Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Just wanted to give everyone an update on Maddie. She had her last chemo treatment 3 weeks ago. The last 2 were a little rough because they raised her dosage, but all in all she handled them great. She went back to University of Penn Veterinary Hospital on July 2nd for blood work and a lung scan / chest x-ray. Everything came back within normal limits! We are ecstatic of course! She goes back in 3 months to have the tests repeated and then I think she will continue to go back every 3 months thereafter. We're praying that she stays in remission for years to come! We will continue to post updates as things arise.
Kathy & Maddie
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WooHoo Maddie! Thank goodness for chemo and good vets. It's nice to hear that her tests came back within the normal limits. We'll pray that they stay that way.
Chuy, showing everyone that Tripawds do everything 3 times better than regular dogs!
Great Update Maddie.Way to Go!
We'll keep you in our prayers too that things stay that way.
Seanne and Angel Wrigley
Great job, Maddie! I hope her tests continue to come out good. I'm so glad for you.
Debra & Emily, a five year old doberman mix, who was diagnosed with an osteosaecoma. She had a right rear leg amputation on May 19, 2009. On November 10, 2009 she earned her wings and regained her fourth leg.
Maddie & I thank all of you for your prayers and well wishes. Please continue to pray for her that she stays healthy. We will continue posting updates. 
13
You are in all our thoughts and prayers for sure. We look forward to Maddie's updates.
Don't forget to log in so your posts appear immediately without requiring moderation. FYI: I think your username is "kathymauger" (no spaces, case sensitive) and you can retrieve your password if you forgot it by clicking the Forgot Password link when logging in.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Way to go, Maddie. Great update!
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.
Maddie went to U of P for her 3 month check up on Tuesday. She had been a little down the past week, running a fever and having some allergy problems and conjunctiviits. We took her to our regular vet who put her antibiotics and benadryl. She was still down on Monday so we took her back and he ran blood work. Her white cell count and something else we slightly elevated but not enough to show any concern. When we got to U of P on Tuesday, October 20th they ran her chest rads. After hours of waiting they came down to talk to us and as soon as they took us into a private room we knew that it wasn't good news. The osteosarcoma has spread to her lungs and they said that there isn't anything else they can do for her but to focus on giving her the best quality of life for as long as possible. They couldn't give us any type of time frame other than anywhere from a few weeks to several months:( She has several small nodules and one large nodule on her lung. She is on Tepoxalin for the inflamation and fever and it actually seems to be working pretty well. She's been up, happy and eating since Wednesday which is really good. They gave us tramadol for pain when it is needed but it does cause drowsiness and we don't see any indication that she is in pain right now so we are holding off giving it to her until she needs it. I can't even begin to tell you how my heart is broken. I just can't even imagine my life or being in this house without my Maddie girl. Please keep her in your prayers and please pray for us to know when her time has come. I think that's going to be the hardest part of losing her. I just am dreading having to make that decision:( Thanks for everyones kind words and thoughts as we gone through this these past 10 months. If anyone has any past experience on what I can expect I would appreciate it. Thanks.... Maddie's Mom
Kathy Mauger said: ...they said that there isn't anything else they can do for her...
But there is plenty you can do. Start by reading up on metronomics in Jerry's blog and here in the forums, and look into K9 Immunity from Aloha Medicinals. We put Jerry on both after discovering his lung mets and he lived a happy life for another 8 months.
You will find many other success stories about pups surviving with lung metastases, just look at Super Tika! but since you asked, here's a blog post of Jerry's about what to expect with advanced canine cancer care.
We are sorry to hear the news about Maddie, but glad to hear from you again. Thnaks for the update.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi Maddie and Kathy
Nice to meet you. We joined the tripawd club this July, so haven't seen you here before. It sounds like you have done really well, but I am sorry to hear your recent news. It is SO hard to face these new road blocks after we worked so hard to deal with the original diagnosis and amputation and chemo.
Some of our dogs have mets and are on metronomics as mentioned by Jerry. (My dog is on metronomics . Even though his mets are subcutaneous, the principle is the same: to cut off the blood supply and slow the growth.) Having said that, I don't want to get false hopes up. I understand it takes several weeks before they reach their full effect (we are entering week 3 of metronomics ). The good thing is that they should not have side effects that interfere with her quality of life (although some dogs develop bladder problems so have to discontinue use).
In any case, many dogs like Jerry lived or are living well despite the mets for quite some time, even without metronomics . We hope that is the case for Maddie.
Susan & Tazzie 2
Can Maddie go on metronomics if she's already been through 6 rounds off chemo? She is currently on Tepoxalin 200 mg a day and she has really rallied these past few days, tails wagging, very hungry. U of P recommended that instead of metacam because it's a duel inhibitor. They also gave her tramadol for pain but I don't see that it's necessary to give her that at this time. I am ordering the K9 Immunity and K9 Transfer Factor now (compliments of my wonderful mom because I just got laid off from my job 3 weeks ago). Praying that this really helps her! Thanks for the information - Maddie's Mom
Check with your vet, or ask Pam in the Ask A Vet Forum. I'm no vet but have heard of plenty of pups here going on metronomics after IV chemo, just not certain how soon thereafter. Best wishes.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Kathy,
I am so sorry that Maddie's last x-ray was not good. I know that doctors give us life expectancys but luckily for many of our dogs on this site, dogs don't have a calendar. It sounds like Maddie is still doing well and not eperiencing side effects of the mets. I don't agree with the vet either about there is nothing they can do but make her comfortable. I bet Jerry, Tika and Tazzie (to name just a few) are glad their parents didn't listen. I know that eventullay we are all going to lose the fight against cancer but that doesn't mean we have to quit until we have to.
Debra & Emily
Debra & Emily, a five year old doberman mix, who was diagnosed with an osteosaecoma. She had a right rear leg amputation on May 19, 2009. On November 10, 2009 she earned her wings and regained her fourth leg.
Thanks Debra & Emily,
I agree and I am not ready to give up this fight on my girl. If I hadn't come back on and posted on this site I would have just listened to what they told me and not been encouraged to keep on fighting. I am so grateful for this site and everyone on it:)
I ordered her the K9 immunity and K9 Transfer Factor for her today. She has really improved the past couple of days since they put her on the Tepoxalin 400mg per day (I posted 200mg previously but when I double checked I realized I put the wrong dosage).
Thanks for all of your words of encouragement! I appreciate that very much.
We will keep everyone updated on her progress...
Maddie's Mom
Hi Maddie
I see tazziedog already answered your questions about metronomics . From the few oncologists I have had contact with during this journey, it appears some turn to metronomics following chemo and others don't. Even though my oncologist last summer (when I lived somewhere that had an oncologist) did not seem to prescribe it, she still acknowledged that it was legitimate and more recently sent a paper with a protocol to my vet.
Do not expect a general veterinarian to have any idea what metronomics or anti-angiogenesis therapy is when you first mention it. Their eyebrows will probably rise. But my vet has been fantastic looking into and working with these different angles! That is all we can hope for.
Susan & Tazzie 2
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