by TCMVET | May 31, 2025 | Dog Cancer & Tumors
For many pet parents, tumor surgery brings both relief and uncertainty. You’ve taken the big step to remove the cancer—but what now? Is it enough to wait and see? Will your dog bounce back to full strength on their own?
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) answers with a firm no—because healing isn’t just about removing the disease. It’s about restoring balance, rebuilding energy, and preventing relapse. In TCM, recovery is not passive. It’s proactive, comprehensive, and deeply personalized.
Here’s how Chinese herbal medicine supports your dog in becoming not just recovered—but stronger than before.
1. Rebuilding Vitality: Strengthening Qi and Blood
Surgery takes a toll on your dog’s life force (Qi) and blood circulation. Energy levels may drop. Appetite may fade. In TCM, this is seen as a disruption of internal harmony.
Herbs like Huang Qi (Astragalus) and Dang Gui (Angelica Sinensis) help:
- Restore energy
- Nourish and move blood
- Reignite appetite and vitality
- Build long-term resilience
These herbs don’t just mask symptoms—they work from the root.
2. Detoxifying the Body: Clearing Heat and Toxins
After a tumor is removed, lingering inflammation or toxic byproducts may remain in the body. This “residual heat” is a concern in TCM, especially for cancer-prone dogs.
Herbs like Bai Hua She She Cao (Oldenlandia) and Zhi Mu help:
- Cool internal heat
- Support detox pathways (liver, kidney)
- Create an environment less hospitable to tumor regrowth
TCM sees detox as daily maintenance—not a one-time fix.
3. Calming the Mind and Body
The emotional side of healing is often overlooked. Dogs experience anxiety, sleep disruption, and behavioral shifts after surgery, especially if they’ve undergone hospitalization.
Herbs like Suan Zao Ren (Ziziphus seed) and Fu Ling (Poria) help:
- Calm the nervous system
- Improve sleep quality
- Support digestive comfort
- Stabilize emotions
A calm dog heals faster—physically and emotionally.
4. Supporting Organ Systems: A Holistic View
TCM doesn’t treat a tumor in isolation. It asks: What weakness allowed it to grow? Often, the Liver, Spleen, or Kidney systems are involved. Strengthening these systems is key to long-term wellness.
Customized formulas help:
- Rebalance the body’s terrain
- Improve nutrient absorption
- Stabilize immunity over time
This is why many dogs on Chinese herbs feel better than they did even before surgery.
The Big Picture: Recovery as Reinvention
TCM doesn’t aim for your dog to return to “normal.” It helps them become better than before—with stronger immunity, calmer energy, and deeper internal harmony.
Surgery is a powerful tool. But when paired with Chinese herbal medicine, it becomes a beginning, not an end.
Because your dog deserves more than survival. They deserve vibrant health.
by TCMVET | May 31, 2025 | Dog Cancer & Tumors
When a dog undergoes tumor surgery, what comes next is just as important as the operation itself. While stitches may close the surface, the internal systems—immune, digestive, and emotional—require time and active support to fully heal. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) offers a powerful, natural recovery toolkit that complements conventional veterinary care.
In TCM, recovery isn’t just about resting. It’s about restoring balance—boosting Qi (vital energy), nourishing Blood, and harmonizing organ function. Here are five essential herbs commonly used to support dogs after tumor surgery and why they matter.
1. Huang Qi (Astragalus) – The Energy Recharger
Huang Qi is one of the most widely respected immune-enhancing herbs in Chinese medicine. After surgery, it helps rebuild strength and resilience.
- Boosts the immune system
- Enhances energy and vitality
- Promotes tissue repair
- Often used alongside cancer treatments to reduce side effects
Think of it as your dog’s internal power source for recovery.
2. Dang Gui (Angelica Sinensis) – The Blood Restorer
Surgical trauma can lead to Blood deficiency in TCM terms. Dang Gui nourishes and invigorates Blood, helping your dog recover from fatigue and tissue damage.
- Improves circulation
- Encourages muscle and skin regeneration
- Eases post-op pain and stiffness
- Ideal for aging or weak dogs
It acts like a restorative tonic for the whole body.
3. San Qi (Notoginseng) – The Internal First Aid
Known for its ability to stop bleeding and move Blood, San Qi is especially helpful in the first few days post-surgery.
- Promotes wound healing
- Reduces bruising and internal inflammation
- Aids in pain relief without harsh side effects
It’s a gentle, natural ally during the most vulnerable recovery window.
4. Bai Hua She She Cao (Oldenlandia) – The Detoxifier
This herb is widely used in TCM for its cancer-fighting and detoxifying properties. Post-surgery, it helps clear residual inflammation and supports immune defense.
- Clears heat and toxins from the body
- Supports healthy cell function
- Helps prevent recurrence when used in the maintenance phase
Think of it as a gentle sweeper for internal debris.
5. Fu Ling (Poria) – The Gut Soother
Post-operative stress and medications can disrupt your dog’s digestion. Fu Ling helps calm the gut, support fluid metabolism, and ease anxiety.
- Strengthens the spleen (digestion)
- Reduces edema and fluid buildup
- Supports calm behavior and restful sleep
A happy gut means a stronger, faster recovery.
Putting It All Together
These herbs are often used together in custom formulas tailored to your dog’s specific condition, constitution, and post-surgical needs. The beauty of TCM lies in personalization—what works for one dog may not suit another.
Always consult a veterinarian trained in Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM) to create a safe, effective recovery plan. When used correctly, these herbs can help your dog not only heal but regain strength, spirit, and quality of life.
by TCMVET | May 27, 2025 | Dog Cancer & Tumors
Surgery may remove a tumor, but it doesn’t guarantee full recovery. For dogs, the post-operative period is often marked by pain, fatigue, emotional stress, and vulnerability to further illness. Healing takes time—and it happens in stages.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) offers a powerful, natural way to support dogs through each phase of recovery. With carefully selected herbal formulas, it helps ease pain, rebuild energy, and restore internal balance.
Let’s break down the three key stages of post-surgical recovery—and the specific role Chinese herbs can play in each.
Stage 1: Immediate Recovery (0–7 Days)
Goals: Control pain, stop bleeding, reduce swelling, stabilize digestion
In TCM, the first few days after surgery are a state of acute trauma. The dog’s Qi and Blood are depleted, and the body is under stress from anesthesia and tissue damage.
Helpful herbs:
- San Qi (Notoginseng): Stops bleeding, promotes clotting, reduces bruising
- Yan Hu Suo (Corydalis): Natural pain relief without sedation
- Jiang Huang (Turmeric): Moves Blood, reduces inflammation
- Sheng Jiang (Fresh Ginger): Warms the stomach, prevents nausea
These herbs can help minimize complications while supporting comfort and early healing.
Stage 2: Rebuilding Vitality (1–4 Weeks)
Goals: Replenish Qi and Blood, promote tissue repair, strengthen immunity
As wounds begin to close, the body enters a rebuilding phase—but the dog may still be weak or lacking appetite. In TCM terms, the focus shifts to “tonifying” the body’s core systems, especially the Spleen and Lungs, which are responsible for energy production and defense.
Helpful herbs:
- Huang Qi (Astragalus): Strengthens Wei Qi (protective energy), boosts resilience
- Dang Shen (Codonopsis): Replenishes energy, supports digestion
- Dang Gui (Angelica sinensis): Nourishes Blood and encourages circulation
- Fu Ling (Poria): Supports digestion and calms restlessness
These herbs help rebuild strength from the inside out, allowing the body to recover more efficiently.
Stage 3: Long-Term Balance (1 Month and Beyond)
Goals: Prevent recurrence, nourish organs, calm the spirit
Even after the physical wounds heal, the root imbalances that allowed cancer to grow may remain. TCM focuses on strengthening the constitutional weaknesses, clearing residual toxins, and restoring the emotional and energetic balance of the whole being.
Helpful herbs:
- Bai Hua She She Cao (Oldenlandia): Clears residual heat and toxicity
- Zhi Mu + Sheng Di Huang: Nourish Yin and cool internal inflammation
- Suan Zao Ren (Ziziphus seed): Supports restful sleep and emotional calm
- Nu Zhen Zi + Gou Qi Zi: Strengthen Liver and Kidney Yin, which often weaken with age or illness
At this stage, Chinese medicine is not just about recovery—it’s about resilience.
Why This Matters
Each stage of healing has different needs. Using the same formula or one-size-fits-all approach may miss critical aspects of your dog’s recovery. Chinese herbal medicine, when prescribed by a TCVM-trained vet, is uniquely suited to evolve with your dog’s condition.
It respects that healing is a journey—and helps your dog every step of the way.
by TCMVET | May 27, 2025 | Dog Cancer & Tumors
When your dog undergoes surgery to remove a tumor, it may feel like the hardest part is over. In truth, surgery is just one step in a much larger healing journey. The physical trauma, emotional stress, and internal imbalances that often accompany cancer don’t disappear with the tumor.
That’s where Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) shines—not as a replacement for surgery, but as a way to help your dog rebuild strength, restore balance, and truly recover.
Why Surgery Isn’t the Final Chapter
After a tumor is removed, dogs often experience:
- Loss of energy or appetite
- Inflammation and swelling
- Digestive discomfort
- Slow wound healing
- Emotional stress or anxiety
- Risk of recurrence if root causes aren’t addressed
Western medicine focuses on antibiotics, pain relief, and follow-up scans. But TCM sees the whole dog—mind, body, and spirit—and offers support where modern treatments often stop.
The TCM Approach to Post-Surgical Healing
Chinese medicine focuses on restoring harmony in the body’s systems. After surgery, dogs often suffer from a depletion of Qi (vital energy) and Blood, as well as imbalances in organs like the Spleen, Liver, and Kidneys. TCM uses herbal therapy, acupuncture, and nutrition to:
- Rebuild energy and strength
- Reduce pain and inflammation
- Strengthen the immune system
- Support digestion and appetite
- Calm the mind and reduce anxiety
- Address the underlying patterns that allowed the tumor to grow
Key Herbs Used in Post-Operative Support
Here are a few examples of herbs commonly used in TCM to support dogs after tumor surgery:
- Astragalus (Huang Qi): Boosts immune function and supports Qi
- Rehmannia (Shu Di Huang): Nourishes Blood and Yin
- Codonopsis (Dang Shen): Helps restore energy and digestion
- Turmeric (Jiang Huang): Moves Blood and reduces inflammation
- Angelica (Dang Gui): Supports blood production and tissue repair
- San Qi (Notoginseng): Promotes wound healing and reduces bleeding
All herbal formulas should be tailored to your dog’s specific condition by a certified veterinary herbalist.
Acupuncture: Reconnecting the Healing Pathways
Acupuncture may be used alongside herbs to:
- Ease post-operative pain
- Improve circulation to surgical sites
- Reduce nausea or constipation
- Promote faster healing
- Calm anxious or restless behavior
Even just a few sessions during recovery can make a noticeable difference in how your dog feels and functions.
Healing Isn’t Just Physical
Dogs recovering from cancer surgery may seem quiet, hesitant, or “not themselves.” In TCM, emotional health is deeply connected to physical recovery. Calming herbs and gentle acupressure points can help relieve fear, restore sleep, and bring back your dog’s sense of peace and joy.
Preventing Recurrence: Building a Healthier Foundation
TCM doesn’t just focus on recovery—it also addresses prevention. By supporting the organ systems involved in your dog’s cancer pattern, Chinese medicine aims to lower the chances of relapse and build long-term resilience.
This may include:
- Enhancing detoxification via the Liver
- Supporting digestive strength through the Spleen
- Improving circulation and breaking up stagnation
- Nourishing Yin and cooling internal heat
A New Beginning, Not Just an Aftermath
In Chinese medicine, healing isn’t just about fixing what’s broken—it’s about rebalancing the whole being. When your dog’s recovery plan includes TCM, you’re not just managing symptoms. You’re giving your companion a true reboot.
Your dog has already shown incredible strength to come this far. With the right support, the journey ahead can be filled with more tail wags, more energy, and more time together.
Because recovery isn’t the end of something—it’s the start of something better.
by TCMVET | May 25, 2025 | Dog Cancer & Tumors
Cancer is one of the hardest diagnoses a pet parent can hear. While chemotherapy and other conventional treatments have become more advanced and accessible for dogs, they often come with a tough cost: fatigue, nausea, appetite loss, digestive issues, and immune suppression.
This is where Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) offers something powerful—not as a replacement for modern medicine, but as a complement to help your dog feel stronger, eat better, and recover more smoothly.
Let’s take a closer look at how Chinese herbal support and TCM principles can help ease chemo-related side effects and improve your dog’s quality of life during cancer treatment.
TCM Doesn’t Fight the Tumor—It Supports the Body
While Western medicine directly targets the tumor, TCM focuses on strengthening the body’s internal systems. In cancer care, this means:
- Rebuilding energy (qi) that’s drained by illness and treatment
- Supporting digestion and nutrient absorption
- Regulating the immune response
- Nourishing organs stressed by medication
In TCM terms, chemo and radiation can weaken the spleen, kidneys, and liver, disturb the flow of qi and blood, and generate “toxic heat” in the body. TCM formulas aim to restore that internal harmony.
Common Chemotherapy Side Effects & TCM Solutions
1. Loss of Appetite & Nausea
Many dogs undergoing chemo stop eating well or experience stomach upset. TCM uses herbs like:
- Hawthorn (Shan Zha) – improves appetite and aids digestion
- Pinellia (Ban Xia) – reduces nausea and phlegm
- Licorice Root (Gan Cao) – harmonizes the digestive tract
2. Fatigue & Weakness
Energy loss is one of the most common side effects. Qi-tonifying herbs help rebuild internal strength:
- Astragalus (Huang Qi) – boosts qi and immune function
- Codonopsis (Dang Shen) – supports the spleen and lungs
- Atractylodes (Bai Zhu) – strengthens digestion, helps with fluid retention
3. Low Immunity & Recurring Infections
Some dogs become prone to secondary infections. Gentle immune support from TCM may include:
- Reishi Mushroom (Ling Zhi) – regulates immunity and calms the spirit
- Oldenlandia (Bai Hua She She Cao) – a heat-clearing herb sometimes used alongside medical treatment to support cellular repair
4. Diarrhea or Soft Stool
Chemo can irritate the gut. TCM looks at this as a sign of spleen qi deficiency or damp accumulation:
- Poria (Fu Ling) – supports fluid metabolism
- Dioscorea (Shan Yao) – strengthens digestion without causing dryness
- White Peony (Bai Shao) – soothes the gut and relieves cramping
Safety First: TCM Must Be Tailored to Your Dog
Herbs are not one-size-fits-all. Some dogs may need warming formulas, others cooling; some need tonics, others detoxifiers. The wrong herb—or even the right one at the wrong time—can worsen symptoms or interact poorly with chemo drugs.
Always consult a TCVM-trained veterinarian who understands both herbal therapy and your dog’s cancer treatment plan. High-quality, vet-approved formulations are key.
It’s Not Just About Herbs: Other TCM Therapies Help Too
- Acupuncture – can reduce nausea, boost energy, and relieve pain
- Dietary therapy – food can be used medicinally in TCM, balancing your dog’s constitution
- Massage (Tui Na) – improves circulation, digestion, and comfort
The Goal: Less Suffering, More Vitality
While TCM won’t shrink a tumor, it can ease suffering, improve appetite, and restore strength. For many families, this means more happy moments, better recovery time, and a gentler experience during a difficult journey.
Chemo treats the disease. TCM treats the dog.
If your dog is undergoing cancer treatment, consider exploring Chinese herbal support as part of a well-rounded care plan. With proper guidance, it can make a world of difference.
