Florise Posted December 19, 2011 Share Posted December 19, 2011 This stuff is delicious. Could be worth a try http://abbottnutrition.com/Products/twocal-hn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dancinbcs Posted December 19, 2011 Share Posted December 19, 2011 Shes nearly ten, we don't have a diagnosis yet. The 10 year old I lost suddenly to cancer in June could only be enticed with Spaghetti Bolognese in her final week. I was also using Nutripet to try to keep her energy up while we tried some treatment but a week after diagnosis she went downhill and we realised she most likely had a brain tumour as well as all the tumours in her chest. In hindsight I should have put her down several days before when she stopped eating. Sorry for your loss, dancinbcs. We lost Django last month, it was very sudden. It would be a cruel coincidence to lose Sabella when I'm nowhere near done grieving for my dearly missed boy. I wouldn't make her hang on for me though, and I know her every breath so I'll know when the time comes. God, that is tough to lose one and now have another so ill. Basically with the food just offer anything and everything. Sweetened yoghurt, any type of deserts, cooked rabbit, cheese or whatever you are eating and keep up the Nutripet. Hope you get a favourable diagnosis for something that can be treated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daisys Mum Posted December 19, 2011 Share Posted December 19, 2011 I can't suggest anything that hasn't been suggested already but wanted to say I'm sorry your dog is so sick.... It is a worrying time fore you. I am that she pulls through ok Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dianed Posted December 19, 2011 Share Posted December 19, 2011 If all else fails try this. My own version of Satin Balls, mince, eggs, cream cheese ,peanut butter wheatgerm,oats soaked in mil.Sophie stopped eating and these she ate of her own accord.Mostly I had to break them apart and put a piece on her tongue. I also lost another girl also 10yo to cancer a few years ago, they are way too young. I send you all my best wishes at this horrible time and hope you get some insight into what is causing your girls illness. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Staffyluv Posted December 19, 2011 Share Posted December 19, 2011 if this was me I would try small amounts of BBQ chicken mixed with cooked white rice. Yep... Ollie had cancer for over 6 years and they do get fussy. I used to buy a BBQ chicken, strip the meat off and boil the bones to make a stock. Add some veg if you desire (Ollie really liked carrot, zucchini and sweet potato - the potato helps to thicken it a bit) and boil up some white rice to add to the soup.. Put the meat back in and serve in small meals throughout the day. When all else failed and he had not eaten, we gave him milk arrowroot biscuits in a little warm (low fat) milk - you only need to give them one or two biscuits at most as they really have no appetite - it keeps them eating. When you say vomiting - is it food coming back up or just water? If the dog is drinking water and regurgitating it, then you may need to give a bit of mylanta (I think it was 4ml per 10kg weight - but check with a vet). If she feels unwell, you can get maxalon to settle the stomach so she feels more like eating. Vitamin C is a great tonic for all dogs, especially cancer dogs - just the chewable ones from the chemist are fine but it is better to get the lower acid ones. You could see an holistic vet to do a food plan for your dog - we used to have one when Ollie was having chemo and it made a world of difference. We were told no raw food, so everything has to be cooked (including meat served). There are plenty of anti cancer diets for dogs on the internet and if you check out Ollie's thread in the palliative care section there is diet and supplement info in there as well. Good luck Jodie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kavik Posted December 19, 2011 Share Posted December 19, 2011 I'm sorry she's not well Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dancinbcs Posted December 20, 2011 Share Posted December 20, 2011 You could see an holistic vet to do a food plan for your dog - we used to have one when Ollie was having chemo and it made a world of difference. We were told no raw food, so everything has to be cooked (including meat served). There are plenty of anti cancer diets for dogs on the internet and if you check out Ollie's thread in the palliative care section there is diet and supplement info in there as well. Good luck Jodie My cancer dog that was successfully treated with Chinese Medicine about 10 years ago had to have a completely raw natural diet. That was when I changed all my dogs over to a Barf type diet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aidan3 Posted December 20, 2011 Author Share Posted December 20, 2011 Thanks everyone, some very helpful suggestions there. I'll just try everything until we find something. She is just vomiting up bile, there's nothing in it. At this stage she is purging, although earlier in the illness she was vomiting without drinking or eating grass. I have an appointment shortly to get some anti-emetic and pain relief into her. I think the pain is half the problem. I took her outside last night and she was very wobbly, I'm hoping that's just pain and weakness and not neurological. Thanks for all your support Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rappie Posted December 20, 2011 Share Posted December 20, 2011 I have used a drug called mirtazapine with some short term success, it seems to help a little with nausea and acts as an appetite stimulant. It's not a long term solution but can sometimes help while other measures are put in place. It can't be used with some other drugs (mainly antihistamines and tramadol) but it might be something to keep in mind. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aidan3 Posted December 20, 2011 Author Share Posted December 20, 2011 I have used a drug called mirtazapine with some short term success, it seems to help a little with nausea and acts as an appetite stimulant. It's not a long term solution but can sometimes help while other measures are put in place. It can't be used with some other drugs (mainly antihistamines and tramadol) but it might be something to keep in mind. Appetite stimulant would be good, she's on Sertraline at the moment but so far no improvement. She is also on Tramadol, but we could switch pain relief. Unfortunately her PTH levels came back low, 0.7. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aidan3 Posted December 20, 2011 Author Share Posted December 20, 2011 I have used a drug called mirtazapine with some short term success, it seems to help a little with nausea and acts as an appetite stimulant. It's not a long term solution but can sometimes help while other measures are put in place. It can't be used with some other drugs (mainly antihistamines and tramadol) but it might be something to keep in mind. Appetite stimulant would be good, she's on Sertraline at the moment but so far no improvement. She is also on Tramadol, but we could switch pain relief. Unfortunately her PTH levels came back low, 0.7. Oh mirtazapine, sertraline - these are anti-depressants! Funny how you miss stuff out of context. I didn't realise they were also anti-emetics. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rappie Posted December 20, 2011 Share Posted December 20, 2011 They're not really anti-emetics as such, at least not with the same degree of efficacy as other drugs like maropitant and metoclopramide etc. More just anti-nausea, might not necessarily stop vomiting. I gather that the appetite stimulation is an undesirable side effect of using it in people. It is a tricyclic anti-depressant so it has limitations to the other drugs it can be used with due to risk of serotonin syndrome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
❤LovesPoodles❤ Posted December 20, 2011 Share Posted December 20, 2011 They're not really anti-emetics as such, at least not with the same degree of efficacy as other drugs like maropitant and metoclopramide etc. More just anti-nausea, might not necessarily stop vomiting. I gather that the appetite stimulation is an undesirable side effect of using it in people. It is a tricyclic anti-depressant so it has limitations to the other drugs it can be used with due to risk of serotonin syndrome. Definately undesirable side effect I gained 15kg on it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackdogs Posted December 20, 2011 Share Posted December 20, 2011 I'd go with the A/D as well. Just remember that the more you stir it then runnier it gets. I've found a side-effect of Tramadol is anxiety. Is your dog panting a lot? If you think it might be making your dog anxious this could cause a lack of appetite. Also, if your dog is vomiting a lot be sure to keep up the fluids. You can try syringing hydralite or some other isotonic/electrolyte liquid and keep a gauge of hydration levels by doing the skin pinch test. Best of luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aidan3 Posted December 20, 2011 Author Share Posted December 20, 2011 She's only had one dose of tramadol, no noticeable side-effects or benefits. Sertraline didn't help her appetence either. I think the only thing that will help is getting her blood calcium down. Now that we know we're looking for cancer I guess at least we have some options there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackdogs Posted December 20, 2011 Share Posted December 20, 2011 She's only had one dose of tramadol, no noticeable side-effects or benefits. Sertraline didn't help her appetence either. I think the only thing that will help is getting her blood calcium down. Now that we know we're looking for cancer I guess at least we have some options there. I'm sorry to hear that. Will you consider chemotherapy/radiotherapy? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aidan3 Posted December 20, 2011 Author Share Posted December 20, 2011 She's only had one dose of tramadol, no noticeable side-effects or benefits. Sertraline didn't help her appetence either. I think the only thing that will help is getting her blood calcium down. Now that we know we're looking for cancer I guess at least we have some options there. I'm sorry to hear that. Will you consider chemotherapy/radiotherapy? Possibly. I don't want to keep a sick dog alive for my benefit, but as I understand it, it's a far more gentle process for dogs and cats. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dancinbcs Posted December 21, 2011 Share Posted December 21, 2011 She's only had one dose of tramadol, no noticeable side-effects or benefits. Sertraline didn't help her appetence either. I think the only thing that will help is getting her blood calcium down. Now that we know we're looking for cancer I guess at least we have some options there. I'm sorry to hear that. Will you consider chemotherapy/radiotherapy? Possibly. I don't want to keep a sick dog alive for my benefit, but as I understand it, it's a far more gentle process for dogs and cats. With a dog that age it is better to use Chinese Medicine. Less side effects and much cheaper considering she is already elderly for a GSD. First though you need a diagnosis and prognosis. If it is an advanced cancer that has spread, sadly nothing is going to work. Why are they unable to get a diagnosis? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aidan3 Posted December 21, 2011 Author Share Posted December 21, 2011 Why are they unable to get a diagnosis? We had a specialist ultrasonographer, several x-rays, several blood tests, and several anal examinations. Nothing has shown up except hypercalcaemia (which is getting worse with every test) and hypoparathyroidism. Confounding the situation early on was some fairly advanced osteoarthritis, and the fact that we had just lost Django (both things could cause the symptoms presented). It wasn't until the PTH tests came back yesterday that we were sure that we were searching for cancer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JulesP Posted December 21, 2011 Share Posted December 21, 2011 We had a specialist ultrasonographer, several x-rays, several blood tests, and several anal examinations. Nothing has shown up except hypercalcaemia (which is getting worse with every test) and hypoparathyroidism. Confounding the situation early on was some fairly advanced osteoarthritis, and the fact that we had just lost Django (both things could cause the symptoms presented). It wasn't until the PTH tests came back yesterday that we were sure that we were searching for cancer. Aidan are you sure you mean hypoparathyroidism? I would have thought with increased calcium that she would be hyper not hypo. Have they had a good look at her kidneys? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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