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AngelWhispers

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Posts posted by AngelWhispers

    Cosmo, Chemo And Food - The Familiar Dilemma

    in Health and Medical discussion

    Posted

    Flippy has been on her raw diet since day 1 of starting chemo. Flippy's vet cautioned me about a raw diet and the chances of her getting an intestinal bug while her immune system was compromised from the chemo. Her words were, "I want you to be warned, but I'm not going to tell you to stop." The vet use to feed raw before her greyhound pack got large...I think she has 8 greys. Honestly, I've had dogs get tummy bugs from kibble, never from raw.

     

    Flippy has done so well on her raw diet that the vet wanted my recipe. I don't know if the raw diet has helped specifically, but her complete bloodwork has always been perfect, and she hasn't had some of the side effects that others have experienced.

     

    I know some will say that a no carb diet hasn't proven to extend life, but it is proven that cancer feeds on carbs...so I'm doing my best to have Flippy avoid them.

    Chemo And Metal Bowls?

    in Health and Medical discussion

    Posted

    I'd put her food in whatever she'll eat from, and I've heard the metallic taste is stronger during chemo. Miss Piggy...I mean Flippy. Her appetite has never waivered during chemo, but she's also on pred and will eat anything that won't eat her first, so she doesn't care that her meals are in stainless.

    Milk Thistle

    in Health and Medical discussion

    Posted

    After tons of research on milk thistle and wanting the very best for Flippy, I use Marin. It's the concentrated version of milk thistle and is regulated, and it contains Vit. E for her immune system. Because it does contain Vit E, I stop the Marin 4 days before and 4 days after chemo, and/or when she's having blood draws because Vit E can cause anti-clotting. Luckily Flippy only has blood draws on chemo days. Flippy also gets Sam E once daily and during the 8 days she doesn't get Marin; she gets Sam E twice a day. Flip is also on a raw diet that I think helps also. Not sure but I'd like to think all my hard work is doing her some good. :rolleyes:

     

    Flippy's liver values have stayed perfect for the past 5 months, and the oncologist didn't think Flippy's liver would make it through the full 6 month protocol. She proved him wrong and only has 1 more dose of the nasty liver killing drug.

    Chemo For Lymphoma

    in Health and Medical discussion

    Posted

    Flippy has mast cell, but her chemo protocol is very similar to what's used for lymphoma. She get's oral lumustine (60mg) then has a week off and then she gets vinblastine by IV, so she gets chemo every other week. Her bloodwork is done before each treatment to check her liver enzymes, pack cell volume and white blood cell count. So far she's never missed a treatment because of low values and the only side effect I've seen is, loss of energy, and her hair at the surgical site and IV site don't grow. Hopefully her bald spots will fill in after she's done with chemo.

     

    She's also on prednisone, prilosec, benedryl and liver support supplements because the lomustine is extremely hard on the liver and the reason most dogs have to stop treatment. Her liver values have stayed perfect and proved her oncologist wrong. He didn't think she'd be able to complete the full protocol.

     

    Flippy has really handled her chemo treatments like a champ and has made it look easy. I think because she was such a healthy girl to start with, that she really has an advantage over a dog that starts chemo when they're debilitated from the cancer they're fighting.

     

    Like you, I had a million questions when Flippy started her chemo. I did promise her, that at the first sign of discomfort from the chemo, I'd stop. Thankfully that didn't happen.

     

     

     

    Diets And Supplements For A Senior With Lymphoma

    in Health and Medical discussion

    Posted

    Diane what are your thoughts on Wellness Core? Or Blue Buffalo.

     

     

    EVO reduced fat kibble or canned EVO

     

     

    Anyone do RAW while dealing with Lymphoma or other cancers?

     

    I'm doing totally raw for Flippy. I'd be more than happy to share her diet with you. Her blood levels have stayed perfect for the past 5 months while on the diet and receiving bi-monthly chemo. The vets are very impressed with her health and have asked me to share the diet with them.

     

    Mast Cells In The Bloodstream

    in Health and Medical discussion

    Posted

    You might want to talk to your vet about starting benedryl to stop any histamines that may be present, and also something like prilosec, tagamet or zantac to keep the mast cells from causing stomach ulcers. If possible I would also talk to the vet about an ultrasound of intestines, spleen, liver and kidneys, and a needle aspirate of the lymph nodes. Give her a good going over to check for lumps. Flippy's mast cell tumor was under her collar and not in a place I would normally check for lumps...I just happened to change collars and found it.

     

    Don't panic until you get a definitive diagnosis because mast cells can be present for many reasons...you just want to protect her body from having them settle some place.

     

    Good thoughts and prayers for the two of you.

    Wounded Mast Cell Tumor

    in Health and Medical discussion

    Posted · Edited by AngelWhispers

    That doesn't look good at all!! Since Riley is 14 I personally would talk to the vet about supportive care since amputation doesn't seem to be an option for you. I can't remember what grade Riley's tumor was, but if it was a Grade II or III I think I'd spoil him rotten and keep him comfortable until he let's you know he's had enough. Definitely talk to your vet about upping the pain meds no matter what treatment options you choose. Mast cell tumors are extremely painful especially after they've ruptured or ulcerated, which is what it looks like to me. Riley will keep licking and bothering it just because of the pain it's causing.

     

    Sorry you and Riley are going thru this.

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