Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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2nd opinion was given last Saturday -
The oncologist after reading all Pixie's medical records from my vet and current oncologist. She does not think that vinblastine (recommded by current oncologist) will have helps on Pixie's cancer and the Palladia is not effective once the cancer spread to another place. According to 2nd oncologist, Pixie's osteosarcoma is very aggressive and it is extremely rare to spread to liver. Pixie's time could be weeks or one to two months left. sigh
I most likely will discontinue chemo on Pixie unless current oncologist could give me a very persuasive reason. I sent email an eamil last firday to ask several questions (thank you for the suggested quesitons of this website) and have not seen his email yet. He, current oncologist, used to reply email pretty quick but not this time*.
I will talk to my primary vet after she goes back to her office tomorrow for a plan of Pixie's hospice care.
*not sure what happened. he sent me an email to report Pixie's 5/10 exam with lung worsen result (did not mention liver) on 5/13. I replied his email to tell him about the liver after my vet confrimed the 2nd metastasis (to liver). He wrote back almost immediately to admited that he read the wrong report (March's exam) and offer vinblastine treatment. Hope this, read the wrong report, not made him not reply my email. Pixie's problem will only get worse and i will not blame any one.
Jist went to add that "hospice care" is a pawsitive thing and, if I recall accurately, can actually add to extended time beyond "prognosis"..
The reason being is comfort and quality are top priority and can have a good theraputic effect veyond what any " medical treatment" can give.
Not to mention that loving and spoiling and staying in the NOW fully present with Pixie jave added value for BOTH of you💖
Pixie has already blown statistics out of the water with thos very aggressive disease on kiities. And no doubt your exquisite care that has left no stone unturned has played a big part in it.
You always put Pixie's needs and quality first. And that's all she would ever want from you..other than loving and spoiling and treats😎.
Hugs
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
PS. As far as the other Vet not replying her to your email yet, most likely just busy or could be out of office a few days. Regardless, go ahead and resend it IF you think his response would be of value. You could preface it by thanking him for his earlier response but you weren't sure if he had seen your most recent email.
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!
I'm so sorry the news wasn't better. It's really good though that you have so many opinions to with, and even if they all point to the same prognosis, at least you know what you are dealing with and can take it from here to focus on quality of life and no more treatments that may worsen Pixie's days. It's a weird feeling of relief in a way. And I'm with Sally, if you feel like you need to have a response about the lack of communication from the other vet, then reach out. But it might also be more helpful to just move forward so that you can put all your energy on on Pixie and the next steps. Just something to consider.
Talking to your vet about hospice isn't easy, but it's so smart to have a plan. You are doing a great job managing this stage of Pixie's life, and making sure that every moment is as good as it can be. She is so lucky to have someone like you who puts so much thought into her care. Being so conscientious about putting her needs first speaks volumes about you as a pet parent. I wish all animals had it so good!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thank you Sally (Benny55) and Jerry!
Yes, Pixie and I need to move forward and in fact, i don't really need current oncologist's opinion because i understand what is the best to Pixie, let Pixie be happy, vet office visit only when necessary and acupunture.
Sending you a viral hug and giving you a HUGE standing ovation for being so clear on the best path forward for Pixie!👏
The depth of your bond and the loving connection you two share just warms my heart. And as a result, you DO understand what is best for Pixie amd your path forward reflects that beautifully. 👍
We are sending our love and all sorts of pawsitive energy to you and sweet Pixie. Your approach to her care and your devotion to her happiness....stellar.....absolutely stellar!
Jerry said it so well
She is so lucky to have someone like you who puts so much thought into her care. Being so conscientious about putting her needs first speaks volumes about you as a pet parent. I wish all animals had it so good!
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!
Thank you Jerry and Benny.
Even I clearly knew the prioity of Pixie's remaining days, i still was looking for alternative treatements. Last week, I also bought 7 bottles of holistic med. Luckily, Dr. Leong remined me the main purpose of let Pixie off chemo, kept her happy and comfortable. This really woke me up. Pixie is very difficult in giving med, she would puke out whatever in her mouth. Tricking her to take med is no longer valid as she is getting picky (cancer progress, my guess). Thus, I did not buy them.
Currently, she is on:
A customerized CBD oil* - 0.2cc twice a day (it is a very lose dose. Pixie is not able to puke out because of nothing in her mouth)
Gabapentin - 1 every 12 hours, if i am lucky enough (offset by 4 hours from CBD oil)
mirtazapine 1/8 every other day ( i used it as needed basis but keep in mind of the rule of "every other day")
Pet Wellbing life gold - 1 cc, if i am lucky enough. or If i feel that she needs it 😛
* I checked Jerry's post about FDA'a warning of 13 companies. The CBD oil supplier is not on the list. Thank you!
Aww I really like Dr. Leong. What a great vet. I agree 100%. It's all about quality of life and keeping her happy and as full of nutrients as possible without making her sick or annoyed.
The Gaba and CBD can work well. What do you mean by customized? I'd love to hear more about that. So happy you found the blog post about the FDA warning, glad it helped.
The meds and supplements sound great. We've heard good things about Life Gold.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
jerry said
Aww I really like Dr. Leong. What a great vet. I agree 100%. It's all about quality of life and keeping her happy and as full of nutrients as possible without making her sick or annoyed.The Gaba and CBD can work well. What do you mean by customized? I'd love to hear more about that. So happy you found the blog post about the FDA warning, glad it helped.
The meds and supplements sound great. We've heard good things about Life Gold.
the customerized CBD oil is CBD+THC and of course other holistic additives (i list the ingrendients of Pixie's CBD oil below). It based on Pixie's problem, weight and med to compound.
seems most commercial CBD oils for pet were mark Hemp oil. Hemp base oil has no THC (or i missunderstood it?). Some dog or cat owneres probably don't like the "additives" but pure CBD oil and probably thought that could be a ripoff of pet owners (the price). But, i don't have any negative thoughts about additives. I really like it low dosage, as i mentioned above, Pixie has no chances to throw it out.
Active ingredients: CBD, CBDa, THCa, THCd-9, other cannabinoids, select holistic additives & tempenes
Inactive ingredients: Medium chain triglyceride oil
Since i am not promoting the vendor and all dog and cat owners have responsibilities to evaluate what they select for their bebloved babies, i don't post entire website here but leave its name. As a responsible cat owner, i take my own risks. the vendor or the brand name is right:ratio (google serarch, this vendor's website pops on top to the search)
This is from my acupunture vet because I mentioned to about adding CBD oil to Pixie's med list. She then gave me its website to find a one can probably best fit Pixie.
that Life Gold, i reduced its from 1cc to .5cc becasue successful rate is higher.
Thanks so much for sharing, and for being so thoughtful about sharing the information here, it's much appreciated. I looked up the company and it's an intriguing concept. I really love that Dr. Leong recommended it. Please let us know how it works for Pixie. We are keeping our paws crossed!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Pixie has tumors in her belly. a lot of tumors, Dr. Leong said.
by the chance today's acupuncture, I requested Dr. Leong to check Pixie's lung, liver and abdominal fluid. two nodules on the lung enlarged but not that bad and not a lot of fluid, according to Dr. Leong. but, she saw a lot of tumors from Pixie's abdomen, she showed me the films. Sigh! I forgot to request further verification of cancer or not. But, it probably will not make differences.
we don't know whether Pixie is in pain but doctor prescribed Galliprant to test whether Pixie is i pain. if she becomes more active after taking the pill, she mostly like in pain. if makes no differences, then, she is not in pain or not that painful.
Pixie's appetite is decline that most likely caused by the tumors. She demands food very often but eats one or two bites then turn to me requesting other kind of food by either meowing or using right front paw to touch me.
Oh I'm so sorry! That news is hard to receive, my heart goes out to you. Yes tumors don't always cause pain so that's the good news.
If she still wants to eat that is good. Spoil her rotten and give her whatever she wants. It's really great that Dr Leong is trying the Galiprant. Originally it was just for dogs, interesting she's using it for felines now. It's good stuff.
She is getting great care and so much love from you. Keep doing what you are doing and keep us posted.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Update:
Last Saturday, took Pixie to the weekly acupuncture. Through ultrasound Dr. Leong saw her belly tumors enlarged. Sigh, I wish that were fluid not tumors if I have to choose one. Pixie lost another almost 0.5 pound of weight in a week again. She wants to eat but not much a time. I give her whatever she wants. But I am so worried her belly, getting big and feel hard. The week before last week, i even felt her belly kind of stable. I I thought that CBD oil was helping. sigh!
I talked to my primary vet (grrr, I forgot to ask Dr. Leong) a week ago about her opinion of having surgery on Pixie’s belly. Primary vet thought that could be no help as her cancer probably over the places.
It could be that the CBD has helped to some degrees and may still be able to. It's worth asking about changing up the dosage amount, or even switching up the customization of it.
Do you feel like the Galiprant has helped ar all?
Is she still taking a little bit of food several times a day? I love that she would take a few bites... slap you with her paw and look to you for more variety..
While things may not look good clinically, how is she doing "outwardly"? Does she still have some Pixie "sass"?
Sending extra 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!
Thanks for checking back to let us know how she's doing. I'm sorry the news isn't better. I'm curious too, how is her behavior? Is she still doing things she loves to do? Can she still get around?
I would agree that the CBD could be helping her with pain issues and appetite. If she's eating anything, the CBD might have something to do with it. That's good you can get her to eat a little. I hope it keeps up.
What were your vets' recommendations as far as where to go from here?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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