Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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We found out last week that despite amputation, chemo (carbo) and radiation, Biscuit's cancer has spread and he has an aggressive tumor in his lungs. We aren't continuing any further treatment, but I want to help him be as healthy and comfortable for as long as possible. I also think I'm in the bargaining phase of grief 🙂
I've been reading all night about diets and supplements, and am thoroughly confused. I'm happy to make food for him, but I'm not sure of the right recipe. Same with supplements -- do I go with K-9 Immunity ? Apocaps ? And then do I need to add fish oil and other things?
I would be grateful if anyone has a straightforward plan or guidelines they used.
Thanks,
Addie and BiscuitÂ
Awe Addie I'm so sorry for your diagnosis of lung mets. Â This piece of cra* disease does what it wants. Â I'm sure Jim or Renee & others will be on here shortly to point out the links to help you. Â Please don't let the grief get ahead of you. Â This is the time you have to take each and every day and make it count. Â Love on that sweet Biscuit to the moon and back. Â Do things that Biscuit loves to do. Â Make memories that will live in you for a lifetime. Â Now is the time to truly live each day like Biscuit is doing. Â Kudos to you for looking to keep him as strong and healthy as you can via a good diet and supplements. Â But truly try not to loose your today's by worrying about the tomorrow's. Â Love and many hugs to you and Biscuit.
Linda, Ollie, Riley & Mighty Max
Dang I'm sorry guys. I know this kind of news really hurts. Remember though that Biscuit doesn't know what the x-rays said, I'm going to bet he's still the same hoppy dog he ever was right? Then follow his lead! Make the most of every day and know that he is still here and leading the way for the pack.
You ask great questions. When we learned Jerry had mets we wanted to do something to help him stay strong and comfortable for as long as possible. We went with K9 Immunity and a healthy grain free diet. Jerry made it another wonderful seven months. Was it long 'enough'? No of course not. But those seven months were terrific because he had some really great days and we were all living in the present. It's the only way to be right now, and always.
Be sure to check out the Tripawds Nutrition blog , there are many great ideas of how dogs are kickin' butt despite cancer. From diets to supplements you'll get lots of ideas there. Oh and to answer your question about fish oil, if you go with K9 Immunity Plus you don't need to add it, fish oil is already in there. This post has details.
If you feel really confused it's always a good idea to arrange a consult with a holistic-minded vet instead of just buying everything because it sounds good. You can see here how Sheba's people consulted long distance with practitioners and here is a directory of holistic practitioners to help you find one.
Remember too that pain management will probably be necessary, so stay current on Biscuits pain signals . This post will help:
http://tripawds.....utee-pain/
Hugs to all of you. Post anytime with questions OK?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thanks for the links, Jerry! IÂ ordered K9 Immunity so good to know about the fish oil, and I'm using a basic food recipe from one of your links. Thankfully, Biscuit will eat anything. He's only 7 and so spunky... makes it harder to come to terms with the diagnosis. But this site has been an invaluable resource, and I feel bolstered by the support of everyone here!
Ditto Linda and Jerry!
Of course this isn't the news any of us want to hear. I can, however, tell you that dogs like my Happy Hannah (the vet said hers was the "size of a baseball"!), Sassy SugarBear, Jerry, and MANY more continued on with spectacular extended quality time! As you saw from Buddy's post, he is having a blast! Check out his blogs in the snow.
I also opted out of any additional "treatments" that involved vet trips and more poking and prodding. I do feel like K9 Immunity helped my Happy Hannah have more energy. I used Honest Kitchen a lot, ombined with homemade cooking of chicken, steak,broccoli, some treats of cottage cheese and blueberries, and more. Of course, I also supplemented all this nutrition with some organic ice cream, popcorn, cupcakes and pretty much any goodie she wanted! I know longer tried ro steer her away from eating deer poop! And I shared a couple of M&Ms with her...she liked the green ones! Yeah, I may not have done the best job in the nutrition category, but I excelled in the spoiled rotten category!
And yeah, even AFTER her breathing pattern changed, I was still able to extend her quality even more with Prednisone and an occasional Tramadol. She did get exhausted eventually fairly quickly, but even then she just stretched out and soaked up nonstop tummy rubs and cuddles.
As already mentioned, it's soooo important to remember NOTHING has changed in Biscuit's world!! Your love is so strong for Biscuit you WILL be able to stay in the present and savor ever second! Biscuit is a fighter! Biscuit has no intention of going anywhere anytime soon!
We would LOVE to see more pictures of Biscuit. She is such a sweet girl, so pretty.
Stay connected, okay? Would love to know all the different ways you are spoiling Biscuit!
Sending lots of love!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!
Wanted to add this link. It was ppsted by a member and you may find it helpful. Sometimes it's about "picking and choosing" as it can be a vit overwhelming trying to encompass everything.
Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!
Well,so much for that!! Sorry...it was a post I "bookmarked", now I can't find it. It was amember who had a nutritionist design a program for her dog and she shared it. Maybe someone else will be able to figure out how to find it. Sorry!
Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!
Holy moly!! I FOUND IT!! A computer miracle!! No, really, if you knew how computer challenged I am you would see this as a miracle! And maybe the "miracle" is a sign of good things to come for Biscuit! Ya' never no!!!
Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!
Thanks, Sally!! Biscuit scarfed down his new homemade food this morning 🙂
Aww lucky Biscuit! What's for breakfast?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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