Mia has cancer

[RoccoS]

Hello ,

I saw all of the emails about the mast cell tumors and just wanted to add my experience. My boxer Rocco now almost 5yrs had a tumor removed two years ago and it was positive for cancer a mast cell tumor grade 1. The good new is that according to my vet if he is going to have cancer then this is the best one to have. The hard part is keeping up with all of the bumps. Often times he will develop a lump that looks like a bug bite and it will go away the next day. Since the last tumor removal two years ago we have not had to remove any others. We have seen a couple but they disappear in a day or so. That always worries me but the vet can not remove something he can not see so I check him almost everyday for bumps and of course he loves it. My poor guy has that to worry about, arthritis in both back knees and hairloss that the vet says is hypothyroid(? we are still waiting for follow up to confirm) Anyway given all of this I love my Rocco so much and would do it all again. He makes me laugh everyday and no matter what comes our way I will be with him all the way. Good luck

[Aimee]

Originally Posted by Mama_Zookeeper

He did seem concerned about her raw diet and suggested kibble if she needs to be on meds (you were right on Aimee about the Tagment). He suggested Chicken Soup or Eagle Pack Holistic. I am not too sure about this and will have to read some more. Whatever I feed Mia I will need to feed Rocky as well, and even the cats. His reasoning is that having a more "solid" source of protein would be more beneficial. He did agree that IF we switched to kibble we could also home cook. He was very happy to know she is already taking the vitamin C, and was suggestive that I also feed more oil in her diet (cod liver or salmon). I am still not 100% comfortable with this.

Dora

Dora,

As you know, we have been using nutritional therapy prescribed by a holistic vet to manage Baxter's cancer and brain tumor. I'm not trying to disagree with your oncologist but I feel that he/she may not be well versed in nutritional therapy and how it can positively affect Mia's condition. Cancer feeds off of carbohydrates and therefore it is not recommended to feed kibble of any kind to a dog with cancer. Kibble is full of carbohydrates. It is recommended to feed raw or a home cooked diet with minimal carbs to cancer dogs (really to all dogs for proper health!). There is debate about whether or not dogs undergoing chemo treatment should be fed raw, half the vets say no and half say yes. The cancer list I am on has dogs that are undergoing chemo and being fed raw with no difficulties, that is a personal comfort level I believe one has to decide on.

As for fish oil, the recommendation is to feed fish body oil instead of fish liver oil. While Cod Liver oil is a great source of Vitamins A and D it is not a great source of DHA and EPA, which is what you are looking for. Be sure to get a good source of fish oil. If I remember correctly, the recommened ratio is EPA 360mg and DHA 240mg per serving. It's probably good to mention that the liver filters toxins from the body and so most holisitic vets don't recommend feeding large amounts of liver. Baxter gets rotated between fish oil and extra virgin olive oil every 3 months.

Let me know if I can be of further help! I've taken in quite a bit of information the last 7 months and am willing to share anything I've learned that could help you.

Hug Mia for us!

Aimee

[gerami]

HI Dora,

As I read your story I have tears in my eyes. I too spoil my 2 boxers and treat them like my kids. I wish their were something that I could do to help you. I will pray for Mia tonight. I send hugs and kisses to you.


Aloha

Gerami

[Jen79]

I'm sorry to hear about Mia's cancer.
It looks to me that my Abbey (rotti girl) may be in the same boat. She is 10 years old.
She is actually at the vet today to have surgery to remove her latest 2 lumps (one came up in less than 1 1/2 weeks). Her first surgery was 3 weeks ago. The others have come up since then. The vet has not graded them but has said they appear to be low level malignant tumors. At the moment he has not suggested anything other than surgical removal and vigilance.
How are you going with the Vitamin C? Someone suggested I boost Abbey's immune system, so I thought this may be the way to go. Do you give Mia human Vit. C supplements or ones specially for dogs?

I hope treatment goes well for Miss Mia..she is only young and should have many years left in her yet. We all have fingers and paws crossed for her (and you!). Please keep us updated on her progress.

Best wishes
Jenny, Abbey (rotti 10yrs), Boomer (boxer 9yrs) and Duke (staffy 4yrs)

[Rileyboy]

Just found your post about your sweet Mia. Its very scary and so emotional when our fur babies are sick or when we find (any) or new lumps, and then you wait with holded breath for what the biopsy shows and when its found to have the dreaded Cancer its very hard news to hear.. Our fur babies are just like one of the family.. Sending you healing vibes. keeping Mia in our thoughts and prayers. Sending ((((Hugs)))) your way.

[Mama_Zookeeper]

Well Mia's bloodwork & ultrasound look pretty good. Her white cell count was normal. Our oncologist is recommending the the new growths be removed and chemo to slow down the recurrence. We have an appointment set up for 3 wks from now for the removal. Chemo will begin about 1 week later. No massive doses, but I am nervous. We are to being immediately a daily dose of benadryl & Tagament.

I spoke with the vet on kibble and voiced my concerns. Between the two oncology vets with this practice, they agreed if I am not comfortable to keep feeding raw. We will be adding olive oil to her meals & I need to go to the health store for some fish oil (thank you Aimee!) to supplement. The vitamin C is going to be continued and Mis no longer has the runs from this so we are hanging in there. Mia's new growths all seem to be on her right side and the oncologist gave us the lowdown on removing tissue from one area too often nd how after a while it can affect her skin (patchwork quilt look) and muscle (possibly making her "lopsided"). They said after a while it can be more than a dog can handle and would talk about alternative (putting her down) methods. We are not near that level now so I am fine with the current recommendations.

Thank you everyone for all the positive vibes, they mean a really lot to me and my stinky girl. On a positive note, Mia wiggled and behaved very sweetly for our oncologist. She read from the notes that Mia can be "grumpy" and has bit our vet, and said she was extra sweet to make her feel more comfortable. It worked (I also liked her patient manner more so than the other partner) and Miss Mia was very nicely behaved even when the blood work was done. I hope the next phase will go well for Mia and am hoping for a lot more quality time with her.

Thanks, Dora

[1FlashyFan]

Dora, thanks for the update. Sounds like you have a solid plan in place for Mia. Please give her extra hugs & kisses, it sounds like she was the model patient for the oncologist. May you find strength in knowing how many people are pulling for Mia. We'll be thinking of you and sending positive vibes your way.

[Scrapper's Mom]

Hang in there, Dora. Sending healing vibes to you and Mia. In case you are interested in supplementing with salmon oil, I use it everyday for Holly and Scrapper. What I buy is called Grizzly Salmon Oil and I get it at Pet Food Express, but I think the company may have a website.
*hugs*

[Julie P.]

I hope so much that this scare turns out good for you and your sweet Mia. I am sending lots and lots of healing vibes.

I do not mean to talk bad about dog food but I was feeding Deeg Solid Gold products and I decided to switch to Chicken Soup. He developed a smell and got bad breath soon after the switch. It worried me so I switched him back to Solid Gold. I honestly do not know if this was good or bad sign, but it really bothered me.

I know you love your Mia so much; she is so cute in your gallary pictures. People who do not understand that kind of love are the kind of people who are missing the sweetest love ever (Like people who do not have dogs). I will watch for your updates, Dora. Please, please give Mia lots of hugs from Deeg and I.

[bustermom]

From one BT to another, Maggie sends Mia lots of kisses and get well soon vibes.

It sounds like Mia is in good hands and we hope that in time she'll be "lump free" and back to being a true Boston Terror. Keep us posted on your little girl's progress!

[RiggoD]

Mamazookeeper,

Sounds like you have everything under control and that Mia is handling everything very well. That's good to hear.

RiggoD

[Mama_Zookeeper]

Mia's vet appointment to remove the tumors is on Thursday the 31st. I am nervous (big suprise!). I found a third spot though at this point am not sure if it is another growth or a bug bite. I will show it to our vet on Thursday, I am sure she will know what to do with it. Next week chemo will start, I am really praying hard for my stinky girl! She is getting so spoiled off this!

I bought her a new shampoo at the pet store. My husband made fun of me so bad! It is made by Paul Mitchell and was kinda pricey. I like the fact that it was for sensitive allergy prone skin & is made with oatmeal. Bottle also states it is tested on humans (not sure my hubby appreciated this as much as I did!). Miss Mia will be looking very posh at her vet appointment! Yes I am a nut and so totally in love with her! Rocky also looks extra handsome. I bought the conditioner as well even though our pups don't really need it as they are short haired!

Thanks for all the positive vibes and healing wishes!

Dora