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Eurydice has an infection, all is under control
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21 May 2016
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8 July 2016 - 1:59 pm
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Eurydice 77kg/170lb Great Dane limping end of April 2016, amputation (right front leg/osteosarcoma) 4 May 2016 6 courses of carboplatin followed by metronomic therapy, lung mets found 30 Nov 2016. 3 courses of doxorubicin, PET scan 26 Jan 2017 showed more mets so stopped chemo. Holistic route April 2017. Lung X-ray 5 May 2017 showed several tennis ball size mets, started cortisone and diuretics. Miss Cow earned her XXL silver wings 12 June 2017, 13 months and 1 week after amputation and 6 1/2 months after lung mets, she was the goofiest dawg ever and is now happily flying from cloud to cloud woof woofing away :-) 



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8 July 2016 - 2:20 pm
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Well, this has been a hell of a day ...

Eurydice was very lively yesterday hopping around for a couple of hours with some doggie friends.

This morning I noticed her finger was a little swollen but we still went to meet her friends.

She was quite tired but I thought she had probably overdone it the day before so we sat with the doggies for a while. 

By the time we got back home I noticed her finger was really swollen so we rushed to the vet, had blood tests done, tests showed an infection. 

I am really glad we got it right in the beginning, she is now on antibiotics and anti inflammatories for 10 days, we are going back to the vet Monday and she may or may not have another blood test done. We will then return one week later just to be sure.

I am also very happy as the vet called the oncologist at the hospital to check if he agreed with the specific antibiotic, as she is on chemo. He did.

So, thing is, with chemo white blood cells are down so an infection can easily occur (and take over)

In her case, there are no signs of any wound, vet thinks some bacteria or something on the grass might have got in through the area between the nail and the flesh.

I just wanted to share this because I just realised how easy it is for our dogs on chemo to get infected whilst out hopping. 

Nothing dramatic if we catch it on time but definitely something else to watch out for. 

Sending you all a big hug and cuddles to your doggies and kitties heart

Eurydice 77kg/170lb Great Dane limping end of April 2016, amputation (right front leg/osteosarcoma) 4 May 2016 6 courses of carboplatin followed by metronomic therapy, lung mets found 30 Nov 2016. 3 courses of doxorubicin, PET scan 26 Jan 2017 showed more mets so stopped chemo. Holistic route April 2017. Lung X-ray 5 May 2017 showed several tennis ball size mets, started cortisone and diuretics. Miss Cow earned her XXL silver wings 12 June 2017, 13 months and 1 week after amputation and 6 1/2 months after lung mets, she was the goofiest dawg ever and is now happily flying from cloud to cloud woof woofing away :-) 

Michigan
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8 July 2016 - 4:19 pm
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When Murphy was getting his chemo, I knew that infection was a huge possibility.  So I was always leery of taking him anyplace where there were other dogs that could expose him to anything.  We stayed home from the groomer's and the pet store until well after he completed his chemo just to be safe.  I was especially worried the winter after he finished chemo when there was a dog flu going around the Midwest.

Donna

Donna, Glenn & Murphy 

Murphy had his right front leg amputated due to histiocytic sarcoma at 7 years old. He survived 4 years, 2 months & 1 week, only to be taken by hemangiosarcoma at 11 1/2 years 6/12/17  
Read about Murphy's Life on Three Legs

Donna.png



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8 July 2016 - 4:39 pm
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Hi Donnaheart

Thank you so much for your input, you know I didn't even think about infections, silly me ...

I knew her immune system would be down but it didn't dawn on me she could get one unless a major event would provoke it.

Very hard to decide what to do now ... on one hand I don't want to expose to further infection (after this one is cured) but on the other hand I don't think it is good for her emotionally to be cut off from playing with other dogs until September ...

Arghugh this is SUCH a crap disease !

Sending you a big hug and cuddles to heartyour doggies 

Eurydice 77kg/170lb Great Dane limping end of April 2016, amputation (right front leg/osteosarcoma) 4 May 2016 6 courses of carboplatin followed by metronomic therapy, lung mets found 30 Nov 2016. 3 courses of doxorubicin, PET scan 26 Jan 2017 showed more mets so stopped chemo. Holistic route April 2017. Lung X-ray 5 May 2017 showed several tennis ball size mets, started cortisone and diuretics. Miss Cow earned her XXL silver wings 12 June 2017, 13 months and 1 week after amputation and 6 1/2 months after lung mets, she was the goofiest dawg ever and is now happily flying from cloud to cloud woof woofing away :-) 

Schofield, WI
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8 July 2016 - 5:19 pm
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I could be wrong here but I do believe I remember Stephanie saying she had to keep Otis away from other dogs per her oncologist while undergoing his chemo because of infection.  Also swimming was out too because of infection.  Maybe she'll pop in and let me know if my memory is correct or not.   You could always check with your oncologist just to be on the safe side.  Hugs!

Linda, Riley & Spirits Mighty Max & Ollie

Virginia







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8 July 2016 - 5:33 pm
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Good for you for being so attentive!

I've learned FAR more on this site than I ever did from the so called Onco and Surgeon so called specialist clinic (sorry, but my experience was far feom a good one, especially when I see how GOOD places treated their "clients" and how much info was given to them)

Andyway, I was NEVER told about being cautious about exposure to possible infection sources, avoid other dogs, etc. So I kept everyting "status quo"'with my Happy Hannah and, luckily, she was able to still do thi gs snd never got any infections. Ignorance on my lart was bliss on hers!

Maybe Eurydice oukd wear Pawz Booties , or something similar, when she goes play with her frie ds. Goodness knows she REALLY loves playing with her friends! Talk with your vet, but maybe there's a brief period of time in between chemo thst she would be less susceptible than others.

A yway, really glad you nipped this in the butt! 🙂

Love!

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!

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8 July 2016 - 6:41 pm
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Our oncologist told us to keep Otis away from other dogs (except Immediate family dogs who were all vaccinated) throughout chemo.  Her fear was that he would be more susceptible to illness, and it could be much more serious, because his immune system was suppressed by the chemo.  

I was particularly careful because canine flu is back in the Chicago area, a second version, and Otis had his amputation two days before he was scheduled to receive his second shot for the new version of the flu, so he is and will continue to be, unprotected.  Tess is fully vaccinated, as are my ex's two dogs, so I guess we are relying on herd immunity for Otis, just with a very small herd.

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.

Schofield, WI
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8 July 2016 - 6:51 pm
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I am so sorry Christine!  I keep thinking your name is Stephanie!  Maybe now I will remember!  Anyway it was Otis' mom Christine not Stephanie that I was referring to in my earlier post and even with my using her wrong name she did pop in 😀.  

Michigan
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8 July 2016 - 11:10 pm
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I don't remember if the oncologist told us to keep Murphy away from other dogs, or if I just decided to do it on my own knowing what I know about chemo in general with people.  I know that it lowers your immune system and makes you more susceptible to illness, so I assume the same holds true for dogs.  It's been 3 years since Murphy had his chemo, so sometimes details like this are harder to remember lol.  The flu that was in Chicago is what I was referring to - there were some cases in Michigan, but not nearly as much as what you guys had.  It's not too far away, though, so close enough when you're going through something like this to worry about.

Donna

Donna, Glenn & Murphy 

Murphy had his right front leg amputated due to histiocytic sarcoma at 7 years old. He survived 4 years, 2 months & 1 week, only to be taken by hemangiosarcoma at 11 1/2 years 6/12/17  
Read about Murphy's Life on Three Legs

Donna.png

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9 July 2016 - 3:28 am
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The flu is back here again, although not getting as much press this time.   And it's a new version, so the first vaccine doesn't work.   Lynn Baker from the Puppy Up Foundation mentioned that there will be no communal water bowls at the Wheaton walk, and at the Hinsdale walk, they gave out free plastic frisbee that people could use as personal water bowls.

When I was looking at the how much did this cost forum, I felt a bit bad because I was getting charged more than most of you.  Part of that is probably location, this is a pretty expensive area for everything.  But, when I compare the level of care and communication we receive with some of the things I am hearing on the site, it is worth every penny!

By the way, don't most of us on this site answer to our Tripawd's or angel's name as readily as our own?  

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.



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9 July 2016 - 7:19 am
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Eurydice 77kg/170lb Great Dane limping end of April 2016, amputation (right front leg/osteosarcoma) 4 May 2016 6 courses of carboplatin followed by metronomic therapy, lung mets found 30 Nov 2016. 3 courses of doxorubicin, PET scan 26 Jan 2017 showed more mets so stopped chemo. Holistic route April 2017. Lung X-ray 5 May 2017 showed several tennis ball size mets, started cortisone and diuretics. Miss Cow earned her XXL silver wings 12 June 2017, 13 months and 1 week after amputation and 6 1/2 months after lung mets, she was the goofiest dawg ever and is now happily flying from cloud to cloud woof woofing away :-) 



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9 July 2016 - 7:41 am
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I haven't read any of your replies yet I'll do it after I finish here.

Well, did I say it was under control??? Seems not.

This was taken this morning, I emailed the photos to the vet and he wanted to see her straight away so we've just been to the local hospital.

He gave her a little local anesthetic, opened up the area where the skin was discoloured and found out quite a big whole in there that he disinfected throughly.

So, it was probably some foreign body that got in there, a bit of dry grass or something of the kind. They cut the grass in the park the day before yesterday so whilst hopping around like a mad rabbit with her doggie friends she must have stepped on something. 

Antibiotic dosage was increased and I have to get her paw into warm salty water a few times a day to make sure everything is kept nice and clean. Easier said than done, trying to manage a cow's single front paw into a "bucket" of water and keeping it there is a hell of a tasklaughing

Of course, no walks apart from quick pee and poop. 

I am keeping an eye on the swelling and hopefully tomorrow it will be down otherwise we'll go to hospital again.

It is so hard to try and balance letting her enjoy a happy, doggie, normal life against all that can happen in the light of her cancer circumstances plus chemo ...

I had a chat to the vet about it, nobody knows how long my girl has left and to deprive her from doggie/park contact for two months sounds terrible to me. 

He says after she heals and if it was his dog, he would give her as normal a life as possible. 

It is funny that so many of you mentioned vets never want to mention what they would do themselves but me and Eurydice have been fortunate enough to have their personal, honest input which means the world to me.

Let's see how this progresses, she is now snoring away on her bed next to me. 

Sending you all much, much love and slobber from miss cow hereheart

Eurydice 77kg/170lb Great Dane limping end of April 2016, amputation (right front leg/osteosarcoma) 4 May 2016 6 courses of carboplatin followed by metronomic therapy, lung mets found 30 Nov 2016. 3 courses of doxorubicin, PET scan 26 Jan 2017 showed more mets so stopped chemo. Holistic route April 2017. Lung X-ray 5 May 2017 showed several tennis ball size mets, started cortisone and diuretics. Miss Cow earned her XXL silver wings 12 June 2017, 13 months and 1 week after amputation and 6 1/2 months after lung mets, she was the goofiest dawg ever and is now happily flying from cloud to cloud woof woofing away :-) 



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9 July 2016 - 8:01 am
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Just read your posts, thank you so very much for your support and for letting me know your personal situations with your furry friends.

Like Sally, I wasn't advised to avoid other dogs neither by the local vet nor by the oncologist.

Having said that, we live in a quiet part of London surrounded by many parks and luckily we don't have that horrible flu you mention.

Dogs we come across in the park are all really well kept, lively and happy and I would be shocked if they didn't have their vaccines done too.

We now stick to just one park as she has her solid doggie friends there to play with her every day.

Before amp we would go (daily) to a huge park where there are big herds of deer but since amp we stopped going as I want to make sure she will not get bitten by ticks carrying Lyme disease (deer are carriers and pass it on to the ticks). 

She has no tick/flee protection currently as I don't feel comfortable doing that whilst she is on chemo.

The booties are a brilliant idea, would I be able to buy them through Tripawds living outside the US?

Gosh, I cannot thank you enough for caring so much for my little girl hereheart

Sending you a huge hug and plenty of cuddles heart

Eurydice 77kg/170lb Great Dane limping end of April 2016, amputation (right front leg/osteosarcoma) 4 May 2016 6 courses of carboplatin followed by metronomic therapy, lung mets found 30 Nov 2016. 3 courses of doxorubicin, PET scan 26 Jan 2017 showed more mets so stopped chemo. Holistic route April 2017. Lung X-ray 5 May 2017 showed several tennis ball size mets, started cortisone and diuretics. Miss Cow earned her XXL silver wings 12 June 2017, 13 months and 1 week after amputation and 6 1/2 months after lung mets, she was the goofiest dawg ever and is now happily flying from cloud to cloud woof woofing away :-) 



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9 July 2016 - 8:14 am
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Oh, I just wanted to add a happy note.

Eurydice is on Fitzpatrick Referral Facebook page, one of the pictures was taken when my younger daughter and partner came to visit to "check out how their girl is doing", their girl being Eurydice of courselaughing

Eurydice 77kg/170lb Great Dane limping end of April 2016, amputation (right front leg/osteosarcoma) 4 May 2016 6 courses of carboplatin followed by metronomic therapy, lung mets found 30 Nov 2016. 3 courses of doxorubicin, PET scan 26 Jan 2017 showed more mets so stopped chemo. Holistic route April 2017. Lung X-ray 5 May 2017 showed several tennis ball size mets, started cortisone and diuretics. Miss Cow earned her XXL silver wings 12 June 2017, 13 months and 1 week after amputation and 6 1/2 months after lung mets, she was the goofiest dawg ever and is now happily flying from cloud to cloud woof woofing away :-) 

Schofield, WI
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9 July 2016 - 8:26 am
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I thought I read somewhere that it takes a day for antibiotics to actually kick in and start working so hopefully by later today or tomorrow you'll see improvement in the swelling.   Wonder why certain things can't be shipped overseas?  Must be very frustrating to you?  I remember when ordering the harness it said just shipping to US and Canada and I wondered why that was.  Hoping for a quick recovery from this for beautiful Eurydice!   Sounds like you have a huge advocate in your vet which is priceless.  

Hugs!

Linda, Riley & Spirits Mighty Max & Ollie

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