Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hello all, This is all pretty new to me, and I am trying to learn as much as I can about proper diet for dogs with Osteosarcoma. The amount of information and opinions is overwhelming to say the least.
My 8.5 year old Rottie, Morgan, was diagnosed on Sept 3, with Osteosarcoma in her left front leg. She is scheduled for amputation surgery tomorrow, Sept 14. (Although I must admit, I am having serious second thoughts!)
I have ordered the new K9 Immunity Plus supplements for her, and had a local pet store order this new grain free kibble from Wysong for me. [Wysong Epigen Website]
I guess it will be best to wait until a few days after her surgery to make any significant dietary changes. My question is that after surgery, once I am using the Immunity boosters, and have her on this grain-free kibble, will she be getting everything that she needs nutritionally? Or will I need to supplement the kibble with some other stuff? I need to make sure she gets everything that she needs, while at the same time making sure that she doesn't gain weight, as that would make life on 3 legs much more difficult.
ANY ADVICE is greatly appreciated!!
Thank you,
Morgan's Mom
welcome morgan and mom, sorry to had to 'join our club', but it's a wonderful resource for all of us. gayle had a soft tissue sarcoma, resulting in RF amputation, so we don't have Osteosarcoma background. i think though, that it would be best to stay on the current food, regiment, etc until morgan is all healed up from the surgery. with all the pain medication, etc, morgan probably isn't going to be eating, drinking normally during recooperation. also, if you are planning on chemo (we did five rounds of doxorubicin), you may want to wait on the k9 immunity - that's a vet question. i suggest you read jerry's required reading list which is highlighted on the tripawds site. i'm sure there will be other folks chiming in to give you suggestions on when to modify morgan's diet as well. doing the amputation will remove all the pain, and will alleviate the possibility that the leg will just shatter. it's scary, but you will get through it fine. good luck, we'll be thinking of you, please let us know how morgan does!
charon & gayle
Life is good, so very, very good!!! Gayle enjoyed each and every moment of each and every wonderful day (naps included). She left this world December 12, 2011 – off on a new adventure.
Love Never Ends
Best wishes for a perfect procedure and speedy recovery! We'll all be thinking of you and Morgan tomorrow. (Those second thoughts are only going to make matters worse.)
We do indeed recommend waiting until Morgan is well on the road to recovery before changing her diet or adding supplements. The great thing about Epigen is that it is not just "grain-free " – it is starch free, so it should be excellent for cancer dogs! Regarding other supplements, just monitor morgan carefully and consult with a vet (preferrably a nutritionist) if you're concerned she's not getting everyhting she needs.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi Morgan's Mom,
First- good luck with the surgery tomorrow.
I agree with Charon and Mr. Admin- I wouldn't change diets or add new supplements just yet. Many dogs don't eat much immediately after surgery, and many are loopy or not themselves while on the various meds and painkillers. You don't want to introduce a new variable until Morgan is back to herself after surgery and eating her normal food regularly, and off the meds. So if she does have some sort of reaction to the meds (for example my pug did not do well on tramadol), or she is sluggish (normal after surgery) or doesn't poop for a few days (also normal after surgery and with pain meds) you won't have to wonder if it is new food or supplements causing a reaction.
And yes I agree- all of this can be overwhelming. I would try to take everything in small steps (or hops!). Focus for now on getting her through the surgery and home and healing. My advice is to not change anything in her diet for a couple of weeks- you can take this time while she is healing to do more research, and talk with your vet with questions on diet and supplements. And if you are doing chemo you should talk with the oncologist before you introduce anything new. And as far as supplements go- most of us put our pups on some type of joint support supplement like glucosamine.
Remember to get as much rest as possible while Morgan is at the hospital. You need to be strong and positive for her when she comes home.
Karen
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