Hello Everyone...

[Tuckersmom20]

Hi Everyone...

I haven't been around in a long time, and lots of things have changed.
Those who know me from Fb and from here in the past... will remember Tucker.

I need serious diet help.
Tuck has been eating a raw diet forever... hes 6.5 now..been eating it since at least 8 months old.
He loves the diet.... but he can no longer be on it

Last thursday, Tuck was diagnosed with Lymphoma.
He has stage 3, t-cell low grade lymphoma.
He also has hypercalcemia.

We found it really early, early enough that with treatment we can have him for a few more years.

Next week, the 4th.. Tuck is going for lymph node removal.
He's actually a part of research at the university where his neurologist and now oncologist is.
After surgery, He's starting prednisone ASAP to start shrinking his nodes and bring his calcium down.
His calcium is sky high and the oncologist has him in the soonest surgery appointment they have.

There is a high possibility that he will start chemo that day... im unsure of that because we've been more concerned
with his calcium right now.
His chemo will either be 4 months or 6 months of weekly treatment, it depends on what his onco decides on.

There is also a risk that chemo can interact with his seizure meds... so hopefully they wont, and seizures wont increase any further.

But... because his immune system will be lowered... he cannot be fed raw anymore
Its really sad and unfortunate... but i am not risking any infection...anything.

So.. those of you who home cook for their dogs...im really confused where to start.
How much to feed... how cooked everything should be... how to prepare veggies...

His onco says that he must be high protein, high fat and low carb (20% of carb or lower)

It will be a long road ahead... but we are prepared... and keeping high spirits.
Tuck can fight this and kick cancer in the butt.


Please... check your dogs often...monthly.
My Dh found the lumps in the beginning of october and here we are looking at treatment.

[Snowshoe]

Hi. You haven't been here for so long I wondered if someone else picked up your name. Did you add the 20 to it? Welcome back but sorry to hear the reason is not good.

Home cooked, ok, well, we went that route too but on a very limited diet. Oban has also been very sick and home cooking, TCM and acupuncture saved him. Then we went raw, then he got sick again and now he is back on a special kibble but I hope we can go back raw. OUr new Holistic, Integrative Vet guided us on the home cooking and the raw. Becasue we had special issues, not the same ones as you, she researched recipes I could cook up for him. She also said Oban had a cool gut and that is a problem and he needs warm foods.

So while I cannot give you recipes as ours might not be good for Tucker I will say that we had to thoroughly cook everything. Can your oncologist not provide you with recipes? Or would you consider a Vet familiar with cooking for special issues? I know our recipes will not be good for Tucker becasue Oban has Lymphangiectasia and he needs a very low fat diet.

Good luck.

[Tuckersmom20]

I added the 20 when I rejoined ways back... just havent posted.

His oncologist at the u of guelph does have a nutritionalist they can consult with.. I know he was looking into it, but there is a delay because the nutritionalist is on mat leave and is only doing consults by email.
Which slows the process down.

I'm so sorry Oban has been sick too
I don't know why so many great dogs are getting sick lately

I'm going to be searching out a holistic vet too, chidiac was suggested to me.. but shes quite far for me considering I'll be going to guelph weekly possibly every two weeks .
Hopefully with some natural supplements it'll help him keep his energy up and not get too run down.

[POPTOP]

Been following Tuck on facebook. Don't have any experience with raw diet and changes that need to be made but wanted to send along tons of mojo and the very best wishes and prayers.

[Snowshoe]

PM me.

[Tuckersmom20]

Trying to pm you snowshoe and it won't let me
How many posts do I need ?

[Snowshoe]

Maybe mailbox was full. Try again? I cannot PM you, not enabled?

[Macy]

No experience with the diet info but passing along mojo and good thoughts to you.

[lovemylabby]

I have no experience at all in this...by my heart goes out to you..

It's just not fair! Tucker is so young.

I will keep Tucker in my prayers...and only good thoughts for him.

Hoping you will get the help you need with his diet and everything!

[brownietrout]

I am so sorry you are going through this.
I know nothing that will help but wanted to let you know you will be in my thoughts and prayers.