Thanks to everyone for their supportive comments on my first post! It was a lengthy one, I’m shocked that anyone actually read it!
Today feels better. We are on day 4 home from surgery. Although he’s drinking very little and eating even less. He woke, to me, in happier spirits.
Maybe it has to do with firing up the grill @ 9am! I was getting frustrated with his extreme pickiness on food. I’ve tried all natural, 45% protein, style dry food. I’ve tried mixing it with the same style wet food. I’ve tried just the wet food by itself.
This stuffs expensive! And he turns his nose up. I let it sit out for about an hour and then end up throwing it away. This morning was going to be different!
Gas on, ignite, and flames. Marinated turkey patty, 7 mins each side. Even added a slice of white cheddar. Add to half can of green beans and sprinkle with 2 hand fulls of dog food. Yep that got him moving.
A little more pep in his hop on our morning walk. But what will i do when i have to go back to work? I’ve taken off until Thurs for his recovery. I’m in my office @530am. I will not have the time for all this then. It’ll be meds, walk, and if he doesn’t eat, then back in the crate until i get home @3 i guess.
That will be a full week on the mend. Hopefully he’ll be feeling much better by then. But today, at least, he has a full belly.
Yep, they sure are good at playing us, aren’t they? lol For Murphy I cooked up some rice and put chicken broth over it, then I added some chunks of chicken to it. Other times I cooked up some scrambled eggs and added cheese. Anything to get him to eat! Of course, this was before I talked to the oncologist and didn’t realize that he shouldn’t have had the rice, but at least he ate. 🙂
We normally free-feed our dogs, so we have 1 bowl of food for all 3 dogs. But now that Murphy is eating the grain-free food, we feed him separately. So every evening we get his bowl and sit down to feed him and we crack up because he won’t eat until Cassie or Max is nearby, and then he growls and acts all possessive and then starts eating. He literally will lay there and wait for one of the other two to get there before he eats! ugh And we stress when he won’t eat, trying anything to coax him to, but lately I’ve caught him sneaking some of Cassie & Max’s food – he waits until I’m getting ready for bed & then starts to eat theirs! I can’t get mad at him, after all, he can do no wrong, lol…but I don’t want him to have the regular food. But I guess at the same time he’s already beaten the odds, so whatever he wants I guess he can have <3
Bailey and Bentley are free feed also. I’m switching both of their diets. Especially since Bailey had the TPLO surgery a year ago.
Bailey has been staying @ my mom’s so Bentley can recover in peace. But its funny even before if they were separated they don’t eat well. Its like they miss each other.
When they are together they eat at the same time. Even though their food is down all day. Bailey lets Bentley eat until he walks away. Bailey literally stands in line behind him And when hes had his fill she finishes it off.
Hi Jamie! Glad you got Bentley to eat — that’s always a good thing! About four months ago, we moved Molly to a homemade food diet and it has been AMAZING for her. She’s lost weight, she is always excited to eat, and we feel better about what we’re feeding her. I did a lot of research and talked to our vets about what’s okay for dogs and what isn’t (Murphy’s mom is right, white rice is no good but brown can be okay – Molly doesn’t digest hers well so we tried something else). We make a batch in the crockpot and it covers us for about a week. Here’s what we do:
about 2 pounds of chicken breast (thighs work too, or we’ve done ground turkey or ground beef, but chicken is her favorite)
2 cups of quinoa (expensive compared to rice but so much protein! and mushy, so easy to digest)
3 cups low sodium chicken broth (water works too, sometimes I use 2 cups of each depending on how much chicken broth I have on hand)
1 chopped sweet potato
about 2 cups chopped carrots
1 can of no salt added cut green beans
1 big bag of frozen chopped spinach
It all goes in the pot in that order, then we set it to low and cook it for about 8 hours or until the liquid is all absorbed. If I’m around, I stir the mixture once or twice after 2 hours. The chicken will fall apart — you can shred it with a fork — and it keeps nicely for about 5-6 days in the fridge (which is about how many meals it makes). We give Molly a little over a cup for each meal and add half a can of drained cut green beans on top. She loves it!
Also, I am on day 3 of Molly’s post-amp and day 1 of us having to go to work. We left her for a couple of hours this weekend (cone on, in a limited space in our bedroom) and she did just fine, but I am STRESSING today. We will be home at lunch to check on her so at least we get that break, but it’s hard to be away. Hugs to you — I know it’s tough!
Kirby & Molly
Thanks for the recipe! When B & B were pups i made all their food. But i also made my own schedule then too. Life takes over and about 3 yrs ago i started buying their food. But I will definitely try this out with the crock pot.
I’m super grateful for the available time off. Its been nice catching up on things around the house. Various arts and crafts. And of course our short outings for walks. Thats when Bentley really perks up. He loves the outdoors. And would have been just as content as an outside dog lol. We used to have to entice him to come in @ dinner.
Good luck on your Molly girl. I’ll be watching for your updates!
You are such a great dog mom! I am so sorry for all the stuff you are going through – we were there just short month and a half ago (Mac is also a front amp). You will see how Bailey will show her concern for Bentley. We stayed at Connor’s parents house for 3 weeks during the recovery due to our stairs, and they have two GIANT newfoundlands (Mac’s ‘cousins’). We kept them separated but when they finally reunited, they gently came over and kissed Mac and sniffed him all over to make sure he was OK. I am sure Bailey will know she has to be extra careful around Bentley.
Is Bentley on any pain meds? Maybe that has to do with the weird appetite, among other things. I’m glad that turkey patty got him going – you made ME hungry!
I don’t remember reading – is it osteosarcoma? I think I saw you are starting chemo in about 10 days? He will rock it!
Hugs,
Jamie and Mac
From one Jamie to another! Thanks for the support.
Yes Bentley is on Tramadol, Rymadyl, and the antibiotic. I’m nearly positive its the meds. I believe it to be the antibiotic honestly.
He’s been on the same pain meds since they did the biopsy almost a month ago.
Also with his sister gone it always upsets him. She’s refusing food at my mom’s too. They miss eachother I know, but they play rough and Bailey barks at the wind moving which gets Bentley worked up. I just don’t want any staples ripped out. And a little peace and quiet for my big guy.
The biopsy came back inconclusive. So the leg was shipped out for pathology. But the primary vet is pretty conclusive with Osteoscarcoma. The oncologist is not so sure. I think those results should be back in a couple days.
Thanks again for the feedback! I’m so happy for Mac and doing so well! Of course us Jamie’s rock at everything we take on so how could he not be 😉
Jamie, Bentley, & Bailey
Gosh! Just catching up on your other blog and this blog!!
First of all, Bentley and Bailey are adorable! OMD! Those pictures you posted, especially their little puppy pictures…cuteness overload!!! The both are so fortunate to have you as their human!!
Bentley and Bailey knew what they were doing when the “let you find them” that day!!
My Happy Hannah never missed a meal, but she did have a rough recovery in other ways. She didn’t want to drink water! I had to start mixing a scoop of ice cream in her water to get her to drink! There was a whole lot of restlessness, whining and just overall discomfort. Her recovery took about three weeks. In fact, her first chemo was due at the end of two weeks snd I postponed it because she was having such a slow time recovering. Honest to goodness, k nce she had her first chemo st three weeks, I think it made her feel better!!! Crazzy, I know!
Looking forward to sharing in all of Bentley’s many upcoming victories ! We’ll be cheering him on all the way!!!
Big hugs to all!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle too!
Thanks Sally! They completely stole my heart that’s for sure! Thanks for the support. This community has been so amazing!
After reading so many blogs I have finally come to realize Bentley is not these other dogs. He will recover in his own time, not mine. It’s hard to see him this way, but a healthy recovery is whats important. Slow and steady as they say.
I do have some anxieties with the upcoming chemo. Bentley has never been a very good patient with the doc’s. And in the past they’d have to sedate him just to clip his nails! Can you say gator roll! Only time will tell i suppose.
Thanks Again,
Jamie, Bentley, and Bailey
You’re doing GREAT! I know the first few weeks can be ruff but you’re both hanging in there with wonderful pawsitivity that will take you far. Check out our Nutrition blog for more appetite stimulation tips:
http://nutrition.tripawds.com/?s=appetite
Thanks Jerry! We had some lows today, upset tummy, some vomit, and soft stool. I think it may be the antibiotic. Bentley has been on the same pain meds for a month. I called his surgeon today, they gave me some urgent care grade soft food. We’ll see how he does with that.
Thanks Again!
Jamie, Bentley, & Bailey