Ozzie's first treatment in Dr. Ogilvie's Wisconsin Protocol had Ozzie starting a morning dose of prednisone for a week along with an injection of Vincristine and Asparaginase. The amount of medication was based on his weight, which is then converted to the surface area of his body, and this week he weighed 42 pounds. Ozzie took the injections into his right front leg well; the prednisone was disguised in small pieces of cheese. We used to hide pills in small pieces of bread, but additional carbs are not a good idea for dogs with lymphosarcoma; cancer cells like carbs and sugars, according to the literature.

The diet for dogs with lymphosarcoma should be such that carbohydrates and sugars are limited while proteins and fats are emphasized. After researching dog foods on the internet, we found that Dr. Ogilvie had developed with Hill's Prescription Diet a canned food for dogs with cancer called "n/d Canine." That web site also has a 52-page Acrobat PDF file called "Management of Canine Cancer."

We decided to feed Ozzie in two smaller meals a day; since his dry dog food was high in protein, we decided not to switch dry dog foods right now. He had been taking a fish oil capsule daily for his arthritis, and our vet said we should now give him fish oil capsules twice a day. Our vet will order the Hill's Prescription Diet n/d canned dog food.

Because Ozzie's eyesight is still not stable, and with his compromised immune system now that he's taking chemo, we decided not to give him any walks; we don't want to risk Ozzie getting cut or bit by another dog and not being able to heal. But we were on the lookout for any effects, such as nausea, diarrhea, or vomiting, from the chemo. Ozzie was fine the first 24 hours after the chemo, but Saturday evening he had an episode of diarrhea and he did again have diarrhea Sunday morning around 6 o'clock. Because his eyesight was impaired, he may not have been able to tell someone he had to go outside immediately.

We did call our vet at her home early Sunday afternoon to ask about the diarrhea; she recommended we get the regular flavored Kaopectate, which we did; Ozzie ate it disguised in other foods. We had already tried PeptoBismol, but there was no way Ozzie would eat that. Our vet said that Pepto is better for the upper digestive tract, while Kaopectate is better for the lower tract. We decided to feed Ozzie in several small meals a day to keep what was in his stomach smaller; his feeding schedule now has meals at 10 AM, 1 PM, 4 PM, and 7 PM. Ozzie had no further "accidents" in the house after Sunday morning's.

One possible side effect of the chemotherapy is a loss of appetite, but that has not been Ozzie's case. He is always eager for a meal or treat, and he licks his bowl clean.