 |
|
|
 |
Pet in the Spotlight |
 |
 |
Pet's name: Lucky
Breed: Irish Lab
Age: 11
Owners name: RD
Health Challenges: mammary cancer, arthritis, suspected insulinoma
Traditional therapies: surgery, Metacam, Tramadol, Adequan
Natural alternatives: K9 Immunity Plus, Joint Strong, K9 Superfuel, fish oil, psyllium, Cranimals Very Berry, high protein/low carb diet
|
 |
 | |
|
Jordan's Story: |
|
|
 Last spring, three days after winning Best of Breed at a show, Lucky had surgery to remove three mammary tumors. Two were malignant and she soon had surgery to remove the other one.
For two days after the second surgery she was unable to stand. This resulted in so much muscle loss that I discovered she had been hiding substantial arthritis. I started her on K9 Immunity Plus, a high protein/low carb diet and added Cranimals Very Berry (antioxidants) to her food. Originally, Lucky was on Metacam and Tramadol for the arthritis pain. The Metacam caused intestinal upset and the Tramadol seemed to be the culprit in causing hypoglycemia. Lab tests suggest an insulinoma but since stopping the Tramadol her blood sugar has not crashed. I began using a combination of Adequan injections, Joint Strong, fish oil, and K9 Superfuel to get the arthritis under control and she now has enough mobility back to climb stairs and get on and off the couch.
The most important thing I have learned is to keep Lucky eating. I primarily fed her a combination of cooked meat (mostly chicken thighs because of more flavor and higher fat) and a commercial grain free, high protein kibble. I have learned to be very flexible to keep her eating. On a couple of occasions I had to resort to feeding her fast food hash browns and breakfast biscuits! Not nutritionally sound but got her eating again and the sodium content meant she started drinking again.
Eight months after diagnosis, Lucky is doing well and even finished an AKC obedience title just five weeks shy of her 12th birthday! I credit the K9 Immunity Plus and the high protein/low carb diet for how well she is doing.
|
|
 |
| |
|
| |
See your pet's story here. Spotlight your Dog or Cat.
|
| |
