Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Spencer is a 4.5 year old doberman (rescue, so no clue of his history, adopted at 7 months old). He was diagnosed 5 weeks ago with grade 3 fibrosarcoma and had his left front leg and scapula amputated about 4 weeks ago. He weighs about 75 lbs now.
Spencer was on Adriamycin, Cytoxin and Vincristine (3 week cycles – first week getting the adria and cytoxin, week 2 and week 3 getting vincristine). Tomorrow is the last dose of vincristine for his first 3 week cycle. We have found out that his heart has reduced function, so they are taking him off of the adriamycin and swapping in Methotrexate.
anyone know anything about this one? With doing the adria we were going to only do 12 weeks of treatments (four 3 week cycles); but now with the new one we will be doing 15 weeks (so have 12 weeks to go after tomorrow). He should get 4 doses of the Methotrexate. (also will get 4 more of the cytoxin, 8 more of the vincristine).
Any questions I should ask the oncologist when we go in tomorrow. Any side effects that I should be aware of? Is this a normal drug to use for this type of cancer when adria can't be used?
Jac and Angel Spencer. Spencer was 5.25 years old. He fought a grade 3 fibrosarcoma, started on his shoulder. Left front leg amputated in August 2011. 15 weeks of chemo finished 12/22/11 (mytox and adria). Lung mets found on x-rays 12/28/11. Started carboplatin 1/6/12. Went to Heaven on 2/27/12. I miss him like crazy every day. See his blog here: http://spencer.tripawds.com/
My mom takes methotrexate for rheumatoid arthritis. I know she has to take folic acid with it. And I do know that it can affect the liver.
Comet - 1999 to 2011
She departed us unexpectedly January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.
She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.
Amputated 4 weeks ago....sounds like someone has an ampuversary coming up!!! Sorry, no help on your question. But, Monkeycat Belle will have some treats to celebrate Spencer's upcoming ampuversary!!
meghanhowell17 said:
Amputated 4 weeks ago....sounds like someone has an ampuversary coming up!!! Sorry, no help on your question. But, Monkeycat Belle will have some treats to celebrate Spencer's upcoming ampuversary!!
We just celebrated his 1 month! (September 24). It seems so crazy!! He is doing great and I feel like I'm a little overwhelmed with everything; but then I stop and think that we are at the long end of how long they estimated he would have if we did nothing (as in no amputation or chemo). And he is still going strong. 
Jac and Angel Spencer. Spencer was 5.25 years old. He fought a grade 3 fibrosarcoma, started on his shoulder. Left front leg amputated in August 2011. 15 weeks of chemo finished 12/22/11 (mytox and adria). Lung mets found on x-rays 12/28/11. Started carboplatin 1/6/12. Went to Heaven on 2/27/12. I miss him like crazy every day. See his blog here: http://spencer.tripawds.com/
I don't know about it for dogs, but in people at can cause liver damage (so they should do blood work to check for increased liver enzymes.) It can also cause some lung problems. I would ask the vet if any additional monitoring will be necessary once the mtx is added. And by the way, "HAPPY AMPUVERSARY" Spencer!!
Sadie is my 9yr old Rott/Shepherd mix. Diagnosed with osteosarcoma in her right scapula 1/28/10. Our brave girl had her amputation 2/13/10 and her last chemotherapy on 6/6/10. Unfortunately, a tumor appeared in her back right leg and on 10/7/2010 Sadie's earthly journey came to an end. On 10/24/2010 we adopted Ranger, a handsome Rott/Lab mix tripawd (got hit by a car) I think Sadie sent him to us.
http://ranger.t.....pawds.com/
We commonly substitute methotrexate for Adriamycin and the main side effects for dogs seem to be nausea. Like any chemo drug you can also see a decreased white cell count about 7-10 days after the injection. It does not cause heart problems and is not as irritating to the veins.
Did you ask about the CoQ10?
Pam
Thanks Doc!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
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darnit! I forgot to ask about that AND the mushroom stuff for his fur. argh! I guess I'll be back in a week, so I can easily ask then.
I'm going to have to start keeping a notebook of things to ask!
Also, it turns out that they took him completely off of the cytoxan too. But this new med costs more than the cytoxan and adria combined!
Jac and Angel Spencer. Spencer was 5.25 years old. He fought a grade 3 fibrosarcoma, started on his shoulder. Left front leg amputated in August 2011. 15 weeks of chemo finished 12/22/11 (mytox and adria). Lung mets found on x-rays 12/28/11. Started carboplatin 1/6/12. Went to Heaven on 2/27/12. I miss him like crazy every day. See his blog here: http://spencer.tripawds.com/
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