Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Skyler had her 3 month ampuversary last week and up until now she's done pretty well. She had a grade 3 Mast Cell tumor in her right rear leg. She did an 8 week induction chemo (vinblastine, once a week for 8 weeks). Now they have her on Vinblastine once every 4 weeks, to continue for one year from the date she started chemo. She's also on Prednisone. She did not get sick at all in the 8 week induction period, now she is very lethargic and won't eat. If she does try to eat she vomits. I tried giving her chicken broth. She ate a little over the weekend, but today she won't touch it. She is drinking a fair amount of water, and when I get home tonight I'm going to try to get her to drink some Pedialyte. Her temperature was up over the weekend (highest point was 103.3), but as of today it's staying right around 102.8. I have to coax her to get up to go outside to the bathroom.
My questions are:
1. Does that sound right to have chemo for a whole year? (They said there is every indication that they got all of the mast cell tumor, but since it is a very agressive tumor they recommend chemo every 4 weeks.)
2. At what point do I need to get her into the doctor with this not eating thing?
3. Unrelated to this recent sickness, but ever since the amputation she won't even try to go up steps, and at my house it is pretty much a necessity. She will go up if I help her, but it's a struggle. She seems very weak in the rear.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated!!
Thanks,
Jane, Cathy, and Skyler
Skyler – 10 year old Golden Retriever. Diagnosed with Mast Cell Tumor on 2-26-10. Right rear leg amputated on 3-4-10. Crossed Rainbow Bridge on 6-11-10. Chloe – Joined her sister on 4-4-11, due to hemangiosarcoma. The beloved Golden Girls are now back together.
I'm so sorry to hear about Skyler off her food. My dog did the same after her amputation...however, 5 days afterwards not this long after. She had a low grade temp. such as your dog. Her eating didn't return until we got the fever down. I treated her with homeopathics as traditional medicine's weren't doing the trick. I've been told, as long as they're drinking, they can go a while without eating but if you're like me, it is VERY stressful to not see your dog eat. You say she's on Prednisone, that usually makes them ravenous for food...at least it did for my dog. Have you tried various kinds of foods and hand feeding her? Fried eggs were a hit with my dog when she wouldn't eat.
I'm sorry I have no advice about the chemo as I didn't go that route with my dog...but a year sure seems a long time?
Tracy, Maggie's Mom
Maggie was amputated for soft tissue sarcoma 10-20-09
Maggie lost her battle with kidney disease on 8-24-13
jmolen said:
...she won't even try to go up steps, and at my house it is pretty much a necessity. She will go up if I help her, but it's a struggle.
Hopefully Dr. Wiltzius (aka: tazziedog) can address your veterinary concerns. Karen (aka: krun15) also had intmate experience managing mast cell tumors for her tri-pug hero Maggie.
Have you considered a Ruff Wear harness for helping Skyler on stairs and in/out of vehicles? We have discovered with Wyatt that it can take up to six months for rear amputee dogs to fully regain strength in the remaining back leg. Front leggers may have a tougher initial recovery, but it seems the chest and forelimb muscles bulk up faster to accommodate the extra weight.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi Jane and Cathy,
Welcome to Tripawds. Sorry to hear about Sklyer's diagnosis, but you have found a very supportive community- everyone here understands what you are dealing with and will offer help and support.
First off, this is a good resource for the basic information to be found on this site on amputation, recovery and treatment. We call it the Required Reading List.
My pug Maggie lost her left rear leg to a mast cell tumor. You can read the story of her initial diagnosis and treatment in her blog. I have not updated it for awhile but it is a starting point.
Maggie was on chemo for about 6 months after her amp, 2 different drugs alternated every two weeks. I am at work now but I can get the details tonight when I get home. A year does sound like a long time, especially if Skyler is having problems with it now.
I would be talking to your vet now about the temp and the lack of appetite. Any temp over 102.5 is cause for concern when a dog is undergoing chemo (according to our oncologist) since the inmune system is compromised due to the treatment. I always erred on conservative side and talked with the vet if I had any concerns while Mag was on chemo. I have some suggestions on getting a dog to eat, but if she is vomiting up what she eats they won't help much. You can ask your vet about some anti-nausea meds too.
Mag took more than 6 months to gain strength in her remaining back leg. Even then she never would do more than a couple of stairs- but that was really because of her size, she was only about 12" at the shoulder. She eventually worked up to walking a mile or more again, including hills, it just took time. I would recommend that you get a harness for Skyler, then work with her on a couple of stairs at a time to build confidence and strength, always rewarded with lots of treats. Be sure she has good traction on the stairs as well.
Maggie survived and thrived for 3 years and 9 months after her amputation and treatment, I just recently lost her to a second type of cancer.
I will keep an eye on this topic, and please feel free to send me a Private Message (PM) if you want to talk in more detail.
I hope Skyler feels better soon.
Karen and the pug girls
What dose of Prednisone is she on? This could cause the increased drinking and vomiting. It is not unusual to still be on chemo but it is a little odd that they are only using vinblastine and Pred. Often they alternate Cytoxan (cyclophosphamide) or CCNU (Lomustine). When was her last chemo injection? It is possible that her fever is due to a low white count, so you should get that checked out ASAP in case she needs antibiotics.
Pam
Thanks everyone for taking the time to answer my questions.
Pam, the Prednisone is 20 mg. She takes one every other day. She was on Cytoxan while in the 8 week induction chemo period. So, during that 8 weeks she got vinblastine once a week, Cytoxan and Prednisone every other day. After that 8 weeks she had just a few more days of the Cytoxan (maybe 3 or 4), and now is on just the Prednisone every other day, and gets the vinblastine every 4 weeks. This was her first of the "every 4 weeks" regimen, and her first one after the end of the 8 week period. Her last chemo was this past Thursday. We've been taking her temperature and it's been bouncing around a bit. Most of the evening it was around 102.7 -102.8. Within the past hour or so it went up to 103.6, then back down to 103.4. She has not vomited since yesterday, but then she really hasn't eaten anything either. This morning she drank a bit of water, but tonight she won't touch it. I know what you mean about the Prednisone causing the increased hunger and thirst. That's how she's been up until now. I've tried broth, pedialite, bland boiled chicken, and even her favorite treat...a small piece of mashed banana. She just turns her head away and won't touch anything.
Thanks again for your help.
Jane, Cathy, and Skyler
Skyler – 10 year old Golden Retriever. Diagnosed with Mast Cell Tumor on 2-26-10. Right rear leg amputated on 3-4-10. Crossed Rainbow Bridge on 6-11-10. Chloe – Joined her sister on 4-4-11, due to hemangiosarcoma. The beloved Golden Girls are now back together.
I'm so sorry to hear about Skyler. Holly has osteosarcoma, and has had IV chemo - she does lose her appetite after each dose of chemo for up to a week. She didn't have a fever (at least that we knew about - we didn't take her temp though). Something I tried that worked for Holly was to freeze some bits of canned salmon with water in a baggie - perhaps 2-3 spoons of salmon with 1/4 cup of water. She liked to lick and bite that even if she didn't feel like eating. And that helped keep her a little bit hydrated, although I don't think she stopped drinking like Skyler has done. A warning, though - these ice treats smell terrible so be sure to give them on an old towel if you decide to try them. If she likes bananas, then maybe you could try freezing bananas and water instead of salmon and water? We gave Holly pepcid ac and metoclopramide about 30 minutes before each meal, which helped some. Has your vet/oncologist given her some anti-nausea drugs to use?
We're sending lots of hugs across the miles... and keeping fingers and paws crossed that Skyler feels better soon!
Hugs,
Holly, Zuzu and Susan
Holly joined the world of tripawds on 12/29/2009. She has a big little sister, Zuzu, who idolizes Holly and tries to make all of her toys into tripawds in Holly's honor. And she's enjoying life one hop at a time!
http://anyemery.....ipawds.com
Hello again everyone. We took Skyler to the oncologist today and it looks like possibly the mast cell tumor has come back. We will know definately tomorrow, but the indications aren't promising. Her spleen is enlarged, as are some lymph nodes, and she has stomach ulcers. From everything I've read this doesn't sound good. It's only been 3 months since her amputation, and this news is just devastating.
Thanks to everyone for your kind words and advice.
Jane, Cathy, and Skyler
Skyler – 10 year old Golden Retriever. Diagnosed with Mast Cell Tumor on 2-26-10. Right rear leg amputated on 3-4-10. Crossed Rainbow Bridge on 6-11-10. Chloe – Joined her sister on 4-4-11, due to hemangiosarcoma. The beloved Golden Girls are now back together.
I am so sorry the news doesn't seem promising. Don't get discouraged until you get a full report and prognosis. And then if you don't like what you are told, go get a second opinion. That will at least let you know the two agree, or that you have options from one that the other failed to explore.
This is a very tough journey. We are never fully prepared for where it will take us. Many ((hugs)) to you as you face this new road.
Shanna & Spirit Trouble ~ Trouble gained her wings 3/16/2011, a 27 1/2 month cancer survivor, tail wagging. RIP sweetheart, you are my heart and soul. Run free at Rainbow Bridge.
The November Five - Spirits Max, Cherry, Tika, Trouble & Nova. 11/2008 - 3/2013 An era ends as Queen Nova crossed the Bridge.
Oh we are so sorry.
Well said Trouble. I agree with your advice completely.
Jane and Cathy, the news sounds bad but you'll stay sane if you wait until you get all of the answers needed to make treatment decisions. I know it's hard not to feel defeated at a time like this, but stay strong. Skyler is, I'm sure of it.
And remember; dogs can't tell time or read calendars. Skyler's just glad that for the last three months, she's felt better than she did in a while. We send our love and healing thoughts and hopes for many, many more hoppy days ahead.
Keep us posted OK?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I have sad news. The cancer has spread to Skyler's spleen and lymph nodes. The prognosis isn't good. With trying some different kinds of chemo we might be able to prolong her life for a while, but there's no guarantee that her quality of life will be worth putting her through it. She's in pain, and we promised ourselves when we first got her and her sister, Chloe, that we would not let them suffer. She's suffering. She's been through the amputation, chemo, and now this. Unfortunately, we have to let her go. We will be with her when she goes to Rainbow Bridge.
Thank you all for all of your kindness and encouragement. This is an incredible site. Ive told our oncologist about it and asked him to please pass it on to anyone needing the wonderful support that you provide.
Jane, Cathy, and soon to be Angel Skyler
Skyler – 10 year old Golden Retriever. Diagnosed with Mast Cell Tumor on 2-26-10. Right rear leg amputated on 3-4-10. Crossed Rainbow Bridge on 6-11-10. Chloe – Joined her sister on 4-4-11, due to hemangiosarcoma. The beloved Golden Girls are now back together.
I am so very, very sorry.
It so very hard to let someone you love go. May your heart be at peace.
Lots of hugs,
Comet's mom
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.
I am so sorry your journey with Skyler could not go on longer. I am sure you have given Skyler a wonderful life, and letting her go now is a selfless, loving act.
You did your best for her all through her treatment- and now you have had to make a very difficult decision. But you are making it with love and with Skyler's best interest at heart- so you know you are doing the right thing.
I hope as you go forward the good memories and love Skyler gave you will give you strength and peace.
Karen and the pug girls
I, too, am heartbroken for you. We all support your decision and acknowledge how difficult that decision is to make. Skylar's time with us was way too short. Sending you lots of healing thoughts as you face the remainder of your journey without Skylar. She will forever be with you in your memories and will continue to bring smiles from the Bridge.
Shanna & Spirit Trouble ~ Trouble gained her wings 3/16/2011, a 27 1/2 month cancer survivor, tail wagging. RIP sweetheart, you are my heart and soul. Run free at Rainbow Bridge.
The November Five - Spirits Max, Cherry, Tika, Trouble & Nova. 11/2008 - 3/2013 An era ends as Queen Nova crossed the Bridge.
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