My dog -Dillon-has just been diagnosed with mast cell cancer. We are
going to be doing chemo as he only has 3 legs (he had chondrosarcoma
and amputated front leg 2 years ago)
He has always been a thin lab, and has been thinner lately. He is
eating but as I have been pampering him and mixing turkey and such into
his dry dog food he is getting spoiled...
But he is still not gaining as much weight as I would like. Is there
something you all could suggest??
thanks
Laura

" wrote:

My dog -Dillon-has just been diagnosed with mast cell cancer. We are
going to be doing chemo as he only has 3 legs (he had chondrosarcoma
and amputated front leg 2 years ago)
He has always been a thin lab, and has been thinner lately. He is
eating but as I have been pampering him and mixing turkey and such into
his dry dog food he is getting spoiled...
But he is still not gaining as much weight as I would like. Is there
something you all could suggest??

I've not dealt with a dog on chemo, but I have tried to get dogs to
gain weight. One thing to work on is calorie intake. A dog will
get more calories if he eats more food. In your dog's case palatability
is probably an issue. You may need to experiment to see what he
will eat.

The other way to increase calories is to feed a higher-calorie food.
Fat has a lot more calories than protein or carbohydrate, so look
for foods with higher fat content. The percentages of fat in dry
and canned foods are quite different, so if you try canned, look at
foods that are high-fat relative to other canned foods.

I would also ask your vet if it is likely your dog is suffering
nausea, and if there is a treatment he can take for that.

Digestibility of the dog's food is another issue. Not all of the
calories reported on the bag are usable to the dog. You could try
the old remedy of boiled white rice with cottage cheese or boiled
chicken. This is highly digestible and easy on the digestion. Most
sources I have seen recommend skinless white meat chicken, but
if I want a dog to gain weight I get chicken thighs (cheap), simmer
them until very well done, remove the bones, and keep everything
else. The cooking water becomes gelatin (protein).

HTH,

Amy Dahl

On 27 Jul 2006 12:24:59 -0700, "
, clicked their heels and said:


But he is still not gaining as much weight as I would like. Is there
something you all could suggest??

Don't rush into anything. The prednisone alone will increase his
appetite and put on weight all by itself.

--
Janet Boss
www.bestfriendsdogobedience.com

wrote in message
ups.com...
he is eating OK, just not
his regular dog food. Seems the ground turkey has him spoiled.

..........can't think of a better time to spoil him. Try adding eggs, full
fat yogurt or some canned fish to his food.

buglady
take out the dog before replying

wrote:
My dog -Dillon-has just been diagnosed with mast cell cancer. We are
going to be doing chemo as he only has 3 legs (he had chondrosarcoma
and amputated front leg 2 years ago)
He has always been a thin lab, and has been thinner lately. He is
eating but as I have been pampering him and mixing turkey and such into
his dry dog food he is getting spoiled...
But he is still not gaining as much weight as I would like. Is there
something you all could suggest??

You could go to your vet and ask about hills n/d. It is specially
formulated for animals with cancer. It has the proper nutritition for
pets who are having chemo and it also helps inhibit tumor growth. Just
something you could try.

Good luck!!

Hi Laura,

I recently lost my 12 year old cairn terrier to a malignant melanoma.
I worked with my vet and did a ton of research in cancer diets for
dogs. This website was very helpful:

http://www.caninecancerawareness.org/Diet.html

Good luck!

Cecil

Caroline,
I am sorry! I can't imagine...tho I guess I should start thinking
about it happening!
Thanks for the web site.
Laura