Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hey Elizabeth and Alison - this whole business of carbs can get pretty crazy and outta control (in human and pet health). I want to underline that oatmeal isn't criminal. What Zeuspod points out about it is imperative: use whole, rolled oats or even oatbran. SKIP the instant oatmeal. Oatmeal is a great source of fiber which can help pad Shelby's tummy and provide long-lasting energy for our more active pups. Oatmeal is an antiinflammatory food, too (read more):
Also, for those of us feeding less processed foods, Jerry and Zeuspod said it well: ANYTHING served whole, fresh, unprocessed is WAY better than kibble. So, really, don't beat yourself up about bananas or sweet potatoes, peas, or carrots. Like in the human world: I'd challenge you to find someone or some dog that's fat or sick from eat too many sweet potatoes, carrots, or peas or bananas! HOW those foods are made and processed does the damage (a banana split is worse than a fresh, whole nanner...d'oh). Even if there are sugars in these foods they ALSO have important nutrients, antioxidants, fiber, etc that do wonders for our pets - with and without cancer - because:
The reason behind sugars is that after a while, too much sugar spiking in the blood causes an inflammatory response in the body. You can couch that sugar spike with protein and/or fiber, and things get A LOT better. Thus, eating a single donut is crap. But you wash that donut down with some eggs, glass of milk, and some oatmeal and that sugar spike is MUCH less dangerous. So if you're offering one of these "sugary"-whole foods (carrots, peas, etc) and you're also offering it with antiinflammatories (protein and/or fiber), WONDERFUL! If not, that's still OK b/c it's PURE food. Praise yourself for offering your pup a whole, unprocessed treat or meal. This goes for cancer or cancer-free patients.
Enjoy!
~ Katy & Jackson
ps: your cockpot recipe, Alison, sounds divine! I haven't told J that someone out there is eating better than he....
ACL tear in right hind leg 12/5/12 and scheduled ACL repair surgery 12/21/12. Pre-op xrays revealed osteosarcoma. Amputation 12/28/12. Chemo (carboplatin) started Jan 10, 2013 and ended on April 5, for a total of 5 doses. He handled carbo like a champ! No side effects. We started metronomic therapy at his third chemo and have been also doing some holistic treatments. He's a lively, playful 10 year old huskie-boarder collie and a very proud member of the Winter Warriors! Our love. Our funny little guy!
Jerry, Katy and Zeuspod, thank you so much!! This is all such good information. I'd be really interested in a nutrition blog post as well. I'm a bit obsessed with the whole food thing 
Alison, what is the name of the doggie cookbook from the recipe you posted?
Mom to Tripawd Angels Jake (2001-2014) and Rosco (2012-2015) and Tripawd Tanner. “Whatever happens tomorrow, we had today; and I'll always remember it”
elizabeth said
Jerry, Katy and Zeuspod, thank you so much!! This is all such good information. I'd be really interested in a nutrition blog post as well. I'm a bit obsessed with the whole food thing
Alison, what is the name of the doggie cookbook from the recipe you posted?
I believe this is the book:
http://amazon.t.....food-dude/
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I agree...I've been offline all day but this information is invaluable!!! For reals! I will let you know how Shelby likes her turkey/crockpot meal... she LOVED the liver bites that I made and yes, that is the cookbook.
My entire house still smells like liver - blech... the things we do for those that we love. But Shelby ate 2 bites and I swear her energy was perky instantly! However, we got back from our walk and she did one of her 'fainting' episodes ... she came out of it quickly but I HATE when she does that ... freaks me out. I think it's really from excitement and when I get excited to see her so bouncy ... well, you know .. I rile her up!
But she just had her dinner (also could have been low blood sugar ... her dinner was late and she didn't eat a ton today). Who knows but for now, she is happy and fully belly!
But again, thank you all for the feedback. I agree - especially with the part about carbs + protein and stabilizing the sugars which is why, I am guessing, sweet potatoes are Paleo. At this point, I have to make peace with the fact that I am doing ALL that I can for Shelby and her quality of life is GOOD (great) and she's getting home cooked meals with NO additives... I don't have endless time or money or emotional strength to devote to her meals ... I have to make peace w/my decision. But the takeaways are definitely mashing her veggies, cooking her clean, pure meals, and loving on her as much as I can and enjoying the occasional cookie because what is life with a treat now and then?!? XOXO
Shelby Lynne; Jack Russell/Shiba Inu mix. Proud member of the April Angels of 2014.
October 15, 2000 to April 8, 2014
Our story: Broke rear leg in June 2013 - non-conclusive results for cancer so leg was plated and pinned. Enlarged spleen in September 2013 and had it removed and was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma and started chemotherapy. Became a Tripawd January 8th, 2014 and definitive Hemangiosarcoma diagnosis. Three major surgeries in 7 months and Shelby took them all like a champ only to lose her battle to cancer in her brain. We had 8 amazing extra months together and no regrets. #shelbystrong #loveofmylife
So the crockpot dish took a bit longer than 8 hours to cook (or I am just really cooking it to make sure that ground turkey is done) but it smells amazing (to Shelby) and my house STILL smells like liver! I did skim and give Shelby a taste of the crockpot dish (it's been cooking almost 10 hours so I figured the top part was safe and it looks basically done) and she gobbled it up in 2 seconds. I don't have any wheat germ and didn't season it with the spices but I don't think she cares. Seriously - this dog's appetite is amazing on this new chemo! It's like she didn't even GET a treatment a few days ago.
Things I changed this go-around:
1. giving her the cerenia in the a.m. w/a light breakfast
2. Iron pills in the a.m. w/above breakfast
3. Dinner and her other supplements (fish oil, mushrooms, probiotic, metacam)
She seems to be doing loads better; a little tired, yes but she's 13, anemic and fighting cancer! I can get her to snuggle or go out whenever I ask her too (she's not being super aloof). She is out of the bathroom for now... the earth has stopped shaking.
And this is so ODD! She hasn't coughed in 2 days. Not that she was coughing a ton; just basically when she would wake up, a slight cough, and off and off, but I was just sitting here thinking I hadn't heard her smack or cough in a couple days. I can't believe the chemo would have worked that fast but who knows. She still sounds congested when she sleeps and snores like a chainsaw but otherwise... she's doing pretty well. I am fingers/toes crossed that we continue this way and that THIS chemo is the one that is going to stabilize those flipping mets! All in all.... positive weekend for Shelby's world! And mommy only had to drink 1/2 a bottle of wine over 3 days! 🙂
Shelby Lynne; Jack Russell/Shiba Inu mix. Proud member of the April Angels of 2014.
October 15, 2000 to April 8, 2014
Our story: Broke rear leg in June 2013 - non-conclusive results for cancer so leg was plated and pinned. Enlarged spleen in September 2013 and had it removed and was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma and started chemotherapy. Became a Tripawd January 8th, 2014 and definitive Hemangiosarcoma diagnosis. Three major surgeries in 7 months and Shelby took them all like a champ only to lose her battle to cancer in her brain. We had 8 amazing extra months together and no regrets. #shelbystrong #loveofmylife
Good morning Alison...and Shelby of course,
Sounds like you had a busy day cooking and snuggling Shelby.
This has been an interesting and informative thread to read....diet really does make such a difference.
I love reading the Shelby success stories....she really is doing wonderfully...and loves to keep you on your toes.
Give her a snuggle for me.
Linda and Tucker
Ground turkey, right? 10 hrs, even on low, is DONE. Good things dogs don't care about the tenderness of their meat! Makes it easy, right? Sounds delish, Alison. Nomnomnom.
I'm so happy that your little lady is A-OK! Oh, these are such heart-warming, lovely signs. These are the signs we love to hear and live to see. Congrats!
~ Katy & Jackson
ACL tear in right hind leg 12/5/12 and scheduled ACL repair surgery 12/21/12. Pre-op xrays revealed osteosarcoma. Amputation 12/28/12. Chemo (carboplatin) started Jan 10, 2013 and ended on April 5, for a total of 5 doses. He handled carbo like a champ! No side effects. We started metronomic therapy at his third chemo and have been also doing some holistic treatments. He's a lively, playful 10 year old huskie-boarder collie and a very proud member of the Winter Warriors! Our love. Our funny little guy!
Hey that sounds delicious! Sounds like a glass of wine and Shelby's dinner for two might be just the thing you need 
I'd love to see some pix. We could share this with the Dog Food Dude when we talk to him on the 4/19 show, I know he'd love to hear about your experience.
As for the liver smell...try leaving open bowls of full-strength vinegar around the kitchen, that usually does the trick to eliminate cooking odors. Misting with vinegar & water helps too.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Happy to report that my house is liver-smell free today (or I am just used to it). Thank GOD... that was brutal but worth it if it makes my girl feel peppier! 🙂
We had a good day - albeit a lazy spring break day. Against my better judgement, we both napped most of the day (after I did all my workouts). Shelby still seems pretty happy and not experiencing a ton of symptoms from her last chemo treatment so I approach each day with cautious optimism. I am so surprised she has completely stopped coughing so now I think that was more allergy related than met related.
Here is dinner! It was gone in 2 1/2 minutes! She literally WOLFS is down - it's quite aggressive how she goes at it. I am glad she likes my cooking! She gets 1 cup a day (360 calories) and she had 1/2 this a.m. and then the second half at dinner with 1/4 cup kibble (100 calories) and some blended green beans and bell peppers in there to make it look like more food. Her daily caloric intake, according to the book should be between 450 - 475 so I figured with the treats she gets daily, that's about where we are at. I have a very healthy eater so I need to make sure to keep her portions in check. I am also giving her a bite of a treat before a walk if she just wakes up from a nap to hopefully avoid any 'blood sugar' fainting issues. 🙂
Her poo was slightly slimy and darker tonight (and a little loose) so I will attribute that to the rich liver, the chemo and the added veggies. I've been cooking for her since Jan so it isn't that. I might give her a spoon of pumpkin when I get home from the gym tonight. Just to be safe! 🙂
Shelby Lynne; Jack Russell/Shiba Inu mix. Proud member of the April Angels of 2014.
October 15, 2000 to April 8, 2014
Our story: Broke rear leg in June 2013 - non-conclusive results for cancer so leg was plated and pinned. Enlarged spleen in September 2013 and had it removed and was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma and started chemotherapy. Became a Tripawd January 8th, 2014 and definitive Hemangiosarcoma diagnosis. Three major surgeries in 7 months and Shelby took them all like a champ only to lose her battle to cancer in her brain. We had 8 amazing extra months together and no regrets. #shelbystrong #loveofmylife
Awww, she looks like she is really enjoying her special meal. Great to hear that she is perking up, and what a lucky girl to have such a great mom!
Deb and Angel Lexie* Diagnosed at age 13. Tried radiation first; wish we had amputated upon diagnosis (even with lung mets). Joined Club Tripawd April 2014 & Lexie loved life on 3 legs! Advice: Start physical therapy as soon as your vet clears it, especially hydrotherapy if available :-) See Lexie pics here.
There's our sweet Shelby! Good food for a good girll cooked by a really good mom! AGREAT mom!
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!
Awwww! That looks darn tasty! I laugh, though, as you say 2.5 min = woofing it down for Shelby. I guess that's the difference between a "dirt devil" mouth vs "hoover" mouth here. I don't think anything has taken as long as 2.5min for Jackson to inhale! Funny! He lovely, little mouth, snarfing down some delish foods. YEY! Keep it up, ladies. You're doing GREAT!
~ Katy & Jackson
ACL tear in right hind leg 12/5/12 and scheduled ACL repair surgery 12/21/12. Pre-op xrays revealed osteosarcoma. Amputation 12/28/12. Chemo (carboplatin) started Jan 10, 2013 and ended on April 5, for a total of 5 doses. He handled carbo like a champ! No side effects. We started metronomic therapy at his third chemo and have been also doing some holistic treatments. He's a lively, playful 10 year old huskie-boarder collie and a very proud member of the Winter Warriors! Our love. Our funny little guy!
Well congrats Doggie Chef! That's awesome! Yes, her poo may change consistency as she gets used to eating "real" food. Pumpkin is a great idea.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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