Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Perhaps the answer to my question is in this forum somewhere but I looked and couldn't find anything, so if I missed it...my apologies in advance.
When I took my Tripawd Piper back to the vet for his annual checkup, vaccinations and a reunion with the staff, I spoke to the vet about canine cancer and our conversation really disturbed me. He said that Piper was actually only the 2nd case of cancer he had dealt with during his career (his amputation was 1 year ago)....in that amount of time, he has seen more than 20 cases of osteosarcoma, mass cell tumors and hemangiosarcomas in both dogs and cats. Some operable....others not. Very obviously, there has been an increase in the number of animals affected and therefore, there must be a reason. Now I know everyone else here has already come to this conclusion 
but that totally convinced me that it has to be linked to diet and the food we're feeding them.
Thus....I've started my hunt for a new healthier food for both my Tripawd and my four legger
Ive been researching Blue Buffalo, Taste of the Wild and Diamond brands. Although I want to feed them a good food, I must consider cost and the Blue Buffalo is out of my range (it would be my choice if cost wasn't a factor).
I finally decided to try the Diamond brand Chicken & Rice dry food.
Is this a good food in our fight against cancer?
Hi! Are you familiar with dogfoodadvisor.com? Here is a link to the review of the dog food you mentioned, if I have found the correct one you are feeding your pup. http://www.dogf.....-food-dry/
I found this site helpful when choosing a dog food. I've given my Libby a mixture of grain free commercial food and home cooking but I don't always have time to do the home cooking. I know others here will have lots of info to offer as well.
Liberty (Libby) was diagnosed with OSA on 1-22-13. Right front amputation on 1-31-13. No IV Chemo. Metronomic Therapy started 2-19-13 along with supplements and some home cooking. Lungs clear until 1-06-14. She's still her happy, hoppy, bossy self. Living the dog life to the fullest and a proud Winter Warrior. :) RIP my Libby 4-21-03 to 3-19-14
Ditto to dogfoodadvisor.com. I feed Shooter dry Orijen Grain Free Adult mixed with Canidae Pure Elements canned (also grain free ). All the others get Taste of the Wild (I think it's the high prairie) and By Nature canned which is very affordable and well rated.
Spirit Shooter was a Miniature Australian Shepherd who was diagnosed with a MCT and had a LF amp 1/28/13 at 13-1/2 years old.
Shooter crossed the Bridge on 8/28/13, his 7 month ampuversary and two weeks from his 14th birthday.
Thank you so much! I wasn't familiar with that site. I'm actually feeding the Diamond Naturals (I guess I should've mentioned that part)....that rating looks a little better 4 out of 5 stars.
Well, we have one dog who eats TOW and one who eats either Hiils or Nutro (both light).
Honestly, though...while I am sure SOME increase in cancers (all cancers, in all creatures) comes from environmental factors, I am much more in the camp that thinks that part of the reason we are seeing so many more dogs with cancer is simply because we CAN. Fifteen, ten...even five years ago? Many of the treatments or options people consider mainstream now weren't.
With our growing awareness of animal cancers, as well as our willingness to devote time, money, and resources on our pets where previously it may have only been spent on people...I think it's more and more common, and will continure to grow.
"Let us think the unthinkable, let us do the undoable, let us prepare to grapple with the ineffable itself, and see if we may not eff it after all."
-Douglas Adams, Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency
"May I recommend serenity to you? A life that is burdened with expectations is a heavy life. Its fruit is sorrow and disappointment. Learn to be one with the joy of the moment."
-Douglas Adams, The Long Dark Tea-Time of the Soul
I believe that as well, and told my husband that just tonight. I recently found out a very good friend of mine lost BOTH of her dogs to cancer. I just can't ignore the fact that it has to be linked somewhat to diet...and THAT I can do something about 
) Thanks for your input....I am totally new to all of these foods.
I also think continual yearly vaccines play a part in all the cancers we see in our dogs now. 
And if you have a dog with health issues(not just cancer), they really shouldn't be getting vaccines - after all, the information with a vaccine says "given to healthy animals only".
http://www.dogaware.com is also a great link for diet help.
Tracy, Maggie's Mom
Maggie was amputated for soft tissue sarcoma 10-20-09
Maggie lost her battle with kidney disease on 8-24-13
Thanks Tracy! That's not a factor I've ever considered. :-/
So you think ALL vaccines should be avoided? I'm gonna have to
do some reading on that . I mean my groomer won't even groom him
without a current rabies certificate.
You ask some great questions about cancer and are really smart to be looking at healthier ways to feed Piper. Have you poked around in the Tripawds Nutrition blog? We've got lots of great articles there about dog food ratings and even an interview with the Dog Food Advisor himself. There are also guest blog posts from folks who are sharing their dog's own anti-cancer diets, so hopefully this will help. And this one too:
How Do You Pick a Dog Diet for Your Tripawd?
Here is an interesting Forum discussion about vaccinating animals.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I am a firm believer in the power of food to prevent and also help cure diseases. We have Lily on Orijen Grain Free Adult-it's supposed to be one of the best, and it's also high protein low carb. The only snack she gets (and she loves them!!!) are pure chicken chips) We also had her on Grandma Lucys, which is great, but she stopped eating it-our little pit bull loves it. I agree that we have to be extra careful what we feed our furbabies, and the links given above are great. I also would love to cook all organic for her, but just haven't been able to do it yet.
Just on a personal note, I feel that if there were more money put towards investigating the power of food and herbals, that we would find the the solution to many health problems. Unfortunately, the "big money" goes to what can make a profit.
I'm off my soap box--sorry for going on...
Joan and Lily
Our beautiful Lily was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in her front leg on 12/14/11 at age 8 and had amp on 12/16/11. She completed 5 rounds of carbo. She was so brave and kicked cancer's butt daily! She lived life fully for 4 years, 3 months, and 15 days after her amp. My angel is a warrior princess. I miss her so much.
Thank you Jerry! I was hoping you'd give me some good links to investigate
Joan,
I haven't ever heard of the Orijen before but I will definitely look into it. Embarrassingly, if
Walmart doesn't carry it...,its new to me. :-/. I assume its a dry food?
If you are looking commercial, Wellness Brand makes a line of food called "Core" which is grain-free and protein-focused. I feed Roxy a mix of dry & canned, with extra things thrown in (homemade stuff when I have time, Omega 3&6 & Glucosamine supplements). Roxy really likes it. We switched from Nutro Natural Choice when she started refusing to eat it (I think she started associating it with feeling sick after her surgery)
You can find Orijen (and many other types of premium foods) at speciality retailers. I use K9cuisine.com, as they have free shipping over $50, and you can get 5 free food samples with every order.
Sam eats Taste of the Wild, and that is where we order it from.
"Let us think the unthinkable, let us do the undoable, let us prepare to grapple with the ineffable itself, and see if we may not eff it after all."
-Douglas Adams, Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency
"May I recommend serenity to you? A life that is burdened with expectations is a heavy life. Its fruit is sorrow and disappointment. Learn to be one with the joy of the moment."
-Douglas Adams, The Long Dark Tea-Time of the Soul
If you're truly investigating the cause of so much canine cancer, the Dog Cancer Survival Guide has a great section on it. It's all relative, we can't point at that bordatella vaccine 5 years ago and say "that was the cause!". There are so many factors to consider.. Flea preventatives, environmental changes, diet... It's the same with human cancer. Why have 3 of my friends from high school died of cancer before the age of 30? Who knows. I wish we knew so we could stop cancer!
As far as diet, I am a huge proponent of home cooked diets. I started 3 years ago and it has been great. Two things people always say when I tell them that: isn't that expensive and too time consuming? Not really. Compared to the cost of a high Quality kibble, i dont spend much extra if I am careful. I've found that by shopping at discount grocery stores like Aldi or Walmart, I can get ground turkey for $1 per lb and the fruits/veggies/ rice at a good discount. Chicken liver and giblets or hearts are dirt cheap at the grocery store too and are great additions. As far as the time, I make 2 batches a week in my crockpot. I add it all,set the timer and forget it for a few hours.
If you would decide to go that route, or even supplement with some home cooked whole foods, you have to research to make sure your pup is getting adequate nutrition. Start with this free chapter available from the dog cancer survival guide http://www.dogc......com/book/ (click the banner at the top). I also read Dr. Pitcairn's book about natural health for dogs and cats.
I wrote a series of blogs about this on my company's blog, too: http://www.that.....bnXI2u9KSM
After all that, I still keep a bag of Halo or Nature's Variety in the cupboard for when I run out of food just looking into feeding a better diet is the best step you can take (in my opinion) to improve the health of your pets.
You will have a better selection of dog foods online or at your local pet store than Walmart. Online pricing can be pretty good too, believe it or not, if your local pet store seems pricey. Hopefully this helped!
Barret was diagnosed with Hemangiopericytoma May 16, 2013. Front left leg/scapula/pectoral muscle was amputated on June 11, 2013 and we've never looked back. Follow our story on http://barret.t.....pawds.com/ and read my column on That Pet Blog
I agree, there is no ONE definitive answer. I just can't help but feel that diet is the biggest factor. There are just SO many options for foods. I would be mostly looking for commercial....I need convenience and budget friendly. I will check out this reading material you suggested....thanks for the input!
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