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Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat

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RUby's Biopsy- Not good Histiocytic
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Member Since:
1 August 2016
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16 August 2016 - 9:46 am
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Well after all that , amputation, incision repair, diarrhea and everything it wasn't enough to to "ward off" bad biopsy results. It is indeed Histiocytic Sarcoma instead of the Soft tissue sarcoma we were hoping for.  We are so very sad because we've been told this type of cancer does return.  Now Kacy has to decide about chemotherapy and from everything she has read the side effects are just awful so she is not sure what to do. Ruby is 7 so she is deciding between not "making" RUby sick with the chemo and just taking her chances on the return of the Big C or whether to do the chemo on the gamble that it will not return.  I guess we will research it some and ask questions and try and decide. I've returned home to Florida from Colorado where Kacy and RUby live and feel very very far away.  Kacy said Ruby "seems depressed" and of course Kacy feels like Ruby just won't ever be back to normal to the dog that she used to have.  

I'm so sad and just don't know what to say or do.  If anyone has had an experience with Histiocytic and chemo for that matter we would appreciate your input.  In the meantime we will just search the boards and Internet for more info.

Thanks

Lisa, Rubys Loving Grandmother and Kacys Mom

Kacy and Ruby

Michigan
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2 April 2013
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16 August 2016 - 10:27 am
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Murphy was also 7 when he was diagnosed with histiocytic sarcoma.  It was in the bone of his right front leg, just above the elbow.  He had started limping and, just like so many, we thought that he had just injured his leg somehow - maybe running out the door or chasing squirrels.  By the time he was diagnosed, had a biopsy that was inconclusive, more follow-up x-rays, etc. and finally had surgery, he had been limping for over 5 months.  His amputation surgery was April 4, 2013.  It still took a few weeks before we got the diagnosis of histiocytic sarcoma.  One lucky thing is that the oncologist that was at MSU at the time had once done some research on this type of cancer.  Murphy was CD18+ (that's a marker they look for to see what kind of chemo they can use), and so he received 6 doses of CCNU.  The chemo was a pill every 3 weeks.  He had to have blood work, a CBC, before getting it then again a week later.  He also took denamarin every day to help protect his liver.  The day that he got the chemo he might have been just a little bit nauseous, but we had a 1.5 hour drive there, plus he stayed there half the day, then the drive home, so it was a long day.  He had no other side effects. 

Murphy turned 10 in January and is still hopping around, chasing squirrels, jumping on the furniture and barking at the world!  We haven't done any chest x-rays since last October, but they were still clear at that point.  Please feel free to check out his story here:  http://murphyh......com/    He was also featured in Tripawd Tuesday awhile ago here:  http://tripawds.....ma-cancer/

I'm here often, either in the forums or in chat.  Please feel free to contact me whatever way works best for you - either through here or private message.

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

Virginia







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16 August 2016 - 10:28 am
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Nope, not what you hoped for, but certainly NOT the end of the road either! Although my Happy Hannah had osteosarcomepa, others will chime in who have dealt with that particular type.

I've been on here long enough to know that "statistics" and "prognosis" don't mean much around here!!! Fortunately, dogs just do not listen to any of that stuff!!! Each one is an individual. Ruby has already proven she is one strong and determined gal and that kind kf attitude is important!

Needless to say, we have a lot of discussion around here about chemo, the side effects, the benefits (if any), etc. With an OPEN MIND, do the research, talk with the Oncos and continue to get feedback here.

Some of what you'll discover is that chemo does NOT affect dogs like humans. Generally, there are very few side effects, if any. You'll also find that, if there are side effects, they are .aybe a day or so of lethargy, maybe not wanting to eat for a day or so, along with a little nausea. The Onco will take pre-emptitive measures and give you Cerenia should there be nausea. Some vets actually have the dog start on the Cerenia anyway.

My Happy Hannah had four rounds of Carboplatin and sailed through with zero side effects! One of the things about chemo is, if there are bad issues (rare, but it does happen), you can stop anytime and things return back to normal. That was important for me when making the decision for her. In my Happy Hannah's case, she didn't mind going to the vet and she enjoyed car rides. I was able to schedule her appointments so I didn't have to drop her off for a whole day. We were in and out in about thirty minutes.

Right now Kacy is exhausted emotionally with this whole process. You both have had "extra" hurdles during this recovery phase, that's for sure! There are no right or wrong decisions. Just like you have always done with Ruby, you'll make a decision out of love and THAT will be the right decision!

The whole chemo scenario really is a crap shoot. Some dogs get tremendous extended time with it, some don't. Some dogs who go without get tremendous extended time with it, some don't.

As far as Ruby seemkng "depressed", she probably misses having her Grandma there'24/7 spoiling her! 🙂 She may also be picking up on Kacy's energy right now because Kacy misses you too! Kacy is strong and confident and that will help Ruby.

How is Ruby doing overall' With everything she's been through, she IS making progress and she IS enjoying all her loving and spoiling and that's always good news 🙂

Sending lots of love to all

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!

Virginia







Member Since:
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16 August 2016 - 10:36 am
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Of cojrse, the hour it takes me to type, ojr Don a has already losted with GREAT firsthand knowledge!''Mjrphy is wuite the hero around here. Do check out his story. It will.lift your spirits tremendously! 🙂

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!

Michigan
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16 August 2016 - 10:40 am
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We posted at the same time!  Love you Sally heart

And while I was writing, Lisa was researching, found one of my posts & messaged me big-grin

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

On The Road


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16 August 2016 - 8:23 pm
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Ohhh my gosh, I know how heartbroken you must feel right now. It's easy to let those statistics and prognoses freak us out. I totally understand. BUT I hope this helps....we've seen histio go all sorts of ways here and many dogs like Murphy have KICKED BUTT over it! We've seen so many that I've been meaning to write a blog post with all of their stories. I am now going to add Ruby's to it as well when I get around to writing it. Because she WILL kick butt!

Here's another doggie who will inspire you, Barney B . I would be hoppy to put you in touch with his human Linda, she's great:

Tripawd Tuesday Tilts a Hat to Barney B., a Six Year Histiocytic Cancer Suvivor

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



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16 August 2016 - 11:29 pm
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I'm happy to see there are a few positive experiences with a similar diagnosis. I hope that helps.

You say that Kacy "feels like Ruby just won't ever be back to normal to the dog that she used to have." No, Ruby will never go back to how she was - she had a leg amputated and is learning to adapt. Over time Kacy will be inspired by Ruby's resilience and ability to thrive on three legs. It's been just over 2 years since my cat Mona had her amputation and she's still discovering new ways to climb, jump, and rest in comfy positions. She's become a very courageous cat at the vet clinic and now treats it as a social time. She was not like that before amputation.

Yes, every now and then I get a small twinge in my heart when I see her hop to her food bowl. But then the other day this chubby little pipsqueek on 3 short legs outran a 4-legged young lab. She beat cancer through an amputation and is feistier than ever. Maybe her cancer will return but she got at least 2 extra years by having the amputation. So far Murphy got an extra 3 years. That's pretty darn good! Whatever Kacy's decision is, rest assured it will be the best decision for her and Ruby.

Kerren and Tripawd Kitty Mona

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17 August 2016 - 5:33 pm
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Im sorry to hear the bad new, I dont know about cancer, but hope you will have a great team to guide you throught this. I can understand Kacy completely and like me, I feel so overwhelmed and sad and worried and just hope that everything will be behind us someday, soon I hope and we will all chear together.

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17 August 2016 - 5:54 pm
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Lisa and Kacy,

I'm so sorry to hear this news.  It's been a long road for poor Ruby and I can imagine you are both exhausted emotionally and physically.  I am not in a position to make the chemo decision for my sweet Ted but I did do a lot of research during the process of going through his osteosarcoma diagnosis and the one thing that my vet told me was that chemo for dogs is not at all like chemo for humans.  She said taking chemo for them is actually a "quality of life" step.  I don't think I've read one thing on these forums or in the chat rooms that has been negative about chemo and that's pretty powerful.  There is so much first hand knowledge here and it's pretty consistently said that the chemo was not bad for their dogs.  I think if I were going through your situation right now I would take the time to be sad (and a little angry) about it and help Ruby get stabilized and feeling back to her "normal".  That won't take long at this point - once she's there then I think both of you will have a little more clarity in your decision.  This has been a rough journey so far.  It will get better. 

Schofield, WI
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13 August 2015
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17 August 2016 - 5:59 pm
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I saw your post yesterday and since I have no knowledge of that cancer I waited to post.  I knew Donna would see it and lend you all her knowledge of that particular cancer.  And I see she did.  ❤️❤️  Just popping in here to offer some support to you and Kacy & pretty Ruby.  As others have said chemo for dogs is way different than it is for people.  Keep your chins up and positivity going.  Ruby is a tough Warrior!  Hugs to you all!

Linda, Riley & Spirits Mighty Max & Ollie

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6 August 2016
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19 August 2016 - 6:24 pm
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Lisa and Kacy,

How is Ruby doing... how are you doing?

Wanda

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27 May 2016
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20 August 2016 - 3:39 pm
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So I originally started out on this website as Shea's mom. Shea was diagnosed back in May with sarcoma of the front left leg and shortly after lung mets. Shea did not become a tripawd due to the lung mets and rear leg issue. We choose to do radiation and chemo. She started carboplatin. Was lethargic 2 days later for about 2 days and then immediately went back to her happy energetic self. No other side effects.  During our next onco visit we found Shea also had a small mass on her spleen. The oncologist was more convinced that her cancer is hemangiosarcoma with lung and bone mets vs the osteosarcoma we originally thought. The oncologist felt that alternating between the carboplatin and adromycin would now be her best course of treatment. Her first round of adromycin was rough. Vomiting, diarrhea, depression. We were so upset, how could we put her through this, her face was so sad. 3 days later back to herself. The next round was carboplatin and again tolerated with no adverse effects. Her 4th round was supposed to be adromycin again but the oncologist changed her course due to the positive effects the carboplatin was showing. Not only was she tolerating it better but the cancer was responding better. Her spleen mass had appeared smaller and no progression in the lungs. So here we are today still with our happy, loving princess doing as good as we could've hoped for. 

But I am posting here because I am also the mom of Chase. A few weeks ago Chase began to cough. The vet said it could be allergies and post nasal drip. The cough medicine did not seem to be doing much and of course already having a dog with cancer I'm a nervous wreck. So we did a chest x Ray and was told it doesn't look like cancer and more like infectious pneumonia. But we will send for radiology to review. "Here we go again". And of course the radiologist does not think its infection but more like pulmonary nodules. So after a lung biopsy Chase was diagnosed with hystiocitic sarcoma.  We met with the oncologist and she suggested the CCNU. With as well as Shea is doing we figured we want to give Chase that same chance. We administered the first dose to Chase almost 2 weeks ago. No side effects. I don't even recall a day or 2 of lethargy. No change in appetite. No vomiting, no diarrhea. He will be getting round 2 next week.

I know every dog is different and will tolerate differently. But we have only seen positives from our chemo experiences. There is nothing I would do differently in our treatment plan for either dog. 

On The Road


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20 August 2016 - 5:46 pm
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Chase was diagnosed with hystiocitic sarcoma.

Oh my gosh Kris! I'm really sorry you're dealing with cancer again, that is just unreal.

You have a great attitude though, and I can tell that Chase and Shea are great teachers. We send lots of love & hugs & 3-paws up to your whole pack for much continued success ahead!

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

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29 August 2016 - 11:35 am
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How's Ruby? Its been a while since we've got news?

Boulder, Colorado
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30 August 2016 - 12:42 am
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Ruby is one month post-amp and doing well. We go back to the vet tomorrow to get her sutures removed and to get her first dose of chemo. I'm pretty nervous but hoping for the best!! 

This is a video I took of her wearing her new Ruffwear harness . I'm not certain I had it on her right or maybe just needed to tighten the straps because it kept sliding to one side :-/ 

Ruby is my (almost) 8 year old Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever. She had her left forelimb amputated due to cancer on July 28, 2016 and we are on the road to recovery!

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