Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hi all,
Koda finished six rounds of Carbo in mid-May. He's been doing great on three legs! At about 130 lbs, our big boy can still drag me around if we disagree on how long a walk to take -- usually he's decided he doesn't care that I have somewhere else to be. He loves to run and can go very fast, though tires more quickly than he used to, of course.
Just before his last dose of chemo, we adopted a 12 week-old rescue mutt, Jax. He seems to be keeping Koda young, as the two of them wrestle once or twice a day. It's quite a show, with lots of sound effects! 🙂
Obviously, we want what's best for Koda and just as obviously, we've spent a fortune on him (before his diagnosis, he'd already had over $10k worth of surgeries, between both his knees and removing a pair of our daughter's underpants from his stomach). The doctor suggested having another chest scan two months after his last chemo, which is right about now. From what I've read, though, when the osteo metastasizes, there's not much we can do. Seems to me, the only reason for a scan now would be to either celebrate his continued (relative and temporary) good health or begin the cycle of grief before he's even showing signs of deterioration.
Am I wrong? Is it really necessary to do another scan at this point?
And of course, here are some pictures of Koda and Jax:
Koda's not so sure about this new guy...
Mom of Koda, 150 lb male Anatolian Shepherd age 6 1/2 (DOB 10/4/09).
TPLO both knees - one 11/2012 and the other 2/2013;
Underpants-ectomy (a/k/a blockage removal) 8/2013;
Osteosarcoma in front left leg diagnosed 3/1/16;
Joined Tripawd Nation 3/4/16
Forever missing Koda's big brother, Sully (a/k/a James P. Sullivan), our first Anatolian and the Original Big Man (tm), who passed at age 10 1/2 from degenerative myelopathy on 6/27/13.
What a great update! And how great that Koda has a new friend! We have our follow-up x-rays in 2 weeks. Our oncologist said that if there are mets, you can start on Palladia (sp?). Me get slow the spread?
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.
So thrilled to hear how well Koda is doing! 
And to have GREAT pictures in top of that...YAAAAAAAAAY 🙂 Talk about priceless photos..perfect forever memories! MD!!! The one of adorable Jax "kissing" Koda...and Koda is truly smiling like a proud big brother!
ANY decision about how you proceed after chemo is done is sooooo individual....sooooo persona.....and never, ever, ever "wrong"! EVER!
You clearly have Koda's best interest at heart and he knows that!
Some here continue on very aggressively with various treatments after chemo
Some here continue on with more "mild" treatment (for lack of a better word). Metronomics comes ro mind. But it does require follow up blood work, vet trips, test, etc.
Some here pursue a more holistic approach and/or supplements/nutrition, etc that doesn't require a lot of vet trips or tests.
I'll share my thought process with my Happy Hannah after she finished her four rounds of Carboplatin. And PLEASE, I cannot stress this enough...each decision is personal and individual. There ABSOLUTELY is NO wrong approach!
For me, I already had decided after chemo I would not pursue anything that would require a lot of vet trips, poking, prodding, or possible side effects.
I did do metronomics a couple of weeks, but once a bladder infection (or UTI?) showed up and required more testing,etc I stopped that.
I also decided I would NOT do any further xrays. Should she start having any issues that may point to lung mets, then, and only then, would I do xrays. At that point it woukd be because it would help my vet know what course of non invasive treatme t to pursue for continued comfort and continued quality...things like Prednisone, maybe some Tramadol, etc.
For me, I felt like not pursuing any additional treatment or xrays was, I deed, a "treatment"! Did we give up? Heck no! She had supplements, good nutrition and, okay, I admit it, a lot of junk food too! She loved her ice cream!
For me, there was a freedom...a sense of relief.....to follow the path I felt like she would want! We were FREE!!
My Happy Hannah and I had THE most spectacular one year and two months of pure bliss! We stayed in the moment and every moment was Happy Hannah's Moment!!
I've re-read yiur post several times. I feel like you already have the answer within.
Ice cream and steak for Koda! Chemo is done!! Jax can have a tiny bit too!
Lots of 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!
Congrats on the new addition! And it's great to hear the Koda is doing well.
Tripug Maggie had a different kind of cancer (mast cell) so her check up appointments were abdominal ultrasounds (US) and blood work, we did them every three months. Mag did have some cutaneous recurrence of the cancer that we surgically removed so I felt like I wanted to keep doing the tests. I was so fortunate that Mag beat her prognosis of 6 to 9 months but it eventually brought me to a decision point. As she got older I decided to stop doing any treatment for the cutaneous tumors and would not pursue treatment if she had internal mets. There were other health concerns and I felt that her little body didn't need any more surgeries or harsh meds. At that point I decided to stop the check up tests because no matter what the result it wouldn't change what I was doing.
Unfortunately I let them talk me into one more US and of course there we suspicious lesions on her liver! They wanted to do a surgical biopsy and maybe do more chemo based on those results but I declined. The end result was that I got to worry about her liver and as it turns out when she passed a year or so later it wasn't from mast cell.
So, that was a long way of saying...if you think you would do additional treatment if Koda developed lung mets then I would do the xrays. If you wouldn't do anything more then maybe think about skipping the tests.
Karen and the Spirit Pug Girls
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
First of all, I love the 1st picture of Koda & Jax - Koda is saying, "I have no part in this mess!" While Jax is saying, "What's the matter mama?" lol Congratulations on the new addition 
Puppies are so much fun!
We did follow-up x-rays for awhile after chemo - immediately after, then 2 months...then 3 or 4 months ... then 4-6 months. Murphy's last set of x-rays was in October. We decided that it wasn't going to change anything if they did find something, and it seems like it was about $300 every time we went out, as well as a whole day (it's a 1.5 hour drive each way, and for x-rays they make it an "add-on", so he has to wait until they can fit him in). That being said, it's hard not knowing if some little cells aren't growing too! ugh We just took Murphy to a local vet to get a flu shot since we're going to the PuppyUp walk - canine flu is prevalent in the Chicago area, but not in Michigan. Our regular vet doesn't carry the vaccine, so I had to find someone else. This other vet is close to us and when we went, she said she often does x-rays for our regular vet. So today when I took Murphy for his booster flu shot, I made an appointment for a chest x-ray - I figure it's been almost a year since his last one, and even though he's doing great & not showing any symptoms, I want to take a look. So I think it's about balance - maybe they're not needed every couple of months, but once in awhile is ok.
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
I love your statement: "Seems to me, the only reason for a scan now would be to either celebrate his continued (relative and temporary) good health or begin the cycle of grief before he's even showing signs of deterioration."
That's how I feel, and have never been able to put into words so eloquently as this. We did 6 rounds of Carbo, followed by 10 months of metronomic therapy (which stopped when he developed cystitis, and consequently, severe inconntinence); I decided against follow-up xrays for the very reason stated above......at this point, we've done all that could be done, regardless of what an X-ray would show. I needed to take a break from the "cycle of grief"; perhaps it's burying my head in the sand, but I needed to stop obsessing, even if only in this one small way. I still watch Nitro like a hawk, questioning every panting breath, or less-than-enthusiastic appetite. But I cannot do an X-ray; I need that one, small "ignorance is bliss" feeling, regardless of how long it will last. Like Sally said, this is a personal matter, that only you can (and should) decide on - there really is no "wrong" answer. Good luck!
Paula and Nitro
P.S. The pictures are adorable - I see so much happiness there!
Nitro 11 1/2 yr old Doberman; right front amp June 2014. Had 6 doses carboplatin, followed by metronomic therapy. Rocked it on 3 legs for over 3 years! My Warrior beat cancer, but couldn't beat old age. He crossed the Bridge peacefully on July 25, 2017, with dignity and on his terms. Follow his blog entitled "Doberman's journey"
"Be good, mama loves you".....run free my beautiful Warrior
Hi Koda, Jax and Mom 
My girl Eurydice is a Great Dane, she had her front leg amputated 3 1/2 months ago and is going to have her 6th (and last) carboplatin session in a couple of weeks.
Follow up after chemo really is a personal thing and there are no right or wrong decisions here.
I personally want to keep monitoring, my thoughts are if we catch any mets early then she can still have further specific treatments.
But I can see the point of others, not wanting to be on the "path of grief".
It is just that for me and at this point in time and space, I want to be on top of everything and deal with any nasty developments immediately.
Will this make any difference in the end? Who knows ???
Is this a good way of dealing with this piece of crap disease? Who knows ???
You must follow your heart and keep pampering your gorgeous boy.
Totally love the pictures, your boys are stunning
Sending you big hug and cuddles to your cuties
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 :-)
Thanks everyone for your responses. I wasn't going to get the chest scan, but Koda's nails had gotten way too long and he won't let us cut them, so I decided to do the scan and let the vet deal with the talons.
As usual, our boy made friends with everyone in the waiting room, whether they had 2, 3 or 4 legs. With his playful attitude and strong appetite, I really wasn't expecting them to tell me he's got spots. Do I have to call them mets? That almost sounds cute. He's got two small spots of f*ing cancer in his lungs, and the doctor says we've got about three months. His stomach is easily upset, so we're not going to put him through oral chemo. We're just gonna be business as usual -- giving him whole slices of pizza instead of just the crusts -- until he's uncomfortable.
Taking the boy for a nice walk, now...
xo
Mom of Koda, 150 lb male Anatolian Shepherd age 6 1/2 (DOB 10/4/09).
TPLO both knees - one 11/2012 and the other 2/2013;
Underpants-ectomy (a/k/a blockage removal) 8/2013;
Osteosarcoma in front left leg diagnosed 3/1/16;
Joined Tripawd Nation 3/4/16
Forever missing Koda's big brother, Sully (a/k/a James P. Sullivan), our first Anatolian and the Original Big Man (tm), who passed at age 10 1/2 from degenerative myelopathy on 6/27/13.
Ugh. But as far as the vet's timeframe, throw that out the window! Ask dogs who did just that!!! Just ask Sassy! Just ask Jerry!
Okay, yiu did the xrays and spots showed up. NOTHING, ABSOLUTELY NOTHING has changed I. Koda's world!!!!! You damn right! Business as usual! Everyday is KODA DAY! Always has been! It just includes a little more junk food now!
Koda is feeling great and doesn't give a rat's butt about any ole xrays! He sure doesn't give a rip about days on a calendar made up by some humans who don't know Koda at all!
Top off that cheese lozza with a scoopmofnice cream! YUM!!
Lots of 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!
Hi Julie and Koda
I am really sorry to hear he has 2 small spots ... but agree with Sally, Koda is happy, carefree and he gets to eat whatever he wants.
Life is good
This is such a crazy journey, so many uncertainties, so many ups and downs but the thing that really, really matters is being more dog, truly !
Try and keep timeframes out of your mind because that will make you unhappy and anxious all the time, so Koda will team up with you.
I know how hard it is to live in the moment but that is all one has.
Sending you an avalanche of hugs and tummy rubs to your beautiful boy
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 :-)
Thanks for the perspective -- and the reminders to Be More Dog
! While y'all were kindly responding to my update, Mr. Koda had decided that our little walk was gonna be a full-speed-ahead run all the way to the front of our big neighborhood. If it weren't for the guy I don't know walking his smaller dog ahead of us (and worriedly looking over his shoulder), Koda would still be running. I had to force him to stop so the poor man didn't wet his pants! I know I'd probably wet my pants if a dog this big was running at me like that, with his ears and tongue flapping in the wind. And I definitely wouldn't notice or care if he had only three legs!
I'd have kept him out longer, but I'd only brought one bag and it was already full of
Plus, a freaking bug flew in my eye and swam all the way around to the back. When I was finally able to drag Koda back home, it took me like ten minutes to find it.
But my boy loved the run and I love my boy, so I'll bring more bags and wear my sunglasses, and Be More Dog and take more runs.
xo
Mom of Koda, 150 lb male Anatolian Shepherd age 6 1/2 (DOB 10/4/09).
TPLO both knees - one 11/2012 and the other 2/2013;
Underpants-ectomy (a/k/a blockage removal) 8/2013;
Osteosarcoma in front left leg diagnosed 3/1/16;
Joined Tripawd Nation 3/4/16
Forever missing Koda's big brother, Sully (a/k/a James P. Sullivan), our first Anatolian and the Original Big Man (tm), who passed at age 10 1/2 from degenerative myelopathy on 6/27/13.
BAM!!!!! CONGRATULATIONS!!!! You have just been awarded the Olympic Gold Medal for Being More Dog!!!!
Imlove the components that help make up Being More Dog...wear sunglasses, bring more bags and take more runs!
Hmmmm....wonder kf the Admin Guy coukd work on a "Be More Dog " iconemoji
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!
My Otis has been on Pepcid AC (yes, the human med) since chemo. It seemed to mess with his stomach too, and he still gets indigestion and nausea if his stomach is empty. (So yes, a lot of bizarre middle of the night feelings if he seems hungry). You might talk to your vet about whether that would work for Koda. And I totally get where you are on talons!
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.
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