Hi,

Jerry is right on some canned foods- lots of salt.  I started with canned green beans because I couldn't imagin that my dogs would like them since I hate them .  Also – like Ajax knows the doorbell means food- my pugs wait for the microwave ding!

While fresh would be better it just doesn't work for me right now.  I am buying no salt added cans of green beans- almost no salt in them.  I am stunned how much both pugs love the beans.  I tried it because I need to get some weight off Tani and she can't be that active anymore.  I am substituting some beans for kibble in each meal, and almost all treats are now beans.  I started slowly, just a few with one meal a day- and now about a week and a half in I am using them all the time. Neither of the pugs have had any digestive issues with the new diet.  I haven't had a weigh in yet to see if it is working- maybe this Saturday, but that would be only 2 weeks.

Karen and the pugapalooza

p.s. I call them Trouble beans- thanks to Spirit Trouble's mom

At the time, 5 years ago now, the regimen that Maggie was on was the standard protocol our oncologist used for Maggie's situation.  I have seen some other posts from those dealing with mast cell where one or the other, or both were used.

Remember in Maggie's case there was documented lymph node involvement, even with the chemo her prognosis was 6 to 9 months.  If the lymph node had been clean I don't know what we would have done (it was the lymph node removed with the leg).

Palladia had not yet been approved when Mag did her chemo so was not an option.

I also have chosen to do less aggressive treatment for the recurring tumors both in Maggie and Tani. During Mag's 3 month, then 6 month checkups all the tests came back clean.  Even when the cutaneous tumors would pop up, based on all the info we had chemo did not seem warranted.  Tani has multiple tumors now, but also has multiple health issues to consider.  Again, based on everything we know so far we have chosen not to do any chemo.

Also if you haven't seen it already here is a link to Rosie's Blog.  A yellow lab who has been on and off  palladia for a couple years for mast cell cancer.  I haven't really kept up- but there are some good links to other info on mast cell cancer and palladia.

Have you checked out Rio's blog?  I know Micki has her hands full right now as Rio isn't feeling too good, but in some of her older posts Micki talks about the regimens that Rio has been on during their long mast cell cancer battle.

Karen and the pugaplooza

I should say that Rosie is not a tripawd- but I ran across her blog researching palladia and MCT.

Maggie and Tani are/were sisters from different litters- same parents.  I got both of them from my uncle who used to breed and show pugs- he did it for 20+ years.  I don't ever remember him talking about MCTs in any of his pugs.   My uncle passed away before Mag's first MCT was diagnosed so I never got a chance to ask him the direct question if any of his pugs (or the ones he sold for big $$$) ever were diagnosed with cancer. 

Karen

I am using the green beans to try and get weight off Tani so low cal/ low sugar is the big draw.  Also they are very filling. She can have a decent amount of food in her bowl now and is getting far fewer calories and is not hungry all the time (well, not more hungry than usual- she is a pug!).

I used to try and use raw veggies like carrots for the pug girls for treats and chew toys.  Tani would swallow as big a piece as she could get off, then cough and choke.  Maggie would just want to hide hers.  Obie is like Tani- gnaw off a big piece and try and choke it down. 

Vent away- this is a good place to do that.  Don't you wonder why you are in the 2% for mast cell cancer instead of in the 2% of people who win the lottery?

Karen and the pugapalooza