Carbohydrates and Dog Cancer
Pet Oncology House Call Care Part 4: “What do I feed my dog with cancer?”
If you are reading this after Christmas 2018, I bet you skipped to this article to read first. Right?
This is the big question. What do we feed dogs and pets with cancer? Most people who have done a little bit of internet research are interested in a low or no-carbohydrate diet for their cancer patients.
The basic answer is: science does not have a consensus about what we should feed dogs. Especially dogs with cancer.
What is the Deal With Carbohydrate and Cancer?
The deal is, there is some research to show that cancer cells can use carbohydrate energy faster and better than the body can. Especially high glycemic index carbs like sugar, fruit juice, white bread and processed grains and sugars. These are items that should be minimized in the diet anyway. It is no surprise that it may be even more helpful to minimize them in a compromised cancer patient.
The idea is to starve the cancer by feeding mostly protein and fats. There are some issues with this. One issue is the fats may be difficult for your dog to digest. In Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM) theory, most, if not all, cancer patients have compromised digestion. You must be cautious of replacing carbohydrate calories with fat calories. You do not want to trigger pancreatitis or diarrhea.
One issue with protein is frankly, it is the most expensive source of calories. This may not matter for a 10 pound (4.8 kg) Chihuahua. It can be devastating for a family with a 100 pound (45 kg) Rottweiler who eats 3 pounds (1.7 kg) of meat a day. Carbohydrates are filling, provide fiber for probiotics to flourish in the gut, and are usually affordable.
Improve the Diet
“I suggest you focus on improving your dog’s diet, not perfecting it,” says Doc Truli.
Nutrient calculations vary from crop to crop, year to year anyway. Dogs vary from week to week in their absorption and metabolic rates. You should have expert veterinary advice to chose a diet or make a balanced home-cooked recipe for your dog.
How do You Find a Veterinary Nutritionist?
Nutrition Specialists
There are less than 100 veterinary nutritionist in the United States. Most of them work in agriculture, the food industry or government. Some of them work in University Veterinary training programs and have appointments with clients or consults with veterinarians in their home state. Some veterinarians have personalized training in nutrition They are not specialists, but they offer more guidance than just selecting an appropriate prescription diet.
The American College of Veterinary Nutrition bestows Diplomat status on qualified veterinarians. This specialty requires years of Internship and Residency training, peer-reviewed publication and rigorous examination. It is a specialty just as Surgery or Internal Medicine is a specialty.
Florida
In Tampa Bay, Florida, you an schedule a house call consultation with Dr Truli. Nutrition is the practice of veterinary medicine, so remote consults with a veterinarian you and your dog have not met are not appropriate. If you live in Florida and cannot see Dr Truli, the University of Florida Vet School Integrative Medicine department has 2 nutritionists who will consult with your veterinarian to design a custom feeding plan for your dog.
Worldwide
You can also search worldwide at tcvm.com under “Resources” and “Find a practitioner” and the key shows you which veterinarians are certified in TCVM Food Therapy.
–Dr Truli provides holistic house call vet services to Tampa Bay area, Florida. Specific advice about whether or not your dog needs carbohydrate restriction is provided after a thorough evaluation.
Read more tomorrow about a simple blood test that can help diagnose cancer in dogs or help to tell if your dog is in remission or coming out of remission.
Call, email or text for appointment availability. Provide your name, phone number, street address, and a brief description of your pet’s diagnosis or current problem.
Leave a message and the doctor will call you back in 24 hours or less: 877-378-7854.
Text 813-714-7863 and Dr Truli will text.
Or email DrTruli@VetVMD.com and Dr Truli will email back.
