Anyone have experience with canine cancer diets?

[a la izquierda]

I realize this might fall under the "woo" category, but my dog was just diagnosed with lung cancer. My vet suspected that the dog had a brain tumor in January, when he had a series of cluster seizures out of nowhere. No seizures since January (he's on phenobarb), but he developed an odd cough a few weeks back. His lungs looked like polka dots on the x-ray and my vet was stunned: my dog is otherwise in perfectly good health. He is in no pain, is not lethargic, and is not losing weight. If he were suffering, we would obviously make that awful decision.
So, we're not 100% sold on chemo on an 11 year old dog. We are just looking for some information on special diet or supplements we might give. We have another appointment this week to ask the vet more questions before we decide what road to take. I love this dog like family and I want to do what I can for him.

[shenmue]

1. Hugs

Don't know medicine, sorry. Sending wuv.

[MADem]

2. So sorry you're going through this.

I just googled cancer diet for dogs, there's a lot out there, but I don't know how good it is.

I had a dog who had liver disease and was on her last legs--the doc prescribed these insanely expensive pills (I had to get them filled at the people pharmacy) and the dog wouldn't take them. I was told she had three months, tops. I did some homework and looked into milk thistle--the doctor (who was pretty open minded) had just gotten in his Merck Manual of Herbal Treatments (not sure if that's what it was, but it was a book like that) and looked it up and agreed it was worth a try.

Anyway, that dog lasted over two years and had decent Quality of Life to the end. The milk thistle had a very real and quantifiable effect on her liver function. So, ya never know. I don't know if there's an herb that will mitigate lung cancer, but maybe there's something out there. I wish you luck. It's never easy.

[2theleft]

3. I cooked for my dog with cancer...

Her's was a different cancer. Tumors that were contained and able to be removed via surgery, but had a high risk of coming back and spreading. My vet recommended getting her off any commercial food and either going raw or cooking. She specifically recommended http://www.drpitcairn.com/foods/ - there is a book I ordered off Amazon. I cooked, didn't do raw as I could make large batches at a time and freeze it so my work weeks were easier. Long story short, we didn't do chemo as she was 11 at the time. She had surgery 3 times to remove tumors. She lived to be 16.

Again, her cancer sounds very different from your pup's, but looking at diet is certainly worth a try. If nothing else, they LOVE it, so I was happy she was excited to eat even towards the end when she wasn't feeling great.

I'm so sorry you have to go through this with your fur baby. It's so hard when they are sick. Hugs to you, your family, and especially your pup.

[Judi Lynn]

4. Best thoughts and hope for you and your beloved friend. n/t

[Phentex]

5. A neighbor gave me some prescription dog food...

which was easy to digest and our lab ate that when she hadn't felt like eating anything else. Then she stopped that and only wanted chicken. Again, the vet said that it was easy to digest.

I can't remember the name of the prescription food but you could ask your vet. Just be sure to buy it in small amount cause you never know when they change their minds about what they'll eat.

Like you, we opted not to do any treatments because she was pretty far past the point of where it would make much difference. At first, she looked and acted the same as always. But she did eventually lose weight and get pickier about the food and seemed thirsty all the time. Just keep an eye out for signs.

[a la izquierda]

6. Thank you all, so much, for the replies

My heart is so broken about this. He's been stuck to me like glue. I'm off to get him some turkey and sweet potatoes...you know you love someone/thing when you're willing to cook meat and you're a vegan!!

[Citrus]

7. Not woo at all!

Pitcairn is the father of holistic veterinary medicine in the US. Good recommendation above.

There are lots of things you can do, including food and supplements. There are also veterinarians who specialize in treating cancers without the toxicity of chemo. Steve Marsden is excellent and can usually handle things via phone, as can Charlie Loops. (There are others, but I've had personal experience w/ these two.)

Marsden
http://www.edmonton-veterinary.com/about-us/meet-our-doctors/

Loops
http://www.charlesloopsdvm.com

Marsden treated one of my cats who had bone cancer. Loops treated one of my dogs who had hemangiosarcoma.

It's clear that you don't just love your sweet dog, you respect him. So don't jump to euthing him. A natural death is best for all of us. Unless there is truly intractable pain (rare), we should all be allowed to go in our way, in our own time. This applies to humans and nonhumans. No one can know the journey that another being is here to take, and true respect gives our loved ones the opportunity to choose for themselves.

So do your own research, keep loving your dog (and 11 isn't that old!), and let him live the life he came here to live. Answers are out there, so poke around, ask questions, and find the right solutions for your wonderful companion.

[a la izquierda]

8. Thank a lot!

We rescued this boy from a terrible life. He was living under an abandoned truck, suffering from mange (he had almost no fur on his body). I want to do right by him.

I'm off to buy him some real food. His kibble is excellent quality, but we'll try some new things and see what works.