Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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the short questions: for dogs having chemo, do you routinely have blood cell counts at the time you expect them to dip, to see if your dog is at risk of infection? Or does the vet prescribe antibiotics just in case the counts get low???
I just can't seem to get in that peaceful stable zone, or Happy Place, that Trouble and a few others talk about. Admittedly, it would help if I had one vet with whom to communicate. Anyway, yesterday Tazzie was terrific, more alert and active than he has been. This morning he was a bit lethargic and a bit off of his food again, but I did not think it was a big deal. He was pretty alert and visited with a dog neighbour.
But this afternoon I spoke with the 'oncology nurse' (a very young vet tech) who consulted with the oncologist. They thought Tazzie should have his CBC's checked, which resulted in a rushed drive to town (the 1 hr vet), and revealed low blood counts (white counts were 3.02 vs. 9 at chemo one week ago) and there were really low values for a few other things (neutrophiles and platelets I think). So he is now on antibiotics for one week as a precaution against infection.
I am just confused, because lethargy is stated to be a regular symptom of chemo 8-9 days post Adriamycin, so it should be expected. In fact, he really is not all that lethargic today. Do some vets monitor the blood routinely post chemo, just in case the counts are dropping into the dangerous zone??
I thought he'd be relatively stable at this point, and tomorrow I am leaving for 7 days to visit my elderly parents (who are in somewhat similar health states to Tazzie, except that they are old and frail). Tazzie will stay with friends who should give him adequate attention and be alert to the issues we are facing.
Susan
Trouble had CBC's done the day of chemo and 7 days after each treatment. They watch the CBC closely because if the white count dips too low they will postpone a chemo treatment, and I think sometimes start them on meds. Sorry I'm not too much help, Trouble's counts would fall, but recover in time for the next treatment.
Now that treatment is over, Trouble continues to have a CBC every couple of months, just to keep a check on her.
Try to relax some, this is a very difficult journey and one of the really important thing for you to do is be kind to yourself. Tazzie needs a strong mom to help him through this.
I hope you enjoy your trip. We left Trouble during her chemo for a long weekend trip. You will worry, but he will be fine.
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.
We get CBC done the day of chemo and then again 7 days after...every single time 😛
It is very important to check the CBC at 7-10 days post-treatment, especially when using Adriamycin, and then again just prior to the next dose. If the neutrophil count dips below 2000 and if the dog has a fever then antibiotics are prescribed It is usually not necessary to do antibiotics just because the count is a little low. Note also that the total WBC count is not as important as the neutrophil count! I have seen dogs with neutrophil counts below 1000 doing just fine.
Once you can predict a dog's respose to chemo you may just need to do the CBC immediately prior to the next dose. For example on carboplatin my Tazzie would always bottom out on her platelet counts right about 2 1/2 weeks after the treatment but her neutrophil counts were always okay so she had an injection every 3 weeks without fail. Combo protocols are more likely to cause problems with the CBC that is why it is important to have a vet that knows about side efffects and how to adjust doses.
Pam and Tazzie
thanks Tazzie 1, Jack and Trouble - that helps and will help me sleep tonight (Tazzie 2 is already asleep). It would have made sense if, from the start, they had said to get tested 7-10 days post chemo, but they did not say that. And this is the specialist cancer centre (??). It confused me the way it came up this afternoon on a phone call when I happened to check in with the vet, so I am happy to see that your counts are routinely tested.
Yes, the neutrophil count was low, but I don't recall the value. His temp was "high-normal" at 39.5 C (sorry, don't know the Fahrenheit conversion offhand, but normal is 38.5) so it is probably good that he is on antibiotics.
They also gave me more Cerenia in case he is nauseous again. He is a bit picky about his food, but there are no other visible signs of nausea (salivating, flattulence) the way there were on the weekend, so I have not given him any yet.
S
Emily does not have a blood test between her chemo appointments. About a week after chemo I notice she is quieter for a couple days and then perks back up. Her chemo is scheduled every 25 days because after the first chemo she dipped again after about 21 days, I paniced, posted, and lived through it! I never thought about anibiodics. I will ask after her next (and final!) session.
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.
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