I am new to this site, but immediately found comfort in reading of so many people with the same love and devotion to their beloved dogs. I took Emma in on the 6th of this month for what I believed to be maybe a sprained front leg……….discovered by the end of the day that is was cancer and two days later they removed the leg, we are starting chemo tomorrow and I am nervous about all of it…….hoping it is the right path to take her on, overwhelmed with the thought of having to put her down at some point, mad that she was given this course after nine years of being the most loyal loving lab a family could ever be blessed with…….etc.

Any advice or experience would be so appreciated. I was given this site by Emma's oncologist and honestly got on the other day and cried after reading of so many stories and finding so much compassion and love and of course loss within this community.

Hi and sorry you had to find us here.

I know what you mean about the shock and the fast pace of everything (we found out Abby had cancer on a Monday and by Friday she was having her leg amp'd) and it is all very overwhelming. But try not to worry too much about the chemo. Abby had 6 rounds of carboplatin and did well. After the first session her appetite was not great – she still ate, but we just had to figure out what appealed to her (plain pasta it turned out…). 

Remember that pooch chemo is not the same as human chemo. They don't hit the dogs with as hard of a dose as they do humans, so most dogs do well going through it. Also, dogs don't have all the psychological 'baggage' about chemo like humans do. A human knows what they are getting themselves into and can work themselves into a 'sick to their stomach' state before the chemo even starts, but a dog is clueless to all that and simply lives in that moment. 

Also remember that if your dog does have a bad reaction, you can always stop the chemo treatments. No one says you have to keep going. There are other things you can try if it doesn't work.

Breathe, hang in there, and give Emma a big hug and kiss from Abby and me.

Jackie, Abby's mom

Hi we are only a few days ahead of where you are with Emma Dizzy went in for a plate putting in her wrist a month ago but the xray showed a tumour so she had her front leg amputated. She had her first chemo session Tuesday, and she is ok not great but fine, she is sleepy and not too interested in dog food. Trust me I know the emotions you are going through people on here are lovely and have some great advice, the one I have liked best with chemo is if it doessn't suit you don't have to put her through all the treatments (thanks jackie). Good luck

Welcome, Emma!  While we're sad you had to find us, you'll find this site such a great source of information and support.  I'm not sure how we would have made it through the initial months on this road without tripawds.  Holly also has OS, and went through 6 rounds of carboplatin.  We almost stopped a few times, because she had a tough time with it – lost her appetite, and slowed down a bit.  I found that requesting anti-nausea meds to bring home for her helped a lot – staying ahead of the nausea seemed to help (thanks to someone's suggestion here on tripawds!), and to give her smaller, more frequent meals.  I think her kibble was not always appetizing for her.  I found she loves fish, which I never would have guessed!  I made her some salmon "popsicles" by taking canned salmon and freezing it in little baggies with about 1/4 c. of water.  Once they are frozen you can pop them out of the baggies.  She loved those, and when all else failed that's what she'd eat.  If you try that be sure to put down a towel or something since it can be somewhat smelly.  Holly thinks the smellier the better, though!   It helped keep her hydrated on warm days, too.  For that fact, I think I'll make her some today – we'll all celebrate Emma as she and Zuzu eat them!

Whatever you do, your love for Emma will carry you through this.  Keep your chin up, and take it one day at a time.  Emma only knows your love.

Hugs,

Holly, Zuzu and Susan

Emma & Mom:

Your have received some excellent advice, which is why this site is so great!  It is a real challenge for us to deal with the emotions, decisions and second guessing ourselves.  One thing we all have in common is wanting to do the best for our special friend, and that is what counts!

Chuck & Rusty

A belated welcome to you and dear Emma.

It's been said already, many times, and I'm going to say it again anyways: You have found exactly the right place for information, for support, for empathy and wholehearted acceptance.

Too many of us know exactly what you're going through. Cancer is scary. Chemo is scary. But you'll find your centre and your strength and surefootedness again. Emma will help with that.

Tripawds will help with that.

Hoping Emma does well with her chemo protocol. Although the treatment plan for Catie was six (alternating between carboplatin and doxorubicin), we stopped at five. She had some issues with general malaise and fatigue and loose stools. The doxorubicin had the greater side effects.

Keep your chin up. Breathe. We're all here for you. And we all like pictures.

Sending an abundance of pawsitive wishes your way.