Monday 16 February 2009

More on the diet

Can I just draw your attention to the extra bit on Gunner's story added today. Mandy has a much better memory than me and has remembered so much more about diet than I did and crucially she knows the name of the book that inspired John. Here's Mandy's valuable memories! Plus here's a photo of the late great Gunner, too.

Having thought a bit more about the diet John used to prescribe, I think it varied a bit depending on the severity of the cancer - for Gunner, he wasn't allowed any protein except 2oz of lamb's liver per day (that was for a 62lb dog); no salt in any form (even cucumber's weren't allowed as apparently have some sodium in them); only grains allowed were oats, to be made into biscuits just using water; no mushrooms (but all other veg OK and had to be organic); carrot juice VERY good and had to be given several times daily - as much as he would drink; sprouted wheat and alfalfa also VERY good and given daily. No fat of any kind. Only bottled mineral water to be given to drink and for making the oat biscuits (NO tap water, ever!) - and sodium content to be checked so one very low in sodium to be used (some are quite high).

Obviously this diet is pretty restrictive so you wouldn't keep a dog on this for ever, just for duration of treatment then ease some other things in. To make up for the low protein, Gunner was given a B12 injection every day by John. He also had liquid potassium every day and Vitamin C powder (ascorbic acid) was to be added daily to his food; also given Nicatinamide tablets (a form of Vitamin B3 - this particular form causes the blood vessels to expand so helps circulation - but causes something like a hot flush - which obviously you can't see in a dog but did used to make Gunner pant! I think that effect is lessened if they're given with food) And given pancreatic enzyme capsules several times daily (derived from pigs) - so quite a lot more involved than just the CV247, so hopefully this info. will be given out with the sachets (as I'm sure all these supplements can be obtained quite easily) - obviously the Hungarian vet who worked with John would know all the precise details of this.

I know the diet was based on the Gerson Therapy used to cure cancer in humans - lots of info. on that on the net - Max Gerson's book " A Cancer Therapy: Results of 50 Cases" talks in depth about the diet in one or two chapters and his reasons for it (John lent me his copy at the time to read) but there may be more books out now for anyone who wants to really go in depth into the reasons for it.
My dog Sal was on the raw liver, too - but I didn't remember a quantity being mentioned. We had organic carrot juice, too.
Fascinating insights here from Mandy re the souce of the diet idea. I remember from the waiting room that those pets that stuck to John's diet were the ones getting better the quickest - so it's worth working at the diet.
After the cancer emergency was over we added a pasta and yogurt meal into the mix and that was just fine - and she never looked her age - right to the day she died aged 16.

Jake


On Friday 30th January this year I had a phone call from my Vet to tell me one of my best friends, Jake (an 8 year old Labrador) had cancer - malignant melanoma. The prognosis is three months to one year and all the treatments have been explained to me all except CV247.
One of my human type friends had heard of CV247 and after checking every web site possible I have compiled a dossier and handed it to my vet in the hope he will treat Jake with CV247.
In addition to the treatment of Jake I hope lots of other dogs can benefit from this wonderful alternative to painful and prolonged surgery and the effects from chemotherapy.
I can’t imagine loosing Jake at the prime of his life.
Your Blog is an inspiration and provides hope for many people in my position. With all sincerity if there is anything I can do to assist any other people who might have contacted you please let me know. I live in South West Scotland.
Paul Robinson

Paul's vet has agreed to try CV247 and Jake has now moved over to John Carter's diet in readiness and he seems to like it (well he is a Labrador!) and Paul hopes to start the medication this week.
Keep checking here for progress updates. And if your dog or cat is starting on CV247 please contact Beverley and we can follow your pet too.
It would be great if this blog can unify people who have pets with cancer as I found John Carter's waiting room was a great source of support and advice - especially about the diet and where to source the best organic ingredients.
To get in touch email beverley@dogstodaymagazine.co.uk