Tripawds Three Legged Dog & Cat Forum Archives
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I took Lenny to the Vet today thinking he had a broken leg, but to my surprise, the doctor mentioned bone cancer! I was heartbroken, shocked, and in disbelief! He has always been such an active and playful dog.
I have done some research and know that amputation is the only option. I found out that with chemo, vitamins, and a raw diet his chances can improve. But then I read that it almost always spreads to the lungs! How can I prevent this. I read somewhere that dogs can live up to four years after surgery.
Please help me learn about Lenny's chances. What are the facts??
Lennox
Hi Lenny, Firstly welcome to Tripawds! (How old are you, what kinda dawg are you?)
You have come to the right place and will find very helpful topics and advice from everyone here. I am sorry to hear about your nasty cancer - but please dont feel helpless, we are all cancer survivors and are here to help you through this difficult time. I had my amputation 2 months ago (I have osteosarcoma) and am doing very well. Mommy was just as scared and freaked out - crying the whole time, but you know what, us canines are very very brave and the humans can learn alot from our courage and determination.
Amputation is the best option - Yes, it is something to get used to at first, but just knowing that the cancerous leg and pain is gone, makes it so much easier to accept. I was a different dog after my amputation - I had more energy and was my old (new) self! This website helped mommy to accept the situation and act immediately. I had x-rays taken of my lungs before I had my amputation - the x-rays were clean, but yes, there is a chance that the cancer will spread to the lungs. I am following the budwig diet (you can read about it on this website), but I am not going for chemo (too expensive in South Africa). (I looooove my new diet)
Good luck on your operation - I hope that you will have a speedy recovery. Please stay in touch! Paws forever, Lotsa licks and lotsa love, Dee xxx
Dee's Mommy: We are taking it one day at a time and enjoying every minute of quality time that I can spend with Dee. Just stay positive - there are many canines on this site that have been surviving osteosarcoma for years.
Hi Dee!
Thank you for your words of encouragement. My mom is so concerned and trying to stay strong, but I know she is scared.
I am a 7 year old red-nose Pitt Bull. My mommy rescued me when I was a pup after much abuse. I am awaiting my surgery and am in a lot of pain. I have some medication, but I am restless. I miss running around the backyard and chasing the 3 legged cat. Now we will have something in common. I want to be here for a long time for my mommy and family. They are not used to seeing me laying around all day. My mommy started feeding me lots of salmon and cottage cheese. I also have marine phytoplankton on the way to boost my immune system. I am a picky eater and I hope I can get used to the veges.
I guess I need to get the lung x-ray to make sure my sickness does not go beyond my right hind leg.
These are still very uncertain times and I want to make a swift recovery so I can play with my friends.
Thanks for your support!
Woof!
Yes, the sad truth is that cancer will spread. You cannot prevent it. How quickly and how aggressively it metastasizes depends on the type of cancer – osteosarcoma is especially nasty – how soon the it was orignally diagnosed, how quickly thereafter the amputation was done, how well the mass was defined, whether or not they got it all in the surgery, and so many unknown factors ...
A proper diet, chemotherapy and supplements can postpone the inevitable will help prolong quality of life. Even after mets appear. Look at me! I'm loving life and have had a couple masses in my lungs for about a year. They originally gave me 3-4 months to live after my operation. I recently had my 18 month ampuversary. And I didn't start my metronomic protocol until about five months ago.
So, facts? They're different for every one of us. That's why my people started this website. So we can all share our experiences, to help others. Thanks for asking. And thanks for joining the forums!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I started feeling better after all the research. I bought him EVO food and kelp+vitamin powder
Lennox, my sweet playful boy, has bone cancer. The Vet said it was aggressive from the x-rays. I did not want to hear that word. We tentatively scheduled amputation for next Thursday. I am getting lung x-rays tomorrow to make sure the cancer has not spread. I truly believe that we could fight this together to prolong his life. I am getting really anxious thinking about the next round of x-rays. I look at Lenny and he looks sicker than I want to believe.
I am trying not to cry and stay strong for him, but inside it's killing me. I don't want him to suffer, but I want him to be with me as long as possible.
Please send lots of prayers Lenny's way! He needs all the love he can get.
We do understand what a difficult time you're going through. But the best thing you can do is to act as if life is normal, at least around Lenny. Otherwise, he'll follow you're lead and have a more difficult recovery. Feel free to vent your concerns here in the forums! That's what we're all here for.
You're off to a great start with the research and healthy diet. Just remember to hope for the best and prepare for the worst. I'm sure you'll find the next few weeks will fall somewhere in between.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thank you Jerry. I am so lucky to have this site to help me through this!
Lenny is getting his lung x-ray today and that will be the telling moment. He is lounging in his favorite place...our bed!
I will keep you posted on the results. Keeping fingers and toes crossed!
Lenny's Mom
Hi Jerry,
I had my lung x-rays done and they came back negative. I am so happy! I am feeling a lot better since I have been on my medications. Also, I love my new diet and am full of energy. The only thing stopping me now is my leg. Sometimes I forget and put pressure on it and that doesn't feel to good!! That will all change on Thursday. My family is a little nervous and scared for me, but they know I am a fighter and have a lot more time left on this earth to tripawd around!
My mom is looking in to more vitamins that I should be taking. What did you guys take after your surgery? Is K9 Immune good. My mom's friend gave her pit something called Recovery and that helped her. Advice from real humans would be great instead of pharmaceutical companies.
I am also getting some energy work done by a holistic healer. That seems to be working as well.
Ruff Ruff,
Lenny
Lenny said:
What did you guys take after your surgery? Is K9 Immune good.
Glad to hear the good news Lenny!
You can read all about my special healthy dog diet and supplements on my Health Tips page. In my blog, I also wrote about my metronomic protocol therapy, and the K9 Immunity I take to help fight off the cancer.
For joint pain and arthritis, my people believe SynFlex is the best glucosamine supplement. From my last checkup results, something must be working right!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
How do I get Lenny to take powdered Kelp and other powdered formulas? He is so picky and as soon as he smells something other than cottage cheese, salmon, or EVO, he loses all interest.
Thanks,
Lenny's Mom
Lennox
Hi Jerry,
Have you heard of Zeolite treatment for cancer? It seems very controversial. Have you found any supplements that increase oxygen in the blood, which apparently helps the non-cancerous cells promote immunity?
I feel like I am learning a lot on various vitamins, minerals, ect.... A lot of the information is confusing and sometimes even supplements like Flaxseed have had negative outcomes in certain test results. What information do you trust?
Thanks,
Lenny
Lennox
Hi Lenny's Mom,
Has Lenny tried EVO canned food? They have very intense aroma which can be of help.
Does he like beef liver? If so, mixed the powder with finely chopped semi-cooked liver (you don't want it too well done, then there won't be enough moisture to stick together with the powder. Ideally raw liver is better nutrition-wise, but it doesn't have strong enough smell.
I'd suggest mixing very very little at the beginning to de-sensitize him, and then increase the amount gradually. At first, hopefully the amount is small enough so he can't detect "foreign objects".
I have a whole long list of "stuff" that I had tried on Genie, but I found these two worked beautifully. Later on, when she had got used to different kind of powder, she didn't care anymore.
Hope this helps.
Jessie
Thanks Jesse,
I will definitely try that. We have the dry food and purchased a few cans. It just might work. I'll keep you posted.
He seems so full of energy since changing his diet to Evo and his Tremadol and Prevecox. He is forgetting he has an injured foot. I can't wait until he has heeled from his surgery and can tripawd around the lawn with out any pain.
How was Genie after her surgery? How long did it take for her to start hopping around?
Thanks again!
Lenny's Mom
Lennox
consuelak said:
How do I get Lenny to take powdered Kelp and other powdered formulas?
My people slip powdered stuff into my food every night! I get a tablespoon each of powdered kelp, and alfalfa powder. And lately, I've been geting a teaspoon of this new super green algae powder.
It all gets mixed up with my pills and other supplements right into my food, which includes cottage cheese and some canned EVO wet food which makes it all worth eating.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
consuelak said:
How was Genie after her surgery? How long did it take for her to start hopping around?
Genie was 12 when she had the surgery, so she was a rather senior dog for her size (68 lbs before amp.) It took her longer than most tripawds to perfect the gait. At the beginning, she was very robotic, she lifted one leg, planted that, then lifted the other, so on so forth. Her peak was between 2 to 6 months post-op, that she could endure more frequent and longer walks. Her neck muscles were way more stronger than before, cause front-leg amputees need to lift their head/neck to intiate the hop.
Her appetite was very poor during the first 6 weeks post-op. She had lost 10 lbs (including the lost limb). I was really worried that she got cachexia. Highly likely after the pain meds and antibiotics got completely flushed out of her system, that suddenly one day, she started eating, and even looked enjoying the food, and she never looked back till the end.
There were a few posts on the forums (search "Genie") about her recovery in details.
Keep us posted how Lenny is doing, and whether you can blend the powder into the varieties of food.
Jessie
