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question for those of you who opted for no chemo
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Member Since:
4 October 2016
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25 October 2016 - 4:56 pm
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Hey, so I just wanted to get a little feedback from those of you on here who have chosen to do amputation but not chemo for your babies. Chance gets his stitches out from amputation tomorrow. On Thursday we see a Holistic vet and on Tuesday we see a new Oncologist for a second opinion. The first onco doc we saw had a horrible bedside manner and told us that Chance had 1-3 months only with amp AND chemo. 

I am leaning towards no chemo but will be able to make a final decision after talking to these new docs. What sorts of treatments and diets did you use? Right now he's on the K9 Immunity supplement regimen and will start Apocaps after the holistic doc tells me when it's ok to start those. I have been cooking for him in addition to some Orijen grain free kibble mixed in. 

My reasons for not wanting to do chemo:

  • scared that 'quality' of life will suffer. My last dog had lymphoma and chemo was not fun for either of us. It stresses me and worries me which in turn worried my dog. 
  • not sure that it will give us that much extra time
  • I myself am a believer in holistic and naturopathic treatments. But am willing to do them in conjunction with Western remedies - like the amputation and pain meds, for example. I just don't know that chemo is a road we want to go down especially if that time frame is correct. I don't want to spend our precious time together at the vet's office. And even if it's only 2 days of him feeling sick from the chemo, that's two special days we are missing out on fun times together. 

Thanks for any thoughts or advice you might have! 

-Patricia and Chance

Virginia







Member Since:
22 February 2013
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25 October 2016 - 8:13 pm
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Hi Kim and Chancey!!

You are such a strong advocate for Mr. CHANCEYPANTS! Your questions are very well thought out!

Thank doG you are seeking other Oncos! That first one is waaaaay off base znd completely out of touch with real life experiences like we see here!

Check out Patchy's blog. That ADORABLE pup just celebrated his SEVEN month ampuversary and had NO chemo!!

http://patchy.t.....time-flys/ http://patchy.t.....time-flys/

You know Chancey best!!

You know how he handles car rides.

You know how he handles Vet's visits.

You know your financial situation.

Truly, there is no right or wrong when it comes to chemo. Some dogs get great extended time without chemo. So e don't. So e get great extended time with chemo. Some don't. Some dogs have side effects with chemo. Some don't. Generally though, side effects are relatively milde a d may consist of a couple days of lethergy and off food a little. Vets will give Cerenia for the nausea.

I'm sorry you had a bad experience with chemo with your other beloved pup. Don't know if it was Carboplatin and what the circumstances were or how long ago it was.

Anyway, I'll share my thought process for deciding to go with four rounds of Carboplatin for my Happy Hannah.

*Happy Hannah enjoyed car rides.
*Happy Hannah seemed to "enjoy" going to the Vet.
*IF Happy Hannah had bad effects I could stop at any point and any side effects should subside.
*For me...and this was just me...I would second guess muself if I didn't try. Whichever way you go, you have have to be at peace with your own individual decision.

ANY DECISION MADE OUT OF LOVE IS THE RIGHT DECISION!

I also ised K9 Immunity Plus and Apocaps . I did some homecooking, as well as using The Honest Kitchen, or Orijen Six Fish or Evo to add to my homecooking.

Check out The Dog Cancer Survival Guide . You can order it here from the Amazon click on. It was coa-authored by a Holistic/Alternative oriented Bet and a "Western" trained Onco. I think you'll fi d a lot of good info on combining the best of both worlds.

Give that cute Chanceypants a big smooch for me!

Hugs!

Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!

PS...Fortunately, my Happy Hannah didn't listen to any statistics or dire prognosis from her Onco. She put her paws over her ears and didn't hear a word she said! Instead, we got the most glorious extended time for spoiling and loving for over one year and two months!.

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!

On The Road


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25 October 2016 - 9:20 pm
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Patricia I totally get where you're coming from. We opted out of chemo because we had many of the same concerns, and also wanted to explore a holistic route. And the nearest clinic was six hours away too. Did we ever regret it? Yes and no. When Jerry's mets were discovered I wondered if we had done chemo, would he have had more time being cancer free? I did beat myself up a bit, but in the end, I know now that we made the right decision at the time, for our pack.

Everyone is different and there are no right or wrong choices here. Chemo is not a guarantee. It improves the odds, but we've seen a variety of situations that defy every statistic out there. From dogs like our Jerry who got more time than anyone dreamed (he made it 2 years, we only did metronomics 17 months post-amp when mets were found), to dogs who tragically passed on before the 1 year mark. You just have to know in your heart that you can live with your choice in the long-term. Some people have to do chemo or they won't sleep at night, others prefer to look at other treatments or sometimes none at all. It's all about what makes you and your dog happiest.

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

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31 May 2016
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26 October 2016 - 12:52 am
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I'm not doing chemo for Clyde. For me, sadly it was mainly based on the finances of it. But I might have made the same choice even if financially able to do the chemo, because Clyde is not a huge fan of the vet and gets super anxious there. He had his amputation on June 3 and is still a happy dog. I've read some things that have said three months with just amputation, others that say 6 - and then there's the dogs here like Jerry that just blow all of those stats out of the water.

For me, I just wanted to have him feel better. And he does! I think he might be slowing down a little, there are some signs that make me think its in his lungs, but we are still enjoying every single day. He hops around, enjoys his dog siblings, goes out and enjoys short hops around the neighborhood, playing in the front yard, everything a dog likes to do. I don't regret my decision at all - as the others have said, there are no guarantees with this stupid disease. All of us are here because we love our dogs so much and want to do what's best, and that's all that we can do.

Chance is a lucky, lucky dog! Best wishes and me and Clyde are sending good vibes!

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4 October 2016
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26 October 2016 - 11:21 am
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thanks for the insights. The not knowing is the hardest part. If there were some guarantee it would make our decisions much easier! For right now I am just happy to see him coming back from his surgery and acting like his old self again. I love him so much! I hate that every time I log in here there are new members joining. Every week there are new cancer diagnoses and amputations. I wish I could do something to prevent it so this doesn't keep happening. When my dog Zoe died from Lymphoma, I swore I wouldn't let that happen again. I have given Chance the very best food and tried to give him all the right vet care. But at the end of the day we don't really have any control at all. It's just fate. Sigh. 

I will make my chemo decision after next Tuesday. Right now my gut is still saying no don't do it. But that isn't set in stone. 

Sally - I got The Dog Cancer Survival Guide first thing after finding this site! It's a very helpful resource. 

Virginia







Member Since:
22 February 2013
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26 October 2016 - 12:52 pm
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Like you, many of us here hzve tried to do the "best" nutrition, limited or zero vaccines, etc and it just doesn't seem to matter with this crap disease!

What does matter is we make everyday count! We DO have "control" over that and no "treatment" matters more ro our dogs and cats than loving and spoiling!heart

As far as your "gut voice", sometimes that is exactly where your answer lies. Listen to what the Onco says and then, in a quiet and still space, see which option gives you the most inner peace in your gut?

Hugs!

Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!

PS. CLYDE! So glad to hear how happy you are! That's what it's all a out and that's all that matters...not days on a calendar, but quality in every day!

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!

Member Since:
20 October 2016
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28 October 2016 - 5:28 am
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Hi Patricia

I would like to keep track of the path you and Chance take with non-chemo treatment options. Gabbar, my 8-yr old had his amputation surgery yesterday. I am now considering the next course of action and treatment. I keep hearing about the side effects of chemotherapy and wonder whether it is worth it. The doctor unofficially informed me that out of studies conducted on dogs with cancer, there has been very little difference found in terms of longevity of dogs undergoing chemo vs those who didn't.

I have been soaking in some advice from a couple of friends of mine with pooches who are cancer-survivors and they swear by natural solutions and have made a conscious effort to avoid chemo. One of those friends lost a dog to cancer, and then adopted an adult dog (Keara) knowing that she had cancer. She has been feeding Keara turmeric and garlic pods, and has been doing so for the last 2 years. Keara is enjoying life to the fullest, and the only side effects have been some very smelly farts.

Another friend has a 12-yr old lab suffering from blood cancer. It's a more extreme case where she has to bring her to clinic for transfusions every 3-4 days. But for the rest of the time, she's got her on a dose of cannabis oil and apocaps .

I am exploring all such options and also looking for a holistic vet near me. Let's see what comes up and I will share my findings.

Read about Gabbar's journey from diagnosis to amputation at

http://gabbar.t.....eosarcoma/



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27 July 2014
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28 October 2016 - 9:48 am
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My cat didn't require chemo after her amputation. If it was suggested I would not have gone that route for her type of cancer and because of logistics. That being said I'm not opposed to chemo for pets of people.

First, not all dogs or humans get sick from chemo. There are many dogs here who had no side effects and some act like going for a chemo treatment is a fun outing. My sister has been on weekly chemo treatments and does not feel sick, sometimes a bit tired. There are different reactions from both animals and humans.

Second, the statistics really don't mean much since there are so many factors to consider and not all responses are the same.

I also took my cat to a holistic vet for a chiropractic treatment and they also put her on Power Mushrooms. We will never know for sure which direction is best. You are doing a great job a researching the options. It seems as though your gut is telling you what to do.

Kerren and Tripawd Kitty Mona

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4 October 2016
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28 October 2016 - 11:29 am
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We saw the holistic vet yesterday and got started on a CBD oil and once I get my card, I will get him something called "Lovingly and Legally" Formula #1. You start with .2ml and work up to .6ml so they never get any 'stoned' effects, just the good health benefits of the THC. He also suggested that in addition to regular fish oil we also add in 300mg of plain DHA as well. 

I had already started Chance on K9 Immunity and Apocaps and fish oil and we will continue all of those. Oh and instead of cooking food for him he suggested switching him to the food my other dog eats which is a raw food called Primal. 

One thing the holistic doc mentioned is that if we do decide to do any chemo, none of the supplements will interfere with that. They can be done in conjunction. 

I'm not opposed to chemo in pets and humans either. I have just been feeling like maybe this isn't the route for Chance and I. Thanks for all the feedback and thoughts!

Vijay I will for sure keep you posted on our progress and decisions as we go. I hope Gabbar's surgery went smoothly! Hugs to both of you during your next two weeks of recovery. 

Virginia







Member Since:
22 February 2013
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28 October 2016 - 11:39 am
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Alrighty, you have a plan, a plan that feels right, and now you can move forward!!

Glad you had a good consult with someone you have confidence in.

We look forward to following your protocol as it evolves, as well as all of Chanceypants' upcoming victories! 🙂

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!

Member Since:
6 August 2016
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28 October 2016 - 6:44 pm
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For mysweetted neither one of my vets has recommended chemo... I don't know if that is because they believe he only has X amount of months left (he was diagnosed in March 2016) or if they really believe in the anti-inflammatory that both of them feel has cancer fighting results.  I personally didn't want to do anything that was going to cause more stress in his life and I felt that chemo would, so I guess we were all on the same page.  Ted is still bouncing.  He is happy, eating, running around, pretty much the same sweet guy as always.  he has days when he is tired and for a short time I wondered if he had mets.....but I don't anymore.  I've not had his lungs x-rayed since right before his surgery in August.  Ugh, I don't want to and I really don't have a reason to yet.  We shall see.

Durham, NC
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16 September 2015
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28 October 2016 - 7:43 pm
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Hi Patricia & Chancey!

I have to chime in here. I, too, opted out of chemo for Izzy, even though the survival estimate was about 4 months with only amputation. The oncologist suggested chemo would likely double that but was very honest that these estimates are just based on averages.

Izzy had her leg amputated on September 18, 2015 and did tremendously well (though if you read my old posts, you will find that mom here struggled quite a lot lol). I ended up taking Izzy back to the same oncologist in early June (I think) and when the doctor came in, she admitted ... "I was looking at the referral before I came in and kept thinking 'This can't be the same dog. It can't ...' and then I saw you two and it IS!"  She was amazed that Izzy was still kicking around - and doing quite well, aside from a new kind of cancer on her foot.

Now, I did start chemo for the Mast Cell Tumor (Palladia 2x a week) because it was growing SO aggressively and I wasn't ready to say goodbye. However, Izzy is 13 months post amputation for her osteosarcoma and still a happy, silly girl (old lady). In fact, I'm planning her 13th birthday pawwwty - we know her birthday is around now - and am thrilled to have the chance to do so.

Izzy takes K9 Immunity Plus and GlycoFlex3 to help keep her remaining legs nice and strong. She's had some other problems but no lung mets to date ... and I can't give Palladia credit for that. 

Do what you think is best and give that sweet pup lots of love! heart🙂

-Amy & Izzy, too!

Momma to the world's most beautiful American Bulldog, Izzy!! Lost her front leg to OSA 9/18/15. Diagnosed w MCT in June 2016. Celebrated her 1 year ampuversary with knee surgery on 9/18/16! MCT recurrence in Dec 2016. Happy & hungry til nearly 14, earning her wings on 7/31/17.

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24 October 2016
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30 October 2016 - 11:13 am
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We are only 2 days post amputation but are leaning towards the no chemo route.  Right now Tungsten takes Essiac for pets, but I am also leaning towards putting him on K9 Immunity plus.  His a medium sized dog....about 45 lbs (he was 51 pre op).  How many wafers come in a pack and how many do you feed per day?

Tungsten Blue, diagnosed with osteosarcoma August 2016, rear leg removed 28 October 2016, left us on 12/13/16, he will be greatly missed.

On The Road


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30 October 2016 - 11:29 am
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ozifish said
...K9 Immunity plus...how many wafers come in a pack and how many do you feed per day?  

Please visit the K9 Medicinals website for details and dosage. Tell them Tripawds sent you!

You'll also find much more information about K9 Immunity in the Tripawds Nutrition blog .

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

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31 May 2016
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31 October 2016 - 5:43 pm
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Clyde takes K9 immunity = he was about 68 pounds pre amputation and I give him four tabs a day, two in the morning and two at night. He thinks they are scrumptious, and just gobbles them up! I have no idea if they help, but they certainly don't seem to be hurting anything and he loves them! Plus, it helps me feel a little less guilty. So all in all, completely worth the price.

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