Fatty Tumors (Lipomas) in Dogs - Benign (Fatty) or Malignant (Mast Cell) – Cause, DIY Holistic Treatments, Remedies

In this Article...

1. What, How, When and Why Fatty Tumors (Lipoma) forms;
2. DIY Holistic Treatments and Remedies for Fatty Tumors

PART 1.0 Fatty Tumors - What, How, When and Why

What is a Fatty Tumor and How Is It Formed…

A fatty tumor is a soft mass under the skin.

Fatty Tumors form when the body is unable to rid itself of toxins via the body’s natural systems for toxin elimination – the intestines, kidney and liver.  When a dog is constantly ingesting toxins the kidney and liver are forced to work overtime to clear out unwanted substances from the body. If the toxic load becomes too much for the kidney and liver to process affectively the toxins end-up remaining where they are not wanted -  in the blood stream, digestive tract, etc. The constant presence of contaminates in the body puts added stress on the endocrine (glands which secret various hormones to regulate metabolism, sleep, mood, etc.) and immune system in addition to the kidney and liver.

The body’s natural reaction – the next line of defence is to engage its largest excretory organ, the skin. The body ‘captures’ the toxins and shifts them out of the way by storing the material in fat deposits just under the surface of the skin.

Characteristics of a Fatty Tumor (Lipoma, Fatty Lump)

A soft mass under the skin that:

• Does not cause *hair loss;
• Does not cause *pain;
• Does not cause *redness or *irritation of the skin on its own 
• Is freely movable under the skin;
• *The only time hair loss, pain or irritation occurs with these masses is, for example:
• When the mass is located on the body of the dog, and;
• The mass has increased in size, and;
• As a result, is rubbing against the dog’s leg;
• The mass may then cause hair loss or irritation as it rubs against the dog’s leg.

Fatty Deposits Are a Warning Sign

Fatty deposits are a warning sign – a red flag that tells you that:

• That the body is under siege from constant ingestion of toxic, unwanted material;
• The body’s system is out of balance and is not able to eliminate the toxic waste properly;
• That the  immune system is weak and requires care to improve it's strength;
• Diet, stress and exercise are huge factors in the health of the immune system;
• A weak immune system leaves the body vulnerable to illness, infection and health problems..

How do These Unwanted Materials (Toxins) Get into the Dog’s System

There are two main ways in which toxins enter the dog’s body…

• Ingredients in commerciallymanufactured highly processed dog food - dry dog food, wet dog food, treats – for example;
• Refined cereal grains;
• Food colouring;
• Chemical-based preservatives i.e. ethoxyquinand TBHQ ;
• Sugar;
• Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) found in corn, soy, canola, safflower, cottonseed oil, hydrolyzed vegetable protein, sugar beets, etc.
• Poor quality protein derived from animals that were:
• Fed GMO feed;
• Injected with genetically engineered (GE) growth hormones and steroids;
• Read about the above items here.
• Toxins from inoculations and chemical-based flea, tick, heartworm preventatives.

Other Contributing Sources of Daily Toxic Loading

• Health care supplies and household items such as:
• Dog Dental chews;
• Dog Toothpaste;
• Dog Shampoo;
• Household cleaners;
• Fluorinated water;
• Pesticides, fertilizers, herbicides, on grass, road salt, etc. that is then absorbed through the skin of the paws, ingested by licking fur and paws;

How many of the toxins listed above is your dog regularly exposed to? Do a quick analysis and then read on…

Part 2.0 - DIY Holistic Treatments, Remedies

Conventional Treatments Are Not a Remedy

Conventional practitioners of medicine (human and veterinary care) are oriented towards treating an acquired condition rather than treating the body as a whole entity.  As a result, when a conventional partitioning veterinarian sees a fatty tumor the typical advice provided is:

• As long as the tumor is a) benign and b) not impeding physical function, just leave the tumor as is;
• If the fatty tumor is in the way of proper function the following options may be offered;
• Surgical removal;
• Liposuction;
• Salve and/or;
• Steroid injections.

The fundamental problem with these conventional interventions is that they do not address the root cause of the condition. If the root cause is not addressed the tumors will:

• Continue to exist and will in many cases grow;
• If removed will re-grow;
• May eventually escalate to a malignant mast cell growth.

Many conventional veterinary practitioners will tell you that there is nothing that you can do to:

• Reduce the size of the existing fatty tumor;
• Eliminate the existing fatty tumor.
• And should you opt for one of those conventional interventions:
• There is nothing you can do to prevent the reformation of the fatty tumors.

This is incorrect! You CAN reduce and even eliminate fatty tumors permanently.

Failure to take proper action can result in a worsening of your dog’s health and quality of life.

To stop the formation and growth of these tumors you must treat the root cause – toxic loading which may have also progressed to glandular malfunction.

DIY Holistic Care Approach

Your Dog's Diet

Part One - Review What You Are Currently Feeding Your Dog, Make Changes

Do a thorough review of what you are feeding your dog and remove all items that contain toxins and species inappropriate food stuffs.

Consider completely removing commercially manufactured dog food and treats from your dog’s diet and replace with:

• Species appropriate food - either:
• Homemadecooked dog food and fresh whole foods, and/or;
• A raw food diet.

If you want to keep your dog on commercially prepared dog food:

• Make sure you know how to select a relativelytoxic-free product;
• Unfortunately when it comes to mass-produced commercially manufactured dog food, good and bad becomes a relative term.
• Read this article to…
• Ensure you can make informed decisions about the food you choose – don’t assume you are currently choosing a good product.

Statistics recorded by veterinary organizations from the 1950's up to present day are very telling...

• The life-span of a companion dog in North America is now half of what it was in the 1950's;
• In the 1950's the average life-span of a golden retriever was 15 to 16 years, today the average is in the range of 8 to12 years;
• In 2005, 50% of older dogs dies from cancer, and the number is on the rise. 

Part Two -  Supplement Your Dog’s Diet

Turmeric– you need to get your dog on this herb ASAP read more about turmeric here; The curcumin which gives turmeric its bright yellow colour contains compounds that have been proven to reduce lipomas in dogs (and humans :>)

Other Recommended De-toxers and Immune System Boosters
Organic Apple Cider Vinegar
Coconut Oil

Garlic(no it is not bad for dogs, read the facts, don’t be fooled by unsubstantiated false rumors);

Lemon(fresh);

Omega 3-Fatty Acids;

Rooibos Tea;

Probiotics;

Whole fresh foods high in first quality antioxidants and nutrients.

Topical Treatment for Fatty Tumors (Lipomas)

Sage
Sage has a natural affinity to attract fat. You can apply sage extract topically to the lipoma on a daily basis.

Turmeric
In addition to supplementing your dog’s daily diet with Turmeric, this herb can also be used topically to treat lipoma.

Preparation and application

• Combine:
• 1 tsp of turmeric, with;
• 1 tsp of olive oil, or grape seed oil or almond oil;
• Mix:
•  Mix until the ingredients form a soft, well blended paste;
• Apply:
• Apply the resulting paste directly to the skin surface of the fatty tumor;
• Please note that the natural colour in turmeric will stain clothing, carpet etc. 
• So after application you should restrict your dog to an area where the stain will not adhere to items that you value, or;
• Put your dog outside for a while.
• This treatment can be used once or more a day. 
• Turmeric is safe for pregnant dogs.

Signs of Malignant Mast Cell Growth

If your dog does have a fatty tumor it is important to monitor that fatty lump for changes…

• Sudden change in appearance, i.e.
• The tumor suddenly hardens;
• Begins to grow lumpy and nodular;
• Has begun to bleed;

Get to your veterinarian and have the tumor tested for malignancy ASAP.

• Training;
• Behaviour Modification;
• Rehabilitation;
• Nutrition;
• Health

Whether you are experiencing dog behavior problems and would like assistance, or just want to bring your dog up to be a well-balanced canine -  I offer both a local and international service for people with one or multiple dogs. 

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In-person SessionsDogTraining, Puppy Training, Behaviour Modification, Rehabilitation – Ottawa, Ottawa Area, Outaouais, Ottawa Valley

 

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Sessions,Advice via email for National and International Clients - Dog Training, Puppy Training, Behaviour Modification, Nutrition, Health 

Swap Meet Sales Targeted by Animal Rights Fanatics

I received the below message in my email inbox today. Here we have the quintessential example of the deception foisted upon society by animal rights fanatics. The message features pictures of puppies and kittens while imploring us to help stop sales of animals at swap meets.

 

Problem is, dogs and cats aren't generally sold at swap meets. What we would normally find sold at swap meets, auctions, fairs etc are various birds like parakeets, canaries and finches, along with assorted farm animals such as chickens, ducks, sheep, goats and so on. No puppies. No kittens.

 

But truth means nothing to these animal rights nuts. And even while we have come to expect them to routinely lie through their teeth about animal issues, still they needs to be taken to task occasionally.

 

What in the world is inherently "wrong" with offering animals for sale in a public place? This practice has existed since the dawn of human history, but now is suddenly taboo in the minds of a population that is increasingly urban and severed from agrarian roots. The very act of selling an animal is "abuse"? Absurd! And even one were to offer dogs and cats for sale in public, so what? There is nothing cruel about selling dogs and cats.

 

There is another arena targeted by AR groups as inherently "abusive" even when no blatant abuse is evident....the sales of animals in pet stores. Elizabeth Oreck of "Best Friends" is at all the hearings in southern California lobbying to prohibit sales of animals in pet shops. Instead of having purposely-bred dogs and cats available to consumers, she would like us to instead have only "rescued" animals available.

 

Because, you see, animals can be offered as impulse purchases in a pet store as long as they are from unscrupulous origins, with questionable genetic backgrounds and sketchy health histories. If originating from a known entity and  having received veterinary care since birth, the animals obviously would not be suitable for pets and should therefore be forbidden by law. Makes perfect sense.

 

Don't get me wrong, I'm all for finding homes for animals that need them, but "rescue" is an industry that is completely unregulated. Dogs are imported from other areas, other states and even other countries to provide inventory for many shelters and rescues. (Check our post "It's Raining Dogs From Other Countries" for the proof of that statement.) With nationwide shelter intakes and death rates at the lowest point ever, we no longer can legitimately claim that "overpopulation" and "abandonment" are the pressing issues that they once were. Our nation is on the right track, and we need not fall for the animal rights propaganda to further their agenda of a future devoid of domestic animals.

 

The message below is a typical AR manipulative tool, rife with hypotheses contrary to fact and the overall "red herring" deception of conflating pets with livestock in the mind of the public. How much longer are we going to let them get away with their lies and deception? Enough already!

 

I believe the free market works, and it will work naturally to regulate the pets available for sale. Sick and overpriced pets don't sell very well (unless of course they are sold by "rescues" and shelters.) Allow consumers freedom of choice in the market and let the chips fall where they may.

 

These AR groups are allowed to blatantly LIE in their advertising and their lobbying. No other group of sales people could get away with such unethical behavior. Where is the California Attorney General?

 

 

 

 

 

CA: Let's Put an End to Swap Meet Animal Sales     Dear Friends,   Existing law in California prohibits the sale of animals in most unregulated public venues, such as parking lots, alleys and highways. However, the law does not include swap meets and flea markets, which has created a major loophole for irresponsible and unscrupulous breeders to sell their animals virtually under the radar. These sales contribute to unhealthy animals and breeding practices, overpopulation and animal abandonment.   Fortunately, Assembly Bill 339 has been introduced to close that loophole by prohibiting the sale of animals at swap meets and flea markets. This bill is designed to protect purchasers who may unknowingly buy an animal that is unhealthy or too young, or from a pet mill or backyard breeder who doesn't provide safe and humane conditions for the animals bred and sold.   Your representatives need to hear that you care about the way animals are treated and that you support this important bill to protect pets and consumers. Please urge your representatives to support Assembly Bill 339.     Click here to take action now.   Thank you for all you do for animals.     Warmest regards,   Elizabeth Oreck National Manager, puppy mill initiatives puppymills.bestfriends.org

 

 

 

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AVMA Surrendered to the Dark Side

As an owner of multiple dogs I was surprised to find that the American Veterinary Medical Association has position statements on their website, including a position statement in support of PUPS. PUPS is the federal bill that would subject many more breeders to APHIS guidelines. You know, those rules that force breeders to keep their dogs and puppies in sterile environments, to log all activity including any interaction with their dogs/puppies (thereby discouraging such interaction) and to submit to unannounced inspection of their property at any time.

 

Naturally, such unreasonable requirements discourage most reasonable people from breeding and would drastically reduce the ranks of dog breeders; but, of course, that is the whole intention of the new rules. The are certainly not intended to support and encourage dog breeding. I was pleased to see my friend post this note to the AVMA.

 

March 19, 2013 at 1:46 pm

Hi AVMA/Animal Rights Group:

 Do you have a list of vets who do NOT belong to AVMA? If so I would like to have it so I can find a vet that supports my rights to own, breed and co-own my chosen breed. A vet who realizes that I could own NO breeding animal on my own property and still fall under the PUPS guidelines. A vet who realizes that my home environment cannot be washed down with 180 degree water and that I have soft surfaces that are not "impervious to moisture" so I would never be able to comply with PUPS. A vet who knows that rally, obedience and flyball involve "repetitive exercise' and that I would not be in compliance with PUPS if I used these as forms of exercise for my dogs. A vet who knows that when I write him/her a check for thousands or dollars or slap down my open-ended credit card to save my dog's life that I am a caring breeder no matter how many "breedable' females I own or co-own or how many puppies I sell in one year. A vet who knows that without me, he/she would not be in business, or that their business would be sadly curtailed.

 Please send me that list of non-AVMA veterinarians so I can support that person.. the one who respects my rights, and my dogs, and my brain.

Thank you

 

 

BRAVO!!! I'll be asking for that list myself; or perhaps using the AVMA website function of "find a member" to determine who NOT to support with my hard-earned dollars.

 

This position statement of the AVMA is rather foolish, because after all, veterinarians are ultimately the ones who actually profit from dogs, not the vast majority of breeders. And where would pet lovers be without breeders? Petless and lonely, that's where.

 

Elimination of pet ownership is the dream of the animal rights extremists. It seems AVMA has already surrendered to the Dark Side. Let's hope for the good of society that they will wise up sooner rather than later.

 
 

Don’t Give Your Dog Supplements That Contain Magnesium Stearate - Its Bad for Your Dog's Health

Magnesium Stearate can be found in about 95% of supplements sold in pharmacies, stores and/or supplied by doctors and veterinarians to their patients.

Magnesium Stearate is a lubricant that acts as a 'slipping agent'. 

It is created by adding a magnesium ion to stearic acid. 

Magnesium Stearate is added to pills and capsules to:

• Keep the pills/capsules from sticking to each other;
• From sticking to the machinery, which in turn...
• Means that they processing plant can run the processing/production machinery at a higher speed...
• Which means that they can increase production while requiring less inspection on the production line to ensure uninterrupted processing.
• Culminating in better profit margins. 

Magnesium Stearate may be good for company profit but it is seriously bad for yours and your dog's health and here is why...

The Problem Is...

1.0 Stearic Acid is Typically Made Using Hydrogentated Cottonseed or Palm Oil.

These oils pose a real health risk:

• Of all commercial oils, cotton seed has the highest content of pesticide residue.  
• Cottonseed oil is used to coat the supplement – which means it is coating the nutrients in the supplement.
• As a coating agent the cottonseed oil slows down/delays the absorption of the nutrients in the intestines.
• The other problem with cottonseed oil is that it often comes from Genetically Engineered seed crops – long-term studies on the health effects of ingesting GE is not known.
• In large amounts magnesium stearte damages the skin and liver…remember that most dogs are smaller than adult humans it would take less magnesium stearate to damage a dog.

2.0 Why is the Delay in the Absorption of Nutrients Bad?

Depending on what your dog is eating with the supplement the food may be pushed through the GI tract at a faster pass than the nutrients in the supplement can be absorbed. Your dog may not get to benefit from some or all of the nutrients meant to be delivered by the supplement. At best your money is thrown away, at worst your dog may be in serious trouble from lack of the required nutrient.

3.0 Magnesium Stearate - as Noted Above Contains Stearic Acid. 

• Stearic acid suppresses T cells. 
• Why does that matter? 
• T-cells (T lymphocytes) are part of the lymphocytes group of white blood cells.
  Lymphocytes play a key function in cell-mediated immunity. 
•  T Cells are killer cells, and are very important to good immune system function. 
• Stearic acid causes the collapse of the cell membrane in these very important T cells. 
• Collapse occurs when the T-cells are exposed over time to damaging doses of the acid. Collapse of the cell membrane leads to the destruction of cell function.

In my opinion the above provides sufficient reason to steer clear of magnesium stearate. 

It seems to me that the pharmaceutical companies are incredibly unethical as is the pet industry…here are a few more examples...

Doggie Prozac http://ottawavalleydogwhisperer.blogspot.ca/2013/02/seperation-anxiety-doggie-prozac-does.html

Heart Worm Preventatives http://ottawavalleydogwhisperer.blogspot.ca/2013/03/does-your-dog-really-need-to-be-on.html

Fish Meal (included in many Dog Kibble formulas) http://ottawavalleydogwhisperer.blogspot.ca/2013/02/fish-fish-meal-and-ethoxyquin-danger-do.html