Well, I'm not sure about early years but protein is very important to dogs with cancer. I just found this online:
The best diets for cancer patients are rich in fat and protein and low in carbohydrates. A dog with cancer is building a lot of new tissue, and adequate proteins and cell membrane compounds (omega 3, 6 and 9 fatty acids) are required to do this. When the adequate amounts of the correct proteins and fats are not present in the diet, the body will rob it from other places, leading at best to muscle wasting, but more likely complications with the functions of the kidneys and liver. This can lead to kidney and liver failure, which is something your poor dog does not need on top of the cancer. Fortunately, these secondary liver and kidney complications can usually be avoided by watching the dog's diet.
Thank you Julie! I'll print this off and keep it just in case (God forbid!) we should ever have another dog with cancer.
Halley (RIP sweet girl) was so young that she had wonderful blood work even the day that we had her PTS, but the cancer was in her leg and in her lungs, so we had to make that heartbreaking decision for her.
I just wonder if there is a connection to protein levels in puppy food that might cause changes in the growth plates (is that right?) or something that might increase the chances of bone cancer. Colorado State Univ. was working on osteosarcoma research (we consulted with them & 2 other univ. vet schools about Halley), so I may check with them to see if there is any new info. I just want to do everything possible to avoid having another dog go through this. Unfortunately, it's all too common.
