Expert: Jannie Balliett - 11/9/2009

Question
QUESTION: Hi, I recently { 11 day ago }  got the bad news about my beloved  Boxer,6 1/2 years old , great condition, except for the dreaded cancer,  The first vet put him on preds, then took him 5 days later took him to a oncologist, she did the biopsys , now , I have started feeding him  home cooked food, High in fat and protein, no carbs ,   and flaxseed oil , Echinacea, vitimin e , the meat is hamburger, chicken, and fatty pork, soon turkey will be added, I am not sold on the CHEMO treatment, as the life rates it around 6 months to 12 months,  I have read better reports about the no carb high fat diet,  My boxer is very hungry, should I feed  him all he wants or limit his intake ?  an average of 5 cups a day . Did not know if the raw food diet does the same if cooked in olive oil ?  Does serving it raw help him more ?  Thanks for any help , I love my dog very much and need him around alot longer. Thanks

ANSWER: Don, I am so sorry about the cancer. Positive attitude, good diet, and lots of love, go a long way.

I am a firm, very firm, advocate for "self-feeding" techniques for Boxers.

This is leaving his food and fresh water out for him to eat whenever he wants to. Boxers don't adhere to regular or normal feeding/eating hours, and seem to "graze" frequently throughout the day, yet eat later at night.

I know since you are cooking for him that you cannot leave the food out long due to spoilage- but I would serve him as often a day and night, that he accepts.

Try feeding him the homemade cooked foods 5-6 times a day since you cannot leave all types of cooked foods out for long.

I am not an advocate of the raw diet. Not the bones, anyway.

The only raw bone I agree with is a butcher shop's huge cow bone.

Raw carrots (baby carrots) are great. Raw broccoli is great but moderate because it can cause gas... (no beans and peas though)...

Raw egg blended in whole, plain, natural yogurt and put on food is excellent. Especially ill dogs and preventive maintenance for well dogs. It aids in digestion putting good bacteria in and eliminating the bad bacteria.

I think you are headed in the right direction for sure. The excellent diet and what I've added, is the way to go.

Make sure he is not in pain- and that will need to be addressed if the time comes. Not all pain meds are worth it- and there can be alternatives.

Good luck with your boy, and may he live another 6 years. I love my 6 year old and cannot imagine life without her.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi, Again. Thanks for the answer.  The food i am making is run through a food processor, turning into a mush. the chicken backs are crushed into very tiny splinters, do they do more harm than good  ?  will they irritate his stomach lining ?  I appreciate all the help,    Are people vitamins ok to give to dogs ?   Any further suggestions would be appreciated

Answer
Hello again Don,

Please don't give him (any dog) any type of chicken or poultry bone-- even if it is ground up.

Chicken (any poultry) bone splitters in the stomach. I have known cases where they had to be surgically removed.

A dog cannot digest the bone and thus, it remains in the stomach and splintering.

Also, instead of running the food through a food processor, I hope it is cooked and not raw. Raw meat has worms and bacteria which his killed when reaching high temperatures by cooking.

Cook ground meat, pork, and chicken in a skillet with water so not to "brown" it and keep it soft and moist while cooking. Add more water if necessary to maintain the moisture,

Mix cooked brown rice in, a little garlic powder (not garlic salt) and if you want, a dash of sea salt. You can cook baby carrots and throw in it too.

This makes a wonderful meal. People ready even.

You can add your yogurt mixture to it too, or by itself in a bowl for dessert.

He needs to be able to chew and enjoy the food in a more natural size and state- just as we like to sink our teeth into something.

But do stop giving him chicken and poultry bones and be sure to cook all meats. No raw. I am against raw diets (meats) because of worms, bacteria, and more , in uncooked meats.

Remember, he and any dog, CANNOT have:

Onions, and anything with onion
Mushrooms, and anything with mushrooms, including mushroom soups
Chicken and poultry bones
Raisins
Grapes  (raisins are dried grapes)
Chocolate (because of caffine and cocoa)
Caffine
And artificial sweeteners

Remember those and you will be safe.

Also, if you do give him dog food-- look up (on the web) all natural organic high protein dog food (puppy food is higher in protein and feed it to pregnant and nursing moms) with no corn, no corn glutens or any glutens, and no artificial additives or by-products.

A lamb and brown rice (no white white- carbs and starches) or if you want to cut the rice out- look for ones that do not have rice.

There are organic dog foods for seniors and inactive dogs, and sensitive to allergies, sensitive stomachs-- I'm not saying to feed him puppy foods (higher protein) but there are options that you might find that is agreeable to you to add to his diet.

Good luck with your big boy and I will have good thoughts and he will be in my prayers along with my dogs :)