Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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My oncologist had advised not to use K-9 Immunity or anything that might affect immune functioning (including anti-oxidants, with exception of fish oil) during the period while Sophie was actively engaged in chemo. She stated that, as she believes that cancer is essentially an immune system disease, during chemo itself she felt it important to avoid any complications. I've found her to be a great oncologist, very thoughtful, informed, and open-minded, so I tend to trust her advice.
Has anyone else heard anything similar?
My oncologist, and the K9 Immunity people say that using it during chemo is just fine. During our December "Ask an Oncologist Chat," Dr. Mullins said:
Dr. Mullins : "K9 Immunity is designed to be given in conjunction with chemotherapy. In people there is a reported decrease in chemotherapy related side effects when they are on the human equivalent supplement."
Dr. Mullins is very informed about K9 Immunity , and is currently conducting clinical trials with it. She is a strong believer in the supplement.
We are wondering; does your oncologist have a good familiarity with K9 Immunity ? If she doesn't, this might be why she's recommending staying away from it. That's OK though, there's a lot of information being thrown at you right now, and you have to decide what works for you and Sophie, and what you're comfortable with. Keep things simple, that's the best way to get through this without stressing out too much.
We hope this helps.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Aloha Medicinals has a page For the Vet. Scroll down to DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION. The dosage they recommend for during active cancer therapy in fact is the strongest among all the senario.
I hope that this isn't too late:
Willy is just starting his third week on K9 Immunity (largely because of Jerry's experience). He also gets an additional set of the following:
- an A&D combo (10000 IU of A and 800 IU of D);
- 800 of E; 2 B complex pills, and 2 glucosamine pills.
The additional set of supplements is based on many sources, but one of the sources is Dr. Clemmons in Florida who has done some really good work on Degenerative Myleopathy (which Willy's sister Emma had). He had a list of supplements that any dog should be on, and we put Willy on some of them then.
We buy the K9 Immunity from the web (Aloha), and we split the dosage–half in the morning with food and half in the evening with food. Willy is not getting Chemo, so we aren't worried about a conflict.
I'm wondering if we should look into the artemisinin too.
Willy--diagnosed with osteosarcoma January 5, 2009 (amputation January 27, 2009) left us just after his 11th birthday on December 2, 2009 to join all the other brave tripawds. We'll always love you!
Hey, never too late for that kind of helpful information! Thanks for posting it, we know others appreciate knowing what other dogs are taking.
We did give most of the K9 Immunity away but recently I found a bottle with a few pills in it. Not many, but we're more than happy to send them to you if you like. PM me your address and we'll send them out.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
sophiesmom said:
My oncologist had advised not to use K-9 Immunity or anything that might affect immune functioning (including anti-oxidants, with exception of fish oil) during the period while Sophie was actively engaged in chemo. She stated that, as she believes that cancer is essentially an immune system disease, during chemo itself she felt it important to avoid any complications. I've found her to be a great oncologist, very thoughtful, informed, and open-minded, so I tend to trust her advice.
Has anyone else heard anything similar?
Our vet is of the same opinion. Not opposed to visiting alternatives after the chemo is completed, but definitely not supportive of anything different during chemo, not even a change in diet. But I have to add, part of this may have been because we are dealing with a pooch with long term known allergies. He particularly didn't want to cause any change that would get the allergies active while in the midst of the chemo.
Shanna & Spirit Trouble ~ Trouble gained her wings 3/16/2011, a 27 1/2 month cancer survivor, tail wagging. RIP sweetheart, you are my heart and soul. Run free at Rainbow Bridge.
The November Five - Spirits Max, Cherry, Tika, Trouble & Nova. 11/2008 - 3/2013 An era ends as Queen Nova crossed the Bridge.
Sophie also has had allergy problems over the years.
Our oncologist advised against adding anything during chemo, but wasn't opposed to it post chemo. I think I'm going to start ordering it. It's strange though that I notice myself balking a bit at the price- I think it's b/c numbers like the 8-9K I've borrowed so far for everything don't really compute, but a couple of hundred extra dollars a month- particularly while trying to pay off the above- seems real. But if folks really think it helps give our dogs a chance at a longer life; how can we not try it?
I think I have this fantasy that the surgery and chemo got it all and it's hard to stay with and bear the fact that most likely the cancer will come back. So I want to avoid it. I had a bad dream last night about Sophie having to have a "body transplant" and being given a stuffed animal body. The stuffed dog was in a sitting pose, and I thought, 'they could at least have given her a body that was standing and could walk and run! She'll hate only being able to sit!' The truth is, of course, she is walking and running beautifully (and is currently snoring on her favorite chair, after said activities). But part of living day by day is facing day by day, and not putting things off the way one can if one denies probable realities. I guess it's all a balancing act...
Thanks for listening, and for everyone's helpful thoughts and advice.
sophiesmom, we are so sorry about that bad dream. We would've broken out into a sweat after that one. Many hugs to you. Thanks for being brave enough to share it here. My pawrents had their own share of bad dreams during my illness, it's comforting to know that others go through the same thing.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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