[Tucker]

Originally Posted by Corky/Max

The really bad thing is that my vet will only waver the shot for 1 year and would have to do this every year----At least I will know how well Sami is protected and can stall about getting the rabies shot by a year. Hopefully the cancer is gone for good!

Yes, a 1 year waiver would really give you some breathing room. You will know with more certainty that the cancer is gone plus the actual status of her protection. Do they run any periodic tests on her to check for possible recurrance? Is she on any meds at this point?

The vet office just called and Tucker's lab work (stool) was negative. I asked about adding in other foods and they seemed to tend to be on the cautious side until he finished the meds in 3 more days except for a little grain free canned. He really acts hungry though. I just gave him a hard boiled egg. Any other ideas for bland healthy food? We are giving 3 meals a day of hamburger or chicken breast with white rice. Last night I also gave about 1/4 cup of canned - guess we could just give more of that???

[CorkyMax]

Sami is on no meds and they seem to have got it all but it could of spread to the lungs or someplace else. I do not understand my vet's definition of cancer!! We have had a couple debates on the topic, lol, according to him (Now) Sami had a malignant tumor which is now gone,and is now saying she never had cancer, period!! Ridiculous to the way I think---Malignant to me is Cancer! No matter what he chooses to call it--There is a good possibility that it can come back again. And it is too soon to know if it has spread to the lungs, etc and if she starts coughing--a symptom. I feel like an idiot talking about this as it sounds 'stupid' to me but just repeating what he told me. I am sure they called it cancer when I first was told about it! Go figure! I think the vet may be trying to be as evasive as the rest of the idiots I am dealing with. Nobody wants to commit themselves to anything is what I am thinking!!

Did some thinking and checking on the web about bland foods for Tucker. Here is one link: Foods That Help a Sick Dog | eHow.comHere is what I came up with but keep in mind I am not a nutritionist so you may want to double check on some of it.

These things you can 'mix and match ' type of thing.

'base/carbs----- White rice of course) mashed potatoes--plain white macaroni (could add a little 'white cheese--low fat creamy small curd cottage cheese: muenster;low fat/skim mozzarella (misspelled)or even colby;--mashed sweet potato or pumpkin, mashed winter squash, mashed carrots; well cooked oatmeal (stay away from butter and fats!)

Protein----- (Mix in with one of above base/carbs)-Boiled white meat chicken; cooked turkey; rinsed and drained cooked hamburger (leaner the better); cooked ground turkey--rinsed and drained (lot of dense bad fat in ground turkey); white fish-boiled, poached or baked;(am thinking cod,haddock or what is the one that starts tip??with an L or 2 in the spelling?; scrambled eggs or soft boiled or poached.

Top off with a Tbsp. or 2 of yogurt but make sure the food is only lukewarm before adding it!

You could make a homemade (No salt) chicken noodle soup with some nice broth from the boiled chicken--add the chicken chunks of course with some carrots or sweet potatoes--few peas--little turmeric added or/and basil and the noodles---mash the veggies a little when done cooking if you want--maybe add a little mashed potato when done to help thicken if want a thicker soup. Could sub the hamburger or turkey here too for the meat. If using hamburger You could boil the hamburger a day ahead in enough water to make a broth and flavor for cooking the veggies and noodles---Cool the hamburger liquid to lukewarm and then pour it in a cottage cheese container or something on that order--so it is easy to skim off the 'hard' fat from a smaller top container that you will put in the refrigerator to chill and fat will harden and come to the top. NOTE: You should do this with any of the meat to get rid of the fat before cooking your vegs, etc. in the meat liquid.

You prob. know all this but reminders: Stay away from fats, salt and preservatives, whole grains (Use 1 minute oatmeal--add a little extra water and cook it for 3-5 mins instead of 1 minute). Try to stay away from fiber. Peas have some but use sparingly as this is considered a bland food (starch) and should be okay if not overused.

Hope You can understand me here--Lol, for one thing, Max and Sami are 'bugging me' for their supper and hard for me to concentrate. If you don't understand something --just give a 'holler!'

[Tucker]

Wow Corky/Max - thank you for all the food information!! I didn't mean for you to go researching, meant just off the top of your head!! I know you have done researching in the past on nutrition for your dogs - the soup idea sounds great - I think he would really like noodles with chicken and broth and know he likes carrots - think I will pick up a sweet potato to try though; I have been buying the lean hamburger and then soaking any fat up in paper towels but will let the soup broth sit in the frig. to skim off any fat - he almost looks like he has put on some weight already but that may just be my imagination...thanks again!

[CorkyMax]

Originally Posted by Tucker

Wow Corky/Max - thank you for all the food information!! I didn't mean for you to go researching, meant just off the top of your head!! I know you have done researching in the past on nutrition for your dogs - the soup idea sounds great - I think he would really like noodles with chicken and broth and know he likes carrots - think I will pick up a sweet potato to try though; I have been buying the lean hamburger and then soaking any fat up in paper towels but will let the soup broth sit in the frig. to skim off any fat - he almost looks like he has put on some weight already but that may just be my imagination...thanks again!

Hey, that's okay--glad to help (if I can) Tucker out any day--Great Dog, Lol, you two are almost family so to speak! Just felt I had to come back and say this--You only plan on no fat, etc. for a few days till vet gives go ahead for regular food, right? You know he will need 'appropriate' nutrition including at least a little fat in his diet when he feels good again I am sure. I think mashing the thoroughly cooked veggies helps for getting the nutrition into your Tucker better. Not sure if just cooking them is enough--I know raw veggies being fed have to be 'pulverized' as dogs aren't able to break down the celluloid walls of raw veggies--so they pretty much just go through the dog undigested and to top it off--food goes through a dog's system pretty fast anyhow. Ever see raw carrots in the poo (Esp. if just using a whole carrot for a treat to chew on)? I would think cooking would be okay but cautious me still wonders if it would still be more digestible if mashed. When I 1st started the home cooking (long time go!) I didn't mash the cooked veggies and if I remember right--I remember seeing chunks of veggies(carrots) in the poo----Guess that's why I started thinking maybe better to mash a little. You want the carrots, etc. cooked 'done' but on other hand --Don't overdo as cooking (heat) does destroy a lot of the vitamins/minerals in any food. I always cook my meat separately and slowly--esp. if a turkey or whole chicken or big pieces in a good amount of water with a splash or 2 of vinegar to help leach the calcium from the bones--Vinegar is good for the digestion too!(So I have a good amount of broth when meat is done.) And I do the method I explained in my last post above--I cook the veggies separately in the day old refrigerated skimmed of fat-broth. This is better than cooking veggies with the meat for a couple reasons--The veggies/done food is free of the fat and you can time the veggies better--less cooking out the nutrients than if it was cooked along with the longer taking meat---Easier to get all the tiny bones out too if not having to search through the veggies, etc.--Yeh! I always search--even use my fingers--some of those small chicken bones can be hard to find---after broth has cooled enough and before I refrigerate it. LOl, Am I detailed or what!---I get on my own nerves after awhile! Hugs!

[Tucker]

Yes, we will definitely be transitioning back to his regular higher fat, lower carb diet gradually. The vet said to wait until he is done with the meds. Actually I have to grit my teeth every time I give him white rice but it is better than having everything run right through him!

Okay - now I have some question for you - First I'll tell you how I normally cook his meat and veggies and see what you think. For example, if I am cooking chicken thighs (his is supposed to be on higher fat/high protein, very low carb diet as am sure you remember) I will add frozen broccoli at the end of the cooking and then just cook until it is done. I then cool it some, pull meat off the bones with my fingers, toss meat and broccoli into the food processor in batches and pulse so meat is in very small pieces and veggies are barely visible. Yes, I know the veggies need to be broken down/mashed. He loves raw carrots but yes, I have seen the results of that! I then freeze in small batches along with the cooking broth - I haven't been skimming off the fat since he is supposed to be on a high fat diet. I keep to the low carb veggies like green beans and broccoli. I haven't cooked a whole chicken, just breasts or thighs so no problems with the bones, and especially since I run everything through the food processor.

My main question is that since I am using the broth, any viitamins lost from the broccoli should be contained in that, right? Do you normally use a couple tablespoons vinegar for a typical soup pot? I add some fresh parsley and a little garlic to the water before cooking also. When you home cooked did you add anything else that wasn't a carb that you recall?

Thanks for letting me pick your brain:smile:

[CorkyMax]

Are you thinking spices mainly? I have added bay leaf for flavor but I know the dog shouldn't get a hold of the actual leaf that you put in the pot---So I kind of hesitate on knowing if it is a good idea or not. I do add basil or oregano--chopped leaf kind or fresh if I have it. Turmeric or curry powder is good for chicken or turkey---Lol, got that idea from Lara's Mom (Tara)! and I have read it has healing powers and good for digestion I think. I also use cinnamon a lot--usually sprinkling on and stirring in the food before the meal---My dogs love cinnamon--I put it in their breakfast meal of oatmeal, with egg--raw yolk; with the white of the egg quickly added to the cooked oatmeal and stir to make the clear white turn opaque white/cooked more or less. I put plain yogurt in this meal a lot of the time too as well as pumpkin--after it has cooled to luke warm so I think the cinnamon helps 'sweeten' the sour yogurt. (And cinnamon goes well with pumpkin anyhow.And the cinnamon is good for digestion too---I (We) had a boxer that was allergic to cinnamon --Ex use to have toast with cinnamon on it and would give Luke some and found out that way! I mention this because any particular individual dog can be allergic to things that most dogs aren't--Just like humans! Big reminder here since I am mentioning 'sweet' spices--NEVER GIVE NUTMEG--'POISONOUS TO DOGS!! I also put cinnamon in some of their supper meals too esp. --As I use vinegar most of the time in their supper meal--just up to a tsp or so of vinegar (I started this because I was feeding too many alkaline veggies and wanted more acid in their system plus I think it helps with keeping the gas down (Just my idea--never seen it mentioned anywhere but I figure if cooks put a little vinegar in their home made bean soups for that reason--Why wouldn't it help for the dogs?? Also hoping it might help prevent bloat possibilities. For whoever is thinking of adding vinegar--Which is very good for a lot of things---You have to be careful because there are different kind of stones that dogs can get--depending on the type of system your dog may have--acidic or alkaline-vinegar is good for alkaline but not for acidic. Check out info on this subject before hand!!

I don't really measure the vinegar I put in the meat I am cooking-I just take the gallon jug and pour a little in but guessing about 1/4 of a cup or so---Depends on how much stuff you got cooking. Oh, by the way---I use Bragg's organic vinegar for the meals but use reg. vinegar for the cooking. The--Bragg Organic raw-unfiltered apple cider vinegar (with the 'mother') is too expensive to put in the cooking pot and besides it wouldn't be raw, etc. after cooking. But that kind is the only kind I want for their prepared meals that are not hot/warm! I give mostly raw food for supper meals so this vinegar works good--not heated! If you are interested in the Bragg---may be hard to find--My Piggly Wiggly carries it though--not Walmart! You could find a store near you on their site-- Bragg Live Foods, Bragg Apple Cider Vinegar, Bragg Liquid Aminos,Systemic Enzymes, Bragg Live Organic Food Products, Patricia Bragg, Paul Bragg, Bragg Organic Olive Oil, Bragg Salad Dressings, Bragg Seasonings, Bragg Health Products Some cheap vinegars are not going to do anything much for your dog and I will not buy vinegar in plastic containers either!!! Think about it--acid sitting for long period in plastic--leach into the vinegar!! I won't make those 'dill pickles you are suppose to do in a plastic ice cream bucket either--mine goes in glass containers!

The way you are cooking the veggies close to end of cooking time is the way I use to do it, but I worried about the bones plus I try to have enough broth ---measure the right amount to cook the veggies in and have a cup or so left to cook the oatmeal in for their breakfast meal. It really doesn't make that much difference I guess--depending on what you want to do.

I also put garlic in their meals and the soup pot sometimes. I didn't mention it before because of all the controversy on using garlic--Using too much would definitely not be good! But there are good things about garlic too! And I do use parsley at times too esp. in summer when I grow it--but I want the single leaf (uncurled Italian variety) as it has much more nutrition and prob. flavor too. I also grow wheat grass (Non-treated seed--Can get in seed catalogs--sometimes figured mostly for cats but just as good for dogs) in containers in the house during winter and chop it(mince)--cut with a scissors real fine.--Just cut off the upper portion of the growing grass--line it up your palm/hand hold tight and scissor away very fine over the food dish--not on hot food though!

What vitamins that would not be lost because of the cooking/heating should be in that broth (as well as the veggie itself) but the heating has prob. destroyed about 60% or more of the vitamins--the more heat-the more loss.

I liked to feed asparagus---fresh from the garden---Lol, One of Corky's favorite foods--Course I had to throw him fresh whole stalks from the garden as he waited till I did but it really is best added raw and finely food processed/crushed/puverized to the raw meal. Cooked would lose some of the vitamins but still a very good veg. to feed.--actually a good cancer fighter. I have added a little spinach to the soup pot too but just like broc, cauliflower, etc--use in moderation.

I can't really think of any other non-carbs right now but what is left besides fat and proteins---Staying away from fats right now and the meat is the main protein and you don't want to mix too many together. But wonder if it would be good to add a little chopped chicken hearts/gizzards to the chicken /turkey meals--cook with the meat of course.---Don't add more than a small percentage of the main meat though --just enough to put a couple pieces in each meal!

I'd stay away from corn, beets, not too many peas either. Pork isn't the best either but I have cooked meals with it---lean pork. Could use some white fish for the protein in a soup type meal too.

If I think of anything else--Let you know!

[Tucker]

I was thinking of foods rather than spices, but cinnamon sounds like something that would be good to use. The other thing I am going to try is asparagus - I love it roasted myself and we can get really young, tender bunches at Costco. I had never thought of giving it to Tucker but I will definitely get some next time we go shopping there. Once we get home (we leave on Monday) I will start reading up on the pros and cons of vinegar. By the way, he loved his meals of chicken, elbow macaroni, broth and sweet potato. I cooked the potato in the microwave and just scooped a tablespoon out - it was pretty much already mashed up. He finished the meds today and pooped great today

Thanks again for all the great information, Corky/Max - Good Luck on Monday!! Let us know how it goes!