Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hi, my name is Lyssa. Our 5.5 year old malamute mix, Jewel, was diagnosed three weeks ago with osteosarcoma in her back right leg. We amputated a few days later and are now finishing up week 2 post op. She is doing well, getting around, eating and drinking, but she spends most of her time sleeping. I know, I shouldn't be surprised as it's a major surgery, but I worry about her energy level. We were scheduled to start the first cycle of carboplatin this week but she developed an "aggressive" staph infection and is now taking chlomarphenicol, a pretty nasty antibacterial. They want us to delay chemo a week until the staph is more resolved but as she is prescribed 21 days of the antibiotic, she will be taking chloramphenicol while getting her first dose of carboplatin. Chloramphenicol has the additional affect of suppressing the bone marrow so her red blood cells will already be depleted. It's a lot to take in, as you all know, and you are advised to act quickly, so quickly it's hard to think.
But... I am feeling conflicted about chemo. I understand that most dogs tolerate the carboplatin (to be administered once every 3 weeks for 6 weeks) but am concerned about the stats that I've been given by the oncologist that basically say the chemo will "double her life span" but that 90% of dogs only live a year. We have already spent 4k on tests, surgery, antibiotics, etc. The chemo is estimated bw 2.5-3.6k depending on dosage and whether we do 4 or the full 6 weeks. All of this money, worry, assessments - I just don't know if the chance of 6 more months is worth it. By worth it I don't mean the money - of course she is worth the money - but just because we have the means to prolong a life for a few months is it always a good idea? What is the best thing for her? Are we doing this for us, will she know the difference of a few months? It's all so much - we have three young children, both work full time, have other family illnesses occurring simultaneously.. I am confused and worried. And want to know, I guess, if others out there have opted to not treat with chemo.
Lyssa and Jewel, welcome. We're sorry you are dealing with cancer, but we're glad you came here so we can help you through it.
When it comes to chemo, you're not alone about your feelings. Yes, statistically speaking chemo gives pets a better chance at beating the depressing odds of osteosarcoma. But even with chemo it's not a guarantee. Some who have chemo outlive the prognosis by years even, some don't even make it a few months. Nobody, not even the most brilliant oncologist, can guarantee how long an animal will live with OR without treatment. For instance, our own Jerry lived two years post-op after his osteosarcoma diagnosis, without IV chemo. We did metronomics when we found out he had lung mets, 17 months out, but that's it. And we're still fine with our choice. It was right for us.
If you feel that chemo will create more stress for all of you, then it may not be right for your pack. It really is an individual choice and it's not right for every situation. You won't be judged by anyone, not Jewel, not us, if you do or don't have chemo treatment. When it comes to this disease it's all about quality of life. Whatever you can give to Jewel that offers her a chance at a happy day, one day at a time, is the best medicine there is.
I hope this helps. Stay tuned for others in this pawesome community to chime in with their own experience.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
We did chemo, and my Otis only lived for about 7 months. He tolerated it well, but I was also really glad when it was over. The time period once he got the chemo out of his system, while short, was absolutely the best. He was feeling great and generally his normal self. I don't regret my decision, but am not too sure it helped. I just don't know. As Jerry said, no one would question a decision not to do chemo. Many others have made a similar decision. And the infection adds another dimension to all of this.
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 did Chemo, too and are now in month 15. no side-effects whatsoever, so I would do it again, obviously. I am not sure if I would not wait with Chemo until after the other meds are done with just to minimize possible side-effects?
you can tell from the comments here: there is really no right answer to this since there are just no guarantees. Which is extremely frustrating. I opted for Chemo but then what do you do when you get advised by your vet. (For some reason this seems to be cheaper here in Germany though. I never noticed that before. I paid around 220 per Chemo session incl bloodworks.🤔)
whatever you decide will be ok. And you can always choose to do Chemo in, like, 3 weeks still.
Guardian of Manni the Wonderdog. -Or was it the other way around?
Osteo and amputation in Dec 2015. Second, inoperable, primary osteosarcoma found in June 2017.
The end of our adventures came Dec 10, 2017. 2 years to the day.
HI Alyssa & Jewel. I think there are many things to consider. In our case our Max was one of those dogs that hated just hated going to the vet. It really stressed him out. We did do four rounds of chemo. We promised Max after that no more traumatic vet visits. When after 4 1/2 months after amp Max lost use of his remaining back leg as though his entire back end was paralyzed with no feeling in it we gently let our boy go as we promised him. Vet came to the house and his educated guess was it was cancer spread to the spine but we'll never know for sure because we chose not to put him through any more tests. We just knew he couldn't feel his back end and his quality of life was going to suffer greatly. Chemo is the one thing we would change about this journey only because of the stress it caused to Max. Chemo is a tool that helps many but it's not for everyone. As Christine mentions the infection adds to the consideration. Make your decision out of love with Jewels best interests in mind and you will not go wrong. Hugs!
Linda & Spirit Mighty Max
I did 4 chemo's with Sassy. Some where between 4 & 5 she was diagnosed with lung mets. Would I do chemo over yes. She lived 8 3/4 months almost 10 months total after her amputation. We did metronomics after the lung mets.
Chemo is so personal. At first I thought I would never do it. I thought it was like a human and they would lose hair etc. First its not as high of a dose as what a human gets (that kind of dose would kill a dog). But the effects can very from dog to dog.
Your vet is right not to start chemo when she has a staph infection as the chemo wipes out any immune system they have. You are the only one who knows your dog.
xoxoxoo
Michelle & Angel Sassy
Sassy is a proud member of the Winter Warriors. Live long, & strong Winter Warriors.
sassysugarbear.tripawds.com
07/26/2006 - Sassy earned her wings 08/20/2013
05/04/2006 - Bosch, Sassy's pal, earned his wings 03/29/19 fought cancer for 4 months.
"You aren't doing it TO her, you are doing it FOR her. Give her a chance at life."
Thanks, everyone. @jerry, can you tell me more about the metronomics protocol? I understand the concept behind it and I think Jewel is a good candidate bc the tumor was found early, we amputated quickly, and chest xrays show no visible mest - I know it an be microscopic but atleast no obvious growth. But is this an oral you can administer at home? That would be ideal. And in general is the cost less/more/about the same as in-clinic carboplatin tx? Thanks, Lyssa
Read further and found your description of the three meds that you administered at home. Thank you, it gives me an idea of what the treatment would entail. There are dietary options, too, I understand. I wish we had more holistic support in the seacoast of NH but the holistic vet I called has not responded and my traditional vet doesn't have much to recommend on the topic of alternative med.
Jewel didn't want to take her chloramphenicol this AM, which surprised me - it took several diff attempts at hiding pills in various foods before she ate it. Made me feel sad, and now trying to imagine giving her meds at home if she isn't willing to take them. But I believe we can manage.
For those above who did the carboplatin, can you tell me about the administration of it? Did your dog seemed uncomfortable or stressed? Were they some sort of enclosure to prevent the vet techs for being exposed to the med (which I recently read was part of canine chemo protocol but am not sure if it is with carboplatin)?
Thank you all so much, I really appreciate your help.
Ha! I need to read more carefully - found info re: cost of MP. Clearly it ranges quite a but depending on your pup's weight, your vet, and where you get meds from.
Hey Lyssa, no problem. Anytime you see a link here click for more information about that subject.
As for supplements, metronomics is separate from that as far as conventional treatment, although many holistic vets will provide resources for high quality fish oil and other helpful immune-boosting therapies.
Have you seen this directory of holistic vets? Maybe there's one near you:
- Find a holistic veterinary medical provider at the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association website directory.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Manni is scared st the clinic but not to a degree where you wouldn't take him. As long as I'm there he just kind of copes, thank goodness. I'm not sure I've seen this here before but we are very lucky in that I was allowed to stay with him during the Chemo. We would come in, they would check his blood, and our vet would put in the IV and administer , is it saline solution in English? The Chemo would go into the IV bag via syringe. It would then take about 15-20 some minutes for the whole thing to be over. I held Manni throughout. For comfort but also to keep him standing what with the IV being in his hind leg. All together it took an hour probably. They have Chemo protocols here too, and the vet is careful in handling it but as long as the dog holds still there is zero exposure. But I obviously don't know how things are handled where you live. So for us, the stress was very minimal and I got to take him home right away too. However, it seems it's handled differently in different places. I know some people left their dogs at the clinic for a day.
Maybe you should just ask your clinic how they do it and make a decision based on that? I think it's great that you ask so many questions and get to make such an informed decision! I wish I had ended up here earlier, too 😊
Guardian of Manni the Wonderdog. -Or was it the other way around?
Osteo and amputation in Dec 2015. Second, inoperable, primary osteosarcoma found in June 2017.
The end of our adventures came Dec 10, 2017. 2 years to the day.
Hi Lyssa and Jewel 🌹🐶
As others said, chemo is no guarantee with osteo and it definitely is a very personal choice.
I chose to do chemo and my girl Eurydice had 6 courses of carboplatin administered via a vascular access port inserted in her neck which made it totally comfortable for her as this means there are no injections directly in the vein.
Inserting the access port was done at the same time as amputation but I am told it is a simple procedure.
She never shown any side effects, energy levels, apettite and goofiness all remained intact whilst she had chemo.
She also did metronomic therapy for 1 1/2 month and again shown zero side effects.
She is now almost 10 months after amputation and a very happy girl.
Although I cannot be sure whether chemo helped or not so far I would personally do it all again.
But if she was on antibiotics I would have waited as chemo brings the immune system down.
Whatever you decide, the only thing we can all be sure here is it is crucial to make our babies happy as much as we can, all they want is to enjoy their days with their family 💕🐶
... and there is only so much we can do to try and "control" cancer.
Sending you a big hug and cuddles to your baby girl 😘💕🐶💞
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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