Pets with cancer trying CV247

My Angel..Lily Twinkle

2011-11-03T03:37:00.000-07:00

Lily Twinkle lasted for nine months from the day of diagnosis for Lymphoma and was happy and pretty much healthy until I made the decision to take her to my vets.
Since my last blog in April, Lily Twinkle was amazing and every vet who met her couldn't believe she had lymphoma as she was bright and her coat and eyes shined. She was pretty much a normal dog healthwise except for the enlargement of her lymph nodes.
She stayed on a daily dose of 25mg steroids until she went and the side effects got less and less as the steroids got less effective. I had spoken to Prof David Argyle at the Dick Vet in Edinburgh but he felt there was a chance she would crash if I took her off steroids all together as it had happened to him before with a dog so I didn't want to take that chance.
I did mean to update Lily's progress in July but the time just flew in! With the help of CV247, holistic meds, natural herbal meds and nutritional therapy from raw food she led a healthy and happy life. She was a bit sluggish in July and I noticed she had some fluid on her hock as she hadnt wanted to walk that day so her circulation wasnt at its best. From that day on she got a walk twice a day which she loved after she got up and out the door. I also managed to get in touch with the physio at the Glasgow Vet School, Melanie. She showed me how to do a lymphatic massage to help boost lily's circulation and lymphatic drainage system. It really helped and she never had another odema after that.
I also couldn't have done such a good job with Lily's treatment without the help of my vets..ICR Butt and Partners...Sarah, Rory and the two Chris's who all had an open mind and knowledge that helped me be positive and productive.
Richard Allport was brilliant and so positive and full of ideas to help Lily and such an understanding of holistic meds and the importance of nutritional therapy. Prof David Argyle was so helpful and managed to fit me in for a consultation at a minutes notice as his oncology knowledge is amazing. Melanie the physio was so patient and kind is showing me how to help Lily with massage. It was great to have such a great support mechanism in place to help Lily and me!
Lily turned eight on 12 September 2011 and we had a wee party for her and I made a liver cake with cheese topping which she and all her friends loved. I was so delighted she'd made it to her eighth birthday as was sure she wouldn't make it past four months with Lymphoma.
At the beginning of October she had an infection that was treated with antibiotics and she was ok for a week then it came back and it was treated again and we decided that she would have to go on antibiotics permanently. It showed her immunity, that had done brilliantly for so long, was now starting to find it hard to keep infections at bay so that is the next protocol.
I got an appointment with Prof David Argyle on 18th October to see what advice he could give me. He was very pleased by how well Lily Twinkle looked and acted at having no chemo only natural treatment for nine months. He did however say that she was at the end of her illness and her liver and spleen were now involved as her tummy was still pot-bellied from the steroids depositing fat on her tummy but now it wasn't fat but organ enlargement.
She was healthy looking and happy and loving her food and her walks but her insides were telling a different story. I was glad I went to see David as I knew there was no-one more qualified with so much experience of Lymphoma to give me a true picture and he even said some of his patients don't do as well as Lily Twinkle has when on chemo.
He couldn't give me a timescale as look how well she had lasted beyond all the odds but I knew it was time.
I made an appointment at the vet on the 20th October and I spent two days going for walks, cuddles, pictures and giving her tasty things to eat, still raw meat but left out the veg. She went for her final walk and was slowing down but still managed a trot and a good sniff round the woods. At the vet she got chicken, corned beef and mature cheddar and then got a raw chicken leg to munch on while the blue jag went in her leg. She was ready and knew and she looked at me with happiness in her eyes while she chomped on her bone three times before she just went. She lay with her head on my lap with her tongue out one side and a chicken leg out of the other with her big soft head and looked so cute and peaceful.
I sat patting her for 40 mins in that position while chatting to the vet and my friend, it wasn't rushed and I feel I got to say my goodbyes and I knew that Lily Twinkle never suffered. She could have lasted another month or so but I was so worried her spleen would rupture or her liver would fail and I couldn't have forgiven myself if that had happened because I would have been keeping her alive for me not for Lily Twinkle.
I now have wonderful memories of a fantastic dog called Lily Twinkle who made everyone see her on the inside not the outside. She was a true pacifying kind dog whose calm nature is so missed in my house. She was a credit to her breed and she changed so many peoples opinions of Rottweilers.
She gave blood to save dogs lives and was a true angel.
Lily Twinkle ~ 12 September 2003 to 20 October 2011 ~
I will miss you so much

Nikki x

PS Thank you for the lovely comments. I forgot to thank Lily Twinkle's breeder, Sharon at Blairoak. She was so helpful when I went to pick Lily eight years ago and has continued to be a great support and friend who sent Lily Twinkle a Xmas card every year and whom I will keep in touch with as she lets me go and kiss all the puppies when she has a litter.
Nikki x

Kia's story

2011-07-06T06:57:00.001-07:00

Kia's Tale

I'm putting out this world wide plea, for help for Kia, in her fight against cancer.

Kia, joined our family ten years ago, tomorrow; 26.06.2001, she was six eeks old, and had just been rescued from a house that had fifteen adult dogs, all intact. Three of her siblings had already been drowned, and her day consisted of been the plaything of a group of unruly children. At the time of her rescue, both her and her brother were been rolled down the windscreen of the family car. Thankfully her new life started a few hours later. On another positive note her sister, that had not been discovered at the time. Was freed, a week later. For a fiver and ten cigs, teenagers today.

With ears, twice the size of her body, Kia was now home! With Sheba, our very maternal GSD as surrogate Mum, Kia soon found her way and blossomed adulthood. With stunning looks, she's DobermanXEnglish Bull TerrierXPharohhound possibly Boxer. She draws attention where ever we are. She's very timid, and both Emma, (sister who was rescued) and her have lots of funny quirks and habits. Mainly grabbing the first thing to hand, when anybody comes to the house; be it her baby, a ball of sock or a roll of kitchen roll. It becomes a treasured item, to show off!!! They also still have some scars, from their previous lives, but we don't dwell on them. Together their like a pair of bookends.

Things have gone on brilliantly, she had her first shots. Was spayed around six months and until two years ago, she'd never been to the vets. This was only because she strained the tendons after too much ball chasing. Forward to the present, March 2011, as my Mum was getting Milo, another reprobate we rescued, into the car. Kia was stalking the picnic tables. My Mum heard a slight shuffle and when she got Kia in the car, she realised that she had been bitten. Kia was bathed and sorted, with no apparent ill effects. But about a week later her right eye, became swollen, and her third eye lid came out. The vet diagnosed an infection, antibiotics and anti imflammatories were prescribed. Follow up, eye same, different meds given. This continued for five weeks. Then on the Royal wedding day, Kia's head, eye, nose. Swelled up enormously, off to the emergency vets, Not examined, but Vet mentioned could be a growth in the soft tissue. Swelling went down after two days, PDSA follow up said they would remove her eye, if necessary. We went to a private vet, who said, it wasn't acting like a tumour, but organised a biopsy, to get too the bottom of things.

Morning of biopsy, dropped Kia off, full of hope and just wanting an answer. three hours later, our lovely vet is telling me that he's sorry, but things aren't looking good, and we should prepare for the worse. Poor Kia, she looked like she'd done three rounds with Mike Tyson.From that phone call, I was accessing ColdWetNoseblog and checking out the list of vets that were prescribing cv-247, an appointment was made. We are fighting this head on. A week later and the results were in: Carcinoma, Orbital mass. There was a Neoplastic mass, features of epithelial origin, most likely of lacrimal gland origin. A week later and Kia had her right eye removed, but unfortunately, they couldn't get all of the tumour, it was in the soft tissue above her eye.

this is where it gets complicated, The vets who we were going to get the cv-247, hadn't been able to get any for several months. So I got in touch with Richard Allports surgery, a lovely lady filled me in on what the problems had been, and what we needed to do to get the cv-247 from them. This is were the problems started. Our vet, as lovely as he is, doesn't know anything about cv-247 and he wasn't happy dealing with Mr Allport. He put me in touch with another vet, who uses complimentary treatments. Luckily he had used cv-247, so he could give me some details IE regarding painkillers etc. He also explained how to obtain the drugs, without compromising prescribing laws. Back to our vet, to fill him in on what I'd been told. This time I was told he would only deal, with the original vet, I had contacted. As any of you know who is or has been in this situation. You don't want hold ups. We just wanted the prescription and the tablets and of course what to feed her. After yet another bank holiday, we were told that finally the vet had got the tablets, and knew the dose. So off we went to collect the prescription, along with some Metacam. Then on to pick up the cv-247. Whilst voicing my concerns about using Metacam. I enquired about John Carters diet and if they had any info sheets. What was said next, was to me so very sad. The vet, just looked at me and said." I don't know who John Carter is, " I told her he was the vet that had formulated this treatment, but that he also recommended a very precise diet. She said that she was American and that she only knew of the drug from the manufacturers that supplied them, but they could provide a generic diet sheet, suitable for dogs with cancer.

Now several years ago, I read one of the articles in DT; about John carter and his amazing treatment, the rigid diet, and some of the remarkable cases. Both animal and human. So I knew John's way was the only way to go. However I only know the basic principles; low salt, low sugar, no processed foods, organic foods only, no grains other than oats and only bottled water (prefabley) glass. I know we need Tryplase capsules, along with other various vitamin and mineral supplements. This is where we need Your Help!!! I'm not very Internet savvy, so sourcing the right info, is proving to be an uphill struggle. I've poured over the cv-247 blogs, which are helpful, but there seem to be some discrepancies, regarding ingredients.

So anyone with suitable recipes, where we can get the supplements and any organic suppliers who can do wholesale would be a massive help. Also of course we'd love to hear from anyone who's going down the same route, to swap updates with. Kia is approx 221/2 - 23kgs. we are in Leeds and are waiting to hear from you. I'm not sure how this all works, so I'm giving all my contact details to Beverley.

Regards

Carolanne and Kia

Every day is a bonus

2011-04-22T00:58:00.000-07:00

Lily Twinkle has been amazing..she looks so happy and healthy and what more can you ask for. Thanks to the blog on Herbie I bit the bullet and asked my vet to refer me to Richard Allport for telephone consultations on CV247 and holistic treatments. It was the best thing I have ever done as Richard is a vet first and foremost but also believes in CV247 and holistic and natural healing. I found it hard with Chilli Pepper to know what was the right food to feed her on and what herbs or vitamins to add into her food as there is so many when you look on the internet. Now I have had a several consultations and the first initial consultation was about everything to do with Lily Twinkles diet and personality and what doses to put her on and all the right herbs and a balanced natural diet which is cooked mostly except the meat and chicken wings for calcium.

Lily was doing fab until 3 weeks ago and she got up and went a walk as normal then when we went to my sisters in the car she looked miserable and was very uncomfortable as her lymph nodes in her neck were big by this point. She had lasted a month without steroids which was great as they made her drink loads and she weed herself wherever she lay although they did take her lymph nodes down brilliantly. I had to phone my vet and she was instantly put on large dose of the steroids again for 3 days and within 12 hours she was back to her happy lazy self, upside down on the couch. I phoned Richard the next day and he advised sometimes dogs may need the help of steroids for a couple of days a month or maybe more just to help reduce the swelling so I am certain the natural way is the right thing to do but for a few months we can give her short course of steroids to keep the lymph nodes down. The prognosis for Lily is dire without chemo but if I get one more month out of her like she is behaving now I will be delighted.

Every day is a bonus and unlike how I behaved with Chilli Pepper (crying every day when she was still alive) I don't cry as I am appreciating her being well and still here. If we dont have long then I am not going to remember how sad I was but how happy Lily Twinkle was. I think it is working with the CV247 and natural remedies and it would be lovely if it continues for ages and then maybe my vets' will take more of an interest in this magical potion!!

I also managed a great breakthrough with Petplan..who lily is insured with as they classed CV247 as a homeopathic med but I complained and now the claims team accept that it is a vet medicine as has to be prescribed by a vet or doctor as contains sodium salicylate which is also in aspirin.

I have just taken the picture above tonight and it shows how healthy and contented Lily Twinkle is in her favourite position with a smile on her face lol.

Nikki and Lily Twinkle x

Remembering Chilli and fingers crossed for Lily Twinkle

2011-02-10T06:29:00.000-08:00

Hi Beverley

I have been meaning to email you for ages to advise that Chilli Pepper left us on 26 May 2010. We had no regrets and her last 15mths were the healthiest she had ever been and the cv247 was the reason for that. The cancer was very aggressive and although the cv247 kept it at bay for an extra nine months it took over most of her colon and digestive tract to the point where the food was finding it hard to go through from her tummy.

Up to that day in may she had been out for her normal walks but was a bit distressed with the pooing thing and she had a urine infection also so that didn't help. Up til then she had been pretty healthy and happy. I felt her tummy during the day as she hadn't eaten much in the morning and it was full and I could tell she was uncomfortable so by 9pm she wasn't any better so called my vet (who is luckily 24 hrs) Chris and I took her up. He put his head in his hands trying to think of something else we could do but I told him it was time.

I still cry every day about Chilli Pepper and I miss her so much as she was my friend more than my dog. I got a puppy...Blue Roan and Sable Cocker Spaniel in December and she is great...although I still miss Chilli, Dilly Dumpling has made my life a little happier.

That being said I noticed my Rottie Lily Twinkle's lymph nodes were swollen last week so up to the vet and although I knew it was lymphoma, we did the antibiotics thing for a week. No change so a biopsy was done and the results came back yesterday as expected.

Here we go again..I haven't got over Chilli Pepper yet and my lovely kind Rottweiller now has cancer too at the same young age of 7 1/2...although now I am more positive and know the path I will follow. Chemo was considered as Lily loves the vets as long as she gets a biscuit and has Xrays done without sedation. She is a gem of a dog who for the last 2 years was a blood donor for the Dick Vet in Edinburgh (20 minutes of blood taken from the jugular without sedation) and they think she is a fab dog too as do my vets and everyone that knows her.

Thank god for the blog Beverley, it is still going strong and another rottie on the site too. Glad to see Heidi is still ok so am going to follow her diet with the Budwig cottage cheese and flaxseed oil thang too. Lily Twinkle cant seem to tolerate raw carrots or cooked ones that are in chunks..she always brings them up so cooked and blitzed carrots for her! With Chilli we did the vintage JC diet but I found a holistic site that gives a recommended diet which is mostly cooked like Heidis diet. I thought it was all raw but it appears to be working well with Heidi so will give it a try. I am so optimistic as Lymphoma has a pretty bad prognosis but Cv247 helped Chilli be healthy and Happy so I want the same for Lily for as long as we have. It is great to see the other lymphoma cases of the spaniels and they seem to have around 18 mths at least so it may be quite effective for this type of cancer. Web advice of vets was prognosis around 6 to 8 weeks without chemo and 8 mths with.

I didnt do the glass bottle mineral water with Chilli but will do it with Lily..as you have said numerous times JC did say it had to be glass not plastic bottles, and he knew best.

Please add this to the Blog Beverley and I will be back in touch regularly with Lily's blog. My vets are totally behind me as all think that it was a success for Chilli Pepper's quality and quantity of life after diagnosis. Lily is on Prednisolone for two wks to blast the multicentric lymphoma to reduce the lymph nodes and in that time I will give her all the vitamins and herbs etc and introduce the diet gradually. After that I will bring in the big guns aka cv247!

Love Nikki and Lily Twinkle x

Mr Custard on becoming a legend and avoiding the paparazzi

2010-10-14T02:20:00.000-07:00

No Mr Custard's (aka as Maverick) head hasn't really turned into a carrot after eating too many!

I love this picture. It was taken a few weeks ago as I feel this sums up Maverick's attitude towards his illness.

No-one passing us on the beach that day would ever know how seriously ill he is. This is a traffic cone that was washed up on the beach and one of his favourite ever long standing 'toys', he can spend hours flicking it on his head and then running about with it appearing headless. He truly is a beach dog and although we live in middle England we try to get to the beach every now and then so Maverick can enjoy himself to his hearts delight. Up until his cancer took hold and affected the strength in his leg, he used to run through the waves out to sea, pick a suitable incoming wave and body surf back to the beach and then start the whole process again.

He seems to understand his own limitations now and will only paddle - we also have him on a long lead just in case.
The fun we had that day also made me reflect on my own attitude and outlook for Maverick. I realised that we can all be guilty of spending too much time focusing on the negatives(the worry of the cancer and the 'what-if's' that inevitably accompany it). Precious time is wasted on these negative thoughts.

I spent five months worrying endlessly whether each day would be his last and what I would find each morning on rising instead of celebrating and enjoying every day that he survived past his life expectancy. Its not easy to do this but I try really hard now to take each as it comes just as Maverick undoubtedly does. I don't imagine that he wonders how he will be tomorrow or that day after that, he just enjoys the day for what it is, nice bit of food, two walks, meet and greet his friends and cuddles in the evening. Maybe that's a lesson for us all - enjoy the here and now.

I feel so grateful for the extra time that the CV247 has given Maverick.
I was very hesitant about starting the blog as I felt a sense of responsibility towards providing a happy ending and worried that if Maverick only had his treatment for a couple of months and then passed away we would somehow of 'failed'. His journey has made me realise there will never be a happy ending as he will inevitably pass away at some stage whether it's from the cancer or old age and the blog is really about his and our trials and tribulations if anything.

Someone once told us on our local walk that Maverick was a 'legend' (I'm not sure this was particularly complimentary at that stage) however even if one person reading this tried CV247 and had some extra quality time with their dog then he would have truly succeeded in becoming a legend.
Kathryn

Read Mr Custard's first blog by clicking here.

Happy Birthday to Mr Custard

2010-09-14T02:21:00.000-07:00

This letter is going into the November issue of Dogs Today, and also included below is the first installment of Maverick's story...

I have a 'nearly' 10-year-old Rottie named Maverick (aka Mr Custard) who started displaying symptoms of osteosarcoma in March; he was eventually diagnosed in April (and that's another story). Luckily, I have been subscribing to Dogs Today for some years now and had read the article on John Carter and CV247 (April 2009). My vet knew nothing about CV247 and suggested it would be better to just continue with the steroids as life expectancy was very poor for this type of cancer (between four to six weeks). I stood my ground and asked for a referral to Barbara at Oakwood Vets in Oswestry (incidentally, Barbara was Maverick's first vet, as she was the breeder's vet so he has come full circle). He started on CV247 and the special diet following that visit.

So here we are in August and Maverick is still with us. We take each day as it comes and let Maverick tell us how many walks he can manage. His cancer is in his left shoulder so he limps quite heavily, but he has already enjoyed two holidays in Devon and the New Forest respectively that he wouldn't have otherwise had.
It's quite a lonely journey, as, just like humans, each dog will respond differently and you will have to overcome numerous problems along the way. Maverick does not like taking any form of medicine/tablets and has always been a picky eater, so we have discovered new ways of disguising tablets etc. He also started to have a very unpleasant smell emanating from his skin (as one friend kindly explained: well, that's because he's rotting from the inside out!). Fortunately, this smell has now stopped, so I can only presume he's stopped rotting! Our worry now is the bone shattering just from walking or the odd occasion when Maverick feels like a run when our backs are turned! We know this would then be the end of the road for him and it would be very unfair, as he has been so brave and uncomplaining.
It's really important for people to hear about this treatment so they can understand that there is an alternative to chemotherapy/radiotherapy, as I cannot find anything positive on the internet about osteosarcoma. It seems that no one offers any hope with this sort of diagnosis.
Perhaps a yearly feature/update in the magazine would be a possibility, for both old and new readers alike?I have not yet found anyone else who has heard of CV247 - how sad.
Kathryn and Mark Smith, Maverick and Quiver, by email

Hi Beverley
Today is Maverick's 10th birthday - a birthday he was never expected to make! I have attached a photo of him enjoying the special organic birthday cake I made for him along with his friends;- Chloe, Gemma, Honey and Quiver. If you look closely you can just about see how his left shoulder (that has the tumour) compares with his good right one.

He had his third holiday this year over Bank Holiday. We went back to Ross Park caravan site in Devon (an ideal site for dog owners) where we had previously been in June. We could draw some interesting comparisons from this little holiday. In June we had a pitch much closer to the lovely dog walk & Maverick could just about get there, go to the toilet and then have to lie down before we could get him back, this time our pitch was further away & not only could he get there but he also had a mooch and a sniff around covering far more ground so although his limp is quite severe and has not changed, something must have for him to feel more like walking.

We did have quite a scare though! On the Friday we had planned to see the Red Arrows in Dartmouth so had planned the logistics quite carefully. We caught the ferry from Totnes into Dartmouth as this involved the least amount of walking for Maverick however due to his excitement to get on the ferry he banged his leg on something - his screams were awful - we really thought he had broken his leg & felt sick to the core, luckily after some soothing rubs from his dad he calmed down & as soon as we got onto dry land I quickly bought some Arnica and gave him those every couple of hours. No lasting damage seemed apparent - phew - that was really close!!

Further to Heidi's blogs I have bought some apricot kernels and have now started to give him those. The woman in the well known natural food shop said that she has a gentleman who comes in regularly for his to help with his cancer.

We went to the 'normal' unsupportive vets last week as Maverick has been intermittently passing dark urine with no other symptoms. Vet said there is blood in it and prescribed antibiotics, not sure if they are helping. So back on the rollercoaster of worrying what every day will bring, vet also said that she felt his limp was significantly worse. I disputed this as his limp is no worse than when she saw him in July and tried to explain that by comparison he is actually walking further now than July (Mav hates the vets so we leave him in the car for the consultation and only briefly get him out for a few steps so she only ever sees a snapshot of his walking whilst he growls at her). She still feels that this progression of his cancer is normal for him and its not the CV247 that's helping, I feel he would be long gone without it!

Kathryn

How to make the medicine go down?

2010-06-15T03:55:00.000-07:00

Just got off the phone with Mrs Beal who has a Rottie Bullmastiff cross with an aggressive cancer. Her dog HATES the vit c part of his meds. He spits it out and just loathes having his medicine.
Mrs Beal wants to know - is it okay to administer the Cv247 and the vit c separately? Also if it would be okay to put either it alone or the whole lot in tomato puree which seems to neutralise the astringent taste a little.
Mrs Beal went to see John many years ago with another dog and we both agreed how sad it is we can't just ask John these questions direct!
We were also recalling how John used to squirt the Cv247 into the dogs mouths, he was so quick they didn't seem to get to taste the stuff. We couldn't decide whether the mix included the vit c at that stage (early 90s) or not?
Does anyone remember if the Dr Linus powder was given separately or not?
Did anyone go to John with a brachycephalic breed? Mrs Beal says that the pointing and squirting is much more complicated in breeds with a very short nose as there's so much extra skin inside the mouth that you can't get a clear shot.
Anyone got any tips?
Would tomato puree be something John would shake his head at and curse? He hated mushrooms, raspberries etc - but I can't for the life of me remember his stance on tomatoes!

Any help for nasal tumours?

2010-03-12T08:20:00.001-08:00

I need to ask if anyone has any experience with nasal tumours in dogs. I've just found out that my 13 year old Golden Retriever has a tumour, it was thought at first that he had aspergillosis but test for this have proved negative. He's had blood tests done and his liver and kidneys are fine, also no sign of diabetes. I'm totally shattered by this news, this is now my third dog to be diagnosed with cancer, (one Goldie with throat cancer, one Dalmatian with bone cancer in her shoulder). I have read about CV247 and wonder if this would help Gyp, he is having problems with his breathing through his nose whilst asleep. He is still fairly active, (still insists on going for a walk even though it is a very short one) and loves his food and a potter round the garden. My vet has got him on Metacam but I am not keen on giving this to him as I like to keep to a natural approach to treatment if at all possible. I already feed my dogs a natural diet of raw meat and veg and don't vaccinate my older dogs any more.

My vet has said that there is a chance the tumour could break a blood vessel as it grows and Gyp already has had some nose bleeds. I just don't know what to do for the best, my husband is thinking that having him put to sleep would be the kindest thing and if he had other health problems, (with his kidneys or anything) I would agree, but I am relectant to do so without trying anything else.

What is it with my dogs, three in a row, and I've got three more apart from Gyp, I'm beginning to think that I must be doing something wrong when I am trying so hard to get it right.

Any advice would be very gratefully received.

Many thanks,

Margaret Ansell

Also posted on the Think Tank Blog

I have experienced nasal tumours in dogs from both sides of the consulting room table, so to speak, and they are certainly a very distressing form of cancer. I would totally agree with the advice your vet has given you about the possible effects and course of the tumour. Nose bleeds are a very common consequence of tumour growth within the nasal passage. Once a patient starts to have nose bleeds, the outlook is not at all good.

I appreciate your desire to follow a natural course of treatment, but do please bear in mind that your vet prescribed meloxicam for pain relief. For any patient, the desire to spare pain is paramount and especially for those with cancer. Pain affects so many aspects of everyday living so changes in demeanour and appetite are two common ways of assessing for pain. It may be that meloxicam relieves the pain now, but may not as time goes by. Fortunately, there are other weapons available to fight pain, and alleviation of pain really must be your top priority. Pain definitely depresses quality of life – believe me, I have been there myself…

Alison Logan, vet

Most up to date list of vets who have prescribed CV247

2010-02-24T07:14:00.000-08:00

1.Mr Richard Allport B.Vet. Med.,Vet.M.F.Hom., M.R.C.V.S.

Natural Medicine Centre

11 Southgate Road

Potters Bar

Herts

EN6 5DR

Email: info@naturalmedicinecentre.net

Telephone: 01707 662058

2. Barbara Jones BVMS MRCVS VetMFHom

Oakwood Veterinary Centre

Babbinswood Farm

Whittington

Oswestry

Shropshire SY11 4PF

Email: barbarjones@onetel.com

Telephone: 01691 679 699

3.John Hope-Ryan

Masefield House Veterinary Surgery

Wells Road

Malvern Wells

Worcs

WR14 4PA

Email: john@mhvs.co.uk

Telephone: 01684 576464

4. Paul Grant

35 Addington Road

West Wickham

BR4 9BN

Email: paulgrant64@hotmail.co.uk

Telephone: 020 84623455

5. Alan Marshall BVMS MRCVS

The Bard Veterinary Group
15 Catherine Street
Dumfries
DG1 1JF

Email: mail@thebardvetgroup.co.uk

Tel: 01387 255295

6. Jane Murphy

Lordship Lane Vet Surgery

509-511 Lordship Lane

Dulwich

London SE22 8JY

Email: ejanemurphy@hotmail.com

Telephone: 020 86934677

7. Andrew Prentis MRCVS
Hyde Park Veterinary Centre
61 Connaught Street
London W2 2AE

Email: hydeparkvet@aol.com

Telephone: 020 7723 0453

8. Peter A Culpin BSc MA VetMB MRCVS

Clinical Director

Pets Naturally

26 Chepstow Corner

Chepstow Place

London

W2 4XE

Email: pcvet@petsnaturally.com

Telephone: 020 7221 9200

10. David Batchelor BVM&S MRCVS

Batchelor, Davidson and Watson

19 Hillhouse Road

Edinburgh

EH4 3QP

Email: bdw.vets@yahoo.co.uk

Telephone: 0131 332 0458

11. Nick Thompson BSc.(Hons) Path. Sci., BVM&S, VetMFHom, MRCVS

Holisticvet Ltd.

Apthorp Centre,

Weston Chiropractic and Holistic Centre,

Weston Road,

Bath

BA1 2XT

Email: nickthompson@holisticvet.co.uk

Telephone: 01225 48 7778

12. Gavin Durston BVM&S, MRCVS

Thrums Veterinary Group

20 Forfar Road

Kirriemuir

Angus

Scotland DD8 5BY

Email: vets@thrumsvet.co.uk

Telephone: 01575 572643

13. Manuela Wight, MRCVS

Highfield Veterinary Centre

145-147 London Road

Sheffield S2 4LH

Email: apts@highfieldvetcentre.co.uk

Telephone: 0114 2554667

14. David Beech

The Veterinary Hospital

175 Newport

Lincoln

LN1 3DZ

Email: vethosp@tiscali.co.uk

Telephone: 01522 800333

15.Tim Couzens BVetMed, MRCVS, VetMFHom, CertVetAc.

The Holistic Veterinary Medicine Centre

Unit 2, The Village Works

London Road

Hoathly

Lewes

East Sussex BN8 6QR

Email: admin@hvmc.info

Telephone: 01825 840966

16. Jeremy Edwards B.Vet.Med MRCVS

1 Clayhill Cottages

Uckfield Road

Ringmer

E. Sussex BN8 5RS

Email: jnedwards1@hotmail.co.uk

Telephone: 01273478488

18. Sue Armstrong MA VetMB VetMFHom CertIAVH MRCVS RSHom

Balanced Being

Unit 8

Erivan Park

Sandbeck Way

Wetherby

LS22 7DN

Email: health@balancedbeing.com

Telephone: 01937 543860

19. Dr Birgit Ahlemeyer MRCVS

21 Post Horn Close

Forest Row

East Sussex

RH18 5DE

Email: birgitahlemeyer@fastmail.co.uk

Telephone: 01342 826 104

20. Andrew Carmichael Vet mb, MA, MRCVS

The Addison & Holland Park veterinary clinic

7 Addison Avenue

London

W11 4QS

Email: a.carmichael@cardiophone.co.uk

Telephone: 02076034094

21. Mr Simon Caple BSc, MA,VetMB, MRCVS

Alnorthumbria Veterinary Group

Belvedere Terrace

Alnwick

Northumberland

NE66 2NX

Email: emmal@alnorthumbriavets.co.uk

Telephone 01665 602516

22. Mr Terence Oomerjee BVSc BSc MRCVS

Arthur Lodge Veterinary Surgery

17 Brighton Road

Horsham

West Sussex

RH13 5BE

Email: toomerjee@yahoo.co.uk

Telephone: 01403 252964

23. John Stoker B.V.Sc., MRCVS

Hollington Cross Farm,

Hollington Cross,

Highclere,

Newbury

Berks. RG20 9SE

Email: john.w.stoker@googlemail.com

Telephone: 01635 253441

What a wonderful email...

2010-02-22T14:25:00.000-08:00

Hi Beverley
Sorry I havent been on the blog for so long..almost a year...where does the time go? My time has been spent enjoying every little minute with Chilli Pepper who is still doing well. The tumours seem to be getting bigger but slowly in my view as they were cut out last April so I think they are growing slowly as it is an agressive type of cancer that is in her lymph nodes and liver. She is finding it harder to poo now but they are still an okay shape(yes I am now a poo watcher!) but apart from that she is healthier, thinner and happier than she has been in her 8 short years. I was so glad to get her to her 8th birthday as I didn't think it would be possible due to the agressive nature of her cancer and bleak prognosis from the Dick Vet in Edinburgh.
Needless to say I havent been back there as I found them a miserable lot and my own Vets are all very positive ie they think she looks great and none of them are saying' well you know she will die of cancer unless she is run over by a car'. I may be optimistic but I am not stupid and know she will die of cancer probably this year as if the tumour continues to grow it will eventually constrict her rectum, intestine or stomach. Anyway no more negativity!
The diet has been easy for CP to digest and eats it very well..she is still on carrots, broccoli and raw liver..though I dont add oats to her night feed as she seems to process the veg and liver fine but there is more bulk when she has the oats. Another miracle is she had a substantial heart murmour but 2 of my vets have recently been unable to hear any murmour so she is definitely finding something to make her healthier. I dont know if it is the cv247 or the diet or the vitamins and mineral supplements I give her but she has never looked better and that is all the evidence I need..she is still on no medication as shows no signs of pain(believe me I would know as CP is a bit of a drama queen!) She is still going for 2 hour walks with my other two dogs and doggy friends and never gets tired so I think I made the right decision to start CV247 with the help and advice from you and the other bloggers so BIG THANKYOU to you all! Taking each day as it comes.

love Nikki and Chilli Pepper XX

Here's their original post

Mail on Sunday article

2010-02-01T08:31:00.000-08:00

We've just heard that there was an article in the paper at the weekend about the human use of CV247. Click here for more info...

... and check out the previous blog here for a list of vets who have previously prescribed CV247 for animal use.

Homeopathy help?

2009-11-11T10:32:00.000-08:00

My lovely boy Sovereign has been confirmed to have malignant lymphoma, to say I was devastated at the news is putting it mildly.
On reading the articles in Dogs Today, I knew there was hope.
I have been able to get CV247 plus Immune boosters and there has been a small change in the size of the lumps, they are definitely smaller, not by much, but they are not getting any bigger.
I'm off to see a Homoeopathic vet in Wetherby tomorrow, to get the remedies to try and attack this thing from that angle too.
Is there any one who has used Homoeopathy with this regime?
Chris & Sovereign
info@caninelearningcentre.com

Heidi update

2009-11-03T05:39:00.000-08:00

I was just sending a couple of emails to people wanting to try CV247 and was looking for the info on Heidi's diet as her owners were really amazing at documenting her regime.
I'm not sure if many of you have been checking in recently for updates, but I've been a bit remiss.
Just went to Heidi's blog a little heart in mouth to see how this sweet rescued Border Collie was doing and I was delighted to hear she's feeling so well a year on from such a very dark prognosis that's she'll actually starting to be a bit naughty!
Here's a link if you want to read the whole story... well done team Heidi!

Can anyone help over the phone?

2009-08-26T08:02:00.000-07:00

We're just heard from a lady just starting CV247 on her collie. She doesn't have Internet access and was wondering anyone else whose pets are currently undergoing treatment could talk to her over the phone with diet tips etc?
She's going to see vet Nick Thompson.
If you can email me I will forward her phone number.
Many thanks
beverley@dogstodaymagazine.co.uk

A round up of info

2009-07-18T23:31:00.000-07:00

Here’s a list of vets prescribing CV247, regardless of where you live, some may agree to postal consultations.

List of vets.

You’ve found the CV247 specific blog but here are the other bits from my general blog that may help give more info on diet, background etc.

Read this

and this...

and this one...

and there's more...

nearly done...

It's well worth reading Heidi's regime

and here's the one about the green capsules.

Hope that helps – if you still got any questions let me know and I’ll try to help! beverley@dogstodaymagazine.co.uk

Good luck, if you do go ahead and would like to record your story on the blog do email me.

Best wishes
Beverley
Editor, Dogs Today

Any CV247 patients on Metacam?

2009-06-26T08:31:00.001-07:00

I've just received an urgent email and wonder if any of you know the answers?

Hello Beverley,
My name is Vanessa and I'm writing about my beloved Standard Poodle Gypsy. I could not love her more. Last June after bleeding from her vulva since just after Xmas, she was diagnosed with squamous-cell carcinoma of the urethra at the Animal Health Trust Hospital. I was told it is extremely rare for this type of cancer to grow inside the body and it usually affects the skin. She appears to be only the third case of this they could find on records and therefore could offer no treatment other than horrendous Frankenstein surgery to remove her whole reproductive system, (she is not spayed), her vagina, vulva, urethra and bladder and to make a new bladder from a piece of bowel and reroute her ureters from her kidneys into it so she eliminated urine through her rectum. Although we booked her in for the surgery and left her there I spent a torturous night feeling it was the wrong thing to do and prayed for whatever is out there to send me a sign. I rang my vet first thing to ask her to ring the hospital to stop them going ahead and was informed that they were about to ring me as the surgeon had fallen and broken his arm really badly in a car park before he got to work. That was my sign.
To cut a long story short, the surgeon was so desperate to operate that he rang me a couple of days later and then a couple of times at a later date and tried to encourage me into going ahead with the surgery even though his arm was in plaster. It turned out that this would have been the first time this type of operation had been attempted on a dog combined with a spay.
The oncologist, Sue Murphy, did however prescribe Metacam for her as it can act to slow down that type of cancer.
So now you know the background. I asked for a second opinion and Gyp and I were sent along to see Malcolm Brierley at the Queen's College University Hosp. Cambridge. He was very kind but couldn't offer any better news.
We sort help Richard Allport and Gyp has been taking homeopathy and herbs.
To get to the crux of the problem, Richard told us about CV247 a couple of weeks ago and I wanted to give it a go. However my conventional vet is against it as she says sodium salicylate is a non-steroidal anti inflammatory and Gyp can't take it along side Metacam as this would be using two non-steroidal anti inflammatories together, which would be dangerous. Gyp has had a large 5cm duodenal ulcer caused by the Metacam and is now on Omeprazole as well as Antepsin and this seems to have healed it as far as an ultrasound could see.
So. My massive dilemma is do I go along with Richard and give the CV247 or go along with my vet? I am not very Internet savvy, so don't know how to go about finding anyone else who may be giving non-steroidals alongside CV247. I saw your site on it and wondered if you knew anything about this. I am desperate as Gypsy's stream of urine seems to be getting thinner and strangulated. I have M.E. and can't work, so I am able, thank God to give her 24 hour care. Every day is spent watching how every wee comes out and trying to keep my hysterical sobbing away from my beloved girl. She knows I am stressed and have been crying and tries to comfort me and bring me a toy to play with her with. She is a good weight as I have to hand feed her liquidised food as she stopped eating over a year ago. She is energetic, playful and wants her walkies despite having bad arthritis on top of all her problems. I am at my wits end and broken in pieces.
So there's our desperate tale. If you can help us in any way I would be so grateful. Surely there are others out there who's dogs are on non-steroidals who are taking CV247 but how do I find them for advice? Sorry for such a long letter but there was a lot to tell.
I hope so much that I will hear back from you Beverley,
Best wishes
Vanessa

Dear Vanessa
I’ve never been asked about NSAIDs before, so I have forwarded your email to the CV247 bods to see if I can get someone technical to give it a look. Will let you know if I get an answer, it may take a while as Professor Sebensky in based in Hungary. I’ll ask on the blog too if any other CV247 users are on Metacam.
It is very difficult trying to make the best choices, but you might also benefit from talking to other people on CV247 – for eg Heidi’s owner who uses lots of other alternative remedies to give her Border Collie the best chances of more quality time. It may be that even if CV247 isn’t going to be suitable you might find some other things you might be able to do that do help.
Best wishes
Beverley

Dear Beverley
Thank you so much for such a quick reply. Richard is on holiday and so can't get to speak to him. He was aware that Gypsy is on Metacam - I just hope he remembered that when he prescribed the CV247. The Metacam is the only treatment for this type of cancer according to both hospitals and all the vets she's seen. It has certainly kept it at bay for a year- in June last year she was given 3 months- and it appears that since we had to reduce the dose the cancer is progressing more rapidly. I dare not take her off the Metacam for fear that the cancer will progress even faster. Even Richard agreed that it was essential for her and he hates Metacam as it is so toxic. Richard's receptionist got a message to him and he replied he would be surprised if there was a bad reaction for Gypsy on CV247, but she didn't know if any of their other clients were taking non-steroidals, and couldn't tell me if Richard had considered this. The info about the CV247 states that dogs with gastro-intestinal upset or ulcers shouldn't take it but Gypsy is on the Omeprazole and her ulcer did seem to have healed according to the ultrasound vet and our vet. Our vet is a wonderful lady who goes beyond duty to help but is just so worried that taking the CV247 might affect that ulcer site and then we would be in trouble.
I hope this extra info helps you and anyone else who might have an opinion or be able to help. I don't know how to use the Internet or chat sites so would be very happy for you to give our e-mail address out on your site and to anyone who can help. Things are getting desperate and I would be so grateful to anyone for any kind of help. Also our landline number is: 01206 331183 - that's Colchester in Essex.
I hope you find this e-mail before the weekend! It's going to be a long one and along week till Richard gets back on the 6th July. I just hope we can get some advice in time- we have the CV247 in our hands and I am just too scared to use it.
Thanks again Beverley for your kind help - I feel so alone and desperate for my dear girl.
Best wishes
Vanessa Firmin

Dear Vanessa

Having read your messages about your lovely dog, Gypsy, I felt I had to write to say how much I feel for you – I know how hard it is to have a beloved dog suffering from cancer (I lost my beloved Belgian Shepherd, Gunner, to bone cancer in 1994 – his story is on Beverley’s site) and also how hard it is when you’re trying all options and having to make decisions yourself rather than just doing everything your vet says.
I don’t know the answer re: giving Metacam and CV247 but when I had to make a decision, a few years ago, about having my cat operated on and desperately needed some advice, I rang lots of different homoeopathic vets and the only one who was willing to give me her advice over the phone there and then (me not being her client and her not having seen my cat) was Philippa Rodale – so while Richard Allport is away, maybe you could try ringing her? Her no. is 01305 848 221.
If it turns out that CV247 isn’t compatible, there are many, many other alternative ways to treat cancer. Another wonderful person for general advice on all aspects of animal health and healing is Catherine O’Driscoll (not a vet, but she lost several dogs to cancer in the early 90s and has made it her life’s mission to find out what is happening to make our dogs sick and is very knowledgeable. She now runs Canine Health Concern and has many, many contacts – she has really helped me with my current dog in the past, putting me in touch with various therapists, and she can also advise on diet and do absent healing and communication with your dog if you are interested in that sort of thing – her no. is 01821 670 410.
And finally, I happened upon this wonderful article last week about someone’s journey to heal their dog from cancer (and succeeded) – I found it really informative about various things to try (she didn’t use CV247) and also very uplifting – so it may help you to read that. I found it on Catherine O’Driscoll’s website, but the direct link is: www.pamperedpawswimspa.com/html/derby_s_healing.html
And lastly, I know its hard, but SO important to look after yourself while going through such a traumatic and stressful time – do get some healing for yourself too as it will help you and Gypsy (again, Canine Health Concern’s website has an A-Z of resources and many of the healers on there do healing for people too – I think Catherine may do as well. If you want to look at the Canine Health Concern website, the address is: www.canine-health-concern.org.uk
Take care, Vanessa – thinking of you and Gypsy and wishing you both much healing.
Best wishes
Mandy

Beverley,

I've only just seen the blog - I wanted to let you know that I was advised by Richard Allport that it was OK in Herbie's case to take Metacam along with CV247. Herbie has a long-standing shoulder problem that occasionally flares up, I think from a former racing injury, (he's a retired racing greyhound) and earlier this year he seemed to be stiff for the first couple of hundreds yard when walking. He took Metacam for a week alongside his CV247 with no visible ill-effects.

Hope this helps,

Helena

PS Herbie is still alive - there's been no miracle cure, but the drug seems to be stopping him from getting worse.

Heidi 8

2009-06-02T10:40:00.001-07:00

2nd June 2009 - happy day

Heidi’s op went well & her recovery from the aneasthetic was nothing short of miraculous; there was a little trembling & some whittering but she calmed down so quickly & has not looked back since. Yet again, Barbara’s needlework is very impressive & H has an extremely neat scar along her tummy. 3 lumps were removed; the large one, a smaller one developing behind it & a lymph node. We should get the results of the biopsies next week.

She has just had her post-op check & Barbara is delighted with her progress. She has been given permission to start walking alittle further than around the garden, but is already looking keen to get moving. Apparently the skin along her sides looked a little bruised which was possibly from the weight & movement of the big lump, so it must have been pretty uncomfortable for her. I cannot imagine the freedom she must now be beginning to experience.

R x

Malcolm's legacy

2009-06-02T02:11:00.000-07:00

Hi Beverley,

The cv247 has now found a good home: believe it or not, but Malcolm's old kennel mate in Greece has also been diagnosed with lymphoma, but is doing very very well, still, and so the cv247 could definitely be of help to allow him to enjoy life a little longer.

Thanks ever so much for all your help and support, it is much appreciated.

Kindest regards,

Ms Billy de Goede

In Malcolm's memory

2009-05-28T15:35:00.000-07:00

Just received the third of this sequence of emails a few moments ago. I know it would mean a lot to Billy to know that the drugs might help another dog.
I'm sure we all send Billy all our love at this very sad time, those of us who have loved and lost know just how raw he'll be feeling and will be appreciative of his magnanimous gesture.

Hello Beverley,
I'm sat here writing this this with a lump in my throat, trying my hardest to hold back tears. Malcolm, 13 years old and my best friend, was diagnosed with lymphoma nearly two years ago. With a healthy diet and the help of radio therapy we managed successfully to beat it into remission for all this time, but last week it's reared its ugly head again with a vengeance: Malcolm, who was quite happy to do a 2 hour walk last week Sunday, and go for a full day out the week before, is now so weak on his legs that they just buckle underneath him and he goes for very slow short walks now. They still take ages, because he is still very interested in every little smell that comes his way. It is because he still has that spark of life in him that I want to fight for him in every way that I can.
I came across your article, and sent the link to my vet, asking her to order it for Mal, but a couple of my friends have told me that it can take a while, because CV247 isn't licensed in this country. And time is what we haven't got .... The vet reckoned that we are looking at a couple of months but seeing as he is, I don't think we even have that.
I read about Kate Clayden, whose Weimaraner Pippin sadly died of lung cancer, and her generous offer of the bottles of CV247 that she has left. I don't need them for free, I am more than willing to pay for them, because money can be borrowed but time can't. If Kate doesn't want any money for them, I'll give a donation to a rescue or something - I'm really not after a freebie!
I'm sure I'm not the only one asking for this. I'm including my address so that, should we be lucky, you know where Malcolm lives.
I'll attach a picture of my gorgeous boy, which was taken only 2 weeks ago, when he still showed all the signs of a healthy dog, and we were completely unaware of what was about to happen.

Thanks for reading this, and please send my heartfelt condolences to Kate and her family.
Best regards,
Billy de Goede

Re: CV247 for Malcolm
Hi Malcolm

Really sorry but the bottles were snapped up in minutes, yours is the third email so far and Kate was very efficient and posted the bottles yesterday afternoon. What I can tell you is it is possible to get CV247 quickly. Your vet can order it direct or more quickly he/she can order it from one of the existing vets that have stock. Or you can be referred to a vet on this list who will usually post out to you if you are too far away to attend – Richard Allport has done postal consultations for others for eg.

Here’s the link to the list of vets who have CV247 in stock:

http://petswithcancertryingcv247.blogspot.com/2009/04/vets-wiling-to-prescribe-cv247.html

Can I wish you the very best of luck with Malcolm, my dog Sally had liver cancer many years ago which is how I discovered John Carter and Cv247. It worked for Sally and really was my only hope as she was inoperable. It is gentle and easy to administer, but the diet is key and you need to read up on the blog about the regimes that others are following. Sally loved her diet so it was no trauma.

I’m forwarding your email to Kate, too.

Kind regards and good luck
Beverley

Dear Beverley,

I'm devastated to have to tell you that Malcolm passed away the day before yesterday. My vet pulled out all the stops and arranged for me to be able to pick up some cv247 from Barbara Jones in Oswestry on Saturday. We left Mal, and my other 2 dogs Kiera and Sparky, at home with a friend. Mal at the time still had a spark in his eyes which told me that he hadn't given up fighting yet, so I started him on it as soon as we got back. It was too late tho, by Monday evening the spark in his eyes had gone, and he was looking so very tired. On Tuesday morning he was the same, so I called the vet and arranged for Mal to be helped on his way that afternoon. He spent the morning in the garden in the sun and still wanted to go for short walks around the neighbourhood, but it was obvious that his fighting spirit was gone. He got a sedative at home, which sent him off to sleep, and he never knew anything about that dreadful last trip to the vet's.
So now I'm left with 7 1/2 years worth of memories and hundreds of pictures - and nearly 2 bottles of cv247 and a bag of vitamin C powder. Like Kate before I'd like to give this to another dog, I'm just wondering if the bottle that has been opened - and kept in the fridge since - will travel well in the post, or would you per chance have heard about anyone near Manchester who would like it?
Another thing that I would like to ask is a donation for it to Greek Animal Rescue, which is a UK based, registered charity, who I will be forever indebted to for giving me my Malcolm. No amount can ever compare to the happiness that Mal has given me for so long, but the money could maybe pay for vet treatment for another poor, abused and abandoned animal in Greece, who then might be able to live a happy life with a family. I hope that that would not be an unreasonable request?
Thank you very much for your help.
Kindest regards,
Billy

Please email me and I will forward your emails to Billy. (beverley@dogstodaymagazine.co.uk)

Heidi 7

2009-05-26T10:25:00.000-07:00

26th May 2009 - another op pending

I cannot believe it’s so long since I last wrote anything. I’m really sorry to those of you who have been concerned that something may have happened to Heidi - I assure you she is full of beans & raring to go!

The operation to remove the growth on her mammary gland is booked for this Friday. Her heart is strong (although the murmur is still detectable) & she is in a totally different place to where she was before the last op, as am I. I no longer wait with baited breath for her bark first thing in the morning, wondering if she’s made it through the night, but I do still relish the sound of it when it slips out from her joyous little body while she waits for someone to come down to see her in the morning.

I have been taking some time out of work to reassess my journey. Many issues have raised their heads in the last month or so & one of them was about trust. I watched Heidi that day; her trust is implicit. If there is something she’s unsure of she runs to me & always has from last November. If I need to do something for her, after I’ve explained it she will let me do anything & will come over when called at the vets, even though she’s feeling a bit wobbly about it she trusts me to keep her away from danger. The level of her trust is immense. Her history is one of broken trust & here she is offering it to me freely & unstintingly, unconditionally. It is never forced, although sometimes she takes a millisecond to consider it, she always comes forward. If my little collie can trust in such a way & live with the consequences of it being abused (in the past) why should I give a second thought to who I can & cannot trust? For today, I trust. If tomorrow that is broken, so be it. I’m going to avoid wasting time worrying about what might be & focus on what is.

I give you all my assurance that if there is any change in Heidi’s health, I will write it on the blog. When she was going through traumas before I found it really helpful to just write it all down, but when things are going well it’s harder to write; “Heidi’s really fit & bouncy. Watched a snail today.” could get a little monotonous! No news is good news here.

Travel well.

R & H x

Very sad news

2009-05-18T05:38:00.000-07:00

Dear Beverley,
I wonder if you remember me. I emailed you about CV247 and our Weimaraner Pippin, who was suffering from lung cancer. We did so well, against all the odds, but she finally succumbed about six weeks ago, and it is only now I can write about it. (I'm sure you know how devastating losing your best friend can be). I am quite sure the CV247 helped, I just think that we discovered it too late, but in my earnest, I had ordered three extra bottles in anticipation of the months ahead, which of course, went unused. So with that in mind, I was wondering if you knew of anyone in particular or could post an entry on your blog offering them free of charge. Its just that I know how expensive the diet can be, and this is over £100 worth, which I would quite happily post on to someone in need.
It's just a thought, but do let me know if you have any takers...
Many thanks and kindest regards,
Kate Clayden

I am sure we all send Kate our condolences. Please email me if you would like to take Kate up on her very generous offer. beverley@dogstodaymagazine.co.uk

This has now been claimed, three very touching emails. Good luck to all these dogs.

Rainbow Bridge Poem

Dear Kate

I am so very sorry to learn that your beloved Pippin has passed away and I know how sad you and your family must feel. You did all that you could for Pippin and he was loved and blessed and a lucky little dog to have come into your lives. I attach a little poem for you which I think is so nice and sums up how we feel about our pets, I hope you like it.

God Bless you

Maralyn x

Welcome Nikki

2009-05-04T23:35:00.001-07:00

Hi Nikki and Chilli Pepper

Nice to see you have joined our Blog. I guess you have loads of questions like I did in the beginning and trying to do everything possible to help Chilli Pepper (what a great name, by the way). We are all here for you to help and Beverley is fantastic, I would never have found CV247 without her help. My little Cinnamon is doing ok at the moment, although her tumours around her neck have returned they are still very small (about half a pea size) and do not seem to be growing fast which is a relief. I shall be ordering my third bottle of CV247 this week. Her diet is much more difficult than for a dog but I try my best. I give her lots of vitamins and organic pet food, a little raw liver here and there, but she gets bored with the same food so have to vary it a bit. I love the tiera on Chilli Pepper! Good luck to you and hope all goes well, keep us all informed of Chilli Pepper's progress - Maralyn x

Chilli Pepper

2009-05-04T11:37:00.000-07:00

Hi Beverley

I am going to start Chilli Pepper this week on CV247. Have the Bottles of CV247 but they are 300ml bottles not 600ml as previous email from me! I now have Ascorbic Acid and am waiting on Tryplase from internet which should arrive by Thursday.

We have been on holiday in the Borders this weekend and it was great to get away after all the negative news this week regarding Chilli Pepper. I have once again read all the blog on CV247 to try and get my head around the 'vintage' John Carter diet and everyone else's diets that dogs have responded to the treatment positively.

As Chilli Pepper now also has Liver Cancer I will stick to the diet Sally was on with a little addition of green raw organic vegetables and organic oats for treats and to sop up the liquid of carrot juices! I am going to Boots tomorrow as have 3 for 2 on Vitamin E tablets! I have listed below the daily menu as I would appreciate you or anyone else's input as want to make it as close to what John Carter would have prescribed...

2oz raw New Zealand Liver
Wizzed up Organic Carrots
CV247 with Ascorbic Acid(Vitamin C)
Vitamin E tablet
2 Tryplase Tablets
Little raw organic vegetables finely chopped
Little organic oats
Little cooked organic potatoes with skins on
Bottled Mineral Water with low sodium

I thought I could add a little blended liver to the oats and water to make tasty treats for Chilli...do you think it will matter as the liver will be cooked?

I also would like your thoughts on making up a batch and freezing it for easiness and freshness...did John Carter approve of freezing food?

I don't want to think too far ahead but, like you and Sally, after 6 months and hopefully a still happy and relatively cancer free Chilli Pepper I will increase protein and oats and get a more balanced diet and maybe introduce some organic pasta etc. I am an optimistic person and I truly believe the CV247 and the diet will help Chilli Pepper and give the medical cynics something to think about!

Thanks for listening

Nikki and Chilli Pepper X

John didn't seem to mind freezing. Back in those days often the only NZ lambs liver I could get was frozen and it didn't do Sal any harm. I do wish John was still alive as he may have tweaked or improved the diet he used in Sal's era or made different recommendations for Chilli.
If you can get in touch with vet Richard Allport I'd say he'd be well worth talking to, perhaps your normal vet could write you a referral letter? Just would be great to have the support of a lovely vet? I do think some other patients are remote and are doing postal consults with him.
The very best of luck with this. I suspect you are coming from teh same perspective as I did, that a glimmer of hope is better than none. And that if there's something you can do that whatever happens does no harm - then it's worth a go!
Just hope you get the results we did. When Sally was diagnosed she couldn't absorb even the best vet prescription diets - she was very thin, backbone showing through her then sparse coat. She was so poorly it was very easy to see progress.
She adored the diet - hope Chilli Pepper does do.
Do keep us updated.
Regards
Beverley Cuddy, Editor

Heidi 9

2009-04-28T02:21:00.001-07:00

27th April - Celebration?

We saw Barbara today to check Heidi’s thyroid levels are what they should be. Her pulse was a steady 95 (now NORMAL!!), her heart sounded strong, although the murmur is still there & her thyroid levels are just outside what they should be. Hurrah!! Instead of upping the Soloxine we are seeing whether we can illicit a change by adding more kelp to her diet.

On the flip side of this her mammary lump is quite large now & is very tight in the skin. Barbara’s instinct is to remove it as it would be a relatively straightforward operation to do & Heidi is much stronger now & far better able to deal with it. We will wait a few weeks to get her thyroid in the right range & then work on really boosting her up for another op. Some may question why we didn’t remove it when the thyroid was done, but I still believe that she had enough to deal with after that one procedure without adding to her discomfort & trauma. She really is a different dog now.

Is the CV247 working? This is a complete unknown. A thorough check of her thyroid area revealed no lumps, bumps or swellings (i.e. no return of the original cancer) so on this basis something within her regime is working & I ain’t going to change any of it!

While we were waiting for the results we had a lovely game with a little squeaky ducky. Heidi was barking & grinning like she was the happiest dog in the world. I couldn’t help grinning either; when she first came to us her mouth / eye coordination was rubbish (she can’t see much detail) but she was really trying to catch ducky & even incorporated Meg’s technique of using her front legs to funnel the duck into her mouth (sometimes with success). She then showed me that she could fetch too, but made sure I didn’t get it afterwoards by running around me at a rate of knotts tossing a look over her shoulder at me that said “catch me if you can”!

Raise a glass to Heidi & a wonderful veterinary team at Oakwood. Thank you.

R x

Chilli Pepper

2009-04-27T22:30:00.000-07:00

Hi Beverley,

As fate would have it my poor 7 1/2 year old Cocker Spaniel Chilli Pepper was diagnosed with anal sac carcinoma and it has metastasized into her lymph nodes about 2 months ago. She had surgery 2 weeks ago to remove the anal sac and surrounding lymph nodes and the surgeon assured me he cut out what was feasible but this process wasn't a cure but will hopefully give her a longer better quality of life.
The owner of the kennels I put my other dogs into called me to advise of your article in April's issue re cv247 which was the best thing that happened to me and Chilli Pepper as I have always been against chemo for dogs especially Chilli as she is quite sensitive to all things relating to vets if you know what I mean!! I was in turmoil until i checked out your blogs and all the stories from yourself and other people with similar situations and whether it works on Chilli Pepper or not I feel it is worth a try..I spoke to my vet who is very open minded and he called the vet in Edinburgh who is on your list and I am able to go pick up some cv247 from him as he has had to order a bulk load and has only given it to one dog 2 mths ago and hasn't heard since if he feels it is working. Nevertheless I would never have known all this wonderful info if it wasn't for you Beverley and your research team so thank you from the bottom of my and Chilli's heart.
I have also been trying to research the maple syrup and bicarbonate of soda remedy to cure cancer..basic principle by heating the two ingredients together bonds the ingredients and the cancer tumours crave the sugar and soak up the mixture and then the bicarb goes to work to kill the tumour from the inside out..most stories on internet are by people cured but my vet also said he didn't think it would harm her or be affected by giving cv247 at the same time...have you any ideas on this?
I also have a couple of things that not sure about mainly the diet thing...the liver, carrot juice and supplements didn't seem that balanced and my vet was a little concerned about this..do you think I could give her Nature Diet which is natural and balanced with a content of 60% meat and I have been giving her lamb as feel chicken has antibiotics pumped into food whereas sheep need to graze grass so they are prob as organic as could hope to get without trying to balance a diet based on Barf. According to your literature on diet low red meat so chicken seems to be more desirable? Also had noticed in blog last time the name of those pig capsules pancreatic juices but am unable to find it now?
I am desperate Beverley as I am sure you can understand having been through the same trauma with Sally but how wonderful that she then defied odds by reacting to cv247 and living til 16 and its things like this that have given me hope although trying to stay optimistic is hard as I love Chilli Pepper so much as tears run down my face now thinking of a day that I will lose my best friend.
I know you are busy running a fab mag but if you do get a moment to read through my ramblings and give me advice on the above queries I will be eternally grateful from one lucky dog owner to another.

thanks Nikki Herald X and Chilli Pepper lick

Hi Nikki and Chilli Pepper

I totally understand how you are feeling. It is a very upsetting time.
I will tell you what I know about CV247 and the diet. The diet is equally important as the CV247. It is weird and my normal vet was sceptical – he wanted me to feed a canned prescription diet. Innovation doesn’t come from regular vets, so it’s understandable that John advocated something many vets think of as strange. But there is logic behind it. From my time in the waiting room it was the people who stuck rigidly to the diet that got success. Those that wavered and just gave the dog what it liked or treats that were not on the diet, didn’t get better.
Some dogs did get a bit lean when they were battling cancer, my Sal was – but I thought it was worth it and in hindsight it was. And to be honest she was already thin when we started as she was so ill she couldn’t digest. Therefore I don’t think I had the same dilemma others did. And Sally loved her weird diet, I think it was things she was craving as it was what her body needed. When she was ill, before diagnosis, she stole the broccoli from my shopping.
John was adamant about a chemical free, salt free, sugar free diet. That the body – liver especially – should not be sidetracked in dealing with non-food items. It needed to concentrate on fighting the cancer. His attention to detail was so great that he insisted on bottled water, too – but not in plastic bottle – it had to be glass.
It kind of makes sense and the results seemed to back it up.
As far as the maple syrup idea I don’t think that would work with CV247 as introducing sugar would be against the diet. I’d say you’d try one or the other – but that together probably neither would work. It would be worth checking out Heidi’s regime on the blog as her owners are using alternatives, too.
My instincts were to throw myself into one method and just treasure every day. We weren’t offered traditional alternatives as Sal was inoperable. With CV247 you do no harm no matter the end result, there are no side effects.
It is all or nothing though, I’d say don’t bother doing CV247 if you aren’t going to do the diet.
Good luck with which ever path you choose and if you’d like me to record your story on the blog, I’d be happy to do that. The blog can help replicate John’s waiting room – people pass on tips and support each other.
The drug was Tryplase by the way, it helps absorption and is or was made from pig's pancreatic juices – so hopefully natural stuff.
Best wishes
Beverley

Hi Beverley,
Thank you for your most speedy and informative reply to my rambling email! I am so glad I spoke to you as now I have a path to follow...I am enjoying chilli pepper each day as I always have but I will leave the maple syrup and bicarbonate of soda for now to concentrate on cv247 and the specific diet of raw nz lambs liver, juiced up organic carrots(another great tip from you as I also cant find organic carrot juice anywhere just like cinnamon's owner). What other supplements are required to be mixed with the above menu and I have noticed a few vitamins and is omega 3 oils to be added as cinnamons mum has done? If chilli pepper loses weight it will be better for her as she should be 12kilos and is 16 so the weight loss will be an advantage! Can she get raw bones or should it just be liver? I'm sorry to keep barraging you with questions but I have read so much that you email was a relief of concise information! I will be glad if you can add Chilli Peppers story to the Blog as not that good on a computer so only know how to email you! It has been very informative and also gives me some hope that denying Chilli Pepper chemo is the best decision as I know she will not cope with that but try explaining that to specialist cancer vets! Just for information sake my vet put me in touch with the vet on your site regarding cv247 stockists in Edinburgh so went today and picked up 2 bottles (600ml each)of the cv247 at £89.70 and then went to Boots pharmacy to order vit c powder at £7.15 per 100g as may be advisable to let other people considering this to have a rough idea of cost as i had no idea how much is was going to cost. The cv247 will last me around 2 mths as she to get 4ml twice a day. Thanks again for your time Beverley..

Yours Nikki + Chilli Pepper XX

Hi B,

Me again....! Diet to be low in sugar but ok to have organic fruit....I would like to give her apples and blueberries but not sure it this would put too much sugar in her diet? What do you think as apparently apple seeds have some anti cancer properties and blueberries have great antioxident qualities so think would be a good thing but not sure if too much sugar or is it refined sugar that is a nono?

Thanks Nikki x

Hi Nikki and Chilli Pepper
I remember John saying he hated berries and mushrooms. Any other's out there heard him going on about berries being the worst thing on the planet you can eat? As he was iffy about parsnips because they have loads of sugar I would go very easy on the fruit if you're going for the vintage Carter diet. Anyone else remember John Carter's line on apples?
Cheers
Beverley

Heidi 8

2009-04-27T06:24:00.000-07:00

22nd April - week 6

Dear Heidi. She now has cystitis. How can one endure so much going on with her system & yet remain so bright & vital, filled with love for each day & those she encounters on her journey through life.

I was looking back through her (many) photos & was struck by the changes in her eyes. In her early pictures she looks slightly vacant, or resigned to her fate. At this stage I felt that she may make it to Christmas. Then over Christmas she started to twinkle at us & you can see her whole face relaxing. Her facial expression is somewhat different in that she now clearly smiles, sometimes even grinning at us & you can see it both in her mouth but especially in her eyes. She’s one cheeky girl!

Thank you world for sending Heidi to us.

R x

16th April - week 5

We had a wonderful day trip at Easter to Pembrokeshire to drop off my old van - Greenacres Rescue are going to make good use of it & it looked as though it would be well loved too! It was just so amazing to be able to show them Heidi. Who’d have thought she’d get this far? Both Sarah & Mikey remarked on how bright her eyes are & how strong she is (they were more discreet about her weight but she was a little scrap when they last saw her!!).

A few days prior to this I’d been remembering her energy when she arrived here last November. I’d spent some time with her giving her healing & TTouch & then went over to Meg to give her some loving & her strength was such that I had to take a step back from her. Heidi had so little at the time that the contrast was quite overwhelming. After remembering this, I went to kiss Heidi on the top of her head & she really pushed her head up into my face, almost as though she was saying, “That was then, this is now. Look at how strong I am now.” Since this day she has found ways to demonstrate her new found strength to us - a cock of the head with a jink from side to side, running full pelt around the well or doing her little foot tapping dance she does when she’s excited. You cannot imagine the joy I feel when I see her & feel her now.

The raw diet is being eaten with gusto & we are now very gradually cutting back the portions. We are unable to change it to 1 meal a day as she has supplements needed for 3 so she’ll just get less. Poor girl has gone from being slightly less than bothered about food to being obsessed. Our 13 year old Dyson packed up last week & she has been doing a great job of picking through the fluff for us!

We went for a lovely walk in Pembs, up the valley from Nevern towards the Llwyngwair Manor. It was the longest walk she’d had for a while & loved paddling in the mud & sniffing the flowers. On the return we took Meg down to the river (she’s part duck) & the 2 of them had the best time ever! I have some lovely pictures in the new camera but have yet to work out how to transfer them. Heidi & Meg were really sparkling (pretty wet too) - I hope I can share them soon along with the video.

Heidi’s lump is still pretty large, but it doesn’t appear to be bothering her. I was giving it far more attention than was healthy so have decided to not bother with it unless it starts to bother Heidi. If the lump wasn’t there you really wouldn’t feel there was anything amiss - she’s lively, bonny & bright & just so full of life. Who could ask for more?

9th April - week 4 & girl stuff

http://www.mekuti.co.uk/books.htm

Isn’t hindsight wonderful? I’d noticed HRH spending more time than usual licking her bum from either last week or the week before. It suddenly occurred to me last night that she’s not been spayed… Heidi’s in season! Again, she’s taking it all in her stride & not being tarty with the cat as Meg is usually (then it’s the postman, but that’s another story).

I re-read my copy of “Natural Nutrition for Dogs & Cats” by Kymythy Schultze last night. One of its joys is that it can be read from cover to cover within an hour & it has so much useful & relevant information. There is one section I’d like to quote here which confirmed my thoughts on the CV247 diet:-

“In 1997, oncologists from Colorado State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine published diet recommendations to help combat … cancer. Their recommendations suggest excluding lactate- & glucose-containing fluids, because cancer cells thrive on sugars & create lactate as a waste product. Lactate poisons the animal by depleting its energy, thus weakening it. The study recommends limiting sugars & simple carbohydrates. The researchers concluded that a diet relatively high in fat & low in simple carbohydrates resulted in a longer survival time for cancer victims.”

“Of note is the fact that cancer cells cannot utilise fat, which is an excellent natural energy source for dogs & cats. They also found that omega-3 fatty acids reduce lactate levels & have the ability to reduce or eliminate metastatic disease. Since heat & hydrogenation destroy these essential fatty acids, raw foods are a good source of these vital nutrients.”

“Sugar comes in many forms. Many processed & even “natural” foods contain sugars. Grain & dairy products are biologically inappropriate sources of sugar for dogs & cats. The study also recommends feeding protein that is highly biodegradable. The body cannot utilize nutrients if it can’t easily break down the food within the body.”

from “Natural Nutrition for Dogs & Cats” by Kymythy Schultze (my dog nutrition bible!)

Kymythy recommends only feeding one meal a day as dogs are not designed to have food nearly constantly in the gut, but as HRH is on 3 meals we need to consider this change carefully. I changed her breakfast this morning from her usual mix of everything plus her supplements to a small amount of porridge (which will be phased out) to which I added a little of her meat ration & 1/2 the liver to cook slightly in the heat from the porridge. A finely whizzed carrot was mixed in with her supplements & my love was poured in with it. It is beginning to feel better, but still needs a fair amount of tweaking. I had to ask Chris to check she was eating it & was amazed when he said the bowl was empty & she was trying to remove the pattern!

This is completely by-the-by but life would be so much easier if both the dogs ate the same food. We tried to work out how many hens we’d need to keep if we started to “build” our own organic food as it is so expensive. When we got to 36 as a rolling number we realised it would be a little uncontrollable plus we’d be up to our necks in chicken pooh! We’ll find a way - after all we live in the midst of rural Wales surrounded by farms…

R & H x

8th April - My new Grrra?

Heidi is doing so well; she has her usual bounce back & is merrily circling her way around the dining room. She was a little unsettled when the out-laws first arrived (coinciding with her bump expansion so she was probably feeling a bit grim), but they quickly fell in love with each other.

All protected & safe

Heidi is now wearing her t-shirt & grrra daily (we take it off at night on the basis that I’d hate to wear one all night!). Thankfully, I’m a bit rubbish at throwing old things out so was able to massacre a bra & stitch it to the bottom edge of her t-shirt & use one of the straps around her hind leg to hold it in place comfortably. I continue to be surprised at how cool the lump is within its sling but can only assume that friction has been reduced. She is certainly able to gallop around the garden at full tilt while she pursues Meg with her ball.

I decided to go with white in case anything untoward happens to the lump; it would be easier to see if anything gets damaged underneath with white, but it will also need cleaning more often. I will use a gentle handwash so the amount of chemicals potentially being transferred to her system through very thin skin will be reduced.

A childhood watching Blue Peter was not wasted…

I have been curious at how many people are focused on an animals ill-ness as opposed to their well-ness. It’s been tricky with this blog so far as it has been about her daily life with illness, but it can be very easy to take ones eyes off the ball & miss the well bits. Yes, Heidi has a variety of lumps over her body, a bad heart, a dodgy liver, hypothyroidism & who knows what else, but when you look at her you can only wonder at how healthy she looks, how light her step & how bright her eyes are.

On the diet front I have been getting an increasing feeling that I need to move her onto a mainly raw diet. She loves her cooked food but I do feel she’s missing something from the nutrients with it being cooked. There are so many conflicting pieces of advice for dogs with cancer - feed carbs, don’t feed carbs; reduce protein, increase protein; fats good, fats bad. It’s very easy to get into a flat spin so I decided to take my own advice - trust your instinct.

We will lightly steam some of her veg & chop it up finely in the blender. Her raw veg will go through the juicer & she can have that with a small amount of porridge, & the potatoes / rice / pasta will be cut right back to a balance with her greens. The CV247 diet specifies a large amount of carbs which doesn’t sit right for Heidi (it is possibly fine for another dog). The fish & liver will be fed raw or made into treats. The more people speak about their experiences with John Carter, the more I wonder at where the diet came from which is given with the CV247 now. Wheatgrass & carrot juice is mentioned, a supplement called Tryplase, the liver being fed raw, & so on. It’s all very confusing so I’m returning to a diet which isn’t hugely different to the one provided but may feel more “alive” when being fed. When her mix is made up daily it feels faintly sluggish whereas Meg’s food feels vital & alive (she’s fed all raw). I can only work with what I feel (unless I’m given irrefutable evidence otherwise).

I’ll let you know how it goes.

R & Hx

6th April - Jogger’s Nipple?

We have stopped the homeopathic Phytolacca (which we were giving after her lump disappeared & for mastitis / mammarian cancer) as we suspect it may have been stirring things up too much & are speculating this may have contributed to the flare up at the weekend. Heidi is very happy & has resumed her bed rotation at night instead of just sticking with one all night which she’d done from Friday. She’s now wearing her sling very happily (an old bra cup attached to her t-shirt &a piece of elastic which holds it in place). I have been surprised at how cool her lump remains in it, but it has been pointed out that previously it would have been swinging from side to side which could have either created some inflamation &/or soreness or just increased the blood-flow. We’ll have to watch in case she gets jogger’s nipple…

I have been getting far too involved in outcomes recently & realise I need to let go of them. I’m doing what I can to support her, friends & other lovely people are sending her what you can to help her, she is loving her life & the rest is really unknown therefore worrying is pretty pointless. In being concerned about her future, how can I truly appreciate her today? I’ll tell you something, she’s having a lovely day filled with Meg, her food, people around her to fuss, tickle & scratch her, comfortable beds in just about every conceivable position to make the most of sunshine (where’s that gone then?), the cool, the warmth, the soft, the peaceful & the most advantageous place to watch food being prepared.

5th April

I ended up on the floor with HRH last night. With mother in law on the sofa (we’re nothing but hospitable here) I took my bed under the stairs with Heidi. She didn’t budge from her bed (dog, not MiL) all night, which is unusual for her. There were moments when I stretched my hand out to check she was still ok & she was so deeply asleep that she did not stir. The lump this morning is still large, but is slightly less tight within the skin.

I have wondered what caused the change -I was burning some thyme & eucalyptus oils for MiL who has a stinking cold & a cough as they appeared to help. Heidi had had a busy couple of days; it’s so easy to get carried away with her as her whole face lights up when playing. Good bit of mental health stuff. Yesterday she slept very little, I think just from the change in routine & resumed her position as “Velcro Dog of the Year”.

Everyone else has gone out for the day & I’m hoping that she can catch up on some z’s

4th April - Grown

10pm - I have just felt Heidi’s lump & it is bigger than it has ever been before & really quite tight inside the skin. It is the first time I have felt concerned about it bursting & am unsure what to do. I have just spoken to Lesley (on call vet) who has suggested that if it were in serious danger of bursting Heidi would be showing some signs of discomfort (licking, whining,etc), there may be a discharge or signs of thinning of the skin. None of these apply & she seems quite bright (although tired after a day of family).

Lesley has also suggested we stop the Phytolacca until Monday when I can speak to Barbara to see whether this may be having some influence on HRH’s lump.

Please may we have a quiet week with her this week?

R x

Cinnamon 6

2009-04-26T22:51:00.001-07:00

Cinnamon is loving her raw liver even more. She is now hanging around the kitchen waiting for me to give her a piece. I can't believe how much she loves it now when she used to turn her nose up! My other 2 cats still will not eat it. I know John Carter recommended giving NZ lamb liver but I don't think its organic, so does anyone know if this is correct as I thought most fresh food had to be organic. I have looked at the organic carrot juice in the supermarket but the only one I can find has lemon juice in it. Is this the one most people use? I'm not sure carrot juice will go down well with Cinnamon but I do put a little organic raw or cooked carrot mixed in to the food sometimes.

Am I the only CV247 user writing on this Blog, where has everyone gone?? No one is giving updates anymore, which is a shame as we can help one another. There must be quite a few people out there who's animals are using it and it would be so nice for us all to keep in contact and swap recipies etc. Even if you feel it may not be working and your pet is still poorly, keep in touch and we might be able to give you a shoulder to lean on and talk to one another and share our problems. Are there no other feline friends?

Well, my little angel is still ok, tumours are about the same as on my last post, but she is still well and has her mad half hours zooming around the house, jumping on the window ledge and knocking over the photos, but I don't care, as long as she is happy and not suffering thats all that matters.
Maralyn

John was always fine with NZ Lambs liver, he thought it was the best as the lambs were apparently all grass fed. With regard to carrot juice I made my own. I have a Anthony Worrell Thompson juicer and I just make carrot juice fresh as I need it. It is for me these days not the dogs as I got a taste for the stuff! Some juicer don't cope with the strain of carrots - but this one has lasted a long time already!
Beverley Cuddy

Cinnamon 5

2009-04-20T03:52:00.001-07:00

Unfortunately, yesterday I noticed another very small lump has returned again between her shoulder blades, making it 3 noticeable lumps now. Indeed I am terribly disappointed that perhaps the CV247 isn't working for my Cinnamon especially with all the trouble I went to corresponding with Beverley to obtain the formula. However, reading over the trials again posted on this blog, some dogs were treated for 24 months before tumours regressed, so perhaps I can keep on hoping. Sarcomas are fast growing so perhaps her system hasn't conquered it yet, so I won't give up hope just yet or perhaps I will never give up hope!! The good news - she is finally eating raw NZ liver - wow! After Mandy's comments on raw liver, I thought I would try again. I first gave my other 2 cats a piece and they turned their noses up, went over to Cinnamon and offered a piece to her and she loved it, so I have given it to her as a tit bit for supper. I have also looked into the Transfer Factor which has been recommended but am doubtful about using it after reading what some websites say about it. So, maybe it is still early days yet and fortunately she is still in good health otherwise so I shall continue with all treatments and wait and see what the future holds and keep you posted - Maralyn

Cinnamon

2009-04-12T09:19:00.001-07:00

Like Herbie's owner, I too was pleasantly surprised to see my article on Cinnamon in Dog's Today magazine. So thank you Beverley for printing my article and hopefully it may help other CV247 users. Cinnamon is still well in herself and now on her second bottle of CV247. Unfortunately, her 2 tumours still seem to be slowly growing but are still small at present so I am praying that they will start to slow down eventually. I am now putting organic grated carrot into her food and mixing it with organic chicken and organic pet food and she and my other 2 cats seem to enjoy it. I also give her the NZ lamb liver but still have to mix it with organic pet food or she won't eat it. I buy the dried wheatgrass juice from Xynergy and just add water and syring it into Cinnamon's mouth, perhaps it might be easier for Herbie's owner to do it that way if Herbie won't drink it. I have also added in Omega 3 oil now and shall keep adding other vitamins in the hope that it helps her.

Thank you

Maralyn

Herbie 2

2009-04-11T09:57:00.000-07:00

It was such a nice surprise to open this month's edition of Dogs Today and find Herbie inside - thank you, it really made my day!
I just wanted to let you know how he was getting on, five weeks down the line. There have been no miraculous cures like Heidi's, but he has stopped going downhill. A few weeks ago, I wasn't sure he would last the interval between my asking my vet for a referral and receiving the first bottle of CV247 in the post. Given that, it's major progress for him still to be here, and still eating, and wanting to go for walks.
I'm still feeding him organic meat and veg, but I'm no further on with vegetable juices. I've just spent two weeks growing some wheatgrass, and half an hour assembling the juicer, to produce about a centimetre of dark green liquid which he won't touch. I've just drunk it myself, and it's quite pleasant. (Maybe I should have juiced some liver as well.)
Thank you again,
Helena and Herbie

Vets wiling to prescribe CV247

2009-04-09T02:45:00.001-07:00

Vets who have indicated a willingness to prescribe CV247

Mr Richard Allport B.Vet. Med.,Vet.M.F.Hom., M.R.C.V.S.
Natural Medicine Centre
11 Southgate Road
Potters Bar
Herts
EN6 5DR

Email: info@naturalmedicinecentre.net
Telephone: 01707 662058

Barbara Jones BVMS MRCVS VetMFHom
Oakwood Veterinary Centre
Babbinswood Farm
Whittington
Oswestry
Shropshire SY11 4PF

Email: barbarjones@onetel.com
Telephone: 01691 679 699

John Hope-Ryan
Masefield House Veterinary Surgery
Wells Road
Malvern Wells
Worcs
WR14 4PA

Email: john@mhvs.co.uk
Telephone: 01684 576464

Paul Grant
35 Addington Road
West Wickham
BR4 9BN

Email: paulgrant64@hotmail.co.uk
Telephone: 020 84623455

Alan Marshall BVMS MRCVS
The Bard Veterinary Group
15 Catherine Street
Dumfries
DG1 1JF

Email: mail@thebardvetgroup.co.uk
Tel: 01387 255295

Jane Murphy
Lordship Lane Vet Surgery
509-511 Lordship Lane
Dulwich
London SE22 8JY

Email: ejanemurphy@hotmail.com
Telephone: 020 86934677

Andrew Prentis MRCVS
Hyde Park Veterinary Centre
61 Connaught Street
London W2 2AE

Email: hydeparkvet@aol.com
Telephone: 020 7723 0453

Peter A Culpin BSc MA VetMB MRCVS
Clinical Director
Pets Naturally
26 Chepstow Corner
Chepstow Place
London
W2 4XE

Email: pcvet@petsnaturally.com
Telephone: 020 7221 9200

Octavian Galla DVM,MVSc, MRCVS
Companion Care Vets
Inside Pets At Home
Great Northern retail Park
Leeds Road
Huddersfield
HD1 6ND

Email: huddersfield@companioncare.co.uk
Telephone: 01484 411804

David Batchelor BVM&S MRCVS
Batchelor, Davidson and Watson
19 Hillhouse Road
Edinburgh
EH4 3QP

Email: bdw.vets@yahoo.co.uk
Telephone: 0131 332 0458

Nick Thompson BSc.(Hons) Path. Sci., BVM&S, VetMFHom, MRCVS
Holisticvet Ltd.
Apthorp Centre,
Weston Chiropractic and Holistic Centre,
Weston Road,
Bath
BA1 2XT

Email: nickthompson@holisticvet.co.uk
Telephone: 01225 48 7778

Gavin Durston BVM&S, MRCVS
Thrums Veterinary Group
20 Forfar Road
Kirriemuir
Angus
Scotland DD8 5BY

Email: vets@thrumsvet.co.uk
Telephone: 01575 572643

Manuela Wight, MRCVS
Highfield Veterinary Centre
145-147 London Road
Sheffield S2 4LH

Email: apts@highfieldvetcentre.co.uk
Telephone: 0114 2554667

Heidi 7

2009-04-02T06:47:00.000-07:00

2nd April - Week 3

I find it difficult to believe that it’s three weeks since Heidi’s op. She has been through so much & yet here she is bouncing around the garden like nothing has happened. Remarkable.

We had her blood test results on Tuesday. She is now hypothyroid which explains why the scales hit 13.6kg (a whole kilo heavier than when she came to us last November, & a kilo I never thought we’d see). We’ll have to watch she doesn’t pile on the pounds with her all new metabolism so have started to cut back on her food - there was rather a lot of it.

We now give her her Soloxine an hour before her meals & this morning you’d have thought I’d killed her mother the way she looked at me. You see, if we are in the kitchen we are feeding her not giving her the most meagre piece of cheese & then walking away for an hour before the good bit happens. I was quickly forgiven (albeit an hour later). HRH is now constantly hungry & will graze anything off the floor. BO (before operation) even bits of food on the floor would be left, but now anything is game; fluff, bits of wood, chicken pooh (that’s generally outside…), soil, potato peeling which have missed the compost, etc.

The lump which disappeared last week has gradually reappeared. I have no reason to panic about it - I’d much rather have Heidi with a lump & feeling comfortable than her without it & feeling dreadful, which she apparently was. She is so vital at the moment & so very keen to be out & about again, & that is what is important. Obviously I’d be delighted if it went & stayed away, but only if she feels well with it. Barbara has suggested we make a little bra for her to keep the lump protected from knocks & abrasions so the sewing machine will be put to use this weekend. Would it be a Grrrrra?

It’s just so wonderful to see her verve back again. Although her twinkle was always in her eyes, even when she was feeling dreadful but there was anxiety there too, the sparkle has returned to her eyes. That collie mischief which leaves you utterly vulnerable to smiling all the time is back. When our old cat, Spike, was living out his last days I had several people tell me I should have him PTS. My answer was always the same; while he has that twinkle in his eyes, no matter how small, he stays because he wants to. He, like Heidi, had bad days, but you could feel the strength of their will to stay through it all. The road to wellness or physical death isn’t easy & is strewn with obstacles, but by knowing there will be “off” days & looking for the light in their eyes you will know whether it’s right for them to continue with your support or whether it’s time to help them out of their failing bodies. The day Spike died the spark was just a glimmer. He wanted neither water nor food, but just to be held for one last, peaceful cuddle. He needed no help to leave & when he did leave it was one of the most precious moments I have ever experienced. There was no fear from either of us & it was beautiful. I still cry for him as I miss him but he reached out with his silver-grey paw & touched my soul.

Bob Champion said, “With hope, you can achieve anything.” With hope, fear has no place to reside. With hope you can look into your companions eyes & support them in a way that is appropriate. It is possible to be both hopeful & realistic by taking one day at a time & enjoying each, precious moment with them. Stroking their faces, gently scratching the point behind their ears which makes their eyes go soft, quietly brushing their coats, or just watching them while they sleep, telling them softly how much you love them.

Take time to get to know their twinkle, it will serve you well.

R x

Heidi's regime - what's yours?

2009-03-31T12:42:00.000-07:00

Heidi gets the following every day (bear in mind she also has a heart problem - items specific to this will be marked with an “H” - so don’t be put off):-

CV247 - 3mls mixed with 1/2 scoop (provided) of ascorbic acid (vitamin C) until fully dissolved. I mix this on a saucer & add a little food to mop up the liquid then feed it to HRH. She usually licks the saucer clean.

Daily food ration (split over 3 meals) organic where possible:-

9oz boiled potato or rice (we alternate),

9oz raw carrot, lettuce, fruit etc. (we use apple, carrot & banana)

9oz cooked greens - we do a mix of cauli, broccoli (every 2 or 3 days so as not to upset her thyroid balance - remember it was removed), cabbage (as suggested) but also, spinach, celery, sprouts, etc. We steam these lightly over the boiing potatoes / rice.

9oz oat flakes or brown bread (we make up porridge cooked slowly as baking it is uneconomic)

4 1/2 oz chicken or rabbit - I chop it up small & chuck it in with the pots/rice for a few minutes (it doesn’t take long to cook through)

2 1/4oz slightly cooked egg or boneless fish. Again, these are alternated day to day. The egg is put in with the drained potato while still hot which cooks them lightly, or the fish goes in with the pots / rice for about 1 minute.

2 1/4 oz slightly cooked liver. In with the pots/rice for about 1 minute at the end of cooking or fish it out with a slotted spoon. I understand that JC recommended New Zealand lambs liver. A friend was told that the lamb there is grass fed & doesn’t get all the (GM) grains.

Mash the potato with the egg while hot. We whizz up the veg in a blender so it’s rough chopped & mix this with the potato & chopped chicken. The liver & fish also get whizzed & put into the mix along with the porridge. It can be quite gloopy so we add some of the liquor from the potato / chicken.

We tend to make up 2 days worth & chill it, but it would be easy to do a week at a time & freeze it down. Her bowl (ceramic - avoid plastic as chemicals can leak into the food) is warmed with hot water then the food put it & stirred around to warm it through. This avoids chilling her stomach. We finely grate apple or carrot over each meal, or sometimes add mashed banana.

Dry Mix -

1/2 tsp dried angelica (ground)

1/2 tsp dried dandelion (ground)

1/2 Vit. B complex (crushed) - stress vitamin

1 neem multi-capsule - immune boosting & heart support

1 turmeric capsule - anti-cancer, immune boosting, H

1 1/2 scoops Dorwest Herbs Keepers Mix - general booster & thyroid support

This all goes into a jar, is mixed up & shaken over each meal.

1 cap Vit E oil (H) & 1 cap Evening Primrose Oil (H) are put onto her lunch

1/2 tsp Milk Thistle tincture x2 daily - liver support

Motherwort & hawthorn 3 x daily (H)

PLEASE CONTACT A QUALIFIED HOLISTIC VET ABOUT WHICH HERBS / DOSES ARE APPROPRIATE FOR YOUR ANIMAL.

K9 Immunitas 1 capsule 3x daily www.petlabs.co.uk - immune boosting

Cottage Cheese & Flax oil

1/4 cup cottage cheese

1 tbsp organic flax oil

Both whizzed in the hand blender & given as “pudding” after breakfast with 2 x K9 Immune Factor (also Petlabs) which is Transfer Factor, reputed to be a good anti-cancer supplement. The amounts of the cheese mix vary with the size of the animal. Heidi loves her pud & is most concerned if I forget! Meg loves licking out the bowl afterwards too.

I sometimes drop a couple of Apricot Kernels in as an anti-cancer “treat”, but HRH sometimes spits them out so it’s quite ad hoc. Other animals eat them like treats so it will vary from individual to individual.

Heidi’s diet wasn’t a dramatic change from what she was eating before so she was able to go straight onto it, but to change an animal over to this one from a dramatically different one should be quite straightforward. Allow about 2 weeks (more if you are concerned that they will go off their food) & take out a small amount of the old, replace it with the new & mix thoroughly. This will allow them time to adapt to the new flavours, but will also enable their gut flora & fauna to get used to changing something different (they will have become specialists at digesting their old food & may find a change challenging). This is a good, simple, easily digestible diet, butmore importantly, it’s balanced. It appears to be fundamental to the CV247 efficacy & it’s surely worth a try, after all, you’ve gone to the trouble of finding someone to give you the CV247.

I’m sure that the method I have described above is a variation on a theme of what others are doing, I’d love to hear, but the principle is the same. Heidi certainly enjoys eating it & has not turned her nose up once - even on stinky fish day!!

Heidi 6

2009-03-31T00:59:00.000-07:00

March 30th - Day 18

You can go right off roller-coasters.

Heidi called to me at 5 this morning & I found her shaking all over, slightly chilly, with cold feet & very pale again. I sat quietly doing TTouch with her for about 5 minutes & she calmed. Her colour had returned so I went back to bed. At 8 this morning I found her shaking, pale & looking utterly dejected. I found no trace of any discomfort but gave her Arnica just in case, Aspen for the trembling & Rock Rose before spending about 20 minutes doing more TTouch; Chris joined us to do ear-work & she gradually calmed down. There was no sense that this was anything like last Thursday’s crisis, but I rang the vet for advice anyway. Once we’d established that she was eating ok (from a spoon though - she is poorly after all) it was decided we’d play the “wait & see” game that seems to go with this condition.

The day has been spent dodging up & down the stairs; 15 minutes work, 15 minutes with Heidi, 15 minutes back in the office, & so on - thank you self-employment! During one session I noticed how her coat has changed; it’s gone really curly (which it does when she’s under the weather), the skin around her ribcage is incredibly tight & she twitches when I stroke her middle back - unusual for her.

Her breath has been almost toxic since Thursday. It’s enough to make your eyes water but we go to great lengths to avoid making any kind of issue about it. I received a lovely e-mail form someone I met at a local show last year who is going through similar traumas with her dog & suggested that Heidi was “lysing”. Not heard of it so was pleased when Pam explained, “Lysing is when the body is overwhelmed by dealing with dead cells, some dogs have been cured by the Cancer but died of the lysing and post mortems have shown that the cancer had gone but the body just couldn’t cope with dealing with the amount of dead cells.” Cheering, but bless her, she did follow this up with the observation that Heidi seems to be coping with it. It makes sense to me & I look forward to hearing what Barbara feels.

With this in mind I have been giving her Crab Apple flower remedy through the day as a good cleanser. I will give her another dose of Milk Thistle at tea-time too to help her liver clear out the yuck. I have been interested that she has consistently rejected healing today, much preferring TT, strokes & tickles. She had her jumper back on for about an hour this morning as she was so chilly, but that came off when Chris lit the fire before lunch.

Lump update. The tenderness & pinkness has gone & the pouch has refilled to about half of what it was but it feels very different to how it was before Thursday (it’s ok, I’m not squooshing it around, just light strokes are enough to establish the changes). Before there was a definite “connector”, a bit like an umbilical cord, but now it just feels like fluid filled pouch.

HRH is much brighter this afternoon, even managing a little woof at the Postman, but is still on restricted exercise to allow her system time to deal with whatever is going on in it at the moment. Her eyes have remained bright throughout & she is still able to do vertical take-off & landings to the sofa.

Thank you everyone for your lovely messages & wishes. They mean so much.

R & H xx

Those green capsules...

2009-03-28T01:32:00.000-07:00

When I went to John Carter with Sally all those years ago, part of our regime prescribed by John were some green capsules that I used to open and sprinkle on Sal's dinner. I was told they were pig's pancreatic juices and that they would help her digest. At some point the supply of these stopped and I was told by John it was due to some or other regulation.
Someone trying CV247 left a message on my general blog asking what these tablets were called and I couldn't remember and assumed they were gone.
But this morning it suddenly came back to me - they were called Tryplase. And a quick search on the Internet reveals they are still going! They may be slightly different in formation, but they do still exist.
John used them in our case - which was liver cancer. Do any other patients remember being given the green capsules or was it just us?

Cinnamon 5

2009-03-28T01:16:00.000-07:00

Cinnamon has now been taking CV247 for five weeks and I have just ordered another bottle. Unfortunately, it appears that two of the tumours are returning at a similar rate to pre-CV247. It was difficult to tell before if they were the tumours returning or lumpy scar tissue from her operation, but one of the lumps has grown slightly. She is well in herself and always has been. However, Fibrosarcoma tumours grow very aggressively and quite fast, so it could be that the CV247 hasn't kicked in sufficiently enough yet to hold them back or she is the unlucky percentage that it won't work for her. I have contacted the vet that supplied me the CV247 but he said that animals respond differently to it and there is not enough knowledge and history on the formula to give any time limits. I have, therefore, decided to incorporate the homoeopathy, mushroom extracts and vitamins that I was giving her before to see if they can slow the growths down.
I wondered if the owner of Heidi would mind giving me details of all her alternative medicines please as I read that Heidi has reishi mushrooms etc which I am giving Cinnamon, although I am giving her the five top ones. I also wondered what strength is being used and what the dosage is. I am just guessing with mine.
Thank you
Maralyn

I've forwarded this email to Heidi's owner. I've also asked Rachael to write up Heidi's diet sheet as I'm sure it will help others. John Carter was always most insistent on a rigid fresh, salt free, chemical free diet. I know that Maralyn has struggled to get her cats onto fresh food and is using a prepared high quality diet. I think we know that for a third of cases CV247 will have no effect what so ever, be such a shame if it isn't going to work for Cinnamon. Fingers crossed that it does.

Heidi 5

2009-03-27T08:46:00.000-07:00

27th March - Day 15

Heidi is brighter today, but certainly wasn’t up to going out for a walk - maybe she heard Barbara saying that she was going to be taking things easy for a couple of days. Instead, she snuggled into me on the floor for more cuddles.

It struck me at that moment how much TTouch can do to change you from an onlooker or pill-feeder to a participant in the journey of your companion back to health. Heidi is still in some discomfort & her breathing was very rapid. Moving the skin gently over her ribs you could feel the tension held there. After only a few minutes of doing Raccoon TTouches over her ribs you could see her relaxing & breathing more easily, & she eventually did a big sigh, indicating that the worst of the tension had gone & she was able to breathe deeply. She then went into a deep sleep which can only be healing.

Her discomfort level must have gone down dramatically as she rolled onto her back & showed me her pouch. It’s still pink, but she was happy having it handled gently. She’s also clingy, but that is understandable.

We were planning a trip out on Saturday, but we are now having a quiet weekend at home, snuggled up on the sofa!

R x

26th March - Day 14

This is written with some hesitancy.

We had a shock today. Heidi looked a little uncomfortable when she walked over to me so I checked to see whether her lump had maybe got caught in the bottom edge of her t-shirt (it hadn’t happened yet, but you never know). I felt her lump, then I felt it again, then I called Chris over to feel it in case I’d made a mistake.

The lump had gone.

Chris confirmed it. She still had the bulge of skin & it felt quite flabby, but there was definitely no tumour, no tightness, no resistance & no tenderness. I galloped off to share the news with Barbara, but by the time I had returned Heidi was shaking all over, her lump area was very tender & her tail was well & truly clamped tight to her stomach. Aaggghhhhh! Aconite, Aspen, & Carbo Veg as her gums were white then straight into the car, pausing only to explain to Meg that it was ok, we’d be bringing Heidi back later in the afternoon (the whole time praying it was true).

By the time we arrived at the surgery, Heidi was still shaking & I was a mess. I was useless & burst into tears when I got into the surgery, & dear Helen - thank you for the cuddle, it was so appreciated. Barbara had a feel & thought she might have knocked the lump, gave her some Arnica to ease the discomfort (the one remedy I forgot to give!). Further investigation revealed that the nipple was quite pink & hot & her abdomen was very tender. The suggestion was that the lump has been reabsorbed & she now has mastitis. Heidi was given a painkilling injection - her teeth were still chattering with the shakes poor girl.

Her lump was very definitely there the previous evening - she showed us when she was rolling on her back, but it had gone the next morning. I never anticipated that it would go quite that fast. All I know is, it’s not there now.

This bit is conjecture only: could the body have reabsorbed what it was able to deal with, & when Chris & I were feeling it very gently, it caused more cells than the immune system could deal with to go into her system causing her to go into shock (pale gums, shaking)? Our lovely communicator, Jackie, felt that her cells were “claggy” & not running smoothly. If they were handling a load of cancerous cells is it possible this is how they would feel? Last week when I was giving Heidi some healing I sensed the cells leaving the growth along something which looked like an umbilical cord & each individual cell was enveloped by a glorious red pillow of a blood platelet where it was literally loved to death. Is this what her system is doing now? Has her immune system been boosted to a point where it can now manage this? All the herbs, homeopathy, transfer factor, reishi mushrooms, good food, love, healing & now CV247 have enabled this to happen. As I say, conjecture, but something has caused a dramatic change.

When asked what one thing made the change, it would be like asking how long would she have lived without any of this. Who knows. As I tell my TTouch clients, when helping an animal back to balance there may be many pieces to the jigsaw, but it’s only when the final piece goes in that the picture reveals itself to you. Bear in mind that Heidi had been on her regime from December 2008, & only started the CV247 2 weeks ago. Why the change now? I leave you to draw your own conclusions. My jury is still out as to whether this is a spontaneous reabsorbtion or the tumour bursting after a knock; whichever way, her immune system will be working 19 to the dozen.

Heidi is weary, still quite tender & very clingy, but the shaking has stopped & we are ready for bed.

Posted in: Diary.

Heidi 4

2009-03-25T11:44:00.000-07:00

24th March - Day 12

All well on the western front.

Yesterday morning & this morning was greeted with cold legs & feet so I spent about 1/2 hour doing Ttouch over her ears to support her heart & all over her body for the circulation. She adores Abalone on her torso - her eyes just seem to melt away as she slips into a dream-like state. She’s back as quick as a flash when I go to her front feet though!

Whoever returned the medium t-shirt, thank you. Heidi is now wearing it & it fits beautifully. Meg had got herself into such a state without her jumper that I put her old t-shirt on; it’s about 3 years old now & looks as though the moths have been at it (they haven’t, she’s just run through too many bushes), but within 1/2 an hour you could see her beginning to return to our planet & she actually spent most of the evening cuddled up on the sofa with us which is unusual at the moment. This morning I was greeted with a cheery grin & a very waggy, wet kiss the second I opened my eyes. This is the same Meg who was struggling to get up in the morning & would return to bed at the drop of a hat. It’s almost as though she has lost her protective skin & feels vulnerable when she’s not wearing either her Hotterdog or her T-shirt, but she is so relaxed when she is. I’m very grateful we have them in the house. Perhaps I’ll get her a new one for the summer… Since Heidi has been wearing her t-shirt today she has stopped being a velcro dog; it must have been exhausting for her as every time I moved somewhere she would have to follow. At lunchtime I had to call her over for food for the first time ever! She is so much more chilled in it.

I feel that although Heidi’s extremities have been generally better, there are times when they are so cold that she evidently needs the medication so I have given her a half dose (as suggested by Barbara) so that any potential light-headedness can be coped with more easily. Fingers crossed.

We’re back at the vets this afternoon for a progress report. I wish the surgery was closer - 50 minutes each way can get wearing, but they are SO worth the journey. I shall post something later if there is anything to report.

How’s this for progress:

Heidi has put on weight & is now up to 12.9kg (this is the heaviest she’s been with us); her heart has stopped making the “pinging” noise & is a steady 100bpm which indicates that her heart is definitely under less pressure, although the murmur remains; her wound is healing well & beginning to shed bits of scab (sorry if you’re eating); her mammary growth is much less tight & is more mobile within her skin - Barbara expressed concern that there was a danger of it bursting before (I’m glad she had kept that one to herself). The expression used was “Heidi is doing very well.” Everyone was amazed at how bright & lively she is, & they hadn’t seen her on the grass before we went in where she was having a delightful bounce.

Whatever you are sending Heidi’s way, do please continue if you are in a position to - it really is making an extraordinary difference & she still has a way to go. We are all hugely grateful to everyone. My hope is that others may be inspired by Heidi’s story & establish their own teams of people who can create the same magical healing & supportive environment where the animal or person can get the most out of the treatment they are receiving. It would also be good for others to appreciate what can be achieved naturally, working with the animal & creating a healthy body instead of attacking its natural defences.

My smile is wide. Heidi’s tail is wagging furiously. Meg is grinning & doing helicopter-tails. Moley is giving everyone special Moley kisses. Kugel watches from her spot on the stairs. Tig calls for more food please. Do share our joy.

R x

22nd March - Day 10

Heidi is amazing. The extra dose of herbs each day is doing the trick & her legs are warm & her tongue has lost its blue tinge. Thank you Barbara.

HRH has been really bright & managed a trip out yesterday with my parents to a garden centre. She looked a little flat at one point so I opened the side door of the van & did some TTouch with her. While I wasn’t looking, Meg popped out & went off sniffing around the car park which would have been fine if I’d had a pocket full of treats to get her attention back on me. She’s pretty emotionally wrung out at the moment & was therefore unable to hear me. I realised too late that wasn’t coming back as I saw her tail disappear into the farm shop. I grabbed her lead & trotted in behind. It was one of those moments when you just wanted the ground to open up & swallow you. The shop was heaving. Meg isn’t a people person but hadn’t realised that there were quite so many in there until she’d done one complete circuit, looked up & saw what, or rather, who was around her. You could see the panic wash over her as she dived under one of the display stands. I prayed there was nothing edible under there or there may have been rather more explaining to do when I grabbed the debris from her mouth. It was a good news, bad news situation. Beer bottles all neatly lined up in tidy rows. That was before Meg arrived. She had turned into a snarling wreck who had no idea which way to turn or what to do. I was endeavouring to remain calm as any sign of any kind of emotion tips her right over the edge & you stand NO chance of doing anything with her; this was against the odds as I was getting truly filthy looks from some of the shoppers, & sympathetic ones from others. They perhaps didn’t realise that I knew she wasn’t meant to be in there, even though I was grovelling around on my hands & knees replacing the falling bottles as I went, calling out abject apologies the shop-keeper whilst endeavouring to clip a lead onto a snarling, snapping dervish. I was keeping the image of her flying out from under the stand & snapping at one of the children right out of my mind (that took some doing as she’s more than capable). She was SO scared poor girl. I was relieved to see a quarry tile floor which meant she could skid elegantly across it when I eventually got a hold of her collar. I truly hate dragging a dog over a floor but there really was no option. Once the lead was on her, she suddenly came back to our planet, looked around in wonderment at the devastation then trotted out alongside me as though someone else had done it. Darling Meg, I do love you, but I’m glad I understand you & your ways. I rue the day I vaccinated you & made your brain misfire the way it does.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, Heidi had launched a successful takeover bid on Meg’s front seat position & was very happily sprawled in the sunshine. I returned to the shop minus Meg & continued grovelling to the shop-keeper (without explaining that my dog truly is a nutter or using the excuse that she’s a rescue (she isn’t) which some people happily fall back on) while I collected up the still rolling bottles to line them up in neat lines once more. Will I ever be able to show my face in there again?

Who's getting the therapy?

Heidi not only managed this trip out but then spent a happy hour wandering around us while we had afternoon tea - terribly civilised, if only you knew. She was very happy to sit with my dad & get some special strokes while she leaned gently in. By late afternoon she was very deeply asleep with her legs in the air back on the sofa & she remained so through the rugby. Her supper was dutifully wolfed then she returned for a snooze. Yesterday was her first walk away from home & it was a total joy to see her trotting happily along the lane. Meg was overjoyed & did her special “happy gallop”, missing out the buzzing part where she invites the other to play by pushing her bum out toward them as she passes. Heidi, as usual, paid her no attention!

My family are completely amazed at how bright she is, & Chris commented on how well she is so soon after her operation. My response was this:-

1. I don’t know of any other dogs who have so many people sending them healing, love & prayers to help them with their recovery.

2. Having a vet whom we trust completely means that we aren’t spending our time worrying about whether there is anything else we could be doing, because we’re already doing it. Also, with our feeling confident, Heidi is going to pick up on this & spend her time getting well instead of worrying about what we might be worrying about.

3. We have the space on our Welsh hilltop for her to get fresh air & no worries about being bothered by people or dogs.

4. She’s an incredibly determined creature who looks as though she’s made a decision to stay & will do all she can to achieve that.

Today she is happy, bright & warm, barking when something interesting happens (like the new lamb by the pond - they say that sheep spend their lives finding new ways to die, but I think this lamb was starting on day one, it was very precarious until it was moved). Her new bark is so strong & deeper than it was. It still fills you with a deep smile as it is an expression of her happiness to be alive.

Blessed be.

21st March - Day 9

Heidi is much brighter this morning but still icy cold in the leg department. I have put her body suit on her after a load of TTouch. Her ears are at least warm now & her legs & feet are less sensitive to being touched; it must be horrible being so cold in the extremities, but very comforting having warm hands make little circles all over you. She was back in her bean bed last night, which she’s not been in since the operation. It is an over-large affair which Meg alwaysstruggled to coordinate her way into & used to try to beat it into submission by stamping her feet all over it!. Heidi just leaps into the middle & she’s set for the night. It was lovely to see her snuggled in.

When Heidi & I returned from the vet yesterday we were greeted by a very anxious Meg who gave us both a very thorough once over. I then realised that normally when I go somewhere either on my own or with HRH that I always explain to Meg where we are going & roughly how long we’ll be. We left in such a hurry yesterday that I said nothing to her. Her demeanour on our return was very much one of the concerned parent, “Where were you? I didn’t know when you were coming back, or, indeed, if you were coming back.”

Meg used to suffer from terrible separation anxiety as a youngster & someone suggested we tell her what we’re doing before we do it & the change was incredible. I could tell her what time we’d be back & she’d disappear to one of the sofas & settle down. If we were ever going to be late back from the time given I’d send her a thought message that we’d been delayed & she’d be fine, but if I didn’t she’d be very anxious on our return. Yesterday’s anxiety was about a lack of information & a mental note has been made; no matter how rushed our exit from the house, we must take a few moments to explain the situation, what might happen, what the consequence could be & any timings. How awful to imagine not seeing your new best friend again. Sorry Meg. It was an oversight.

Heidi is seeing one of her favourite people today; her Grumps (so named by my nephews!). There appears to be a little bit of magic when the 2 are together & I think it will do her good to have some people therapy now she’s ready for it. He will understand what she’s going through as he has had heart problems & an encounter with cancer.

Posted in: Diary.

20th March - Day 8 & heart stuff

We had an unscheduled trip to the vet this morning. Heidi’s gums were very pale & her legs were icy cold again from first thing this morning & the Carb Veg was making little difference so Barbara suggested I brought her in. Heidi met a beautiful blue merle collie (sporting a TTouch body wrap for her anxiety) in the waiting room but really wasn’t herself today, preferring to stay glued to my side rather than cruising the waiting room for fuss like she normally does. Her temperature was up slightly but nothing else appeared untoward. We are increasing her twice daily dose of Hawthorn & Motherwort to 3x a day for 3 days & if there is no change we have the Fortekor to try. Fingers crossed the herbs do the trick.

I have nothing against conventional medication, but if something can be addressed in a way that it works synchronously with the beings system & helps it to heal itself it has to be preferable. From what I have seen, much conventional medication can upset a natural balance which exists within every body, sometimes requiring further medication to redress the balance, & so on. The joy of working with a holistic vet is you know when conventional medication is suggested, all other avenues have been exhausted & this is the only one to take.

Beverley Cuddy mentioned that John Carter insisted on CV247 animals drinking only bottled water from glass bottles to ensure that they are as chemical free as possible. The herbs which Heidi takes for her heart are in alcohol & I pondered over this with Barbara. On a level playing field (i.e. no heart problem) we would work towards a chemical free existence, but ours is somewhat bumpy so a small amount of alcohol is going to ensure that she’s alive to get the benefit of the CV247! On the water front, we are going hunting for springs this weekend as our well water supports a healthy population of frogs & newts but I’m unsure how good it would be for our little dog (apart from being highly entertaining!). One thing we are not short of in Wales is water…

Plenty of TTouch for Heidi this afternoon & I shouldn’t have mentioned alcohol.

Extracts from Heidi's diary

Pippin 2

2009-03-19T13:10:00.000-07:00

Thought I'd post an update on Pippin's progress, as I have been eagerly reading everyone else's posts - especially Heidi's, and am finding I'm coming up against the same unknowns.
The CV247 arrived, and the first dose was given this morning. She really doesn't like the taste, couldn't interest her in it at all, even when mixed with things she normally loved, so I'm afraid I had to pin her down and squirt using the syringe. I have just ordered some of the Dr Linus Vitamin C powder that Beverley just said John Carter favoured - maybe that will be more to her liking. The diet we have embraced fully - with the proportions featured in the Dogs Today article : everything organic, only low-sodium bottled water, and she LOVES it. I hadn't even thought of using a blender (thanks to Heidi's mum for that one), which I guess might be a better idea - am sure I read somewhere that dogs have a limited ability to digest cellulose.
Now Pippin is a dog that lives for food, and each day revolves around the next morsel. I read on one of the posts about the baked oat treats, and promptly made some - rapturously received! To all of John's old patients - are they the only treat he recommended? Or can I use morsels taken out of her dinner throughout the day. I'm just so worried about getting the proportions wrong. And the other thing I really wanted to ask was about carrot juice. Someone mentions that John recommended that doggie patients drink carrot juice - as much of it as possible. It makes no mention of this on the bumph that comes with the CV247 - shall we go for it?
Beverley mentions that John used to alter the diet for different cancers... Does anyone out there remember anything being said about tailoring it around lung cancer? A lady called Sheila posted some John Carter memories, and mentions a lady she used to travel with whose dog had lung cancer. It had been diagnosed as having 3 months to live, and with John's help ended up living for another 3 years! Maybe she could contact her and ask if she remembers any of John's specifications for lung cancer...??
So how is Pippin doing? Well, we knew the lung tumours (2 found on x-ray just before Christmas) were about egg-size, and I can only assume they are now even more advanced, as her coughing has worsened since then - she tends to have a few coughs during the night, but now her brief walks will make her cough too. She is much quieter than she used to be, and sleeps more, and more heavily, although will be extremely perky when she knows food is imminent! Her gums are still a nice pink, and her coat still glossy, although she now has the cachectic look that all cancer dogs eventually get - bit on the ribby side, and her vertebrae are prominent, although she hasn't actually lost any weight - she's around 25kg. This change has been so fast really. As I said in my first post, she was ridiculously fit for her age up until Christmas, and SO many people would say - 'is she a puppy?' because of her youthful looks!
We as a family are so tuned into her, that we are watching with baited breath for any improvement - very early days I know (!), but if we only see an improvement in well-being, that will be welcome indeed. I have included a photo of her - my favourite of her actually, taken before she got poorly - just look at that dear little face! I'm loathe to send you one of the recent ones, although I will dig one out for a future post.
So that's where we are at the moment. I'm keeping everything crossed, not only for Pippin but for all of our fellow CV247-ers!
With kindest regards,
Kate

John always used a syringe without a needle to squirt the CV247 mixture down the back of the throat, so do continue! No pets ever got to taste it - for humans he mixed it with orange juice and it didn't taste much different than juice.
I wonder if we can find any more recent John Carter CV247 patients who can see if this diet that is being sent out with the drugs is the same as he was using before he died?
It seems to have moved quite a bit since my era.
And I think anything from the diet sheet can be used as a treat. My old Sally loved veg and would steal things from the veg rack.
Good luck to Pippin and all the lovely dogs and cats trying CV247.
Beverley

Heidi 3

2009-03-19T08:54:00.000-07:00

19th March - Day 7

Is it really a whole week since her thyroid operation? It seems like a very, very long time ago.

Something we have noticed is that at 11am each day she appears to have a dip when her tongue has a slight bluish tinge, her gums are very pale, either her legs or ears go very cold & she seems a little lack-lustre. Barbara gave us a homeopathic remedy (Carbo Veg) which she had today & within minutes she’d perked up again. Has anyone else experienced this following a thyroidectomy? The only connection we can make (a somewhat tenuous one) is that her operation was around this time of day. I understand the body has its own rhythm & cycle, but could the removal of the thyroid create such a seemingly hormonal response at approximately the same time each day? I would be very interested to hear from anyone with suggestions.

I cooked up a batch of her food last night & I have no idea whether I’m doing it “right” - is there such a thing as getting the diet “wrong”? I have the proportions for each food type, I see that the oats are to be baked - but baked how? I had made up some little biscuits from oats soaked in fresh carrot & apple juice. They taste lovely (I know, it just looked too good!) but are a little too abrasive for Heidi’s still tender throat so Meg & I are eating them. Are there any existing CV247-ers who can advise? I have been cooking up the veg by boiling the root, steaming the greens & putting the chicken, fish & liver into the root saucepan for a few moments before removing them & then whizzing the veg through the hand blender. The meat gets mixed in afterwards. What does anyone else do? Heidi wolfs it down with her added dandelion leaves for her anaemia - never thought I’d be happy to see “weed” coming up early…

Heidi must think I’ve gone completely soft in the head as I just keep beaming when I see her doing simple things like trotting through the dining room (she always used to amble), wagging her tail furiously (it used to wave), or just sleeping peacefully stuffed down behind the cushions on the sofa (a trick learned by watching Meg - our sofa is usually trashed before we get a chance to sit on it).

Just for today, look at your companion & appreciate them just for being there.

18th March - Day 6

Another landmark - last of the post-op medication given this morning (anti-inflammatory) & she had the last antibiotic last night. Why do veterinary pharmaceutical companies make horse tablets for dogs? They claim to be “palatable” but if you have an animal who is off their food, fillet steak ain’t palatable because it doesn’t get to the bit of the mouth which tells the brain “Mmmmm! This is yummy!”. Come on Vet Pharma’s - smaller or liquid please.

We’re still waiting for the thyroid results, but still grinning that her lump has reduced (the bloods have been sent to Jean Dodds in America so will be about 2 weeks). I hope to put a photo on later, but here is one of Heidi where you can see the lump on her tummy. It has little effect on her day to day life beyond me being paranoid when we walk somewhere new in case she decides to go into the undergrowth & catches it on something. Heidi is such an attentive dog that she’s more than happy to mooch alongside you or trot after Meg if she’s sticking to the path.

(The dog suit was being modelled for the website as a protective barrier for allergic dogs.)

: The lump makes her look like a boy dog, but she’s all girl!

We’ve had a glorious time in the sunshine this afternoon & you really wouldn’t know that this little dog had major surgery only 6 days ago. I was potting up strawberries while Meg was finding different ways to plant her Cuz (a squeaky toy whose squeak has lasted over a year & survived my running over it in the van three times). Heidi? She was back in her old position behind Meg waiting for & willing her to run so she could chase after her. I was the party pooper - it was so hard to stop her having the first bit of fun she’s had in nearly a week but we have time for fun on another day now.

Fun is something that she’s been a little short-changed on since coming here. Being aware of her heart rate, I have tended to keep as much of her life low-key, but she would go nuts if you played ball with her. Having rubbish eyesight from the cataracts her ability to catch the ball in her mouth was dramatically reduced, but she never stopped trying & celebrated with us when she did manage it. We would have a very sparkly Heidi after a short game of ball!

Link to Heidi's blog

Editor's note: In my day the feeding was totally different. Sally had raw NZ Lamb's liver and organic carrot juice - plus some supplements. But she had liver cancer. John used to alter the diet for different cancers and different dogs. Are there any of the old school out there able to help? I think less may be more. I remember John wanting the dog to have as few chemicals and non-food elements as possible - no salt. Bottled water (had to be glass bottles, too). So as simple a diet as possible and as natural as possible. It was only after we cracked the cancer that we brought carbs back into the diet and put the weight back on. She was already very thin when we started as she had trouble digesting for some time until we started the treatment.

Jake's treatment diary

2009-03-19T06:52:00.000-07:00

16 Feb 09
Jake started his home prepared diet today, loves it. He weighs 28.5kg so we began by feeding him 2.5lbs per meal twice daily. The CV247 is due to arrive any day.
21 Feb 09
Appointment at vets to collect CV247 which arrived yesterday, and also for our vet Roger to look at a wound in front of his back right leg. Must have happened yesterday but haven’t a clue how it happened. This 1.5” tear was stapled and a lampshade was put on him. (As if he hasn’t enough to put up with). Appointment made for 6 March for removal of staples and health check.
Weight 29.2kg. Reduced food to 2lbs per meal twice daily.
1 Mar 09
Jake had been vomiting on occasions which gave us cause for concern. We soon realised it was when we fed him chicken. The chicken was substituted for rabbit.
We never gave it a thought but a good few years ago we had a York Test done on him because he was vomiting and also had diarrhoea. The results showed food intolerance to chicken and fish. We changed his diet to James Wellbeloved food.
6 Mar 09
Visit to vets for removal of staples and a check of his gums. There are two very small lumps in the area where the first lump was removed. He will see Jake in a couple of weeks to review.
Weight 28.8kg.
15 Mar 09
To date Jake is eating well and looks great. Friends have remarked on how soft and silky his coat is now.
17 Mar 09
Health check with vet today. Roger is happy with his progress. The two lumps on his lower gum don’t appear to be getting much bigger at all. He suggested Jake has another chest x-ray around end April beginning May to compare with last x-ray.
Weight 28.4kg

We have a concern with the vitamin c powder that we are mixing with the CV247. It does not seem to be dissolving at all. It is a Holland & Barrett brand, fast dissolving. Has anyone else come across this problem? I am unable to source a pure vitamin c liquid.

Editor's note: I used to use Dr Linus vitamin C powder that came in an orange pot all those years ago when I was treating my Sally. In those days this was the brand Mr Carter preferred and he used to swear by it. Here's a link I've found to buy it over the net. Don't want to stick my nose in, but you might want to look at trying to change to an organic complete food if you're not going to be able to follow John's diet. Is it not possible to try lamb's liver and carrot before you do give up - worked for Sally. Diet was very important to John in the old days. But it is true that some of the later trialsseemed to still have had success on prepared diets - but I suspect the odds decrease the further you stray from the chemical and salt free diet that John was aiming for. Take a look at Lily's kitchen they do some great organic foods that may fit the bill.

Just had an email from Paul, I've misread his diary! It was years ago he changed the diet to James Wellbeloved - he's not feeding it now. Jake is still sticking to John's diet - just minus the ingredients he's allergic to!

Cinnamon's owner Maralyn just sent this email: "When I ordered the CV247 from Paul Grant, he also sent me a box of "Ascorbic Acid" 200mg x 28 tablets. I cut them into quarters. It doesn't have the orange flavour that some people seem to say, but then again cats hate citrus flavours and smells. The box made by Norbrook looks like something that would be prescribed rather than bought over a counter. It dissolves pretty well too when mixed with back of spoon. Just thought I would mention it as maybe Owners could buy it through their vets rather than having problems trying to obtain it. "

Latest vet list!

2009-03-19T05:41:00.001-07:00

Cinnamon 4

2009-03-18T07:29:00.000-07:00

Here is my little Cinnamon today, having a little wander and sunbathe in the garden. She is still doing okay although I think she may have lost a little weight, but that might be because of her complete change of food over to organic which has no added salt and sugar and I have taken her off the dried food which she was always nibbling all day long. The little tiny lump on the right of her neck (about pinhead size) still seems the same size, so it could possibly be the scarring from her op, time will tell. At the moment she is doing okay.

I have left various comments on people's posts but not received a reply. It would be really nice to correspond with you all to share our experiences with the new CV247 and give support and advice to one another. You need to check the "comments" box at the end of your post to see if there is a reply. Look forward to corresponding with you.

Maralyn
She looks so young in these photos!
Lots of the pets did get very lean on the Carter regime, I think that was part of the philosophy after we'd cracked the cancer with Sally we gradually reintroduced more carbs. If anyone wants to comment you just need to click on the comments bit - if you struggle - email any comments to me and I'll put them up for you. (beverley@dogstodaymagazine.co.uk).
Regards Beverley

Heidi 2

2009-03-17T15:12:00.000-07:00

I just had a look to see how Heidi was doing and read the following on their blog...

17th March - Day 5

Blessed be!

After a not so good day yesterday, Team Heidi were called upon once more. I have no idea what anyone did but by the evening she was bright once more & this morning the was at her position by the front door barking to go for a walk! Joy, oh joy, oh joy! She did her little dance then came back to me for a cuddle while Chris took Meg out for her walk. The light is shining in her eyes, even though she looks tired, she’s here for another day. Breakfast was eaten with near-gusto & she has gone for a nap.

Thank you!

Heidi’s 5 day check is this afternoon. Although the wound on her neck is slightly swollen & bruised (only to be expected), the temeperature feels fine & it’s dry. She has been trying to scratch at it & I have visions of horrible things happening when she does but, dear heart that she is, you just call her name & she puts her foot down, comes over & allows you to give her a gentle scratch followed by Tiger TTouch all around the shaved area. Her coughing was quite bad yesterday & the day before, but again, whenever she starts coughing, she gets up (if out of reach), comes to your side for you to pat her around the ribs to help free whatever it is caught in her throat! Which angel lent her to us? We are grateful to you.

Yesterday was tough & I suddenly felt very alone. I think all the tiredness & emotions all had to come out & they flowed freely. My darling Meg came over & licked away my tears & cuddled in close. Whatever made me feel I was alone? She gently reminded me as she leaned in that we are all surrounded by love & are therefore never alone. Special girl.

I shall let you know what happens this afternoon.

I CAN’T STOP GRINNING!

The lump on Heidi’s mammary gland has SHRUNK BY 1/2 CM if I could make the words dance & jump & sing I would, but that’s Chris’ department! I’d thought it was softer & wanted Barbara’s opinion. I need to reiterate that Heidi has been on the CV247 regime since last Friday - 4 days & the tumour is smaller.

On the wound front, that is healing nicely, her heart rate is down to 100 (following the taking of a blood sample, so I can happily knock off a little to allow for that!) & she’s put on weight. On Saturday she was 11.9 kg & today she weighs 12.7 kg. I can see we’re going to have to watch she doesn’t start piling on the pounds, but we can begin to do a little more exercise from today so that will help her too.

The blood results are due in a bit so will follow up with them when they come.

I know it’s early days,but I feel a small celebration is in order this evening. We shall be toasting not only Heidi’s health, Barbara & her team’s wonderfulness, but also John Carter’s brilliance.

I know you're all willing Heidi on and hoping that tumour keeps shrinking. We're toasting her here tonight, too!

Pippin

2009-03-16T10:58:00.000-07:00

Dear Beverley,

I have an 11 year old Weimaraner called Pippin who was diagnosed with advanced lung cancer just before Christmas. We were told that at her age, nothing could be done bar palliative and symptomatic relief with steroids and anti-cough medications (not that I'd have put her through an op anyway). I literally spent days on the internet, and managed to track down pretty much every supplement known (that is to say, has been proven in studies) to have an anti-cancer effect on canine cancer, from sources including the States, Germany and Holland. We also had a substantial overhaul of her diet. However, it's been a long two and a half months, and we have seen a significant decline, that is to say she has slowed down, (we are down to two short walks a day, not the hikes over Dartmoor that we were used to), and is losing muscle tone by the day, although she is is still alert and eating well as always.

Then last week my mum found your article on CV247. And having twisted my vet's arm to prescribe it, I should take delivery of it later this week. At the end of your article, you mention that if anyone is about to commence treatment with CV247, to let you know. Well here we are! The evidence to support the use of this gentle treatment is exciting to say the least, and we are keeping our fingers crossed. Pippin was ridiculously fit for her age up until November of last year, and an increase in her activity levels - indeed, any improvement in her well-being would be amazing.

Your idea of a blog offering support and help for fellow cancer patients is a fantastic idea, and raising awareness about CV247 can only be a good thing - I so wish that I had come across it sooner, so thanks to Dogs Today for that.

Do let me know if you would like progress reports or any other information I can provide.

Kindest regards,
Kate Clayden

Good luck to Kate and Pippin. We look forward to regular updates and hope that some of you folks will start talking to each other and supporting on another like we used to all those years ago in John's waiting room. It really is excellent to hear how many vets are taking CV247 up. I've had email from the USA asking for help. If there are any alternative vets that would like to be the pioneers please do get in touch and I'll put you in touch with the right people to make it happen.
Regards
Beverley

Latest list of vets using CV247

2009-03-16T03:23:00.001-07:00

Heidi

2009-03-15T23:38:00.000-07:00

Our 12 year old little collie, Heidi, has just had a large mass removed from her throat (Thursday 12th March) as her hyperthyroidism was becoming devastating for her heart. She also has one large growth & a few smaller lumps on her mammary glands, several fatty lumps & we believe her liver is involved as well.
We are very fortunate in going to the holistic vet, Barbara Jones, who gave us the details of CV247. Heidi started the regime on Friday & she has a blog which aims to detail her progress as she recovers from her operation & with the treatment.
I have put details on the blog & a link to your blog. Would it be possible to put her details on yours?
We had a joyous moment earlier when she did a BIG woof in her sleep – when you consider the extent of her surgery it really is miraculous.
Warm regards,
Rachael Manns
Tellington TTouch P2
www.animalsense.co.uk - Tellington TTouch in Mid Wales
www.mekuti.co.uk - Animal training & behaviour solutions

Cinnamon part three

2009-03-10T10:59:00.000-07:00

Cinnamon is doing ok at the moment! She has been on CV247 for 15 days with no side effects to date. This Thursday will be 5 weeks since her last operation to remove five tumours. Within two months I can normally feel one or two very very tiny lumps reappearing and at the moment I can feel a little something on her neck but she did have a very deep scar there, so I am not sure if it is scarring or the tumour returning once again, so only time will tell. I assume like everything else, the CV247 needs to get into the system before it successfully works. She is very well in her self but then again she has never been ill with the tumours to date. Because Fibrosarcoma is quite an aggressive form of cancer, I am not expecting miracles, but hope that the CV247 will be able to slow the growth down to buy her more time.
She and my other two cats are not very happy eating the fresh organic produce that I have been buying them and have tried mixing it with organic pet food, but they sort out the freshly cooked food and chuck it on the floor and Jake, my dog, goes around eating their leftovers. So I have given up with the fresh food and continue to give them "Yarrah" and "Lily's Kitchen" organic pet food which they love. I have also been giving them mineral water instead of tap water but noticed on your website a lady stating that John Carter insisted on the glass bottle mineral water. So I shall now change the mineral water too! I have also been giving Cinnamon wheatgrass juice which was also recommended by another client of John Carter.
I keep the CV247 in the fridge as recommended by the Vet and I give Cinnamon 1ml twice daily within half an hour. I can only keep my fingers crossed that it helps her, but at least there is no nasty side effects that chemo can produce, so she has a good quality of life at present.
I will keep you updated of her progress.
Maralyn

Herbie

2009-03-09T12:54:00.000-07:00

Beverley,

Thank you so much for your kind email a fortnight ago. My vet referred me to Richard Allport, and fortunately he is prepared to do postal consultations - I live several hours' drive away, and knew Herbie would be stressed by the long journey.

Herbie has lymphoma, which he developed in April 2007, and since then has had a great deal of chemotherapy, but we ran out of options last year. Nothing held back his nodes from growing for more than 48 hours, and the vet advised me it was time for "palliative care only".

Since then, his lymph nodes have continued to grow (photo attached - greyhounds aren't supposed to look like this!) and according to his latest blood test, there is an overspill of lymphocytes into his blood, so the picture isn't too good. He's been on a home-cooked diet for a long while now, and I'm trying to get him used to the addition of raw fruit and vegetables, as per John Carter's instructions. I'm struggling with that - Herbie's never liked fruit, won't touch grated carrot, but I have managed to get him to drink bottled organic carrot juice. If anyone has advice on how to get raw fruit into him, I'd be grateful.

Richard Allport has also prescribed some homeopathic remedies and a couple of other things to support the CV247, so we're taking one day at a time.

Thank you once again for pointing me in the right direction.

Best wishes
Helena Nowell

I'm sure we all send Helen and Herbie all our best wishes. I heard today that Helena has sent off for a copy of the Max Gerson book on Amazon that John based his diet on.

Biggles

2009-03-04T09:40:00.000-08:00

A few blogs ago I reproduced the letter from Vet Times that mentioned the original dogs in the clinical trial. Shirley Thompson now lives overseas but she saw the blog and recognised her dog Biggles. I asked her to write something for the blog to share with the new patients on CV247.

I had forgotten John's obsession with only glass bottled water rather than plastic. I remember him writing Waitrose a stinking letter when they stopped selling it! Thank you Shirley for bringing back another memory.

Here's the extract:

K.C. Spaniel (eight years)dog diagnosed to have lymphoma by biopsy. Despite chemotherapy it continued to deteriorate, so this was discontinued. The owner was then told that euthanasia would be necessary within two months. After 18 months' treatment with CV247 the dog appears to be well with good appetite and normal behaviour. Only one lymph node is still enlarged but reduced in size.

Biggles, my eight year old Cavalier was diagnosed with lymphoma after a biopsy and my vet told me chemo was the only option. I was reluctant but decided to try it. Biggles was so unhappy on it, sick, hiding in corners and generally with no quality of life I decided this was not fair. His eyes were telling me to stop.
I went to the vet to tell him I was stopping the chemo and while I was in the waiting room I read about John Carter in a copy of Dogs Today magazine.
There were just a couple of lines in the editor's intro where she referred to alternative cancer vet. I told my vet I was stopping the chemo and he told me the dog would be dead in a couple of
months.
I called Dogs Today and got John's number, called him and went to see him that evening. I carried Biggles in, he could hardly walk.
After an evening of treatment he ran out of the surgery on his own. I went straight to the Tesco's all night store to buy everything organic John had requested. For the first month I took Biggles twice a day even Sundays where John treated him at his home. It became our outing, complete with my other Cavalier and my Pyrenean.
John was concerned that Biggles had the chemo in his system and this was making it twice as hard. Biggles became one of the trial dogs in the initial study. I seemed to be either cooking organic food or sitting in a waiting room in Harrow all the time. I worked as a stewardess at the time so was spending literally most of what I earned to pay dog minders to stay at home with Biggles and take him for his treatment and prepare his organic food.
I put my other two dogs on the organic food, too. I order my bottled water in glass bottles in bulk.
The results were remarkable. No one could believe this was the same dog who had been half dead. Over time, the visits to Harrow became less frequent but I still stuck to the regime religiously. There were people coming from all over the country putting their lives on hold for their animals.
I remember one couple who had come from Scotland and were living nearby in a caravan. The ones that did not respond well were when the owners cheated with the organic diet. They said their dogs wouldn't eat the food and they felt sorry for them. If a dog is hungry he will eat what you give him and you had to be determined.
The pet insurance covered the visits to John and If you didn't have insurance half the time he didn't charge you. He was a professor brainstorm type, a shy man. He was so focused on his treatment. He was so eccentric but one of life's characters.
Biggles died in his sleep three years later having had a great quality of life since John's treatment.
If your animal has cancer do not hesitate. But be determined to stick to the diet. Ten years ago it was hard to get the food but we managed. These days organic produce is everywhere. If you have more than one animal put them all on it. Make your own treats from organic oats and bottled water. Make a paste and then bake slowly in the over. Add apple or carrot for flavour. Make crisps out of organic potatoes.
Make sure the bottled water is in glass bottles.
Stick to the diet. Never waiver from it. Your dog's life is in your hands so you have to be determined.
Shirley Thompson

Cinnamon 2

2009-02-24T04:04:00.000-08:00

Update on Cinnamon.
Yesterday Cinnamon started her CV247 and all is well at present. Her scars are healing well from her operation and she is very well, back chasing her tail and having her mad half hour so much so that she jumped onto the window sill and smashed my beautiful candy jar that I've had for 24 years!!
Richard Allport recommended an organic food by Lily's Kitchen, which I purchased yesterday and it arrived this morning just in time for feeding my three cats. They loved it! and ate every little morsel. I have to say the service was excellent with prompt delivery and the food packed and sealed extremely well.
I also managed to find an organic farm near Epping called "Ashlyns" which sells everything organic. I purchased organic chicken, liver, rabbit and game (wild) for my cats. They are still dubious about eating freshly cooked meats, but I have been adding a little of the organic pet food to it and they lap it up. So if there is anyone reading this who is trying to get their pets to go over to organic, then I hope this information helps you.
Maralyn Imbrogino

From the archives

2009-02-21T01:33:00.001-08:00

Just found this posted on the web. It's a letter that was published in the Veterinary Times in February 1999 p27. It lists some of the original pets that took part in the trials. If you recognise your pet, please get in touch with me.

A NEW APPROACH TO CANCER THERAPY

Dear Sir
I would like to inform my colleagues of a new approach to cancer therapy which has been developed by a member of our profession, John Carter.
It is designated CV247. It is an oral treatment and a salt free and artificial chemical additive-free diet is part of it.
Three controlled trials have been conducted on this treatment at the Middlesex Hospital Medical School, Department of Oncology, by Prof. Peter Beverley, then the head of the Tumour Immunology Unit of the Imperial Cancer Research Fund. CV247 was administered to mice with malignant tumours.
He concluded that the treatment caused a statistically significant reduction in the rate of tumour growth in the treated, compared to the untreated subjects. He added in his report that there were no side effects attributable to the treatment.
The Veterinary Medicines Directorate then suggested that an appropriate veterinary expert should study the treatment and submit his report on it. I was asked to do this because I have had 34 years experience of advising on animal studies for cancer research and have, since the 1986 Act, been the NVS of the Cancer Research Fund and of the Ludwig Institute of Cancer Research. Because I have also experienced clinical work in general practice throughout this time, I agreed that I would monitor, in my personal capacity as an independent clinical observer, an open study on the effect of the treatment on firmly diagnosed cancers supported by pathology reports in cats and dogs.
Twenty six cases were selected for the study, four of which had been diagnosed prior to it's commencement. Animals which would not eat, or where the owners lived at such distances that they were not prepared to travel regularly for treatment, could not be included, although some owners did come on a regular basis to Harrow from as far away as Wiltshire or Yorkshire.
In this study I found no evidence of toxicity or side effects. In fact, an improvement in the general health and behaviour was not only obvious to the owner but also to the independent observer.
Of the 26 cases treated, all were advanced and 16 were considered to be terminal. There was an observable regression of tumours in 15 cases and a considerable or an apparent regression in nine cases, seven of which are briefly described:

A collie bitch (13 Years)diagnosed at the Animal Health Trust to have sublingual melanoma. Prognosis will require euthanasia within four to six month. No drugs would have any effect. Radiotherapy might reduce it but will still die of secondaries. After seven month of treatment the tumour had shrunk to less than a quarter of it's original size. The dog was lively, alert and eating well. There was no indication of secondary tumours.

A K.C. Spaniel bitch ( eight years) diagnosed with lymphosarcoma. Prognosis guarded to poor. Response to chemotherapy likely to be poor. After 24 month treatment the dog appears to be well to be well with good appetite and normal behaviour. It's lymph nodes are palpable but considerably reduced in size.

A Rough Collie dog (10 years) diagnosed at the RVC Hospital to have gastric carcinoma. Prognosis without surgery survival is not likely beyond four months. Owner declined surgery. After two years' treatment the dog was fit and well with a shiny coat, good appetite and had no symptoms of gastric carcinoma.

A K.C. Spaniel (eight years)dog diagnosed to have lymphoma by biopsy. Despite
chemotherapy it continued to deteriorate, so this was discontinued. The owner was then told that euthanasia would be necessary within two months. After 18 months' treatment with CV247 the dog appears to be well with good appetite and normal behaviour. Only one lymph node is still enlarged but reduced in size.

A Dobermann dog (eight years)diagnosed at the RVC Hospital to have carcinomatosis with marked cachexia and ascites, the tumour extending into the the abdomimal organs. Prognosis: no possible treatment, immediate euthanasia recommended. After three month treatment he appeared to be in good condition with no ascites, normal weight, eating well and playing with other dogs.

A Dobermann bitch ( eight years) diagnosed at the University of Cambridge Veterinary Hospital to have a transitional cell carcinoma of the urethra infiltrating the neck of the bladder. Prognosis grave, no treatment possible. Two years after commencing treatment with CV247 she was fit and lively, and passing urine normally with no signs of blood. On the treatment a rapid improvement was seen.

A female cat ( one year) diagnosed by biopsy to have fibrosarcoma of the forelimb, amputation recommended. Six years after the commencement of CV247 she is alive and well with no indication of the tumour. Initially the patient is treated either daily or on alternative days for the first two or three weeks. Then, if response is satisfactory, it is progressively reduced. Hopefully CV247 will be a licenced veterinary medicine available to all our members in the not too distant future.

Yours faithfully ANDOR SEBESTENY, BVSc, DipBact, MRCVS. Veterinary Supervisor Head of the Animal Health and Welfare Unit, Imperial Cancer Research Fund, Clare Hall Laboratories, Blanche Lane, South Mimms. Potters Bar, Herts. EN6 3LD.

Latest list of vets and doctors

2009-02-20T03:01:00.000-08:00

Vets who have expressed a willingness to prescribe CV247

Mr Richard Allport B.Vet. Med.,Vet.M.F.Hom., M.R.C.V.S.
Natural Medicine Centre
11 Southgate Road
Potters Bar
Herts
EN6 5DR

Email: info@naturalmedicinecentre.net
Telephone: 01707 662058

Barbara Jones BVMS MRCVS VetMFHom
Oakwood Veterinary Centre
Babbinswood Farm
Whittington
Oswestry
Shropshire SY11 4PF

Email: barbarjones@onetel.com
Telephone: 01691 679 699

John Hope-Ryan
Masefield House Veterinary Surgery
Wells Road
Malvern Wells
Worcs
WR14 4PA

Email: john@mhvs.co.uk
Telephone: 01684 576464

Paul Grant
35 Addington Road
West Wickham
BR4 9BN

Email: paulgrant64@hotmail.co.uk
Telephone: 020 84623455

Alan Marshall BVMS MRCVS
The Bard Veterinary Group
15 Catherine Street
Dumfries
DG1 1JF

Email: mail@thebardvetgroup.co.uk
Tel: 01387 255295

Jane Murphy
Lordship Lane Vet Surgery
509-511 Lordship Lane
Dulwich
London SE22 8JY

Email: ejanemurphy@hotmail.com
Telephone: 020 86934677

Doctors who are willing to prescribe CV247

Dr Nicola Hembry
Litfield House Medical Centre
1 Litfield Place
Clifton
Bristol
BS8 3LS

Tel: 0117 969 2814
info@drhembry.com
Website: www.drhembry.com

Dr Rajendra Sharma
The Diagnostic Clinic
50 New Cavendish Street
London
W1G 8TL

Tel: 020 7009 4650
Email: rs@thediagnosticclinic.com
Website: www.thediagnosticclinic.com

Cinnamon

2009-02-17T00:11:00.000-08:00

I would like to write my story of my little cat Cinnamon. Having obtained the formula last Friday I shall be starting Cinnamon on it next week.

My darling beautiful cat was diagnosed with Fibrosarcoma in December 2007 after I found a lump on the back of her neck. I took her in as a stray and guess she is around 12 years of age. Although Fibrosarcoma is normally associated with vaccines, because she is an indoor cat, I have not had her vaccinated for many years, but she did have a reaction to an antibiotic injection about five years ago where a large sore appeared in exactly the same place as the Fibrosarcoma, but I shall never really know what caused it. The vet performed an operation to remove the lump and also found a smaller one at the side. After the results came back with the diagnosis, it was suggested that I took her to a soft tissue surgeon for aggressive surgery, chemo and radiotherapy. I read every website I could find on this disease and due to the aggressive nature and poor prognosis in that the lumps return within two months and even up to a year with aggressive surgery, decided to opt for alternative treatment rather than put her through months of gruelling chemo.
I took her along to see Richard Allport an alternative Vet and was given homeopathy and other medications. I also added a few vitamins of my own ie, mushroom extracts. Within three months the two tumours returned but the treatment seemed to be slowing it down as it took five months before they became pea sized. She was operated on again to remove the lumps but again within five months they returned.
During this time her quality of life has been very good, she is not ill, eating well and still chasing her tail. She recovered very well from the operations but still the lumps returned causing her to have another operation.
Five months ago I noticed other lumps coming up around her neck and between her shoulder blades totalling five in all. A couple of weeks ago I decided to have her operated on again, but this time was going to suggest to the vet that if the tumours were attached to bone or muscle and she was unable to remove all the tumour then it might be kind to put her to sleep while under anaesthetic.
A couple of days before her operation was due, I saw the "London Tonight" programme concerning the new cancer treatment developed by a vet, Dr John Carter, that was also being used in trials on humans. I began my research on all the websites to find that John Carter had sadly passed away but his partner Professor Sebesteny had the formula licenced in Europe and vets were using it in Hungary - it is called CV247.
I then came across Beverley's blog "Coldwetnose" and read her article about John Carter and how he had successfully treated her dog. I emailed Beverley to ask her whether she knew if vets in the UK were using it and from that day Beverley has been an inspiration to me in helping me and others to find out all the information on CV247 and its use in the UK.
It was with her we located the Pharmaceutical Company, Ivy Medicals that John and the Professor formed together to produce CV247 and the good news was, that UK vets could now use it on animals. A list of vets was emailed to me and I chose one in Croydon that had previously done trials on animals.
I was told that a third of animals respond well enough to be cured, a third respond and get much better but are not cured and a third do not respond at all. The formula was sent via the post to me and is mixed with Vitamin C and given twice daily in half hourly intervals. The recommended diet is fresh organic food or organic pet food.
I have been searching the petshops and websites for organic cat food as my cat particularly likes dried food and it is very difficult trying to change a habit of a lifetime.
I came across "Yarrah" which is made in Holland and produces pure organic pet food. Cinnamon and my other cats enjoy the wet food but not so keen on the dried. I have also cooked fresh food but it is difficult to get them to eat it, but I am trying very hard and gradually winning.
Luckily the vet was able to remove all five tumours and I decided against having her put to sleep in order to give me more time with my precious little angel to see if the formula will help her. I have to wait another week for the antibiotics to get out of her system and introduce her new organic diet and I shall hopefully start treatment early next week.
I will keep Beverley informed of her progress and keep my fingers crossed. I would also like to take this opportunity in thanking Beverley for all her help and advice and without her I may not have found out all the information I needed to get the formula, she has been like my little "Guardian Angel". I also thank her for setting up this fantastic website whereby we can all exchange views, diets and advice for one another who have poorly pets.
Well done Beverley!
Maralyn Imbrogino

More on the diet

2009-02-16T08:00:00.000-08:00

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

2009-02-16T01:23:00.000-08:00

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

Welcome

2009-02-10T07:22:00.000-08:00

If you have a pet with cancer, and you want to try CV247, this is your chance to share your story with others.

Please email me to take part on beverley@dogstodaymagazine.co.uk