Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Our regular vet called me tonight and really wants us to do chemo. She doesn't want us to have any regrets. I really don't know what to do.
I am also in this position. My greyhound had a back leg amputated on Thursday and is at the vets and doing well. I will be collecting her on Monday or Tuesday and have agreed to do chemo, but really am not sure. I would only do it if it didn't make Seanna feel ill and the vet said it doesn't do that - its not like human chemotherapy. I just have to decide and need to know how chemotherapy affected other dogs. Seanna is 11 1/2 years old, but fit.
Hi Seannasunshine, welcome and thanks for registering, your future posts won't require approval.
I'm sorry to hear about your pup. One thing to consider is that all dogs do different on chemo. Most do fine and don't have any real side effects, but some do. It's hard to say who will and who wont, even most older dogs tolerate it well but like anything there are no guarantees. I encourage you to check out the posts in this thread that Admin provided, you'll find lots of examples there.
Please consider starting a new topic so we can learn all about you and Seanna. Good luck!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi Jessica,
We did not do chemo for a couple of reasons. My wife was pregnant when we got the diagnosis and we understand the toxicity of the chemo around a pregnant women is not good and our kid would be born before the second treatment. We were originally 100% for it originally, then I did more research and opted for a full holistic approach. The second reason was holistic was actually cheaper in our case as we were quoted 4-5k per round of treatment with the need for 4 maybe 5 treatments. I had several friends who had recently done chemo with their dogs and said they did not have a great quality of life and both dogs didn't make it 6 months post surgery and the were left with a 18k and 20K debt. I am not saying our choice s the absolute right choice, or that chemo is the wrong choice, just from our point of view this is what we chose. It is a very very tough decision and only one you can make for yourself.
I am happy to say we are 16 months post op and Clyde is still doing as well as he did pre op, actually he is doing great. We have not checked for lung mets since our first check up and will not do so until we expect a problem. Our regular vet has been pleasantly surprised with our success with clyde up until now and is monitoring what we are doing and how it is working. I am very happy we chose to go this route and urge everyone to do their own research and then make the choice that is right for them. There are no real rules to this, and every dog and person is different. My mom found her dog had cancer several months ago but she discovered it too late and unfortunately our protocol didn't find as much success with her dog...but when they found it her dog was completely riddled with lumps, and tumors, he survived 2 months longer than the 2 weeks they gave her. I honestly believe if she would have known earlier, that he would have had a better chance at survival. Either way Chemo would not have helped him.
Good luck, we wish you the best.
Thanks for sharing your experiences with Clyde, your future posts will not require approval.
16 months post op is wonderful! Please consider starting your own topic to introduce Clyde and share your holistic treatment regimin. Chemo is not right for every situation, it's helpful for members to hear success stories when a different path is chosen.
I've been dealing with mast cell cancer in two pugs for 8 years or so. After Maggie's amp I chose to do chemo because there was spread to her lymph nodes (very bad in mast cell cancer). Mag lived for almost 4 years, well past her 6 to 9 month prognosis. I firmly believe that chemo gave us that time. Maggie's little sis Tani was first diagnosed with mast cell about 7 years ago. We did a surgery to remove 3 tumors and she was fine for a while. About 3 years ago the cancer came back. This time I have gone the holistic route, treating her with herbs and supplements.
The chemo choice is a personal one, you have to factor everything into your decision. Finances, other health issues, how your dog does at the vet, your personal beliefs, etc. once you choose you go forward with confidence, knowing you made your decision out of love and your pups best interest.
Karen and Spirit Maggie
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Thanks for letting me know about Clyde. I'm happy to hear he is doing well. I had a phone consultation with Dr. Loops this morning and I feel good in my decision of no chemo. I feel like we have a plan now and ARE doing everything we can to help him. Every doctor we talk to does tell me the same thing that in dogs this young it's usually more aggressive but Dr. Loops said that we are going to treat aggressively.
Oh I'm so glad you spoke with Dr. Loops!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I know this topic is a few years old but any updates on how the dogs did?
How did Marshall do with Dr Loops?
Here's a link to CLYDE that has a link to Clyde's protocol
http://tripawds.....y-post-op/
Actually, Marshall's Mom just posted under a thread "Time Flies" under Tripawds Alumni.
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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