An exciting new supplement is now available for treating cancer in dogs!  An extract of the turkey tail mushroom (Coriolus versicolor) has been proven to extend the survival time of dogs with hemangiosarcoma (a highly aggressive, metastatic cancer often involving the liver and spleen and spreading throughout the body).  The most exciting thing is that patients treated with this extract lived longer than currently available chemotherapy protocols!  

In 2012 the University of Pennsylvania performed a study with dogs that had hemangiosarcoma.  This cancer often causes a tumor in the spleen to rupture and bleed, requiring a surgical procedure called a splenectomy.  Following surgery, with typical chemotherapy protocols, dogs have an average survival time of 141-179 days.  In the study with the mushroom extract, WITHOUT any chemotherapy, dogs lived for 199 days!  These results are astounding and extremely exciting for our canine companions!

This mushroom has been used in Chinese medicine for more than 2,000 years.  The compound within this mushroom is called a polysaccharopeptide (PSP). The specific supplement being tested is called I’m Yunity, which has a guaranteed analysis of 38% PSP in each capsule.  

Another great thing about I’m Yunity is that it was extremely safe and well tolerated among all patients in the study.  A very important thing to note is that the dose of I’m Yunity which was most effective was 100mg/kg/day. 

Due to the success of the early study, researchers are currently conducting a study evaluating dogs with hemangiosarcoma treated with I’m-Yunity alone, dogs treated with I’m-Yunity + chemotherapy, or dogs treated with chemotherapy alone. If you know a dog who has recently been diagnosed with hemangiosarcoma and would like more information about joining this study, please contact PennVet’s Clinical Investigation Center directly at (215) 573-0302 or via e-mail at vcic@vet.upenn.edu.

It is also exciting to imagine how effective I’m Yunity may be for other cancers.  More research needs to be done and we are eagerly awaiting results!  For more information and to order I’m Yunity go to www.imyunity.com or www.imyunityfordogs.com.