Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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About 70% of dogs won't have side effects they said!
If side effects come on they won't begin til 3-5 days after the treatment they said!
If she gets vomitting or diarrhea, just give her the meds we gave you & continue for 3-5 days even if she feels better once she takes them they said!
well... Here we are.. Lucky girl not only is in the minority who gets the side effects but it starts promptly at day 3 after 1st chemo. 
She would barely eat anything this morning, just a little bit of scrambled eggs and a small piece of dentastick! She threw it up on my carpet then went outside a little later and got sick again so we decided to give her the pill they sent us home with at chemo in hopes it would quickly work. She vomitted twice more then had diarrhea. It's been a rough day. She is sleepy & likely weak. I called the oncologist clinic they said to withhold food for 24hrs but we can give little bits of water as long as she keeps it down. So we are just resting and watching tv tonight in hopes she'll settle.
I was meaning to post here earlier to ask how long these meds typically take to work. But she seems to have settled because she hasn't vomitted in over 4hrs and no diarrhea for almost 2. I'm hoping the meds are working. Fingers crossed!!
Interestingly, With her not eating we never gave her the metacam today either, and she already stopped the Tramadol the day before that. Yet she is still walking great and doesn't seem to be in pain anymore, so the only meds she's taking are the stupid ones for her Vomiting. 
Any tips or advice or even some silent prayers are most welcome. I am REALLY hoping tomorrow is a better day here. I'm pretty sure I'll be staying home with her tomorrow if she is not any better. When a girl is not feeling well she needs her Mom 
Can those who's pets had side effects from the chemo share their experiences on how many days this lasted for? Thanks in advance.
~Chris & Kylie xox
I know this is so disheartening. Ugh! Yeah, when it comes to "statistical stuff" we always hooe we're in the good end, not the "...in some cases, however.....blah, blah blah"!
While this wasn't Hapoy Hannah's experience, I've been in here long enough to know this certainly does happen! So I'll just try and ride you over til others can chime in.
I remeber that Otis had diarrhea and I k kw others had nausea and diarrhea, and some just nausea. The loss of appetite is a fairly common side effect too. Of course it varies, but you're maybe dealing with some form of symptoms for maybe about two or three days. Again, others can give you more specifics.
A lot of times the Onco can adjust the dose a bit, as well as give an anti nausea injection AND start them on Cerenia a day before and several days after, if not more.
IF...big IF...Kylie is I e of thise who does not tolerate this well a d all athe dup her symptoms get worse and lasts for days a d days, chemo can be stopped! Once it's out of tneir system, they are back to normal. A big Mastiff, Big Louie had to stop after the second one. He just celebrated his nine month (mzybe even more) ampuversary and is feeling great!!
Hang in tnere! I know, easier said than done! I think youe see some improvement in the next day or so!! You've been through a lot of ups and downs and it's time for all UPS!!
BTW! I LOVE the avatar picture!
Hugs!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!
Thanks Sally!! I'm praying were past the worst of it. I just gave her the 2nd dose with some water. She was so grateful for the water. Vet tech I called said it was OK in small amounts (not big gulps) as long as she keeps it down. So far so good. We are off to bed. Zzzzzz.
Xox
I don't have any useful info, as this isn't something we've been through, but just wanted to send you all a big hug and I really hope Kylie is feeling better soon.
Lots of love
Meg and Clare (and Elsie Pie) xxx
Ruby, Staffy, born June 2022, became a Tripawd, 23 November 2023, adopted 12 January 2024.
Also Angel Tripawd Meg (aka The Megastar), who died in April 2023, aged 14, after seven glorious years on three, and Angel Staffies Pie and Bille. In the pawprints of giants...
Otis did have diarrhea and nausea, but not as severe as what you are describing. And, one Cerenia or metrodiazonale (depending upon the problem) cleared it up. It's a bit early to think of this, but remember that you do not have to change nine chemo if you feel that it is substantially interfering with her quality of life. It's a hard call, because we want to do everything we can to help them. But in some cases, it is the best call from a quality of life perspective (and one that others have made).
Otis - 106 pound lab/Dane mix, lost his right front leg to osteosarcoma on Febuary 9, 2016. Four rounds of carboplatin completed in April, 2016. Lung mets August 25, 2016. Said goodbye too soon on September 4, 2016. Lost his adopted sister, Tess, suddenly on October 9, 2016. likely due to hemangiosarcoma.
Wherever they are, they are together.
Change nine means continue. Stupid autocorrect.
Otis - 106 pound lab/Dane mix, lost his right front leg to osteosarcoma on Febuary 9, 2016. Four rounds of carboplatin completed in April, 2016. Lung mets August 25, 2016. Said goodbye too soon on September 4, 2016. Lost his adopted sister, Tess, suddenly on October 9, 2016. likely due to hemangiosarcoma.
Wherever they are, they are together.
Thanks for the replies, (& the hugs Clare!! ) I did end up staying home from work today to be with her since my husband won't be home. We had a good night! I finally gave her some water before bed & she was happy for that. She slept in our bed all night and didn't get down once to be sick. She trotted downstairs this morning better than I've seen her do yet since her surgery! she was in good spirits, tail wagging etc. I was encouraged!!
I gave her about half a cup of water (a measuring cup of 1/4, but twice, about 15 mins apart) and we went outside for her to do her business. I noticed she is walking better today (not looking so weak like last night) but she did have some runny poop again this morning, so I thought I should start her on those meds now too for the diarrhea. She had some more water when we came back in. I offered her a small taste of chicken from the fridge which she immediately turned her nose up at. Fair enough. We'll stick to water for now I thought! That seemed to settle so I pilled her (put the pill at the back of her throat until she swallowed) then gave her a bit more water. It stayed in so that's good.
So I"m making coffee, toast etc. morning routines and she's up walking around, looking so good and keeps going to her empty water dish. My husband mentions how we don't want her dehydrated either (she wasn't allowed water for 12hrs yesterday & only had a bit before bed) I was wanting to only give her small amounts here & there but once he left for the day she went to her dish again so I was feeling guilty & caved and gave her a bit more against my better judgement.
Also then as I was boiling some fresh chicken for her (for later) I offered her a piece to see but she was not interested. Apparently this was all too much too soon. Maybe I turned her stomach with the chicken? Maybe the diarrhea pill didn't agree with her? Maybe she just had way too much water in her too soon. (my guess is the latter)
She starts gagging & walking to the door which I don't get there in time to open for her so instead she walks through my kitchen puking up water EVERYWHERE. I saw the partially dissolved pill too. 🙁 Poor girl. When will I learn??? I need to be patient!! She was doing so well! And of course for traction we have rugs down everywhere for her. What a mess. We went outside but she was already done. She enjoyed some breeze then tried to eat grass. Which I wouldn't let her! That's what made her puke yesterday morning. Now she is napping & I am waiting a couple hours before giving more water. If that stays down, I'm hoping her appetite will come around later. She really hasn't eaten ANYTHING since the day before yesterday. Yesterday morning she only had a few bites before the vomiting started. This was so discouraging. I have no one to blame but myself. I should have trusted my gut & only given her a bit at a time and waited LONGER for it to all settle. This could have been avoided. I am hoping we're not at square one again.
I do believe she can get past this. She looked great when we first got up! I think the first 24hrs of side effects was going to be the worst of it. I think she could have had a good day if I didn't make her puke again.
I don't want to stop chemo yet. I want her to get past this bump in the road & then reap the benefits of the chemo. & have a good quality of life for the time she has left.
I just need to practice PATIENCE & not always rush her to get better.(& not always listen to my husband lol)
Will she eat white rice? Would help with the diarrhea. When Otis was going through chemo, I started on boiled chicken and white rice the day of and for a couple days after the chemo dose (didn't wait for day 3).
Otis - 106 pound lab/Dane mix, lost his right front leg to osteosarcoma on Febuary 9, 2016. Four rounds of carboplatin completed in April, 2016. Lung mets August 25, 2016. Said goodbye too soon on September 4, 2016. Lost his adopted sister, Tess, suddenly on October 9, 2016. likely due to hemangiosarcoma.
Wherever they are, they are together.
We only have whole grain rice and yes, she was already started on that and boiled chicken after coming home from chemo too, but like everything else, she eventually turned her nose up at that too. She used to gobble it all up, then she would only eat the chicken & eat around the rice lol Then she would reject the dish altogether. So we moved to steak 
Right now, goal is to keep water in her and try some food again later. If you have any other ideas to try that might be appealing I'm all ears! She needs her next dose of of anti-vomiting pill here shortly, so maybe once that kicks in she'll start to have an appetite? I'm afraid she is going to lose weight soon here!
Okay, Listen up! We have a member here being waaaay to harsh one of our beloved family members! Not allowed!! Any clues who the " bad bully" a d beloved member might be?? Yeah, you figured it out! YOU!!!!!!!!
YOU did not do anything to upser Kylie's tummy!!! Dehydration can occur quickly when puking and diarrhea are voing on at the same time!! You are doing EVERYTHING for Kylie!!! For what it's worth, I probably would have been giving even more water!!
Nurse Donna (Murphy's mom) would suggest natural pupmpkin puree (no added spices, sugar, etc). I could never wrap my head arpund kt working for the poops, as well as constipation, but it does!! Just a couple of teaspoons. She may not keep that down though.
I know not getting any nutrition in ner tummy is unsettling. But be sure and celebrate that she IS feeling better today!! She IS perkier!! 🙂
A suggestion, maybe run Kylie to the vet to get a dose of Sub Q fluids. AND, if she will eat it, the vet will have canned bland food that you maybe able to get her to eat.
And one more crazy thought (which I doubt), it could be some gastro upset completely unrelated! Does she have a fever?
YOU ARE DOING AN EXCELLENT JOB!!! I knkw this would drive me whacky so you are really holding it together well!! HOWEVER, no more beating yourself up!! We love you and we will not allow anyone...even yourself...to do that to you!!
I would definitely get her some fluids u der the skin, even of the vet's say she's not dehydrated. I've seen that work several times, a d just recenw with Merry Myrtle when she had undetermined vomit and the runs.
((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((HUGS)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!
I do know that the pure pumpkin (not the pie filling) works for diarrhea AND constipation. Maybe a little spoon of that will help?
We didn't get horrible side-affects either but we had some slight lethargicness ... the cerenia really does help. Sorry you're having a rough go!
Hugs!
Alison with Spirit Shelby in her heart
Shelby Lynne; Jack Russell/Shiba Inu mix. Proud member of the April Angels of 2014.
October 15, 2000 to April 8, 2014
Our story: Broke rear leg in June 2013 - non-conclusive results for cancer so leg was plated and pinned. Enlarged spleen in September 2013 and had it removed and was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma and started chemotherapy. Became a Tripawd January 8th, 2014 and definitive Hemangiosarcoma diagnosis. Three major surgeries in 7 months and Shelby took them all like a champ only to lose her battle to cancer in her brain. We had 8 amazing extra months together and no regrets. #shelbystrong #loveofmylife
Dang I'm sorry! But I second Sally's suggestion: don't be so hard on yourself. You WILL get this under control, it's not all that uncommon here in this community, we and your vet can help OK?
Some ideas for you from the Tripawds Nutrition blog :
Nausea Remedies for Tripawds
A Bone Broth Turmeric Treat for Happy Tummies
Improve Your Dog’s Appetite During Chemotherapy
Goats Milk Perks Up Finicky Tripawd Appetites
Ice Pups: A Cool Tasty Treat and Appetite Booster
Get Your Pet to Eat with Hand Feeding Honest Kitchen Recipes
Get Your Dog Eating After Amputation Surgery
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Omg thank u so much for posting so many relevant links! I've been trying to search for info but these are perfect!
I appreciate you guys saying I'm doing a good job & not to beat myself up. I really am trying my best. Just sucks when sometimes it just doesn't feel like enough. It kills me that she is not eating ANYTHING. She almost took a soda cracker earlier but spit it out, same with a piece of white bread. But no go. No more puking since first thing this morning (so over 8 hrs now) but has had diarrhea a couple times when I take her out. She doesn't bug me though, it's not an urgent matter, so no accidents in the house. She taking in water well. So that's good. Hoping meds kick in and help her soon. Thanks again everyone xo
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