turned out that over 4,000 dogs pass every day due to canine cancer. And for each of those dogs, there is at least one person just like you, who has experienced this realization as you have, and who has traveled on the same road. You are on a journey, and a nation of people are with you.
Best,
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.
Dr. Dressler,
I have a question about dog food. I was feeding my Boxer Hills Presctiption J/D formula. I was just told he has a heart based tumor (our previous Boxer also suffered from this). I am devastated and researching holistic food and supplements. i am amazed that science diet along with other name brands still put corn and animal by products in their food as the first two ingredients. I know you recommend Hill’s ND for cancer. My vet had also mentioned that food. I noticed that they have animal by products in theirs too as the first ingredient. I can’t, in good conscience, feed my pet something that contains all those low quality ingredients. Do you really think that the cancer fighting ingredeints in that food will override the bad stuff. I am desperately trying to figure out what would be best for my dog.
Thank you,
Jennifer
in Kansas
Ceasar’s best pal Daddy was a wonderful role model, may he rest in peace. Daddy will never be forgotten. My dog, a basset mix 7 1/2 years old has recently been diagnosed with a malignant epithileal carcinoma. He has only been given 2-3 months. The cancer was diagnosed late and had developed in his nose and is spreading to his brain. All I ask for is that he is comfortable, and whatever I can do to help his transition be peaceful. He is my very best friend who has loved me unconditionally for over 7 years. He is so young and to know that he is in his final stages saddens me so. I am currently reading Dr. D’s book the cancer survival guide to basically know what I can do to make his last days comfortable. Thanks Dr. D. for all your advise.
Lisa
Dear Lisa,
You may want to consider a holistic vet who is skilled in homeopathy and has access to ruta-6:
https://www.dogcancerblog.com/blog/homeopathy-for-dog-cancer/
Alternatively, if you are contemplating conventional treatment, there are some cutting edge steps that can be taken at a few places.
Cyberknife
If you somehow end up there say hi to my friend Dr. Sue Ettinger.
Trilogy
If you end up there, say hi to Dr. Susan Lana.
Best to you,
Dr D
This is a great tribute with beautiful music. Does anyone know who sings it and what the title is? Daddy was in a class by himself and is greatly missed!
Thanks for sharing that wonderful tribute to Daddy, Cesar’s beloved friend. My condolences to him and his family. I know the grief of losing your best friend and buddy to cancer as I experienced that a year ago when my 12 year old Shih Tzu died from cancer. My little Tillie will never be forgotten as she was so precious to me. I didn’t have the knowledge about canine cancer back then and didn’t realize that the lumps on Tillie’s head were cancerous. Dr. Dressler thank you for your book and your fight for our canine friends!
For all of you who are going through cancer with your beloved pet, I feel that pain as I lost my precious friend Mellie in Jan. 2010. She is with me everywhere, but I yearn to hear her beagle bay and to feel her soft fur. I am so sad and lonely without her. Cancer is hideous and robs us of animals and humans we love and care for.
My prayers are for you all and I do hope that each of you will continue to fight with your dog against the enemy. My girl was such a tropper. I learned from her to never give up. What a wonderful lesson..
love to you all
pam
My condolences to Cesar and his family on the passing of Daddy. I have watched his show daily for a long time and watched Daddy at work. I am glad he is an advocate for the Am Staff
Thank you Dr. Dressler! I remember the “sunny days” and can relate to the feeling of “the world goes on”. And yes, it is so hard! I have surrounded myself with animal lovers, and although it doesn’t make the pain any easier, I have found it helps tremendously to know there are many others who share the same experience. My dog Cain was my shining star and my best friend. He left my side physically in November 2009, and there isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t miss him. I still feel his presence everywhere I go; every walk I take, every chime that sings, every squirrel that darts up a tree waiting to be chased; they are constant reminders of a dancing spirit by my side.
Thanks for posting that beautiful tribute to Daddy and Cesar. Daddy was a cancer survivor and had survived cancer and chemo years ago. He lived to nearly 17 years old. Cesar and Daddy are such good role models including in the courageous way they fought cancer and won. It helps to know that we are not alone in our fight.
I would like to say that I went through such a very sad time last November when my Standard Poodle was diagnosed with an agressive giant cell sarcoma and following surgery his tumour was regrowing. The good news is that having seen a homeopathic vet for advice and treatment my lovely boy is doing so so well. The tumour has shrunk away totally. He is very fit full of energy and eats a raw meat and vegetable diet which is also a free range diet I give him. There is definately hope for your cancer dog. I only give him filtered water, no carbs at all so I am being very strickt but it is working wonderfully. Regards Lisbeth