Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Libby had been on metronomic therapy (cyclophosphomide & rimadyl) for 10 months, when on January 7th we took her to ER vet due to symptoms of a bladder infection. They used a needle to extract urine and said there was no bacteria. The ER vet said to double the rimadyl and stop the cyclophosphomide. We took her to her regular vet the next day who looked at the vial of urine given to us by the ER vet. She saw bacteria. She gave us antibiotics but also wanted Libby off the Rimadyl for 2 weeks (she said rimadyl can cause these problems in the bladder) and switch from cyclophosphomide to chlorambucil in 2 weeks. So she went 2 weeks without metronomic therapy. Her symptoms improved greatly even though I could see she still remained squatting even after she had urinated. On January 15th we re-started the rimadyl and began the chlorambucil. Took her to the vet Thursday (Feb 6th) for blood work. Mets were found and her blood work was only slightly elevated but it has been since the beginning so that was pretty much normal for her.
Now for today....against the white snow it was very noticeable she had blood in her urine. Of course, I discovered this 2 minutes after our regular vet's office closed. She peed several times on our walk today and we just started noticing she is licking that area more frequently.
I'm thinking I should stop the rimadyl again but don't know what to do in meantime til the vets office opens Monday morning. I'm not sure it warrants a trip to the ER but should I be concerned that it's something other than her bladder?
Liberty (Libby) was diagnosed with OSA on 1-22-13. Right front amputation on 1-31-13. No IV Chemo. Metronomic Therapy started 2-19-13 along with supplements and some home cooking. Lungs clear until 1-06-14. She's still her happy, hoppy, bossy self. Living the dog life to the fullest and a proud Winter Warrior. :) RIP my Libby 4-21-03 to 3-19-14
LIBBY! What the heck? Didn't get enough cake and ice cream for your ONE YEAR CELELBRATION so you're pulling the ole' "pity me" grick?!
Amy, maybe ut this over at Ask A Vet too. I'm NO vet but this definitely seems like the infection jasn't cleard up..that's all...nothing to worry about. I think Jackson took five or six weeks to clear up! Seems like the blood would disappear, onl to re-appear. I know for many, many dogs, two weeks on antibiotics jjst isn't long enough.
Again, I'm no vet...but I would just go on and take her off the Rimadyl til Monday. But to me, the blood, the licking (probably burns some), just sounds like the bacterial i fection. I can't remember, it seems like one of my dogs started on Clavamox (maybe?) and had to switch to a different antibiotic as that wasn't doing the trick.
I kow you're on edge...that's what this crazy journey does...but I REALLY don't think it's anything.
Yeah...you kow what to do...time t B R E A T H E and break out the chocolate! Not neceassariy in that order!
LOVE! LOVE! LOVE! and ((((((((((((((HUGS)))))))))))))))))
Sally and Happy Hannah
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!
Thank you Sally, I sure hope you're right. You bet we are on edge over here! I'll go back and read about Jackson cystitis journey. Thanks again! 
I think I did post this in Ask A Vet. At least that's what it says under "forum". Sheesh, maybe I did it wrong?
Liberty (Libby) was diagnosed with OSA on 1-22-13. Right front amputation on 1-31-13. No IV Chemo. Metronomic Therapy started 2-19-13 along with supplements and some home cooking. Lungs clear until 1-06-14. She's still her happy, hoppy, bossy self. Living the dog life to the fullest and a proud Winter Warrior. :) RIP my Libby 4-21-03 to 3-19-14
Oh I can imagine that must have been a scary sight, I'm sorry! I hope she feels good today.
Yes you posted in Ask a Vet. I'm hoping that Dr. Pam will be able to stop by. I'm not a vet but if I were in this situation I would stop the meds until you are able to talk to your vet. If you feel uneasy at all, a trip to the ER is worth the peace of mind though.
Here is the post that Sally is referring to:
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thank you, Jerry. She's seems like her happy self. Had I not looked at her urine, I wouldn't have known something was up. Thank you for the link. I hope the doc stops by as well. That would make me feel better. I'm definitely stopping the rimadyl and will ask about a different NSAID.
Liberty (Libby) was diagnosed with OSA on 1-22-13. Right front amputation on 1-31-13. No IV Chemo. Metronomic Therapy started 2-19-13 along with supplements and some home cooking. Lungs clear until 1-06-14. She's still her happy, hoppy, bossy self. Living the dog life to the fullest and a proud Winter Warrior. :) RIP my Libby 4-21-03 to 3-19-14
When Polly was on Cyclophosphamide last summer, her oncologist said this drug alone, can cause urinary bleeding and cystitis type symptoms. Libby has been on it for a pretty long time compared to Polly, so I was wondering if this may be the problem. Polly never had a problem with it but she was only on it for 4 days every 3 weeks for 6 total treatments. Just thought I would throw this out there as a possibility.
Sending positive thoughts.......
Bonnie & Polly
Thank you, Bonnie. Yes, Libby had a pretty good run with cyclophosphomide and we stopped it, as well as the rimadyl, in January when she started having these urinary issues. She was off of both for 2 weeks and we started up again on the rimadyl but switched to chlorambucil (leukeran) which supposedly doesn't cause these problems. It's a quandry but hoping to get it figured out soon.
Did Polly switch to a different chemo pill after stopping the cyclophosphomide? Geez, I wish there was an abbreviation for that med, lol.
Liberty (Libby) was diagnosed with OSA on 1-22-13. Right front amputation on 1-31-13. No IV Chemo. Metronomic Therapy started 2-19-13 along with supplements and some home cooking. Lungs clear until 1-06-14. She's still her happy, hoppy, bossy self. Living the dog life to the fullest and a proud Winter Warrior. :) RIP my Libby 4-21-03 to 3-19-14
Actually...I think you can call it Cytoxan ...give or take a vowel
You've got Jackson's link (thans Jer!) and I think the only reasn Katy spotted it as it was in the snow...Michelle also jad the same issue with Sassy from the same drug...she mayhave found Sassy's in the snow too! YAY for snow...so etimes!
Hang in there.....really....I'm sure it's just a matter of staying on the antibiotics a bit longer...or switching to another one.
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!
Amy,
It can take between 6-8 weeks for all symptoms for cystitis to go away. My vet was actually surprised when the oncologist told her that (this was the 1st time that she did the metronomic regiment so she didn't know). So don't be surprised if its still from the 1st time. It has only been a few weeks. I know Jackson took like 6 weeks Katy said for all symptoms to disappear.
I didn't have snow when we found ours I noticed her going a little bit at a time & straining then she went one day & I was watching & saw the blood when she 1st started going. Got Sassy right in.
A new NSAID might not hurt either.
Hugs
Michelle & Angel Sassy
Sassy is a proud member of the Winter Warriors. Live long, & strong Winter Warriors.
sassysugarbear.tripawds.com
07/26/2006 - Sassy earned her wings 08/20/2013
05/04/2006 - Bosch, Sassy's pal, earned his wings 03/29/19 fought cancer for 4 months.
"You aren't doing it TO her, you are doing it FOR her. Give her a chance at life."
Amy, yes, I agree, there should be a short-cut word for the cyclo bla-bla......Polly was also on Doxorubicin at the same time as the cyclo.....she was and still is trying to fight hemangiosarcoma so I think this is the chemo drug combo for it. She went through 6 treatments each of both drugs and then was finished....not sure it did much at all, and it made Polly extremely sick, but was worth trying I guess.
Keep us all posted on Libby, she looks so very sweet.
Bonnie & Polly
I think it is always warranted to run a urine culture if a dog is on chemo since there is not always visible bacteria under the microscope, especially if it is a sterile sample taken with a needle. Based on bacteria type and sensitivity results you can then select the proper antibiotic and the correct duration of treatment. My dog Tazzie had a Pseudomonas infection when she was on cyclophosphamide which needed treatment for 6 weeks.
It is true that the drug itself can cause bleeding but that is usually accompanied by pretty severe straining and increased urination.
Other less likely possibilities are bladder stone or tumor.
Pam
Thank you all. Everyone's experiences have been so helpful.
Thank you for the advice, Pam. In my head I'm thinking I will catch a sample in the morning and take it to the vet. I want it cultured this time instead of just giving me another antibiotic. I will also ask about switching from rimadyl to something else. Thanks again.
Amy & Libby
Liberty (Libby) was diagnosed with OSA on 1-22-13. Right front amputation on 1-31-13. No IV Chemo. Metronomic Therapy started 2-19-13 along with supplements and some home cooking. Lungs clear until 1-06-14. She's still her happy, hoppy, bossy self. Living the dog life to the fullest and a proud Winter Warrior. :) RIP my Libby 4-21-03 to 3-19-14
Pam you are pawesome, thanks for chiming in!
Feel better Libby!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
How's Miss Libby doing? We think about her always! And I know she's in Jackson's dreams.
~ Katy & Jackson
ACL tear in right hind leg 12/5/12 and scheduled ACL repair surgery 12/21/12. Pre-op xrays revealed osteosarcoma. Amputation 12/28/12. Chemo (carboplatin) started Jan 10, 2013 and ended on April 5, for a total of 5 doses. He handled carbo like a champ! No side effects. We started metronomic therapy at his third chemo and have been also doing some holistic treatments. He's a lively, playful 10 year old huskie-boarder collie and a very proud member of the Winter Warriors! Our love. Our funny little guy!
I'm not sure what to think. She's much better than in the beginning and even better since I first noticed the blood in the urine 2 weeks ago. We just got back from a walk in the park where she has always "marked" her territory along the trails. When we first set out she emptied her bladder and it was bright yellow. As we moved along the trails and she was marking, there were dribbles of blood. Mostly orange in color and several drops. Her next "marking", nothing came out. On our way home she squatted again and there were dribbles of blood (more reddish than orange this time). *sigh*
It's been 7 weeks today. I'm just not sure if this warrants more testing or it's just taking longer for her to get over it. Everything else about her daily routine is normal. Thanks for asking. Libby is sending nose rubs to Jackson!
Amy & Libby
Liberty (Libby) was diagnosed with OSA on 1-22-13. Right front amputation on 1-31-13. No IV Chemo. Metronomic Therapy started 2-19-13 along with supplements and some home cooking. Lungs clear until 1-06-14. She's still her happy, hoppy, bossy self. Living the dog life to the fullest and a proud Winter Warrior. :) RIP my Libby 4-21-03 to 3-19-14
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