So we have had several missing food items over the last couple of weeks. I assumed it was Yote even though he normally won't eat bread.

But then yesterday I can home to find Nico asleep with breadcrumbs all over her and the empty bag laying next to her.

This afternoon she came walking into the living room with a bag of mini bagels in her mouth.

I saw her and clapped and she dropped then and acted sheepish and guilty, I just said bad dog in a low but calm voice and went about my business.

She absolutely knows she isn't allowed to steal food off the counter or from people.

I have also noticed that when I tell her back she will sometimes sit, or when I tell her down she will back up etc. Basic commands she has known for years and years.

I also caught her face first in the trash can a few days ago.

She is old and has cancer and I don't want to have to confine her when she has had the run of the house her whole life, but I also can't have her eating entire loaves of bread several times a week or whatever else she can get a hold of in the kitchen.

She is a big girl and can reach the bottom cabinet with her front feet on the counter, so for now I am keeping the bread in the microwave.

I just don't know what to think when my nearly perfect dog is doing stuff she would never have done before.

 Quote: Jennifer Lee

... She is old and has cancer and I don't want to have to confine her when she has had the run of the house her whole life, but I also can't have her eating entire loaves of bread several times a week or whatever else she can get a hold of in the kitchen. ... She is a big girl and can reach the bottom cabinet with her front feet on the counter, so for now I am keeping the bread in the microwave. ... I just don't know what to think when my nearly perfect dog is doing stuff she would never have done before.

You are doing just what I would do: manage her environment.

BTW, is it a preference for carbs, or is that just the item that's most accessible? I am wondering because of some connections between carb-craving and some cancers.

I don't know if its the carbs specifically or just what she was able to reach.

She could have gotten bananas or apples (she loves both) and could probably reach the cat food if she wanted too as well but it seems to always be the bread.

What kind of cancer is it? I'm sorry that I have forgotten that.


I have read that glucose-supported cancer cells do indeed trigger cravings in some individuals for refined carbs like flour.

It is mast cell cancer. I would imagine triggered by years of allergies, skin problems and histamine reactions.

The largest of the tumors (golf ball sized) was removed as well as a much smaller one on her knee.

But she has two new ones, about small marble size forming under the skin on her hind legs that will probably not going to be removed.

She has never acted sick despite the cancer, and is a remarkably spry and active girl despite her lifelong problems, size and age.

Oh, of course.... I'm sorry; I knew that.

You are doing just right by controlling her access to refined carbs, IMHO.

Yes, she has done fabulously well, thanks to you, despite all the challenges she has been dealt.

Jennifer,

I'm sorry to hear that Nico has cancer.

I agree with Connie, manager her environment. Hopefully over the years she has made regular deposits into the Jennifer Lee Bank of Love and Goodwill and now in her old age she'll be allowed to make some withdrawals.

Thank you for the kind words Connie and Rich.

Thankfully although it is cancer, it seems to be very slow growing and so far avoiding any organs, which is all I can hope for at this point.


She has certainly made lots of deposits into the love and goodwill account!
I hate to even have to tell her No, or make her get off the couch, she is spoiled pretty rotten at this point, but she deserves it and can handle it.

I was just a bit flabbergasted about her doing things she has never ever done. Not because it makes me mad, but because it is weird.

I also do worry about the health consequences of gorging on bread or whatever else she happens to grab, she has bloated in the past and I worry that this could lead to another incident.


ETA:
I am googling right now but not having much luck, is mast cell cancer one that is likely to cause cravings like this?





Edited by Jennifer Lee (06/20/2009 09:30 PM)
Edit reason: to add a question

Yes, it is, if my understanding of the papers on the mechanism is correct.

Thanks!
That actually eases my mind quite a bit by making sense of her behavior.