The vet appointment went well, he said her ears look fine, her skin looks OK other than the hair loss from the flea outbreak we had this fall and she is a healthy weight.

He also said the phycox along with fish oil and vitamin E is fine and that he has seen good results with both of them together.

He took bloodwork and assuming everything is ok she will have the surgery next thursday and recover in the peace and quiet of my moms house.
I am really nervous and I hope it is still just a fatty cyst.

There was an old lab that had to be carried in on a blanket that was in bad shape, with a low temp and dilated eyes. I hope the poor thing is ok.

 Quote: Jennifer Lee

There was an old lab that had to be carried in on a blanket that was in bad shape, with a low temp and dilated eyes. I hope the poor thing is ok.

I swear, that is the worst part about going to the vet. I always come home so thankful that mine are as healthy as they are.

I'm glad it went as well as it did.

Even Nico seemed concerned about that poor dog she kept looking towards the room he was in and whining really softly. They were microwaving the saline to try to bring up is body temp. I heard the other doctor tell our doctor she was worried.

I am really nervous about both the blood work and the surgery next week. The lab results will be back tomorow and if they are ok I will feel better.

 Quote: jo harker

 Quote: connie sutherland

What was the Omega 6 to Omega 3 ratio that the doctor recommends?

2-3 parts EPA to 1 part DHA. 500:200 milligrams or 1000:400, approximately. We didn't get down to exact dosages because we are still trying to work out everything for Hambone so he is balanced.

No -- that's two long-chain Omega 3s. I was asking what ratio of 6s to 3s he recommended, because of this: ... Doc was concerned about the ratio and amount of the salmon oil I give Hambone as too much Omega 3, at least in humans, thins the blood and causes clotting problems.

Yes, it's possible to overbalance a diet towards 3s if the individual is on coumadin or any blood thinner. For a normal individual not on long-term drug therapy and not with congestive heart failure (in which case, of course all supplements are discussed with the doctor), the big point is not the amount of 3s as much as it is the 6-3 balance. To determine that an individual is getting "too much" Omega 3, the diet as a whole would have to be analyzed.

For all but a tiny recent bump in time, we have eaten a 6 to 3 ratio of around 2 to 1 to 1 to 1. But in the 1900s, that changed to about 12 to 1. (Some estimates are 20 to 1.) There are a whole bunch of causes, not least of which is grain-fed slaughter animals (including poultry) having replaced range-fed. Chicken, for example, is now very rich in 6s. For humans, oils like soybean oil and corn oil (mainly 6s) are used in huge amounts in many (even most) packaged foods. These are a couple of many very recent (anthropologically speaking) shifts away from a good 6-3 ratio.

What I'm trying to point out is that a statement like "that's too much Omega 3s" for a healthy animal is really based on nothing unless the diet as a whole has been analyzed and found to be 3-heavy (which is so unlikely that I can't picture how it would happen in a dog eating any modern diet, fresh or commercial). I would really prefer to get that kind of information from a holistic (treating/considering the whole individual rather than just the ailment) doctor or one with a nutrition specialty.

This is all strictly my opinion, and I'm not a medical professional of any kind.



BTW, a far more potent anti-coagulant is the low-dose aspirin regimen that so many people are on.

 Quote: jo harker

... No. But he is trying very hard to get up to speed for me and some other of his clients. ...

Maybe non-confrontational questions will result in a better-educated vet. Maybe something like "I understand that what matters is the balance between pro-inflammatory 6s and anti-inflammatory 3s. What ratio would you want to see?"

This gently opens up a whole giant area for exploration.

What ratio do you like to see?

I would think that unless taken in huge amounts the anti-inflammatory properties of the 3s would be of the most benefit to an aging dog.

Connie and Jennie,
Both of you make positive statements.

1. Asking what ratio is preferable for HIM and then asking why he believes that..re:Connie
2. Anti-inflammatory properties of the 3's benefit an aging dog..Jennie.

He is always open to my questions and He hasn't commented on raw feeding to be a problem. So, to help us both, me become an informed owner, and he to help me with my dog (and others), I will ask him and I will research more of Connie and others statements and take that with me on our next appointment. (He can consult with a nutritional specialist if needed, but the nearest one to me is hours away.)

Connie, Good advice for any dog owner: asking non-confrontational questions. Sometimes, by trying to prove you wrong, they find the facts are not exactly what they thought and become better educated. And, sometimes you find out you were wrong. Either result is a boon for your dog.

Jennie,
Again, good luck with Nico and do keep us informed. I am so glad you have a great vet for her.