Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hi Pam, I was just hoping for a second opinion. I got biopsy results back for Zoe's lymph node that was removed during amputation, they are telling me that it had spread, the tumor was alot larger than they had expected, and that they changed it from Grade 2 to Grade 3, which I don't know a whole lot but from what I've read, its bad news. I go back to the oncologist on Tuesday to start chemo, so my question is CCNU or vinblastine? I hate to put her through more pain, I have thoughts of just doing prednisone and hope for the best. Then just like everyone else on here, I think I want to give her every shot I can but have that quality vs quantity of life dilemma. Palladia was an option before, however they didnt mention it now, I'm not sure why. CCNU would be easier, I live a good distance away, so if all things considered equal that is what I would be leaning toward.
Thanks,
Karin and Zoe
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I think that the standard chemo to start with is prednisone and vinblastine and then if the cancer doesn't respond the dog is switched to CCNU. Pred and vinblastine have minimal side effects but CCNU can sometimes cause very elevated liver values or low platelet counts. Most dogs handle CCNU just fine so if that is easier for you it would be acceptable to start with that drug. Palladia can be given with either chemo regimen and is specifically for the higher grade MCT so I would certainly ask about adding that as well.
Bonnie the chocloate Lab developed MCT after she survived amputation for OSA and I'm pretty sure that she did very well on Pred alone and she also was diabetic but still had some good quality time.
Pam
Karen,
So sorry to hear about Zoe's grade change. Bonnie was my baby and had been through several wars. She had her right front leg amputated due to Osteosarcoma. She had diabetes and was on insulin twice a day and then got mast cell. U of Penn never bothered to grade the tumors because we were so far in to everything else. BUT, we opted for the prednisone therapy despite it working against her insulin for her diabetes. I just upped her insulin as necessary. Bonnie did really well on prednisone with little or no side effects. Her brother, Joe, in Colorado has been on prednisone for allergies for years and has not reallly had too many side effects except for loss of hair on his tail.
Bonnie also got the CCNU. The major side effect was her low platelet count. That made her tired and barely able to move for several days. It really packed a wallop but that could have been because she was run down from the chemo for the osteo.
I agree with Pam, if you can do the Palladia, it is really worth a try. It seems to be the newest and best according to the articles. BUT... the main thing is the comfort of the dog. If the CCNU is easier because it is pill form, do what is best for Zoe. It is all about quality.
chris-bonnie
Thanks for the advice, We did start on CCNU and Prednisone, I guess they will see how it does and then if not working can switch to Vinblastine or Palladia. Chris, did Bonnie get any infections or anything when the WBC/platelets went down? I could deal with a little lethargy, I'm just afraid she will get a secondary infection, she has always had allergies, used to always get ear infections and yeast infections. I'm afraid the prednisone or Chemo is going to stir something up. And Pam, I'm just curious, when I brought the CCNU home to give her, the directions on the bottle were different than what was on the discharge summary. I'm a pharmacist so checking doses is kinda a habit for me. How do you calculate the body surface area of a dog?
Thanks again everyone,
Karin and Zoe
Karin, there is a chart that you use for body surface area. You first compute the dog's weight in kg and then use the chart to find the weight in M2 (meters squared). I don't have a copy handy but you should be able to find one online (we use the one in Plumb's Veterinary Formulary). Or you can tell me your dog's weight and I can find it for you. When Tazzie had chemo she weighed 178# which was about 1.9 M2 and my Pitbull Kona weighs 65# and she is almost exactly 1 M2.
The starting dose of CCNU is anywhere from 60-90 M2 given every 3-6 weeks.
Pam
tazziedog said:
Karin, there is a chart that you use for body surface area.
Pam, is this what you mean?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hey thanks guys, I was trying to figure what they did for the height, like in the people's calculation. Thanks for the link Jerry.
No problem. I've never heard of that calculator before. We'll put it in our Resources page now.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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