Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Pam, sorry to bother you again, but I am at a loss.
Zeus (40 lb husky mix, OSA right leg amp on 12/1/11) has had consistently mild low RBCs since we started regular CBCs at diagnosis in November 2011. Always at the very high end of "low" - almost at the normal range. Recently he started MP treatment and did not tolerate the meds (vomiting).
July 16: cPL was abnormal and he was given Cerena and Metronidazole. The CBC also showed that the RBC had dropped: RBC=5.03; HCT=30.5; HGB=10.2; MCV=60.6; MCH=20.3; Retic was normal at 71.4; WBC were at the high end of normal at 16.22. With the meds he seemed to improve and we had several good days although he seemed to get out of breath and tire easily.
This weekend he declined. Would barely walk more than a few steps, faster breathing even at rest, and his gums changed to pale pink. July 29th: We took him to the ER and the CBC showed that the counts had dropped even more: RBC=4.45; HCT=26.7; HGB=9.1; MCV=60.0; MCH=20.4; Retic increased to 120.2 and WBC increased to 17.47. Vet did x-rays which still showed the single met but he said they were a bit cloudy and "indicated some lung activity" that could be beginning of infection (he also had a bit of eye discharge and had coughed a few times this weekend) or could be the beginning of more met activity. He was given a shot of Convenia to avoid putting anything else on his stomach. Indicated he would talk to our regular vet today who would follow-up on the anemia, but I did not hear anything all day.
Any thoughts on this? I questioned ulcer, but ER vet wasn't concerned about that b/c there has been no 'coffee-like' vomiting or dark stools. Could he still have an ulcer without those symptoms? I just find it so coincidental that these RBC drops came immediately after the peroxicam/terrible stomach upset.
Lisa
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/
Same here Lisa. Give Zeus lots of love from us.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Most dogs with an ulcer will have dark stools (black/tarry). It is more likely that the lung tumor is slowly bleeding. The fact that his anemia looks regenerative points to blood loss or destruction of cells rather than anemia from cancer itself. The increased reticulocyte count suggests regeneration (depending on the lab a count over 100,000 indicates regeneration or the increased production of red cells). 26% is not super low but he might benefit from an iron/ B vitamin supplement.
Pam
tazziedog said
It is more likely that the lung tumor is slowly bleeding. The fact that his anemia looks regenerative points to blood loss or destruction of cells rather than anemia from cancer itself.
That was my fear based on my floundering research online. Does 'regenerative' suggest that it is corrective or does this likely mean that we have started that downward spiral? I know that is a hard question, but I am so very lost right now.
Thank you for the reply. Lisa
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/
Hoping this is not the downward spiral.
Sending our very best pawsitive thoughts to you and your boy!!
Jackie, Angel Abby & MBBunny Rita
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!
Regenerative just means that his body is trying to make new cells. If the bleeding is slow and his body can keep making enough cells then you are okay. If the hematocrit falls into the 12 to 15 % range then you are looking at a transfusion. I would take it one day at a time and see how he feels. Take your cues from Zeus; he will let you know how things are going.
Pam
Thanks so much, Pam. I finally got a call back from the regular vet and he wants to see Zeus at 8:00 a.m. (EST) for bloodwork and to try and determine what is going on. My fear is that they were initially a bit low two weeks ago and that they have continued to drop instead of getting better. He is eating/drinking/eliminating normally, but he can barely go ten steps before he is panting and even at rest his breathing is noticeably faster.
Thank you again for the input. It is just so hard to see him like this.
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/
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