When they stop eating...

[Blacknewfs]

Zoë has gone off her food and we are now trying to come up with different things to encourage her to eat. Having been down this road losing 2 other dogs to cancer I know this is a very bad sign and that we are now nearing the end.

We know her time with us is very limited, it has already been 8 weeks since we first found the lesion on her leg, and since we opted not to do aggressive treatment we know the osteosarcoma is advancing quickly. We caught it very, very early, so had hoped to have her with us through Christmas, maybe even into the new year. If she continues to refuse to eat, that will not happen.

She had a few days of vomiting a week ago which we now have under control, but her appetite never came back. We're on day 4 of her barely eating. She is still taking meds to protect her stomach. I do not think it is pain making her not eat, I believe she feels nauseated, probably from all the pain meds, or our vet said the cancer can make their stomachs quite acidic so we have her on meds for that, or perhaps the cancer is in her belly now too. She is interested in food, comes to see what I have to offer her, but then won't eat. Administering some of her pain meds is reliant on her being able to eat, so refusal to eat spirals quickly into us running out of options for pain management too. We will not let her suffer, so she needs to eat so she can take her meds.

She was having a bad couple of days and her limping worsened but we played with her pain meds and things are under control for now--she is up to going for her daily walks although we take a shorter route now, and she has been quite mobile, even bouncing around to chase the horses a bit, so that's a good sign, she's still feeling bratty. Tonight she is in great spirits.

She ate a bit of cheese for breakfast, a small can of salmon for lunch (I was soooo happy!) and her dinner tonight was 12 soda crackers with peanut butter - that was enough for me to administer her pain meds without fear of upsetting her stomach, but certainly not a decent meal. She will usually eat a few bites of whatever I am eating. Again, not enough to mean much of anything.

It seems I can offer her something once and she will eat a reasonable amount of it, but if I offer it to her for another meal she recoils in horror. Things she has eaten the last few days but now refuses to eat; ground beef, chicken, ham, yogurt, canned dog food, baby food, salmon. I expect she will be off peanut butter by tomorrow.

I'm trying all of the stuff I can think of that worked for us in the past with other dogs, but would appreciate the input of others for some ideas of things I can try to stimulate her appetite. She has a very sensitive stomach so I can't offer liver or things that are very rich, she has never been able to tolerate that. It is very hard coming up with new things to offer.

Those of you who have been down this horrible road, do you have any suggestions of what has worked for you?

 

[Leonard and his bud Snuffles]

The reason I got to know my friends with the Bassets was because the husband was in a hospital very ill 40 miles from here and the wife was there 24/7. A bunch of her friends were caring for the dogs, and I was a neighbor of a friend who asked me if I could chip in. The oldest female had cancer and would not eat. I probably had the best luck at getting her to eat her kibble. They were hand feeding her by putting some kibble in her lip on the side. I found if I took very hot water (microwaved) and then put some kibble in it to really heat it up and maybe make it taste better, then picket the kibble out of the water then fed her by hand like they did, she seemed more receptive to eat. Occasionally she would eat more normal out of my hand. But it seem to be the hot moistened kibble that worked the best when kind of forced under the lip at the flute.

It must be very hard and my heart goes out to you.

 

[Pipelineozzy]

Sandra, my mother died from osteosarcoma. I had her here in my home for as long as I could, and I remember her WANTING to eat, but everything "tasted funny". She would get hungry from the smell of the food, but it didn't taste right so she wouldn't be able to eat it. I don't know if it was the meds or just part of the disease. She then lost the ability to digest any type of cellulose (which meant any vegetables..she could not keep down.) She did well on cheeses and things like that, but with no fiber in the diet..well, you know what happens then. She LOVED jello, which is pretty high in energy, and she could have that and keep it down too, and it's high in sugar so a good energy thing, even tho sugar is not great in a cancer diet. I just wanted to find things she could keep DOWN at that point. Parmesan cheese sprinkled on things was appealing, but it gradually got so that nothing really tweaked her appetite at all. And you are so right about NOT letting her suffer. It's hellishly painful. After watching what Mom went through, and her ability to TELL me, I would probably be quite fast about letting a dog go rather than prolonging it.

 

[Codes]

I'm so very sorry you all are going through this. I've always loved the pix you posted of sweet Zoe. Do you think she might eat pasta with butter? Maybe whole wheat to make it a bit better? Or beef and noodles? In any case, I so hope she starts eating soon and that you two have much more time together.

Lots of prayers and good good thoughts being sent

 

[Tricia2]

Have you tried Megace or even prednisone for appetite stimulation. I remember giving Lacey, my hemangiosarcoma Malinois, both along with warmed human baby food and rice. It worked for a short period.

 

[R Taft]

What I used to do with Jessie with her Ovarian Cancer and Tobias in the end was the one for you and one for me........they had no appetite, but would eat what I ate. It didn't matter so much what it was, but that i was eating it too. we used to sit on the floor together and eat this way. It is still some of my sweetest memories with my two.
Tobias used to love eating smoked salmon this way and little bits of ham. I know, not real dog food, but every little bit counted.

:hugs: :hugs: :hugs: for you both....I know how tough this is, Ronnie

 

[DAWNMERIE]

I was thinking that pred might help a little maybe ask the vet on that one, but I'd give her anything she lifts her nose at ...McDonalds, pancakes with a little syrup, oatmeal w/butter....I wish I had more to offer other than my prayers and possible suggestions. I'll keep thinking....but I kinda feel like you've probably tried all this stuff.

 

[Milliejb]

First off, my heart goes out to you. I am so sorry you have to be going through this. I am sure you already know this but, but my experience and what I have always been told is because they experience nauseous so often, they often won't eat the same thing twice. If they happen to eat something one day and feel sick, they associate whatever you just fed them with it. Therefore, they constantly need new things added to the menu. Its food association. My boy would often try what I was eating and I also went out and bought the meal supplement tube they have for puppies. It has a tremendous amount of protein, vitamins and calories in it so just a bit could help. Best of luck and special prayers are coming your way

 

[Abbey]

I'm so very sorry Sandra. We will keep Zoe in our thoughts and prayers.
Zeke lost his appetite at the end as well. Even the things he loved, he didn't want. Peanut butter was the only thing we could get him to eat. I think it was because it coated his mouth. So I put peanut butter on everything.

 

[Blacknewfs]

Thanks everyone. I know we are close to the end, and I am sitting on the floor with her hand feeding her (which she is loving, since she has always been quite the spoiled princess.) She is doing fine on her pain meds for now, so if we can keep food in her, we can keep meds in her -- and get a little more time together.

Sandra, my mother died from osteosarcoma. I had her here in my home for as long as I could, and I remember her WANTING to eat, but everything "tasted funny". She would get hungry from the smell of the food, but it didn't taste right so she wouldn't be able to eat it. I don't know if it was the meds or just part of the disease. She then lost the ability to digest any type of cellulose (which meant any vegetables..she could not keep down.) She did well on cheeses and things like that, but with no fiber in the diet..well, you know what happens then. She LOVED jello, which is pretty high in energy, and she could have that and keep it down too, and it's high in sugar so a good energy thing, even tho sugar is not great in a cancer diet. I just wanted to find things she could keep DOWN at that point. Parmesan cheese sprinkled on things was appealing, but it gradually got so that nothing really tweaked her appetite at all. And you are so right about NOT letting her suffer. It's hellishly painful. After watching what Mom went through, and her ability to TELL me, I would probably be quite fast about letting a dog go rather than prolonging it.

Thank you Cindy for sharing your experience. I am so sorry that you lost your Mom to this terrible disease. Your mom's experience with being hungry but the taste being off is interesting, and perhaps is what is happening with Zoe.

We are very conscious of the fact that OS is extremely painful and pain management is our number one priority. If we can't keep Zoe comfortable and maintaining her usual activities, then it will be time. We are adamant about that -- she must not suffer. We are taking it one day at a time, but definitely feeling like that time is running out faster than we anticipated. We had talked about giving her the weekend to see if we can turn her around....she's improved since that conversation. We'll see what tomorrow brings.

 

[Cascadians]

Chicken noodle soup, vanilla Haggen Dazs, acorn squash souffle. Lentil soup but with no tomatoes. Tuna fish sandwich. Toast with butter. Cottage cheese. Cheesecake. Ham on bagel. Jello. These are some things my hospice patients ate as their last favorites. Megace worked wonders. Soups are good because also hydrating. Pain meds can lead to constipation.

 

[Newfs Forever]

Oh dear Sandra,

As I recall, you have been through osteosarcoma before, as I have been also. It stinks! How else can I say it. I know you are doing everything in your power to help her.

I can't give you any additional help, except whatever you have available, see if she will eat it, and if so, great! Frankly, at this point, anything to get her to eat.

I am sending many many good thoughts and many many prayers for your beautiful Zoe!

God bless, beautiful girl!

 

[Newfs Forever]

After re-reading your post, do you think she could handle some "Pepcid" or "Zantac" or that type of pill perhaps administered 30 minutes prior to her meals?

Just a thought.

 

[Lori]

I'm so sorry your sweet bear is going through this. Chance did not have cancer, but near the end he did get very fussy about eating. What I found out was that his liver enzymes were elevated from the pain meds and this makes them nauseous. I started him on supplements to help cleanse his liver - milk thistle and SAM-e. I also gave him Famotidine, which is generic Pepcid about a half hour before meals. This all did seem to help. He also got whatever he would eat, which for awhile was pasta. I bought the tri-colored ones which were made with vegetables like carrots and spinach. He also would eat the pre-made raw nuggets.

 

[Elizabeth]

I'm so sorry for what you and Zoe are going through..
Have you tried canned cat food and baby food? My cat Taz was diagnosed with cancer a couple weeks ago and he finally started eating baby food and will eat a little canned friskies. Everyone told me the worst brand is what often gets them to eat...

E

 

[Angela]

Sandra, I'm so sad to hear about Zoe. What you describe with her not eating is so typical of cancer patients, they say the food doesn't taste or smell right.

Have you tried a little porridge with some milk?

Hugs to her from me.

 

[Jeannie]

I don't have any advise. I just want you to know you are in my prayers.

 

[Erika]

my heart aches with you Sandra, having gone threw this too I know the hard journey you travel. Hugs love and angels for you and Zoe.my thoughts and prayers are with your girl

 

[mulenag]

Sandra words can't express my sorrow.

We too experienced this with Ebony. There was ONE thing we could get her to take and it is called Viyo Veterinary for Dogs. It is a liquid diet filled with enough nourishment to actually sustain them during illness recovery. Ebony LOVED it! We gave it to her via syringe and she happily lapped it off the end of the syringe. She didn't take it from a bowl, but never turned it down...even minutes before she passed she was still taking the Viyo liquid. I'm not sure if you can get your hands one some, but I HIGHLY recommend it.
http://www.amazon.com/Viyo-Veterinary-Dogs-150/dp/B004E2Z4R4
http://www.viyoveterinary.com/us

Ice cream was one of the last real food items she would eat, but for her last couple days she only had the Viyo.

 

[BoundlessNewfs]

We went through the loss of appetite with Lucy. My heart is breaking for you and Zoe.

Lucy loved canned fish...mackerel, salmon, tuna. The smellier, the better. She also loved fresh blueberries, slices of raw broccoli stems, yogurt, soft-boiled eggs.

((HUGS)) to you both.