Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hi, Tripawd vets! We have a 14 year old neutered Lab mix named Baxter that is our best boy. He started limping a couple of months ago; we took him for a CT scan and were told that he had a tumor, most likely osteosarcoma, on his left scapula. The surgeon thought that even at his age he was a good candidate for a scapulectomy and forelimb removal. He is currently 9 days post op.
They also found 3 small spots in his lung that are most likely mets. We have an appointment for his first chemotherapy (Carboplatin) on 9/20/23, but I've also been reading about Artemisinin treatments for cancer and want to get started with that prior to his chemo as I've read it's not only a cancer cell killer but also can make cancer more responsive to chemotherapy. In one study, the animals treated with Artemisinin were still alive 2 years post op/post diagnosis.
The problem is that none of the vets in my area (Seattle), including our own vet or any of the oncologists we've spoken to, are aware of the use of Artemisinin . I've provided links to the studies and articles, but am not hopeful they can help with dosage or co-therapies since they have no experience with it.
I'm reaching out to the wider community to see if any vets have used Artemisinin in their treatments and if you know of a specific protocol that has worked for you or for a colleague. I have a friend whose terrier was diagnosed with small cell lymphoma three years ago; my friend did some reading and came up with a protocol and within 6 months, his lymph nodes were normal, tests confirmed no cancer. However, his treatment protocol for his dog wasn't supervised by any vet - while it seems to have worked, he came up with it on his own. The several studies I've read and various articles don't settle on one protocol or treatment method, so I'm hesitant to go forward without talking with a knowledgeable vet.
Baxter was roughly 60 pounds prior to the surgery, so is probably around 50 pounds now. Any help/ideas are appreciated!
Hi Maripat, welcome. I'm sorry for Baxter's diagnosis. How is he doing since surgery? Please feel free to start a new topic in Treatment and Recovery so we can support you two!
Have you tried searching the AHVMA: American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association directory?
You'll see the link to Artemisinin has some information to you. And I'll let our Fairy Vet Mother Dr. Pam chime in with her thoughts about it.
I'm not a vet, FWIW, but honestly, we have not seen much success among members who have gone with this remedy, especially for osteosarcoma. There are newer, more proven therapies out there like immunotherapy cancer vaccines, and you're in a great area to get this type of care. I would ask your current oncologist about it if they haven't mentioned it, and also for another opinion\ check out HOPE Oncology. They're based in Seattle and I know you will love Dr. Rizzo, she's awesome and super sharp! She's been on our tripawd talk podcast and is one of the best oncologists in practice in my opinion 🙂
Hi, Jerry. Thank you for your reply.
Baxter is very sad - it's killing me to see him this way because prior to the surgery, even with the tumor, he was the happiest, goofiest boy with so much energy. Now, 10 days post op, all he wants to do is lay down on his bed or the floor and he just looks so sad. We did have a bright moment today when we tried to play with his tennis ball and he really enjoyed that. Then we took him outside and he made it all the way to the yard (it's not very far, but up to now he hasn't wanted to take more than five steps to do his business and then go back inside) and we all sat outside for a while enjoying the weather. Then he made it all the way back inside without any help from us. That was a milestone. We are trying to keep positive and celebrate even the smallest triumphs.
His incision is healing beautifully, but his front and hind legs are weak and shaky. Being 14 with hind quarter weakness prior to the surgery, it's not a surprise, but I think I had a misconception that he'd be fine on three legs almost immediately. We are looking at physical therapy once he's feeling better.
I did review the Artemisinin information, thank you. There's a lot of it! I'm sad to hear that members are not seeing a benefit. I was very hopeful that would be the sure-fire solution after hearing my friend's story. I also read about the Artemisinin protocol on "A Path with Paws" from Dr. Lena McCollough. There's so many roads to go down and I'm feeling very overwhelmed. I appreciate your honesty.
Our oncologist recommended a Yale HER2/EGFR study at BARC, where we already have an appointment for chemo set up. Do you happen to know if anyone here has any feedback about this study or vaccine? Thank you for reminding me about it. I'll give them a call tomorrow.
Thank you also for the helpful links and information. I'll take a look at them tomorrow.
Much appreciated!
Baxter is clearly a well-loved dog. ♥️You are a wonderful advocate for him.
While waiting for Dr Pam's reply, I just wanted to pop in and give you some reassurance that recovery does not last forever! Right now it just seems like it! Ten days out for a senior pup recovering from major surgery is still very early. But what you have highlighted in your post today about him walking a little further, wanting to play with this ball, enjoying resting outside,......all of that truly, truly is progress!!👏👏And during recovery, every little bit of improvement is actually a huge improvement! You are doing a great job of recognizing that progress and celebrating it ! Baxter is making progress in his own way and at his own pace.
I'm curious what pain meds he is on. The dose, the frequency. And how about eating and drinking, doing okay in those categories?
Keep us posted and stay connected. Dr Pam will chime in on the medical part. After that, you might want to start another thread in the forms so we can follow Baxter's progress and give both of you support as we continue to celebrate his progress.
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!
Hi, Sally. Thank you for your kind and encouraging words. I know, intellectually, that he just had major surgery and that it's going to take some time. I'm just impatient -- I have to keep reminding myself that he's healing and doing his best. It's just hard, as I'm sure you know.
Baxter is on Rimadyl 2x per day (half of a 100mg dose each time) and Gabapentin 3x per day (300mg each). We just weaned him off codeine - he was off right after surgery, but was clearly in pain, so we put him back on 1/2 tab of 30mg 3x per day for a week and then slowly weaned him off. His last dose of codeine was the day before yesterday.
Both of our dogs used to be really food motivated and we had to feed them in large baking pans with water to slow them down after a scary incident with Hunter who had bloat when he was young. They were both on Orijen kibble, but we supplemented with high quality wet food and Farmer's Dog every so often, which Baxter would LOVE and eat like there was no tomorrow. Now, while he will eat if we sit there and encourage him to do so (we're mostly feeding him FD or wet food with only a small amount of softened kibble mixed in), if we put down the bowl and walk away, he won't eat at all - turns his head away from the bowl. He sometimes gets up on his own to drink water, but usually we have to put that bowl down in front of him too.
Thanks again for your support. It's much appreciated.
Hey there! I'm glad you described Baxter's situation in more detail. It does sound like he is still in some kind of pain, which is not unusual for older dogs after recovery. Older dogs, like older people, need more time to recover.
Please make the appointment with a rehab therapist now, so that they can address the pain asap. It will make a big difference in his recovery.
Pain control is not always a one and done, sometimes it needs other modalities like acupuncture, massage, etc. Your oncology clinic might have rehab on site so call them first to get a referral. If they don't have a rehab team, message me your location (see the Envelope icon to the right of my post) and I'll find one you can call. Most practices have a long wait time to get in so I hope your oncology clinic can get you in sooner.
Also, please start a new topic in Size and Age Matters so we can keep this one on track for Dr. Pam. See you there!
I did use artemisinin for my dog Tazzie but only after her carboplatin chemo was done. The studies I read were all based on what the drug did to cells in a petrie dish; honestly this drug has not been proven to be that helpful for OSA but may be a good adjunct medication. I would definitely see Dr Rizzo; she is helping me with my own dog who has indolent T cell Lymphoma and is doing well. The only oncologist I ever saw personally in Seattle was Dr Karen Meleio but I am pretty sure she has retired. Dr Sarbu is also excellent.
Pam
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