My dog just got her first chemo treatment yesterday.  When we got home from the vets she ate like a horse, a can of tuna and two chicken jerky treats.  Then later she got a plate of steak from my son because she "looked like she hadn't eaten in weeks".  At 2am I woke up to hear her getting sick.  Basically a pile of little steak cubes.  Not sure if it was the chemo or the quantity that she ate.  I was scared and slept next to her for a while.  She was a little restless but was eating tuna this morning like a champ.  that is until I "snuck" her Cerenia pills into it.  This dog HATES pills.  I really want to try to give them to her but I guess if she's eating on her own she doesn't need them?  not sure.....any experienced pawrents care to chime in?  This is day one post chemo. The vet did say that she might be a little off for a couple of days.  Just looking for some reassurance, a little hand holding.  Thank you everyone.

For Careygram and JackDog - Yes, it is normal to be a bit off the first couple of days and have eating issues. I would encourage you to use the cerninia as they recommended to stay on top of the nausea. 

as far as not eating as enthusiastically, I did notice with Shelby that if I put her food in one of my bowls (vs the metal bowl) she ate a bit better. I think the metal and chemo can affect the taste-buds. Or Shelby was just a pampered pooch! But we did eat better and more when eating out of my "fine china". 

Hugs! 

LOL Benny, you are right.  She hasn't had any incidents since and we've been careful not to "overfeed".  Patches has always had a great appetite and I think we were so scared that she'd lose her appetite that when she had it we fed it.  She's doing really well right now, no more throwing up, no diarrhea, still wants to eat like a horse but we're giving her smaller meals on a more frequent basis.  There's the oncology dietitian coming through lol.  High protein, light, no metal bowls (yes, chemo can cause a metallic taste in the mouth, especially platinum based) and low acidity.  

So far so good.  Still blogging over at Patches Journey too.

xoxo

Debbie and Patches

careygram said
There was never any recommendation about stainless steel containers or bowls because as far as I can recall I never had a human patient who ate out of those types of containers.  However, as an oncology dietitian, it is common knowledge that platinum based chemotherapies can cause a metallic taste in the mouth, GI distress and neuropathy, a tingling and sometimes painful sensation in the extremities.  I would say that to be safe plastic bowls for food might be better though I don't know for sure.  I'm also trying to keep Patches warm as I'm afraid her little paws and ears might get cold.  I'm using my knowledge from humans to help Patches.  At the very least it can't hurt.  

Yes, absolutely. I should have thought of it as a possible explanation for Ellie's post-chemo appetite dip because my Dad was on a platinum based chemo and he had just those types of side effects. It wasn't until you mentioned it though that I remembered!