Canine Lipoma
Fatty Tumors in Dogs

Is a Fatty Tumor Dangerous?

While a canine lipoma is not life threatening, it is still a sign that all is NOT well.

Why do they tend to regrow after surgical removal?

Let’s look at why they happen and healing them from the inside out.

Anatomy of a Fatty Tumor

When you feel them, they are usually not swollen or painful. They often come up very slowly and continue to grow steadily. They may be the size of a pea or the size of a lemon. While ugly to look at, they are not terminal but they are a sign that something is wrong.

As the name suggests, it's a tumor made of stored fat that couldn’t be used or passed out of the body.

Where Does it Start?

So now we know a dog lipoma is a call for help because:

• Fat is not being metabolized by the body but being stored in pockets under the skin instead.

This means there is a problem starting with digestion and assimilation of food. Anything the body can't convert to energy or get rid of, it must store somewhere.

Can We Stop Feeding Fat to Cure Fatty Tumors?

No! Dogs need fat for energy and brain function. However what type of fat your dog gets makes a huge difference.

This is where I bash those huge dog food manufacturers with big name commercial dog foods again. The most common source of fat in them is from rejected animal parts. Are they rejected because they are past their prime or cancerous?

Either way I tend to think of rejected as TOXIC, so obviously this is extremely low quality and coupled with chemical preservatives (also toxins), make a dog's body work overtime until it simply wears out.

Lack of Nutritious Dog Food as a Cause

So now we know crappy food can be the cause so the first thing to do is change your dog's diet.

And please don't tell me your dog has been healthy on his food until now. I had a friend come up to me the other night at a dinner party with just the same words.

I had to explain its a cumulative process. What he really wanted was for me to tell him to give his dog an herb or two and that would be it. It's just not that easy. Will he change his ways? Probably not and his dog will continue to have problems and they will get worse.

I understand because I've done the same thing. We are taught cause and effect like its an immediate thing but when it comes to health and disease, that couldn't be farther from the truth.

We have to get away from the thinking of treating a symptom (canine lipoma IS a symptom) with a pill or a scalpal. Instead we need to give the body the tools it needs to do the job itself.

Okay, so much for my venting. Here's what you can do to support your dogs health. Feed a clean raw diet low in carbohydrates.

Switching to raw dog food, human grade homemade dog food or a very high grade commercial dog food can keep a canine lipoma from returning after surgical removal, should you decide to go that route.

If you don't want to do the homework yourself on better commercial foods, get a subscription to
Petsumer Reports.

Next, there are ways to help clean up the system and naturally cure canine lipoma in dogs. I suggest all three of the following:

• All Cell Detox - # 1072-4
  It has 17 herbs that cleanse the colon, liver, kidneys and promote the absorption of nutrients.
• N-acetyl-cysteine - #509-7
  To defend against free radical damage and to eliminate harmful toxins. Protects cells from oxidative stress and supports liver, cardio function, skin and eyes.
• L-Carnitine # 1632-6
  The body requires l-carnitine for the transport of long-chain fatty acids into the cells. (It breaks down fat.)

You can order these things at Natures Sunshine Products and contact me for dosage depending on the size and breed of your dog.

I suggest Natures Sunshine because the products are monitored for high standards and consistency.

In the meantime, look around this website some more to understand how the body works. You might start with the dog digestive system, where it explains the difference between dogs and humans. This is a must-read in my opinion.

Making Your Own Dog Food gives you an example of what changes in your dog you may see, and leads to more information on the subject.

In Dog Food Comparison, I compare raw, cooked and store bought, including a link where you can get an unbiased comparison of commercial dog foods if you are a die hard kibble feeder and can opener.

The bottom line here is, if you are struggling with a canine lipoma (or several), you can contact me for more information, meal suggestions and exact dosage of products for your individual dog.

Interesting Notes

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