Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hi I am Rocco331's Grandma. In short form Rocco is an 8 year old Rottweiler, diagnosed 10/28/10 with Osteosarcoma. He had a very large fast growing tumor in his left rear leg. X-rays and ultrsound revealed lungs were clear but a two inch growth in the spleen. That was biopsied and shown to be benign. He had the leg amputated on 11/6. Carboplatin chemo was started on Nov. 16th. He has had three rounds so far. This morning he had a couple of drops of blood at the end of his peepee. When he urinates it looks normal. Our vet is out of town. Could it be a result of the chemo? A urine infection? Or the cancer spreading? Or all thee?
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Thanks for asking! Hopefully Dr. Wiltzius will have a better answer for you soon.
I don't suppose Rocco is on any sort of Metronomics? That can often cause urinary tract trouble. Be sure to consult with your vet too. We hope all is well and look forward to your update. Please feel free to start a new topic to keep us posted.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
No Rocco is not on anything right now except the carboplatin every 21 days (this month was moved to 28 days due to vet being out of town). He has been doing quite well, has quite a bit of fatigue for about a week after chemo but blood counts have been very good.
I have been thinking about starting him on K9 Immunity but am struggling to get through paying for the chemo first.
Before I begin, my caveat - I am not a vet, and have had no experience with this particular problem other than a neighbour's dog and an internet surf:
Apparently dogs will sometimes pee some blood due to relatively common issues such as urinary tract problems, an infected prostrate (intact males), kidney issues and a couple of other things. I don't know if blood can appear as a result of cancer, but I suppose if the cancer affects the kidneys or urinary tract, it could. It seems they usually start to investigate the source of the trouble with a urine sample (that should help to tell if there is an infection). Last year, my neighbour's male dog had blood in the uring for months, but I think the vet had somehow missed what seemed the most obvious in his case and turned out to be the case (infected prostrate, eventually they diagnosed and treated it).
How long will your vet be away? Can you take him to the vet or another vet tomorrow? It can't hurt to take a urine sample (or expect to get one when you are there)
Susan
Dr. Pam would have to answer that one. Thye must be able to determine certain things from urine test, we just don't know what.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Slightly more than half way through her chemotherapy protocol, Miss Cherry started to dump blood in her urine. While it started slowly, the quantity grew and there was the tell-tale smell. All cultures of the urine were negative, and while it did mediate after we started antibiotics, it was not the result of any infection. Rather, a growth on Cherry's kidney that was found during her first consultation with the surgery/oncology team was the source of the blood. This was confirmed with an ultrasound during her next visit to the oncology. We never really determined the nature of this growth, but it was all but disappeared during this second ultrasound. You can read about this incident in Cherry's Tripawd Journey Journal for the period of time inquestion. It will be at the beginning of the link provided.
I would take Susan's suggestion of taking a urine sample into the vet as soon as possible. This might give you clues to what is going on specifically. Also, Miss Cherry's experience took place between Christmas 2009 and New Year's 2010. This was almost exactly one year before we ultimately lost her to the Osteosarcoma. A very wonderful year with my very senior partner.
Spirit Cherry's Dad
PS: It is the ability to go back and reference exactly what was happening that makes me continue to suggest that one might want to keep a very detailed journal during their tripawd journey.
Thank you for your answers. We have had Rocco's information faxed to another vet and are taking him tomorrow for the urine evaluation. He seems okay except for this, so we are hoping it is just an infection (or possibly Prostate). There have been so many ups and downs going through all of this, as you all know. This board has been a great comfort and help. I will post late tomorrow what we find out. Thanks again and best wishes to all of the Tripawds out there who are fighting this cancer.
Jill
Great news!! It is not cancer related at all!
Rocco has somehow injured the tip of his Penis (ouch, I know) and that is why he has had a few drops of blood each time he lays down somewhere. The vet tested his urine and it was fine, no blood or bacteria or anything. We are so relieved and happy.
YAAAAAAY!!!!!!
But yah, ouch!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Sorry that I missed this post, but I had a hectic few days. It was smart to run a urinalysis to rule out infection or other issues. I hope he feels better soon!
Pam
Thank you Dr. Pam for your reply. Rocco is feeling better already. We were so relieved that it was not a cancer related problem. He goes for his 4th round of chemo on the 24th of this month. His Vet has recommended 5 rounds of it (carboplatin). Do you have any suggestions as to what to do beyond that?
rocco331 said:
...any suggestions as to what to do beyond that?
We're not vets, and can only speak of our expereinces with Jerry, but we believed his healthy diet, Metronomics and K9 Immunity helped contribute to his longevity with osteosarcoma. Other members have reported success using Power Mushrooms, or Artemsinin. Our best advice is to pick a treatment plan, and stick with it. Please consider starting a new topic or a blog to keep us posted on Rocco's progress.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I would ask your vet about doing a 6th dose of carboplatin (if you can afford it) because a recent study from last year indicates that the average survival increases quite a bit with 6 doses vs 5. After that I would certainly recommend some form of metronomic chemotherapy . If you need more info on this after reading Jerry's links let me know!
Pam
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