July 21, 2025

The Science Behind the Magic: Medicinal Mushrooms for Dogs | Dr. Robert Silver #288

Discover the surprising ways medicinal mushrooms like turkey tail and reishi can support your dog’s health and fight cancer.

Show Notes

Molly Jacobson talks to Dr. Robert Silver, a veterinarian and expert in medicinal mushrooms, about their potential benefits for dogs with cancer. Learn how mushrooms like turkey tail, reishi, and lion’s mane boost immunity, support overall health, and even complement conventional treatments like chemotherapy and surgery.

Key Topics Covered:

Overview of the fungal kingdom and its diverse species
The role of beta-glucans and terpenes in mushrooms' medicinal effects
Why turkey tail is a must-have for dogs with cancer
Insights into mushroom cultivation and quality control for supplements
How mushrooms like reishi and lion’s mane support the immune system and cognition

Your Voice Matters!

If you have a question for our team, or if you want to share your own hopeful dog cancer story, we want to hear from you! Go to https://www.dogcancer.com/ask to submit your question or story, or call our Listener Line at +1 808-868-3200 to leave a question.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-eGlk1KhUg

Related Links:

Our article on Medicinal Mushrooms: https://www.dogcancer.com/articles/supplements/medicinal-mushrooms-for-dogs/

American College of Veterinary Botanical Medicine: https://www.acvbm.org/

Real Mushrooms: https://www.realmushrooms.com/

The Medicinal Magic of Functional Mushrooms continuing education webinar for veterinarians and vet techs: https://ce.dvm360.com/courses/the-medicinal-magic-of-functional-mushrooms-yijn

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction

00:30 - The Fascinating World of Mushrooms

01:15 - Medicinal Mushrooms vs. Toxic Mushrooms

02:30 - How Mushrooms Modulate Immune Responses

04:00 - The Role of Turkey Tail in Cancer Support