Hills zd diet for dog with mast cell tumours

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abb123

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Our golden retriever is 10 1/2 years old now and has had a lot of mast cell tumours over the last 9 years or so. These have all been grade 2 or 3 and have been surgically removed. He had chemo for one on the base of his tail to make it small enough to remove but they did also have to amputate his tail too.

He always bounces straight back from the surgery within a day. However getting him into surgery is extremely distressing as he plants himself, shaking and howling and you have to drag him in which isn't easy as he is a big dog. It is also extremely upsetting for whoever it is who has to take him in. He is fine with the vet though once in, and is adored by the vets and the nurses.

The vet has suggested putting him onto the Hills zd food as there is some evidence that mast cell tumours are due to an intolerance/immune response to diet. It is very expensive and won't be covered by insurance. It will also be the only food he is allowed to eat.

Our thinking is that he is over 10 years old and is probably nearing the end of his life. He is otherwise very happy and healthy and extremely active. The benefits to be gained from this probably are not worth restricting him for and it is probably better to let him enjoy his food.

Does anyone have any experiences of this diet? Is it worth it?
 
If the vet prescribes it the insurance should pay for it -or at least a proportion if they argue you aren't having to buy other food but looking at the ingredients why would you want to feed it -
"Starch, Hydrolyzed Chicken Liver, Soybean Oil, Hydrolyzed Chicken, Powdered Cellulose, Lactic Acid, Dicalcium Phosphate, Calcium Carbonate, Glyceryl Monostearate, Potassium Chloride, Iodized Salt, Choline Chloride, vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (source of vitamin C), Niacin Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin A Supplement, Calcium Pantothenate, Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement , Folic Acid), DL-Methionine, minerals (Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Oxide, Copper sulfate, Manganous Oxide, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite), Taurine, Mixed Tocopherols for freshness, Natural Flavors , Beta-Carotene."
Ask the vet why you can't feed him chicken and pototoes?
 
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