Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hi all, I'm new to this forum and first off, thanks to all who have contributed. It's a relief and comfort to know that there are resources available to us as we work to provide the highest quality of life for our nine-year old pittie mix, Ella.
Background: After a misdiagnosis back in mid-November, we received biopsy results on January 4th that she has osteosarcoma presenting in her left front leg. We had already scheduled an oncology appointment just in case that the results came back positive, so on January 8th we saw our oncologist and were able to see a surgeon the same day to talk through options. We had already done quite a bit of research and knew that amputation + chemo was going to be our best shot of providing a high quality of life for as long as possible. Fortunately the surgeon had an opening the next day, so on January 9th she had her front leg amputated. She has tolerated the surgery well and while her appetite is decreased, she is eating (with lots of ham and goodies 🙂 ), drinking, peeing, pooping - all the good stuff.
Question: While my husband and I are still navigating challenges with her mobility/energy level - my biggest question for this group is around timing for the start of chemo. We have an appointment with the oncologist tomorrow (January 16)- and if her incision looks good to the doc - then they plan on giving her the first dose, one week post-op. While I am pleased with the idea of being aggressive to knock down the cancer, I am concerned about how well Ella will tolerate the chemo. She just seems so fragile right now, eager for her to feel a "win" in all of this.
Welcome thoughts! Also please feel free to direct me to an existing thread on this if it's out there. Just couldn't track it down!
Thanks all!
Michelle
Michelle, Hubby, Ella and family, welcome. We're glad you found us and look forward to being there for you as you start this journey. It does sound like you have covered all your bases and you have a great vet team working to help Ella thrive. YAY! That's such a bonus.
To answer your question:
While I am pleased with the idea of being aggressive to knock down the cancer, I am concerned about how well Ella will tolerate the chemo. She just seems so fragile right now, eager for her to feel a "win" in all of this.
In the past, oncologists would wait about 14 days to begin chemo. But through the years they've found that the sooner, the better, and most dogs can tolerate it really well even while still recovering from surgery. Your vets will do a complete workup to make sure Ella is strong enough to handle any potential side effects. She may get nauseated and boosting her appetite may still be a challenge (it is for most dogs going through chemo, but it's rarely unmanageable) but they won't move forward with chemo unless they are 100% certain she runs a low risk of any major side effects. Should she show side effects (usually at the 1-3 day mark or as far out as 10 days after chemo), they will review her labs and reach a decision about the most beneficial time for the next session.
In short, your vets make Ella's quality of life their number one priority, just like you!
And also, if she does have side effects that you feel are detracting from that quality of life, you can always stop. There's no law saying you must continue treatments once you start. Some people do end up stopping, and that's perfectly OK too. Only you know Ella best and only you see what her behavior is like at home, so you will need to make that call IF it reaches that point. Thankfully, most dogs manage chemo quite well!
Keep in mind that something that will greatly influence her recovery and experience will be your attitude. Be More Dog , remember that she is doing much better than most humans would! Be strong and pawsitive, it's great medicine for her!
I hope this helps. Stay tuned for feedback from others and keep us posted.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi Michelle and Ella!!
Good for you for proceeding with the surgery and getting that behind you! We all know it's a hard decision to make, but Ella will have her sparkle back soon! 🙂
I'm certainly not an Onco and not giviw Onco advice! I can only share my experience with my Happy Hannah. In her case, the chemo was recommended around the two week mark. As far as I know, that's still the timeframe recommended by many Oncos. Obviously Jerry noted, some recommend the one week mark (or even sooner!) . I did NOT feel like she was getting enough of her sparkle back at that point and decided to wait an additional week for her to get further along in her recovery. So around the three week mark she got her first treatment of carboplatin and did just fine. Her Onco recommended four treatments, all of which she sailed throw with virtually no issues.
As Jerry said, you know your Ella best. You live with her 24/7. It's completely your call if you want to proceed at the one week mark...or two...or, as in Happy Hannah's case, three! I merely throw this out to you so that IF you do decide to wait a bit longer, that is an option many of us have pursued for various reasons.
Update when you can. And we'd love to see pics of your precious pup!
Hugs
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!
For us, the surgeon recommended waiting until the stitches came out to begin chemo. Rocky had his stitches out 13 days after the amputation and started carboplatin the next day. We didn't have any issues, until some low blood counts starting after treatment three (of six).
David and Rocky (and Baxter now too!)
Rocky had his right front leg amputated on Valentine's Day 2017 after being diagnosed with osteosarcoma.
He joined the September Saints on September 3, 2017.
He is the toughest, bravest, sweetest and best friend I'll ever know.
Thank you all so much! I'll let you know how things go tomorrow afternoon at the oncologist.
Best,
Michelle
Hi Michelle and Ella
it sounds like you are right in track with Ella in all aspects! Well done!
Our boy Stewie started his six rounds of Carboplatin 2 weeks post amputation. He started chemo the same day as his stitches came out. Stewieks blood counts were great every time. The biggest issue for Stewie was trying to maintain strong veins. We had to switch legs each time we went in for blood work or chemo. He had no problem with his appetite and in some places his fur hasn’t grown back in properly, but that is very minimal.
Best of luck to you
Petra, Stewie and his kittens
Remember...“live in the moment!“
Hi all - apologies for the delay in providing an update. Happy to report that 8 days out from chemo and 15 from surgery, our girl is doing well. In talking with the oncologist it turns out that the chemo could start at a week because 1) we already had a biopsy in hand confirming that we're dealing with cancer and 2) she was healing really well from surgery. While the first night after chemo was a little rough with Ella experiencing nausea, that was handled pretty easily with some anti-nausea medicine.
I do think that day 10 or so was a bit of a turning point for us with Ella starting to regain some of her old pep and spunk. I'm sure that her body healing from the surgery + the drugs played a heavy role, but as we've been easing her off of the drugs...each day she has more and more pep!
Here are a few pics of our girl: https://www.ins.....wags2015
Sincere thanks for all of the advice and support!!
Michelle
ELLA IS A BEAUTY!! 🙂 🙂 Can't wait to see more pictures of that smoochable mug!!
Glad you were able to get that first chemo done and avle to manage any little blip she had withnit the first night.
You have given Ella a chance at a pain free and quality life!! She doesn't count days on a calendar and shure doesn't have a time frame stamped on that wiggly, waggly vutt! 🙂
HAPPY FIFTEEN DAY AMPUVERSARY!!! 🙂 🙂 🙂 Keep 'em coming!
Hugs
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!
Hi Michelle and Ella!
WooHoo!! Ella is already 15 days post op!! And 1st Chemo in the bag!!!
(Or out of the bag, technically speaking! Hehehe! 😉
Ella, you are already looking like a Pro! You are sooooo beautiful!! My gongases! Absolutely smoochable, I think Sally will have to agree;)
Keep showing your Mum and Dad what a Tripawd Pro you are! Tell them that thay are going to be even more amazed as the days and weeks go on!
Excellent recovery news!
Petra, Stewie🐾 & his Pride >^..^< 
Michelle and Ella you are pawesome! So glad to hear the healing is happening and she's even ahead of schedule for chemo, that's terrific. Keep up the great attitude, it's paying off big time 🙂
Love the photo! She sure is a pretty girl.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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