Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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I hate to vent my paranoia, but I feel like I just need to dump my worries somewhere.
I have been absent from the site more than normal because we decided to take some time off around the holiday to just enjoy our boy while he feels good. Unfortunately, the time off coincided with the sickness from his MP, so it wasn't exactly as we had planned in terms of happy hoppy boy, but we were still glad to just crash with him and 'be' with him with no other agenda.
After his last dose of cytoxan last Friday he was sick - threw up Friday night and then just generally didn't feel well on Saturday. By Sunday night he was turning the corner and seemed to feel great Mon-Wed. I called Dr. R about the next step (possibly trying Leukeran?) and he wants to do bloodwork first. He is concerned that Zeus didn't tolerate the Cytoxan and wants to ensure there isn't an underlying problem. So, I take him right after work today for CBCs. In the meantime, he seems to not feel very good this morning. I am literally sick to my stomach that things are starting to turn. Please keep your fingers crossed for a good checkup tonight.
Zeus was a Husky mix diagnosed with Osteosarcoma at age 11. A visible lung met and suspicious spot on his liver meant a poor prognosis-six weeks was our vet's best guess. We decided to fight for our boy and his right front leg was amputated on 12/1/11. We did six rounds of chemo, changed his diet and spoiled him completely rotten. We were blessed with 10 great months after diagnosis. Against the odds, the lung met remained a single met and grew very little over those months. A wonderful furbaby with the most gentle spirit, he fought with a strength that we never imagined he possessed. We have no regrets...
http://zeuspod......pawds.com/
Are you kidding? This is paranoia headquarters! Vent away, anytime. Nobody will think you're weird, we've all been there. Paws crossed that whatever is bothering Zeus, it goes away and things take a turn for the better.
All of our fingers and paws and tails are crossed for good news. Please update when you get a chance, we are thinking of you.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
You're not being paranoid, you're concerned. I've been wondering about Zeus so I'm glad I just saw this post. Zeus is my little hero and you can count on positive thoughts and prayers coming from me and Harley. Harley started the chlorambucil (luekeran) last Saturday and so far he has tolerated it well. Dr. Pam said it was a safe med and I think it has fewest side effects, so that might be an alternative protocol for him.
Harley is an 8 year old Golden Retriever. Amp surgery for an infiltrative lipoma canceled due to two masses in chest. A rescue, he found his forever home on 3/18/07 and left for his eternal home on 1/09/13. His story and medical history are at http://myharley.....pawds.com/
We'll be thinking of you and Zeus....we all know that pit in the gut feeling and hopefully it's nothin'. Wishing you guys the best!
Suzie and Rizzo
Jack Russell born in 2001. Mast cell cancer found Dec 2009 and right rear amputation. Five rounds of chemo done before all treatment stopped. Living life to the fullest!! Read my story at http://rizzo.tripawds.com
Of course you should tell us when something's on your mind. Just as you celebrate the good stuff, you have to throw in the other stuff. That's just life, and friends, and normal. Do let us know how it goes. I'm happy to hear Zeus is having a good morning.
Shari
From abandoned puppy to Tripawd Warrior Dude, Dakota became one of the 2011 February Furballs due to STS. Our incredibly sweet friend lived with grace and dignity till he impulsively raced over the Bridge on 12-15-12.
Dakota's thoughtful and erudite blog is at http://shari.tr.....pawds.com/
So many good thoughts coming Zeus' way! Ever since the video was posted about the "talking" dog, I look at your avatar and smile.
As Jerry said, this is paranoia headquarters...we've all been there at some point, so vent all you need to.
-Kori & Angel Lupe
Diagnosed with possible synovial cell sarcoma of right front elbow 5/31/12. Amputation surgery performed 6/7/12. Final diagnosis of histiocytic cell sarcoma 6/11/12. Her soul and spirit were strong, her body was not...my little girl earned her wings 6/14/12. "If there are labradoodles and goldendoodles, why can't I be a cockadoodle?"-Angel Lupe (June 28, 1997-June14, 2012) http://lupepod......pawds.com/
Come on Zeus! Sending good thought your way for an uneventful vet visit.
Karen and the pugapalooza
There is no such thing as paranoia when it comes to the hairy kids!!!! I know that sick to your stomach feeling and I am so sorry you have to go thru it. Me and Peg are sending BIG cyberhugs to you...and sloppy kisses for our sweet Zeusy!!
Karen
Turns out he had a temperature (103.5) so they ran the extra blood cLP snap test which came up abnormal and is an indication that he likely has pancreatitis. Again. Bless his heart, he has the most sensitive stomach ever. In addition, his RBC count was low and WBC count was high. Dr. R said this can indicate bone marrow suppression issues. Of course my first question when he mentioned bone marrow issues was whether that means the cancer could be spreading. He said it is possible, but more likely that it is being caused by the infection. Dr. R gave him a shot of Cerenia, a round of Cerenia pills for four days and Metronidizole for four days. Recheck on Monday afternoon for follow-up CBC to see if the counts are normalizing.
Dr. R agreed that the MP drugs may very well have triggered the Pancreatitis. Unfortunately, Dr. R saw this as a sign that he cannot tolerate the MP treatment. He wants to get him over this hump and see if the blood counts return to normal, then look at "maintenance" doses of IV chemo instead of MP. Not sure I'm on board with this, but I guess we'll cross that bridge when the time comes.
Thanks for the good thoughts. Gonna go cuddle a baby boy....
Zeus was a Husky mix diagnosed with Osteosarcoma at age 11. A visible lung met and suspicious spot on his liver meant a poor prognosis-six weeks was our vet's best guess. We decided to fight for our boy and his right front leg was amputated on 12/1/11. We did six rounds of chemo, changed his diet and spoiled him completely rotten. We were blessed with 10 great months after diagnosis. Against the odds, the lung met remained a single met and grew very little over those months. A wonderful furbaby with the most gentle spirit, he fought with a strength that we never imagined he possessed. We have no regrets...
http://zeuspod......pawds.com/
Cuddle him for sure. I'll be thinking about him hoping he begins feeling better soon.
Harley is an 8 year old Golden Retriever. Amp surgery for an infiltrative lipoma canceled due to two masses in chest. A rescue, he found his forever home on 3/18/07 and left for his eternal home on 1/09/13. His story and medical history are at http://myharley.....pawds.com/
I'm so sorry to hear that Zeus is not toleraring the MP very well. Hope he recovers from the pancreatitis quickly. Give him lots of hugs from us as well.
Karen and Spirit Magnum
Magnum: 30th May 2002 to 5th May 2012. Lost her back left leg to osteosarcoma on 5th Sep 2011. Lung mets found on 20th Mar 2012 but it was bone mets in the hip that ended her brave battle. Magnum's motto - "Dream as if you'll live for ever, live as if you'll die today" (James Dean). Loyal, loving, courageous and spirited to the end. My beloved heart dog, see her memoirs from Rainbow Bridge ...... http://princess.....pawds.com/
Sending Zeus many wishes for a speedy recovery-so many twists and turns with all of this. My Lily has a sensitive stomach also, and I have her off everything right now-vet tomorrow. I know that paranoia, "pit", and panic. Not fun, but if there's anyplace to let it go-this is it.
Thinking of you and Zeus. Lily sends many pawsitive thoughts her way.
Joan and Lily
Our beautiful Lily was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in her front leg on 12/14/11 at age 8 and had amp on 12/16/11. She completed 5 rounds of carbo. She was so brave and kicked cancer's butt daily! She lived life fully for 4 years, 3 months, and 15 days after her amp. My angel is a warrior princess. I miss her so much.
So sorry to hear that Zeus is not feeling well! I hope this hump he needs to get over is a mere speed bump in the road and he's feeling good again soon.
And don't worry about the chemo for now. Like you said - you'll hop over that bridge when you get to it.
Please give him an extra cuddle from me! I know his angel Abby is still looking out for him!
Jackie & Angel Abby
Abby: Aug 1, 2009 – Jan 10, 2012. Our beautiful rescue pup lived LARGE with osteosarcoma for 15 months – half her way-too-short life. I think our "halflistic" approach (mixing traditional meds + supplements) helped her thrive. (PM me for details. I'm happy to help.) She had lung mets for over a year. They took her from us in the end, but they cannot take her spirit! She will live forever in our hearts. She loved the beach and giving kisses and going to In-N-Out for a Flying Dutchman. Tripawds blog, and a more detailed blog here. Please also check out my novel, What the Dog Ate. Now also in paperback! Purchase it at Amazon via Tripawds and help support Tripawds!
Poor guy.....snuggle him up from us too. No wonder he wasn't feeling good. He's been through the ringer. Time for him and you to get catch a break, jeez! We are thinking good things for you and hope this the top of this hump your on and soon you'll be on the down slope and feeling better soon.
All our Best
Suzie and Rizzo
Jack Russell born in 2001. Mast cell cancer found Dec 2009 and right rear amputation. Five rounds of chemo done before all treatment stopped. Living life to the fullest!! Read my story at http://rizzo.tripawds.com
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