Laura Smith
Turkey tail mushrooms have been used in traditional Chinese medicine for over 2,000 years. They are one of the most researched mushrooms and are known to have immunity-boosting and cancer-fighting properties. Turkey tail mushroom was one of the first integrative cancer therapies to undergo a clinical trial in veterinary medicine. While it may not be a cure for cancer in dogs, studies have shown that it may slow the spread of cancer and improve survival times. The compound in the mushroom that is believed to have immune-boosting properties is polysaccharopeptide, or PSP, which has been patented as an anti-cancer drug in China and Japan.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cancer treatment | Turkey tail mushroom is used as an integrative therapy for cancer treatment in dogs. |
| Clinical trials | Turkey tail mushroom was one of the first integrative cancer therapies to undergo a clinical trial in Veterinary Medicine. |
| Safety | Turkey tail mushroom is safe for dogs as long as it is not fed raw. |
| Dosage | Dosage depends on the product and can be determined based on the dog's weight. A suggested dose is 20-30mg of beta glucans per kg of the dog's weight. |
| Benefits | The benefits of turkey tail mushroom in dogs include boosting immune response, managing side effects from chemotherapy or radiation therapy, possibly delaying cancer spread, and possibly increasing survival times. |
| Types of cancer | Turkey tail mushroom has been found to be effective in treating hemangiosarcoma, an aggressive and invasive cancer that arises from blood cells and typically affects the spleen. It is also being studied for its potential benefits in treating other types of cancer. |
| Product forms | Turkey tail mushroom is available in various product forms, such as supplements, powders, and extracts. |
| Side effects | There is no evidence of adverse side effects from using turkey tail mushroom in dogs. |
| Cost | The cost of turkey tail mushroom products for dogs can vary, with prices ranging from $35 to $95. |
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What You'll Learn
Turkey tail mushrooms can increase survival times in dogs with cancer
Turkey tail mushrooms have been used in traditional Chinese medicine for over 2,000 years. They are also known as Coriolus versicolor, Trametes versicolor, Polyporus versicolor, Yun Zhi, kawaratake, and cloud mushrooms. They are widely used and studied in China. Turkey tail mushrooms are one of the most researched mushrooms, known for their immunity-boosting and cancer-fighting properties.
The compound in turkey tail mushrooms that is believed to have immune-boosting and anti-cancer properties is polysaccharopeptide, or PSP. Polysaccharide-K (PSK) is another compound found in turkey tail mushrooms that has been found to have anti-cancer properties. Both PSP and PSK are beta-glucans, which are fibers that give the mushroom its structure. Beta-glucans can bind directly to a dog's immune cells and restore a healthy immune response. They also bind to macrophages, which are the immune cells responsible for destroying cancer cells.
Turkey tail mushrooms have been found to increase survival times in dogs with cancer, specifically hemangiosarcoma, an aggressive, invasive cancer that arises from the blood cells and typically affects the spleen. A 2012 study at the University of Pennsylvania found that dogs with hemangiosarcoma that were treated with PSP from turkey tail mushrooms had the longest survival times ever reported for dogs with the disease. The study also found that the survival time seemed to increase with the size of the dose. The median survival time for dogs who received 50mg/kg each day was 117 days, while the median survival time for dogs who received 100mg/kg each day was 199 days.
While the results of this study are promising, it is important to note that turkey tail mushrooms are not a cure for cancer in dogs. They can, however, be used as a complementary treatment to traditional chemotherapies. Turkey tail mushrooms can also help manage the side effects of chemotherapy or radiation treatment. It is always recommended to consult a veterinarian before giving any new supplement or treatment to your dog.
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Turkey tail mushrooms may delay metastasis
Turkey tail mushrooms have been used in traditional Chinese medicine for over 2,000 years. They are one of the most researched mushrooms and are widely studied in China. Turkey tail mushrooms have been found to be immunity-boosting and cancer-fighting. They are a source of mushroom-derived polysaccharides, which are natural compounds that can help treat and manage dog cancer. The most important mushroom-derived polysaccharides are beta-glucans, including polysaccharide-K (PSK) and polysaccharide-P (PSP).
Turkey tail mushroom was one of the first integrative cancer therapies to undergo a clinical trial in Veterinary Medicine. A 2012 study at the University of Pennsylvania found that mushroom-derived polysaccharides from turkey tail may delay metastasis and increase survival times in dogs with hemangiosarcoma. The study found that dogs in the trial had the longest survival times ever reported for dogs with the disease. Without surgery and without chemotherapy, the dogs in the study had a much longer time before metastasis, and the survival time seemed to increase with the size of the dose. The median survival time for dogs who received 50mg/kg each day was 117 days, while the median survival time for dogs who received 100mg/kg each day was 199 days.
The results of the 2012 study prompted researchers to conduct further trials of I'm-Yunity, a medicinal mushroom supplement, in dogs with hemangiosarcoma. One trial will compare I'm-Yunity to a placebo for dog owners who do not want to pursue chemotherapy for their pets. Another trial will compare the compound to standard-of-care chemotherapy. Depending on the results of these trials, veterinarians could eventually prescribe I'm-Yunity for treating hemangiosarcoma and perhaps other cancers in dogs.
While the reported health benefits of giving turkey tail mushroom to dogs are promising, studies and clinical trials are still ongoing. It is important to consult a veterinarian before giving any mushroom product to your dog.
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Turkey tail mushroom products are safe for dogs
Turkey tail mushroom products are generally safe for dogs and can be used alongside surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation treatments. However, it is important to consult your veterinarian before introducing turkey tail mushroom products to your dog's diet, especially if your dog is already on medication.
Turkey tail mushroom (Trametes versicolor or Coriolus versicolor) is one of the most heavily researched medicinal mushrooms for its potential anti-cancer properties. It is also known as Yun Zhi, kawaratake, and cloud mushroom and has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries. The mushroom is rich in beta-glucans, which are a type of polysaccharide with important immune-boosting properties.
When considering turkey tail mushroom products for your dog, it is important to choose a reputable brand that offers organic products free from pesticides, heavy metals, and bacteria, and common allergens like corn, starch, soy, or dairy. The product should have a beta-glucan content of at least 30%, which indicates that the beta-glucans are derived from mushrooms rather than cereals or grains. Hot water extracts are the richest in beta-glucans and are considered safer to consume.
While turkey tail mushroom products are generally well-tolerated by dogs, some side effects may occur in individual cases. These can include allergic reactions, gastrointestinal upset, and low blood pressure. It is important to monitor your dog closely and consult your veterinarian if any adverse reactions are observed. Dogs with autoimmune disorders should use caution, as turkey tail mushrooms could potentially worsen these conditions. Additionally, turkey tail mushrooms should be cooked before being fed to dogs, as raw mushrooms can irritate the liver.
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Turkey tail mushrooms can help manage side effects from chemotherapy or radiation
Turkey tail mushrooms have been used in traditional Chinese medicine for over 2,000 years and are widely studied and used in China. The mushroom is safe for dogs as long as it is not fed raw. The dosage depends on the product, but a way to dose it is 20-30mg of beta glucans per kg of your dog's weight.
Turkey tail mushrooms contain polysaccharopeptide (PSP), a compound believed to have immune-boosting properties. PSP has been patented as an anti-cancer drug in China and Japan. The mushroom also contains polysaccharide-K (PSK), which has been used in Asia concurrently with chemotherapy for many decades.
A 2012 study at the University of Pennsylvania found that dogs with hemangiosarcoma that were treated with PSP from turkey tail mushrooms had the longest survival times ever reported for dogs with the disease. The study also found that the survival time seemed to increase with the size of the dose. The median survival time for dogs who received 50mg/kg each day was 117 days, and for dogs who received 100mg/kg each day was 199 days.
Another study found that female dogs had better survival times if they received chemotherapy (with or without PSP from turkey tail mushrooms), while males had no difference in survival time based on the treatment group.
Turkey tail mushroom supplements, such as I'm-Yunity and Furbabies' Turkey Tail Mushroom powder, are available for dogs and can be added to their food.
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Turkey tail mushrooms can be used alongside chemotherapy
Turkey tail mushrooms have been used in traditional Chinese medicine for over 2000 years and are known for their immunity-boosting and cancer-fighting properties. They are one of the most researched mushrooms and have been studied in vitro (in a lab) and in vivo (in the body) in rodents, humans, and dogs.
Turkey tail mushroom is the first integrative therapy to undergo clinical trials in veterinary medicine. It is safe for dogs as long as it is not fed raw. The dosage depends on the product, but it is typically 20-30mg of beta glucans per kg of the dog's weight.
The mushroom contains polysaccharopeptide (PSP), a compound that has been patented as an anti-cancer drug in China and Japan. PSP is believed to have immune-boosting and tumor-fighting effects. Turkey tail also contains polysaccharide-K (PSK), which has been used concurrently with chemotherapy in Asia for many decades and has demonstrated benefits and safety for human patients with various cancer diagnoses.
While there is no evidence that PSP and chemotherapy together benefit dogs with cancer, male dogs receiving PSP alone did as well as male dogs receiving chemotherapy alone. The entire turkey tail mushroom extract, with its wide variety of bioactive molecules, may have better effectiveness against cancer than the pharmaceutical mycelial isolates of PSP or PSK.
Turkey tail mushroom can be used alongside chemotherapy to help manage the side effects of treatment and possibly increase survival times. It may also delay metastasis and slow the spread of cancer.
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Frequently asked questions
Turkey tail mushroom has been shown to extend survival times in dogs with cancer, but it is not a cure.
Turkey tail mushroom is believed to have immune-boosting properties, which can help dogs fight cancer. It may also delay metastasis.
Turkey tail mushroom has been shown to be effective in treating hemangiosarcoma, an aggressive cancer that arises from the blood cells and typically affects the spleen. It is also believed to work on many different cancers.
The dosage of turkey tail mushroom depends on the product and the weight of the dog. A common dosage is 20-30mg of beta glucans per kg of the dog's weight. It is important to consult your veterinarian before giving your dog any mushroom product.
