[GeneLauricella]

I have a 12 and a half year old Westie who was diagnosed with a pear sized tumor behind her chest plate and the vet tells us she has a very short time left since it is growing at a fast rate. My question is what can I feed her as she has no appetite and can perish from organs shutting down from no nutrients?

We are all heart broken as she is the love of our life but she is not yet ready to leave us. All I want to do is make her as comfortable as possible. Thank you for any suggestions you may have.

[odinn7]

I'm sorry, I can't help you with your actual question... I just read it and had to tell you I am sorry. I went through something similar years ago with my Husky and I know this is an incredible ordeal. Stay strong and good luck with everything.

[mamaof2boys]

You can try some cooked hamburger meat, cooked rice, cooked chicken not on the bone, yogurt, cottage cheese. I'm so sorry. It's such a difficult thing to go through.

[LadySam]

This is such a difficult situation, I know. And you may find there are times that she just doesn't have much appetite. Along with the boiled hamburger, chicken and rice there are also some prescription diets such as Hills A/D or Iams MaxCal that may be handy to keep around. Your vet should be able to get these for you. They are high in calories to maximize the intake she does get. Additionally, if she is uncomfortable or painful her appetite may wane, so the benefit of pain meds at these times will be helpful to her. At times some meds may upset her intestinal tract, ask her vet if they feel the need for stomach protectants.
I wish for you, your family and your small friend happy last days, spoil her all you can and trust that you have made your choices for her out of love. This is a fact that she is already aware of.

[JudyKayTee]

This hurts my heart. We've all been there at one time or another.

When my GSD was dying I fed him anything he would eat, and often that involved hand feeding him. He always liked cheese so that worked. I tried every combination of every food. What worked one day did not work the next.

My thinking was that not eating would shorten his life. Anything I could get him to eat was a blessing.

The Vet agreed with me. He also got a protein shake every day - which he liked, but he always liked milk.

I'm so sorry you're going through this.