In today’s VETgirl online veterinary continuing education blog, we interview Dr. Dorothy Cimino Brown, Professor of Surgery at University of Pennsylvania on the use of the Coriolus versicolor mushroom, known commonly as the Yunzhi mushroom. This mushroom, which has been used in Chinese medicine for more than 2,000 years, is thought to contain immune-boosting properties from polysaccharopeptide (PSP). The specific product being used is I’m-Yunity, made by Chinese Medicine Holdings LTD (NOTE: This product is manufactured in the USA in adherence to USP c-GMP guidelines). A preliminary University of Pennsylvania pilot study that was released in 2012 evaluated 15 dogs diagnosed with hemangiosarcoma that were treated with 25, 50, or 100 mg/kg/day of I’m-Yunity. While there wasn’t a statistically significant difference in survival between the three dosage groups, the median survival time was highest in the 100 mg/kg/day group, at 199 days. As as result, a second clinical trial is currently being conducted to evaluate dogs diagnosed with hemangiosarcoma. This will evaluate dogs treated with I’m-Yunity alone, dogs treated with I’m-Yunity + chemotherapy, or dogs treated with chemotherapy alone.

VETgirl is excited to hear the results, as this devastating, aggressive neoplasia often results in immediate euthanasia in the ER, or even with treatment, only up to 3-6 months with traditional therapy. We eagerly away research results to see if a more holistic, safe, benign treatment option through I’m-Yunity will be beneficial for our patients!

For more information about enrolling your dog or patient in this study, please contact PennVet’s Clinical Investigation Center directly at (215) 573-0302 or via e-mail at [email protected].

ImYunity

  1. Is there a dosage you could give as a supplement everyday prior to them getting the cancer. Seems there are a lot of dogs getting this cancer.
    My dog died 47 days after she had her spleen removed.
    I just can believe how many dogs are getting this cancer.

    • Hi Esther, I would check with a veterinary oncologist on the dose – currently the studies are looking at 50 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg for dogs. I’m so sorry to hear about your dog. 🙁

  2. Thank you for this update. My dog died suddenly – 3 years ago this week. Hermangiosarcoma was determined in the necropsy – no other issues. I have been following the progress on this study ever since. It is a devastating disease – as all cancer is. The speed was breathtaking – no diagnosis, tumor burst, 24 hours later, gone. I hope there is some therapeutic supplemental dosage recommended. Please continue to post – with the honesty and integrity you always have.

    • Thanks for writing Kristen – as a veterinary specialist, I HATE this cancer, as it’s so sudden. It’s awesome to see preliminary clinical trials for those who may not be able to afford chemotherapy, etc. We’ll keep you posted as the study results come available in a few years!

  3. In that the date on the last message here is over a year ago I assume additional studies were not earth shattering. Could you update us on PennVet’s latest findings.

      • No prescription necessary. It’s now available on Amazon but more expensive than the I’m-Unity site. Either way it’s very expensive. We have used it through our German Shepherds chemo along with Yunnan Baiyao Jiaonang. The latter being to help blood clotting in the event of bleeding.

        Right now we are at 151 days since a tumor burst on her spleen and it was removed. She lost approx 1.5l of blood. The only reason we knew something was wrong was because she looked bloated.

        She is 9 now and although very emaciated she has a ravenous appetite and overall is active when we come home etc.

        Next step is oral medicinal treatment as her chemo treatments are complete. Last X-rays were clear and white blood cell count normal.

        So, quality of life is good. I am thankful that we had adopted another German Shepherd rescue just a few months before so she has company through this.

  4. I have found a product that is just the turkey tail mushroom ingredient and it is a lot cheaper. Any thoughts on this?

    • The preliminary research is only with the I’m-Yunity mushroom, so we’d only advocate for that at this time.

  5. Can dogs take this before they are officially diagnosed? Our dog just had its spleen removed today due to 8 nodules. Our vet has recommended this but did not mention if we have to wait for the results of the biopsy or not. I’d prefer to start ASAP if we can.

    • Honestly, the few days to wait is ok. With so many nodules, it’s less likely that it’s neoplastic/cancerous but keep us posted!

  6. Has anyone’s dog had weird behavioral changes on this? Last night he couldn’t calm down and seemed super paranoid.

  7. Hi, Kayci. We’re treating our Golden Retriever’s hemangiosarcoma with Im-Yunity, along with a ketogenic diet, CBD oil, detox support, and a few other supplements. He just began Im-Yunity yesterday, so I don’t know whether that’s to come. Is your dog on anything else, such as prednisone? Keagan panted like crazy and drank so much water, it was nuts. He also looked a bit wild-eyed. His conventional vet reduced the dosage, and he’s a bit better now. I so empathize because it’s difficult to know what is causing the behavioral changes. Is the cancer spreading, or is it the treatment? My heart goes out to you.

  8. Kayci, Yes, my Pomerian/Chihuahua mix acts the same way at times. I felt the same way you did. It appears that at times this can cause mood swings. One day he’s hyper and the next a bit more laidback.

  9. How many milligrams are in one capsule? I just ordered for my dog who has lymphoma. This is her second battle with lymphoma, Im praying this battle is as successful as the first.

  10. Ok I’m the cat person here. 11 yr old Maine Coon. Had apparently a very rare presentation. Hemangiosarcoma in the flank not intraabdominal. Operated. Removed. Grew back to 3x as large in 2 months. Not a candidate for chemo. Life expectancy per Vet was 2-3 months. Treated with Imyunity, Cana (THC/CBD) combo and essential oils. That was October 2017. Tumor shrunk/ disappeared in 3 months. Just celebrated his 12 month survival. Couldn’t make this up.

  11. My baby was recently diagnosed with dermal hemangiosarcoma. It has not spread internally. Is I’m Yunity recommended for dermal hemangiosarcoma as well?

  12. While certainly anecdotal, I thought I’d note our experience using this product. Our 11-year-old male Rhodesian Ridgeback was diagnosed with hemangiosarcoma in May 2018, with the presence of significant spleen enlargement and suspected tumor spots on the lungs, along with heart murmur. At the date of diagnosis, the vet told us to expect a very short life expectancy. We immediately began giving him imyunity, along with CBD drops to mitigate inflammation. We opted against chemo, a splenectomy + chemo, or any other form of invasive treatment, focusing instead on quality of life. Well, he has since had only one “episode” (seizure-like loss of limb control, extreme abdominal distention) in October 2018, but lived through it. He has an outstanding quality of life to date. In fact, if one didn’t know of his condition, they’d think there was nothing at all wrong with him. While I’m not sure that the imyunity supplements have stalled the progression of the disease, as there is no sort of control here, I do strongly suspect that it has prolonged his life significantly. While the capsules are expensive, if you compare them to the cost of chemo or other invasive treatment protocols, and factor in that there are no negative side effects, I’d say it’s worth a try.

    Note: this is an unsolicited and unremunerated comment, though I wouldn’t mind a discount coupon or two!

  13. Our ten year old golden had his spleen removed two weeks ago after displaying symptoms of weakness and tumor spotted on ultrasound. We received the hemangiosarcoma confirmation two days,ago and have started I’m Yunity and CBD oil at the direction of our veterinarian. Reading these stories, I’m hopeful but my question is, how do we afford this? We are retired on a fixed income. We want to try and extend our wonderful dogs life. We lost our golden rescue girl 13 months,ago to a horrible, quick spinal cancer. This is just killing us. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

  14. We are using this supplement along with chemo for our beloved German Shepherd who had his spleen removed two weeks ago with hemangiosarcoma as the diagnosis. Our vet recommended doing both. There is also a clinical trial at the University of Minnesota using a new drug that looks quite promising–survival rates of one year and beyond. Cost for all this is crazy but we are willing to do what we can for our boy. So far he’s doing great–loving his exercise, toys, and is eating very well. We are grateful for whatever time we have left.

  15. I’ve used this on my Golden Retriever the last 6 months. It’s been a miracle. However, way overpriced, but it seems to be working so for that I’m grateful. They need to find a way to make it less expensive so everyone can have access.

  16. @Charles Housam: How is your cat doing? Hope happy and healthy!!! Our 10yo Maine Coon baby boy was diagnosed a week ago with Mast Cell Tumor located in his spleen. We refused surgery because he is weak. We decided to do conventional protocol plus holistic. I am very interested in this mushroom use but it is all about dogs use! Any advise? Thank you!!!

  17. My husky shepherd mix Bella was rushed to the ER February 7th 2019. An ultrasound was done. Her spleen had ruptured she was bleeding out and the vet suspecting hermangiosarcoma suggested euthanizing as she had hours to live. I have Embrace Pet Insurance. I asked if they would take an X-ray to see if the cancer had spread elsewhere. It hadn’t so I asked for her spleen to be removed. The emergency vet in Manchester NH did an excellent job. While waiting for the biopsy results I researched the cancer and discovered that there were three studies being done with I’m Yunity. I immediately purchased and started Bella on I’m Yunity. She had been on it two weeks before her chemotherapy started. I also have a holistic vet who started her on Yunnan Baiyo plus several other chinese herbs. I fed her heavily so she would put on weight before the chemo.
    Bella, 12 years old, breezed thru all six chemo treatments. Each recheck showed no sign of cancer.
    Age catching up with her Bella developed kidney disease and has been treated for that since September.
    Today January 9th 2020 Bella had her three month X-ray and ultra sound. Still no sign of the cancer returning. In less than a moth it will be her year anniversary of that horrific night at the ER.
    The oncologist said she has way surpassed her life expectation with that wicked cancer. I told the doctor that its because I kiss her sweet head 50 times a day at least. Next appointment in three months. I won’t lie. It has been a rollercoaster ride and caring for Bella requires a lot of due diligence in multiple times a day feeding pilling. I highly recommend I’m Yunity, Embrace Pet Insurance and having a holistic vet work side by side with your dogs oncologist.

  18. Cheryl. Thanks for your post. Our 6 1/2 year old Boxer has diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma Dec 9th 2019. One day he just didn’t want to move and had cold limbs. Vet did an ultrasound and found a tumor in his spleen and said it was bleeding. He had his spleen removed and came through well. A month later, same thing, didn’t want to move, cold limbs. And then the ext day totally fine. We suspect internal bleeding. We have an appointment with an oncologist next Saturday Jan 18th 2020. He’s been taking Yunnan Baiyo for almost a couple weeks now. And has been on I’m Yunity for 3 days so far. I’m hoping and praying he does as well as your Bella. God bless. Thanks for posting.

  19. Hello
    Our Portuguese Water Dog, Whimsy, was just diagnosed with hemangiosarcoma. She had an emergency splenectomy 4 days ago. She’s recovering and she’s still on pain meds (Tramadol and Gabapentin). All of your info has been so helpful. I so appreciate your posts.
    Can anyone tell me when/if you started I’m Yunity while your dog was still on pain meds? And if so, did you see any side effects?
    We have an appointment with our oncologist next week (she’s on vacation now), so we’ve been unable to speak with her. Hoping for an answer from one of you. Sadly, this is Whimsy’s third cancer in 18 months (yes, 2 different cancers, but neither of the two others has metastasized).
    Thanks so much.

  20. Hi everyone, my 8 years and 6 month Frenchie UMA, has been diagnosed with hemangiosarcoma on Jan 26th. The tumor in her spleen ruptured and was removed on Jan 15th after rushing in ER. Same as Bella. Her mom passed away because of the same decease so I know exactly what we are dealing here. Uma is been having Yunnan Baiyao since then and so far so good. I’ve decided to combine it with I’m Yunity because another post I read from a case that have been having this combo for three years! This a terrible disease but I’m confident that the only way to fight against it, is with the same body cells. That’s why I’m also giving her also food and another mushroom extract called Raishi. Based on her mom’s case that had 5 sessions of chemo and 3 surgeries because the tumors just reappeared, I refuse go through the same with her daughter. Today 2/21/20 I can tell you that she is doing better than expected, playing like a puppy, running, and she is full of energy! I strongly recommend these type of treatments with hemagiosarcoma. And the most important thing: keep praying and never loose the faith. Just enjoy every day with your beloved.

  21. Are there any alternatives to I’m Yunity since it is unbelievably expensive. And what is the new drug they are testing at University of Minnesota for hemanogiosarcoma?

  22. I have a chihuahua only 3 yrs now we los this brother to a lymphoma – both sweet sweet loving boys we adopted from a shelter… my Chihuahua had his spleen and a huge mass attached to it removed end of January… the vet never followed up with his biopsy results and he obviously forgot and I thought he was good since no call or follow up- until 8 months later i reached out to say he was losing weight again…learned the hard way now because after another ultrasound and very pricey CT scan he now has 2 liver masses that chemo just isn’t an option, dure to its; harshness in such a small boy ,he is around 3.5 lbs….. since that and chemo tech said he would lose more weight- he would be skin and bones.. I can’t put him through “25” treatments and $4000 is what they said…… that is ridiclous for a dog that small.. and he is my world… I am going to try this as soon as I get my hands on it- please let me know the best herb to mix with it…I am hearing I’m Yunity and Yannan Baiyao and also San Qi. If you think I’m Yunity is enough that’s great but I wish I knew what was best for my best friend.. this is devastating.

  23. My beautiful Tony just had internal bleeding after we recognised bloat and was rushed to emergency surgery very expensive. He was diagnosed with the hermisarcoma and vet recommends chemo but was considering this product either on addition or solely but after the $2000k vet bills $8000k surgery and however much chemo costs we cannot afford any more sadly. I purchased a bottle hopefully but after doing the dosage and having a large 90 pound bulldog he would need 10 pills of this a day 🙁 it broke my heart realising the 60 day bottle we bought (which was a light at the end of the tunnel) only covers 6 days. If anyone has any to donate left over or willing to assist please email me at [email protected]

    Praying for all the fur babies with this insidious disease

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