Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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We're here to listen, you can unload anytime. I can't imagine how hard this must be, when all you wanted was to help him live a longer, happy life. My heart goes out to you and I hope with all my might that Duke pulls through.
When we interviewed the folks at Veterinary Cancer Group, we were invited into the back area where the chemo drugs are dosed, prepped and then administered. This tour shows in detail what a good facility does to get ready for chemo treatments. This is one reason why we highly encourage people to ask tons of questions about their dog's chemo sessions. Find out who's doing it, how they do it, for how long, etc. And sometimes, sadly, even if you do all of that, things can go wrong as they can anywhere. It's heartbreaking.
I'm going to bet the clinic will work with you to ensure you feel you are financially treated fairly. Nobody wants a bad rap for something like this, so hang tight, stay calm, and just get ready to lay your case out to them. You are most definitely not asking for too much.
Please keep us posted, we want your boy to feel better soon. And thanks so much for understanding about asking Dr. Pam to be an expert, I greatly appreciate it.
Hugs coming your way....
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
How is Duke today? I did not mean to imply that they gave the wrong drug; I only wanted to let you know that it does look like extravasation. I also need to let you know that I am not an oncologist. I am just a general practitioner but our clinic does do a lot of chemo. When I took Tazzie for her first chemo I was surprised that the oncologist did not give the drug herself but apparently it is standard to have techs do it.
I know that you are frustrated and very concerned for your dog. The skin does look like it will fall off and in my opinion a good way to manage an open wound like that is with raw honey bandages (apply honey directed to the wound then a telfa pad, gauze, and an outer layer like Vetwrap). Initially you will have to change it daily but as the discharge decreases the bandages can be kept on longer.
I am glad that you understand that I can not be an expert witness. You need someone who has seen this directly and preferably someone with extra letters after their name like another oncologist or surgeon. I am not perfect either and I am sure that the oncologist feels terrible. Hopefully the office manager will handle things professionally.
Pam
Wow. Thanks for the info on the raw honey bandages. I've been wondering how on earth I was going to deal with that. Have a stocking on it now. It is starting to weep a bit and I was thinking I was going to have to put a non-stick bandage on soon. As a bipawd currently he just can't manage any type of collar. I have a big fluffy one on him right now as he sleeps and I'm home, so that I can give the leg and sock a break, but I work and can't leave him home alone with a collar on.
As for how he is... thanks for asking. He's hanging in there. He perks right up for salmon treats! 🙂 Seriously, he is still interested in food. And I think I'm using that as my main indicator as to whether to continue on or free him from his pain. I'm giving him pedialyte to drink because he's not drinking much water. (The unflavored stuff is horrid but he seems to like it.) He seems to be putting less and less weight on the sore leg, and is collapsing when he stands in one place to eat, which has me concerned. I guess my main concern is how deep the damage is. I know with adriamycin sometimes/often there has to be an amputation because of the damage. Obviously we don't have that as an option. If it is too deep I need to stop torturing him. This so sucks.
Can you give any type of guesstimate as to timeline? Will this take weeks to resolve, a few months? We are at 2.5 weeks post chemo now.
As to an expert witness - I tried to get him in with an onco here who has a lot of experience (and lots of letters 🙂 but she will be gone until July 11th. So, I'm going to stay more focused on getting Duke well and less focused on the jerk administrator. Duke needs my time and energy now.
Quick update - just back from the vet - his oncologist, 2 surgeons, & 1 rehab doc all took a look.
They agree he seems to be putting less weight on the sore leg than he was, but they think he has the capacity to - meaning hopefully it isn't because of tendon, ligament, or muscle damage.
The believe the wound is "declaring" itself - doc speak I guess for the fact that the damage seems to not be spreading any further. The edges of the wound are becoming defined and clear.
The swelling may be down some.
They are thinking (hoping) the wound is not terribly deep (no tendons or ligaments involved) so a long, slow recovery is what they expect.
My Duke still has his appetite, and is very good on 2-legs as long as he can be moving quickly. Tried to jump into the back of my SUV this morning on his own! I've been trying to keep him from doing that but didn't stop him in time today. He failed, but what spirit!! I wasn't sure he could do it on 3 legs and he had no problem. Two? To even try? Crazy dog. (Of course, he knows I bought this car for him because he wouldn't get in my prior one. Was just too small to spread out and get comfy. Guess he figures he better get in it because I have told him I'm not buying him another car. Not gonna happen. 🙂
So, as long as he continues to eat and it looks like the damage is not going to be too deep... forward we go. =)
Asked onco about the raw honey treatment and she said they use sugar there, but that it was too soon for that. Looked like the raw honey could help get the dead skin to slough off, but I'll sit tight for now.
So, good news today. And, have I mentioned I love my Duke? 
He's such an awesome boy.
Oh YESSSSSS! This is the best news all week, I'm so happy for you guys. Duke WILL pull through, I can feel it!
I think the honey bandages idea is great, I need to research this and find out more so we can blog about it. Who knew?
Keeping paws crossed for continued improvement.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Sounds like some good news, you guys are definitely due!
It also sounds like Duke's spirit remains high- what an inspirational pup! I hope things have turned a corner now and you are on the healing path.
Karen and the pugapalooza
Thank you for sharing all of this with us...Lily just had her first round of Carbo last week. Good to know what Carbo extravasation looks like for future purposes. I think I need to do a little more questioning regarding the chemo procedure where we are getting our treatments...
Glad to hear that Duke is improving! We are sending lots of healing thoughts and prayers to you and Duke!!
Allison and Lily
Lily is 9 y/o Shepherd/Lab/Pit mix who was diagnosed with osteosarcoma 5/26/2012. Left front ampuversary 5/29/12. Eastern and Western medicine used to attack the cancer. Splenectomy secondary to mets 8/24/12. Mets to right rear femur, neck and lungs 9/21/12. Sweet Lily fought hard for 4 months and earned her wings on 9/27/12. Run free and chase those squirrels my love bug!
Hooray for a pawsitive update!
Hope he's hit bottom and the upward trend is beginning. Keep us posted!
Jackie
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!
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