Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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On Monday Jack has his last Chemo, number 4 of the 4 our oncologist recommends
I need to ask the right questions when I see them about what is next, when I asked before it was almost as if 'that's it we've done!'
I did ask about X-rays and got a generally negative reply, there was a suggestion about a new protocol that Cambridge vet hospital are doing but I don't remember exactly what they were saying
help please about what I should ask about the future
by the way Jack is in fabulous form, running around and being a very happy boy, just the occasional yelp which we guess is phantom pain as it is usually when he is relaxing
YAAAAY for knocking down that last chemo!!!! WAY TO GO!!!
We would love to hear about the Cambridge protocol when you find out more. Could they have been talking about a type of metronomics protocol? That's where my suggestion would be, many oncologists here will put their patients on metronomics after chemo, depending on the type of cancer. You can read more about it by clicking on the link.
Something else to consider; rehab therapy. Make sure Jack is fit, strong and healthy by consulting with a rehab vet so that you can help him make the most of life without chemo and cancer. We have lots of info about rehab in our Tripawds e-books and in the Tripawds Gear and Downloads blogs.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
For us, they had us do follow-up x-rays. As time has gone on, they've spaced out more and more (2-3 months after chemo finished, then 3-4 months, now 4-6 months). Mostly to keep an eye on his lungs for metastasis. I guess we don't really need to spend the money, we could save it and just go by Murphy's symptoms, especially since he's already lived past what was ever expected to begin with. But I want to be prepared if things start happening.
Good job Jack!
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 had a chat with our vet today when we went for bloods, her advice was that if we are going to go with yet another protocol then it's worth looking at the lungs, if we choose just to stop now then she wouldn't want to subject him to another anaesthetic as it won't change the outcome and he is in such good form that we should just let him carry on enjoying his life, wagging his tail and just love him
So last chemo on Monday and find out what they suggest do
Storm was scheduled for six chemo sessions with an x-ray before the fourth (he is under Davies specialist near Bedford). The x-ray unfortunately showed up two mets (pea size) although he hasn't got any outward symptoms of them. This prompted the onco to change his chemo. He is due to have another x-ray after his third treatment on the new drug (his 6th treatment) and if the mets have grown then we will stop the chemo as it is obviously not having ant effect.
It's really strange how the treatments all differ, especially as Cambridge and Bedford are less than 50 miles apart!! It will be interesting to see what the vet says on Monday, really pleased to hear that Jack is so well in himself.
Chellie and Storm
So sorry to hear about Storm, hope the new treatment helps control it for you, my vet referrals only do 4 chemo and don't recommend X-rays/ ct scans as you say interesting how treatments vary, we go to Bath they are suggesting something Cambridge are doing so I need to learn and listen to find out exactly what it is
Online
So good to hear how well Jack is doing! Really good news!
Yeah, as we've all seen here, differences in the ways dogs are treated for the exact same thing. Every dog is differe t...every recovery is different...and al.ost all treatments are different!
My Happy Hannah's Onco also was of the mindset that four treatments were sufficient. After that, xrays were basically presented as "optional" as was any additional treatments.
As you already know, there are NO right or wrong decisions. YOU know Jack better than anyone and you will always do what's in Jack's best interest....always have, always will!
Nkw go hug Jack and watch his tail wag! All is well in Jack's world!
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!
So 4th chemo today, he just loves those vets!
The vet is going to talk to Cambridge vet hospital and ask about where we go, we might opt for a 5th treatment or we may go for something called 'masivet' I'm trying to read about it to see if it was decided that it helped extend the prognosis just need to find it being used for osteosarcoma rather than mast cell tumours might ask about palladia. Thing is he is tolerating this all so well do we keep trying without knowing how much difference to his life expectancy it is making or do we stop now and leave him to whatever his fate is
Would love to know what you find out about the masivet, do keep us posted. When it comes to the whole life expectancy issue, really, what it comes down to is, with or without cancer, nobody really knows how much time we have left. What matter is quality of life, and it sounds like he really has it right now, even with the treatments.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Happy New Year to everyone
I realised it is a while since I posted anything here but that would be because I really have nothing to post
Jack had a fifth dose of Chemo this week and will be having a 6th at the end of the month. He is 4 months post amputation and continues to be very fit, happy and well. The vet is very pleased with the way he has tolerated the Chemo and how good he looks, he has lost some weight now at 16.8kg from 17.5kg which is good as we have been trying to keep his weight down for the sake of his remaining limbs. He is very fit and everyone who sees him remarks on just how happy he is, particularly if they haven't seen him before his leg was taken off when none of us realised just how much pain he must have been in. In fact the only thing everyone says is how this was absolutely the right thing to do for him. I know we have limited time but if he continues like this then we can be nothing but optimistic about just how much there will be. Best of all his fur is really growing back now so no more naked scars to look at!
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Hurrah did it!
ADORABLE PICTURE!! That clearly shows Jack is living life to the fullest! Looks like a whole lotta' loving and spoiling going on!! 🙂
Just curious why you decided to continue on with six treatments instead of stopping at four like you had planned.
So glad Jack is feeling great! We love good news arou d nere!
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!
OMG ...adorable!!!! That is just the sweetest thing ever!!!
Shelby Lynne; Jack Russell/Shiba Inu mix. Proud member of the April Angels of 2014.
October 15, 2000 to April 8, 2014
Our story: Broke rear leg in June 2013 - non-conclusive results for cancer so leg was plated and pinned. Enlarged spleen in September 2013 and had it removed and was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma and started chemotherapy. Became a Tripawd January 8th, 2014 and definitive Hemangiosarcoma diagnosis. Three major surgeries in 7 months and Shelby took them all like a champ only to lose her battle to cancer in her brain. We had 8 amazing extra months together and no regrets. #shelbystrong #loveofmylife
Great news, Jack & Co. I hope 2016 is very very good to you!
Denise, Bill and Angel Ellie.
Active 10+ Pyr mix suddenly came up lame with ACL tear in left rear leg. Scheduled for a TPLO but final pre-op x-rays indicated a small suspicious area, possibly OSA, which could have caused the ACL tear. Surgeon opened the knee for TPLO but found soft bone. Biopsy came back positive for OSA. Became a Tripawd 9/18/14. Carbo6 with Cerenia and Fluids. Pain free and living in the moment. Crossed the Bridge on 7/12/15 after probable spread of cancer to her cervical spine. A whole lifetime of memories squeezed into 10 months. Here's her story: Eloise
Hi benny55
The vet had originally said they did 4 treatments which I queried with them having read what has been said in this group, she spoke to one of the Veterinary schools and they said they were doing 6 now, this was whilst discussing the massivet option so since Jack has responded so well we both felt that it would give him the best chance to do the 6 treatments. Massivet doesn't seem to be on the cards as the research is not telling them anything yet, I will ask again about further treatment options at his last chemo.
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