Sooz

I think the best advice I got was regarding diet. I read online that cancers feed off of carbohydrates, and that by feeding my dog a high protein/low carb diet, it might help starve the cancer. I didn't get this advice from either of the two vets that I took her to in the first week of her diagnosis, including a veterinary oncologist! But thanks to that info from the web, I knew to ask the onocologist about it, who agreed. I put her on a high protein/low carb diet that very day. And while I'll never know if that helped her to fight the cancer or not, I believe that it did. She is still with me, 12 months after original diagnosis, and I am so grateful for every day I have with her.

JodyQ

Help - can you advise me what is a low carb high protein diet suited to dogs? This is my 3rd dog with cancer in 5 years and I am wanting some help please

Benpaws

Dear JodiQ,

My 6 year old Schnauzer Benny was diagnosed with Mast Cell Tumour and had it removed from his right side on November 13, 2007. The pathology report came back as Stage 2 MCT. For almost a year he was in remission and in July of this year it unfortunately returned in the same area. The tumour is now growing, but for several months we have been giving him a high protein, low carb diet . I order special muffins(cancer formula) from Bark & Fitz and this is the site:
cancer.landofpuregold.com/nutrition-diet.htm

Benny weighs 28 pounds and gets one muffin a day. They come frozen and 24 cost $52.00. We also add freshly steamed broccoli which is high in antioxidants to help build up the immune system. He gets steamed carrots, shitake mushrooms sauteed in a small amount of olive oil, organic canned tomatoes, apples, mangoes, pumpkin, sweet potato, squash, blueberries etc. Of course these are not given all at once but I mix and match to give him different tastes. He also gets 1 wild salmon capsule a day, one Artemsinin capsule, one slippery elm, 1 Co-Q10 for his heart and it also had antioxidant benefits as well. We sometimes crush a clove of garlic into his food and he gets 1 ESSIAC vegi-tab) twice a day. We also add free range chicken, or lamb or beef and chicken livers (boiled) into weekly meals.
In fact here is a list which I got from a friend who has studied canine cancer for a long time having lost her own dog to it in 2001. She studied under a sixth generation herbalist and I completely trust her advice.

YOU MIGHT WANT TO DISCUSS THIS WITH YOUR VET BEFORE STARTING A PROGRAM OF NUTRITION. ALWAYS BEST TO GET PROFESSIONAL ADVICE.

There are no ten commandments or easy to follow lesson plans for feeding a pet with cancer. Simply put, one diet does not fit all, and what works well today, may not be tolerated at all tomorrow. Tastes and textures change. Even regular feeding schedules and places, can be turned upside down. The road to good nutrition is not always paved the way we would like it to be, and guardians have to be prepared for sharp turns and potholes when faced with cancer. With the guidance of a veterinarian or nutritionist, we may get a better idea of what we can expect on our journey, but there is always the road untravelled.

The most critical thing of all, is ensuring that your canine or feline cancer patient eats, and this can be the most difficult job of all, because pets with cancer lose weight, not only because they reduce their regular food intake, but also because of the tremendous metabolic impact of cancer on our animal companions. “If they go hungry long enough, they’ll eat anything,” does not hold true for cancer, despite what anyone tells you.

Research tells us that animals with cancer have an altered carbohydrate metabolism, so a diet that is lower in carbohydrates (while not discounting the value of complex carbohydrates), and contains high quality proteins and fish oil as the primary fat source, best meets the needs of the animal cancer patient. Grains should account for no more than 10% of the diet for dogs, while no grain is recommended for cats. That leaves us with 30 to 50% meat for dogs, along with 30 to 40% fruits and vegetables, and for cats, 40 to 60% meat, and 20 to 30 % fruits and vegetables. A calcium source and a vitamin-mineral supplement, complete the base of the diet. When preparing food for your pet, try to use organic products, and always use distilled, filtered, or spring water. Remember though, all rules truly do go out the window as you are speeding down the highway, when it comes to battling cancer on the nutrition front, so be prepared to feed “anything,” from soup to nuts!

Using the crockpot is one of the easiest ways to prepare a nutritious meal for your cancer patient and its aroma may be just the thing to entice your pet to eat. Knowing the percentage of protein, fats, and carbohydrates you are working towards, makes it easy to choose ingredients for your cancer cooking challenge. Consider chicken, beef, turkey, or a novel protein like ostrich or emu or buffalo, along with liver and heart, eggs, carrots, broccoli, celery, cabbage, Bok Choy, turnip greens, spinach, and summer squash, enhanced by antioxidant rich garlic and turmeric. Canned wild salmon, sardines, mackerel, and other fish, can top off a meal of whole brown rice or whole oats, sweet potato, and broccoli, and for a change, try protein rich quinoa and teff.

If your companion animal is accustomed to a fresh whole foods raw diet, stick with it, but keep in mind, that if your pet is undergoing chemotherapy or radiation treatments, cooked food is recommended for animals who are immune suppressed in any way. Whatever way you decide to feed your cancer patient, ensure that the diet is evaluated on a regular basis, always keeping your pet’s overall condition in mind. This is when a journal comes in handy.
Colour Your Pet’s World with the Brightest Fruits and Vegetables
Apples are a very rich source of vitamin C. They also contain potassium, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, selenium, iron, manganese, copper, zinc, vitamin A, folate, and vitamin E. Red Delicious, Northern Spy, and Ida Red apples, contain more potent disease fighting antioxidants than other red apples.

Blueberries and cranberries contain significant levels of resveratrol, a natural compound that has been found to have anti-cancer properties, and is also believed to reduce the risk of heart disease. Blueberries are a very rich source of antioxidants which come from anthocyanins, the pigments that give blueberries their deep blue colour.

Broccoli is a phyto nutrient dense member of the cruciferous family. It is one of the most important cancer fighting vegetables, containing at least three cancer protective biochemicals including sulforaphane, which supports the immune system. Broccoli contains lots of vitamin C and beta-carotene, as well as vitamins A and D. It is also a low glycemic vegetable, which means that it does not cause a rapid rise in blood glucose levels. Other members of the cruciferous family include Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, cabbage, rutabagas, kohlrabi, bok choy, kale, Swiss Chard, collards, and turnips. Cooking cruciferous vegetables releases indole, a cancer fighting enzyme.

Cantaloupes belong to the same family as the cucumber, squash, and pumpkin. They are an excellent source of vitamin A, because of their very high concentration of beta-carotene. Cantaloupe is also a good source of vitamin B-6, vitamin C, fibre, folate, niacin, and potassium. Try giving your feline friend a little piece of cantaloupe with a dab of goat yogurt and a sprinkling of catnip.

Carrots are one of the kings of the vegetable patch. There are over 100 varieties, from deep purple and white to the brilliant orange we are most accustomed to seeing. Each is a storehouse of nutrient power. Carrots contain pro-vitamin A, also known as beta-carotene, vitamins B, C, D, E, and K, riboflavin, niacin, calcium, potassium, phosphorus, sodium, iron, magnesium, manganese, sulphur, copper, and iodine. They support the immune system, aid digestion, and are also recognized as a glandular tonic.

Green beans are an excellent source of vitamin A because of their concentration of carotenoids, including beta-carotene. They also contain vitamins C and K, calcium, copper, fibre, folic acid, iron, magnesium, manganese, niacin, phosphorus, potassium, protein, riboflavin, thiamin, and Omega 3 fatty acids.

Mangos are a good source of fibre and they also contain a small amount of protein. They have an excellent vitamin and mineral profile. Mangos contain potassium, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, iron, selenium, copper, zinc, and manganese. They are also rich in vitamins A, C, folate, and B-6.

Pomegranates are a rich source of ellagic acid and also contain anthocyanidins and proanthocyanidins (flavonoids) that have demonstrated reduced tumour angiogenesis in a variety of studies. Pomegrante also has antibacterial and antiviral properties.

Pumpkin may be just what the doctor ordered, if your canine or feline companion is experiencing bouts of constipation or diarrhea. We all know how hard cancer treatment can be on our pets’ digestive systems. Pumpkin is a terrific stool softener, which makes it a perfect remedy for constipation, and since it is very rich in fibre, all you have to do is add 1 to 2 teaspoons to your pet’s food, as an effective remedy for diarrhea.

Sweet potatoes are a great source of vitamin E. They also include an abundance of vitamins A, B-6, and C, calcium, iron, folate, potassium, copper, and thiamine. Sweet potatoes are a rich source of beta-carotene, which may be a significant factor in reducing the risk of certain cancers. They are also a good source of dietary fibre and help promote a healthy gastrointestinal tract.

Tomatoes have been shown to have the ability to lower the risk of some kinds of cancer. The secret to the tomato’s success is lycopene, the chemical that gives tomatoes their bright red colour. Cooked tomatoes contain more lycopene, because cooking breaks down the tomato’s cellular walls, allowing carotenoids to be more concentrated. To make tomatoes even more beneficial, add a little fat, like cold pressed virgin olive oil. This simple trick allows the lycopene to be even better absorbed into the body.

Watermelon contains 40% more lycopene than tomatoes!
He gets a bone once in a while to chew on and really enjoys this and it is good for his teeth.
He loves his meals, is active but unfortunately the tumour is growing in size and tomorrow he gets his first cortisone shot to shrink it.


GOOD LUCK!!!

Joanne (Benpaws)

kzarpas

A holistic vet said that for some tumors she has seen great success with frankensense oil applied directlt yo the tumor..not sure if it will help, hope it does. I give my Golden frankensense in a veg cap twice a day. The vet suggested Young Living co, she said they had the purest oil. It was pricy though..ask your vet or research it online
Take care
Kathy