Dreamspider

Hello, My dog Gracie is 9 years old. She is an American Bulldog, loves kids, has many doggie friends, and is extremely well behaved.. to the point where people that do not like dogs much let her sleep in their beds....

I had noticed a lump on her a long time ago and the vet said it should be fine. Then a little over a month ago I noticed a few others and the first lump had gotten rather large and was oozing a bit of yellowish liquid out of her nipple. I took her to the vet. They removed all of the lumps. Two were benign, and the other was cancerous.

The vet told me that they had found cancer in the whole of the lump and that meant it was still in her. They recommended and oncologist. I went there last week and they did some sonograms to see if her mammary cancer had spread. They think that it has spread a bit into her spleen and possibly lymph system. They recommended Chemo for her. First they need to test her heart and make sure she can handle it. They said to leave the lump.

Then this week, I noticed the lump is still growing and getting harder. It seems a new one is starting to grow below this first one (which actually is two.. kind of like the vet took the middle out and it is growing back into two lumps). I have been calling around to holistic vets in the area to get a second opinion (Which I may add is not cheap, but she is the best dog ever in the whole wide world so I am doing it).

The oncologist called me back today and I discussed with him the growth of her tumor and how I feel that it may be best to have another surgery to remove it before starting chemo. He asked about the rate of growth and to describe everything I felt. Intuitively I think we both know it is right to remove it even though it may have already started spreading. So now I have an appt on Thursday to take her in to get it removed and then in a couple of weeks start the chemo.

Meanwhile the holsitic vet called me back and I made an appt to meet with her tomorrow for an hour or so to check in with Gracie and me to see if there is anything else that I can do to help her, keep her happy, and stay sane about it myself.

I am not really sure where to go from here. I do not know much about what type of diet to give her etc. She eats organic food with no gluten etc. She also has hip problems (Arthritis) so I give her venison Glucosamine strips that she really likes. She does eat a bit of table food, but not breads, spicy things, or starches.

Does anyone know if there is anything that I should supplement her with to keep her healthy? She is acting perfectly normal right now, you would not even know anything is wrong with her. Although, when I flip her over on her back and look at or touch the growth, I know that she knows... You can see it in her eyes...

I have read up a bit on things and I want to be careful that the diet I give her is compatible with Chemo. I have heard great things on some ends about raw foods.. But that is Not good to do when a dog is on chemo.. So what is the best diet?

Any advice or support that anyone here may give is very appreciated. Thank for being here :-)