Today I would like to post on a topic from TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine).

Many dogs are afflicted with cancers that are associated with bleeding, like internal hemangiosarcomas. Sometimes the treatments for cancer (many chemotherapy drugs) may increase bleeding tendencies.

So it would make a lot of sense that providing a supplement that helps the body stop bleeding might help our four legged companions. Especially nice would be something that can be given in a capsule at home.

Although it seems that we lack this in our Western system of veterinary medicine, let’s remember there is more to healing than what we may have been exposed to. My alma mater is the number one-ranked vet school in the nation, and I was not aware of the following until I started my own studies after graduation.

Yunnan baiyao, also called yunnan baiyao, is “The white medicine from Yunnan province.” This is a well-known treatment in China. In TCM, most of the items used are blends of different components. Yuannan paiyao is no exception.

Some of the ingredients include various yam roots, ox gall bladder, pseudoginseng, sweet geranium, and more. The precise recipe is a guarded secret in China.

It is believed to work by activating the platelets, which are the small blood components that help make blood clot. Blood clots are the first step in a scab. They are like little plugs or corks in the way they stop hemorrhage.

Yunnan paiyao taken by mouth has been shown to decrease liver bleeding in lab animals. Similarly, it has been shown to decrease bleeding times in ponies who took it orally. The same was shown for rabbits. It also works when the powder is applied to a bleeding surface.

Yunnan paiyao should be used only after consultation and in cooperation with your dog’s veterinarian. Here is some data.

How much to give? The following dosing is a bit rough. These are general guidelines:

For dogs under 10 lbs, give 1 capsule by mouth one time a day.

For dogs from 10 to 30 lbs, give 1 capsule by mouth two times a day.

For dogs above 30 but less than 60 lbs, give 2 capsules two times a day.

For dogs above 60 lbs, give 2 capsules three times a day.

Do not give Yunnan paiyao on an ongoing basis. It is best to give it on alternating days, or for a 5-day on, 5-day off cycle that repeats. There is some possible evidence that this medicine may elevate liver markers if given daily for prolonged periods of time.

There is an excellent pdf available online, called “Yunnan Baiyao-Where’s the Clinical Evidence?”

for those who would like more detail.

Yunnan paiyao can be purchased on line, in herb stores, and in Traditional Chinese Medicine locations.

For more tools to help fight dog cancer that you may have not heard of, get a copy of The Dog Cancer Survival Guide.

Best to all,

Dr D