Quincy is doing Quincy is doing well (photo from last weekend). He is 3 weeks post amp as of tomorrow (Fri). We just got back from his 1 week post chemo (it was his first of four rounds of carboplatin). His levels are good. His few remaining staples were removed. His fur is growing back. He moves great. And now that all the staples are gone I am hoping we can start with a short walk. He has handled the deck stairs since for the last 2 weeks and the inside stairs (more than double the number of stairs then the deck) for the last week without issue. I am interested to see how long he lasts on a walk or if we try to play with his tennis balls now that he is allowed unrestricted activity. He is not on any pain meds and finishes his last rimadyl tomorrow (he doesn't need it but vet just wanted us to finish out the pills). 

He has been on metronidazole since last Sat and today the vet said we should just finish out the course through the weekend and see how it goes next week. It has been totally controlled (1 poo per day after dinner like clockwork just very soft). Part of our issue is he has food allergies and the only food we ever found after elimination diet etc that allowed him mostly firm poo was raw food. He definitely needs to be gluten and grain free but dry food even really good brands that were GF never worked. Due to the healing from surgery and now chemo the vet doesnt want him on raw food. So for the last 3 weeks he has been on boiled chicken that is supplemented with sojos veg mix (which we used with raw food) and a small bit of gluten/grain free canned food (just to jazz up the chicken mix). So it is possible that a small component of his soft stool is related to the food shift and it isn't all chemo. His appetite has been good and consistent throughout all of this in the last month. Long way of saying I am not sure about how the diarrhea/metronidazole will go over these next 2 mos as we move through chemo. I would like to find something easier to use for food that is as close to his reaction to raw food. Also his weight is down about .5 lbs since last week (and down about 3 lbs total since the amputation but assume most of that is the actual leg). I want to keep his weight up and not drop too much. Vet isn't concerned by the slight loss between this week and last. Any recommendations on food for shepherd mix with sensitive tummy are welcome?

Next chemo is in 2 weeks. The vet said they was "ratchet" up the dose. I am not sure how much or if it is necessary because last week while low/moderate dose it was within the "cancer killing" range. I am a bit nervous about it just because I don't want additional side effects eventhough we really haven't seen anything from the first round beyond the mushy poo. His energy seems good but I wonever/assume chemo has a bit of a cumulative effect with respect to energy - i.e. the more he gets the more tired he will be until done? Maybe not though?

We are very lucky so far and Quincy is probably about 85-90% back to "normal" so very happy so far. Need to remind myself not to get ahead of it. Can't wait to be done at the end of April (assuming everything stays on track). Poor dog really hates going to the vet (although he is always very sweet to everyone when there) and I wish we didn't need to put him through the extra stress. 25% done, 75% to go!

Thanks for the link to the nutrition blog. Seems like maybe Honest Kitchen is worth a shot. I think I need to find a high protein and avg to high fat content to keep his weight up. Maybe Honest Kitchen and some canned food to keep his weight up? 

He just got back from his 2nd round. My husband called and said he is resting (and the office was way backed up so they had to wait at least 45 min after is appt time). Vet was very happy with blood work (and Quincy gained weight so I guess the Embark from Honest Kitchen is working - which is good). Similar to what they told you about Otis the dosage, the vet said it is based on weight so although they upped it slightly as a proportion of his weight the dose is the same as last time. We gave him an anti nausea and anti diarrhea this morning in anticipation and will give more tonight (on the prescribed 12 hr schedule). Fingers crossed next few days go smoothly...