Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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My 11 y/o coonhound Banjo is almost 3 months post amp to his right front leg due to osteosarcoma. He's had 3 rounds of carboplatin with three weeks between treatments, except the last one was delayed a week due to low white blood cell counts. He is supposed to have his final treatment on Thursday.
I've been worried though as he is slowing down soooo much. Last week he couldn't even make it for a walk around the block without falling down from pure exhaustion. He has otherwise seemed very happy and has still had coonhound bursts of energy; he just seems to be lacking stamina. Our vet put him on antibiotics to help with his WBC and thought he might have an infection of some sort. It helped a little, but not very much.
Today when I got home from work he didn't come down to greet me right away like he usually does, and when he did, he said a quick hello then went right over to his dog bed and lied down. I had to really encourage him to get up and go outside, but he did. A little bit later I got his leash to go on a walk and he didn't seem as excited as he normally does. Once outside, he didn't want to go anywhere. He would look up at me and wag a little, but we didn't go past our own yard. He seemed relieved to go back inside and immediately went back to his bed and immediately went to sleep.
I'm worried he's slowing waaaaaaaaay down and that the time I don't want to think about is closer than I want to believe. How will I know when it's time? I don't want him to suffer and yet I can't bear to think about losing him. Any advice is appreciated.
The affects of chemo can be culmative. Sassy always was more tired after her treatments. The more we had the more she seemed to sleep. If you think its something to be concerned about call your vet. That is what they are there for. They will answer questions, run some tests. Check everything over.
Keep us informed
Michelle & 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."
Hang in there and try not to think the worst, this could be any number of things from overdoing his activity recently to as Michelle said, cumulative effects of chemo.
Ask yourself, what has his activity level been like? Are you following the kind of suggestions we provide in Loving Life on Three Legs (i.e., no walks more than 20 minutes at a time, monitoring his behavior so he doesn't play weekend warrior or rough house too much with other dogs, and adding core-strengthening activities to your daily routine to make him more fit)? Is he overweight at all? This could be contributing to being tired from trying to get around on 3.
When did these symptoms start? Keep careful logs of what her behavior is like, and discuss it with your vet once you have a few days of records to go over. This could be a matter of just needing some rest and closer monitoring of his activity. Or maybe he's just having a down day, everyone does at some point or another.
I hope that's what it is, please let us know how tomorrow is OK?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I also think you should make the vet aware of these changes. The chemo is cumulative, but it also lowers their immune response and makes them more susceptible to infection. At one point, Zeus became extremely lethargic - I mean, could-barely-stand lethargic - and I took him to the vet and it was pneumonia. Because we caught it early, he only spent one night in the hospital and recovered well. Banjo's symptoms may be nothing more than the effects of the chemo, but your vet can tell you for sure.
Good luck!
Lisa
Zeus was a Husky mix diagnosed with Osteosarcoma at age 11. A visible lung met and suspicious spot on his liver meant a poor prognosis-six weeks was our vet's best guess. We decided to fight for our boy and his right front leg was amputated on 12/1/11. We did six rounds of chemo, changed his diet and spoiled him completely rotten. We were blessed with 10 great months after diagnosis. Against the odds, the lung met remained a single met and grew very little over those months. A wonderful furbaby with the most gentle spirit, he fought with a strength that we never imagined he possessed. We have no regrets...
http://zeuspod......pawds.com/
Ah, that's right Lisa, thanks for bringing Zeus' story up!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thanks guys. (I just realized i posted this in the wrong forum subject - sorry!) We've definitely been following the suggestions in Loving Life On Three Legs . The walks have been even shorter than 20 minutes the past week because he's just not up to it...more like 5-10 minutes. He's a thin boy and always has been, so weight definitely isn't an issue. I'd say he's been progressively slowing down for the past 4 weeks. He's been on antibiotics (trimethoprim/sulfa) for the past week and has another week left. His last chemo treatment was 3 weeks ago. Normally he slows down a bit for the first week after chemo, then gets back to normal, but his stamina has gotten progressively worse these last several weeks. He slept all day today and has only been up once this evening for our walk (where he only made it out the front door, to the sidewalk and back). He's been sound asleep and won't eat. I'll call the vet tomorrow. Thanks so much for the encouragement. It helps tremendously.
I know you want to be able to get through all the recommended chemo treatments, but if Banjo is showing the effects of all the previous 3 treatments, there is no rule that says you have to do more. If you are after quality, that might mean he's done with chemo.
I'm not a vet and my dog didn't have chemo. I've just been here a little while and seen an awful lot of dogs who cut it short for reasons such as what Banjo's doing.
Good luck and please let us know what the vet says. I hope Banjo perks up and is back to his old self in no time.
Shari
From abandoned puppy to Tripawd Warrior Dude, Dakota became one of the 2011 February Furballs due to STS. Our incredibly sweet friend lived with grace and dignity till he impulsively raced over the Bridge on 12-15-12.
Dakota's thoughtful and erudite blog is at http://shari.tr.....pawds.com/
Your Banjo is such a handsome boy and he is really lucky to have such a diligent pawparents!
Glad you're gettina a appointment with the vet to see what's going on. It will make yo both feel better!
The fact that he ate up until yesterday makes me wonder if that's antibiotic related. An signs of nausea?
K guess the fact that yo have to delay the chemo treatment is of all bad. That will give him a little extra time t get is once back. And the LW WBC does mean the chemo IS working!
Any pulled muscle, strain, pinched nerve, etc.. would all mimic the symptons of just not wanting to move
I'm sorry that Banjo is so tired but also ta,e a little "forced relief" in knowing that "tiredness" is not an uncomfortable or painful issue.
Just keep o. spoiling and loving and spoiling and loving some. ore. Banjo seems to be perfectly relaxed...albeit a little too relaxed right now......ad not worried about a thing! Take his lead and know that n' s home with you, clearly aware that you are there for him and that makes him a happy boy! Give the meds. a chance to work. Maybe your vet will give him a dose of steroid to boost his appetite.
So easy to say, but try not to worry!! First of all, it's a waste of energy and secondly, it robs OK of being present with your handsome pup and getting sloppy kisses and giving tumm rubs!!
Take care and please
oste tomorrow. AND how 'bout posting a picture of your good l
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!
This is the right place to post about mobility and "slowing down" so no worries.
Glad to hear you've read the ebook, thank you! It sounds like you definitely have a good grasp on what his activity has been like so I'd say yeah, a call to the vet and probably a blood panel is a good place to start. Let us know what happens OK? We're rooting for you and Banjo! And would also love to see some pix!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Eager to hear what the vet has to say, too. He didn't get up from his downstairs dog bed last night (usually he sleeps upstairs with us) so I slept on the couch next to him - as did our lab, who seems to be keeping a watchful eye over him. This morning I tried to coax him up by asking him if he wanted to go for a walk, which he ALWAYS gets excited about. He wagged his tail, but didn't budge otherwise - didn't even lift his head. My husband rang the doorbell, which got him excited enough to stand up and walk outside for 5 minutes and do his business, then it was straight back to his bed. Feels a little like he's shutting down. 
So heartbreaking.
Hi everyone. Big apologies for the delay in responding. Turns out Banjo had a fever, a result of his low white blood cell count. The fever made him lethargic. We continued his course of antibiotics and he is feeling much better now. He had his final chemo treatment today (yay!) His bloodwork looks good and the chest radiographs didn't show any signs of the cancer metastasizing (yay again!) I appreciate all of the support here. It certainly is a roller coaster of emotions!!
Oh that is great news! Who would think that we would be cheering for a fever eh? But we're just glad to hear that everything is going great considering. Thanks for the update.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
OMD! Was holding my breath scroll I g down to get to update! HOO-RAY FOR THE FEVER!! We'll give you the benefit of the doubt and "say" you "tried" to give us an update but the co outer was down! Yeah, we'll go with that!
CO GRATULATIONS YOU SWEET BO! So glad you're feeling better:-) 
Great news!
Such a handsome boy!
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!
Just curious, how many rounds of chemo before he "graduated"?
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!
This community of people continues to warm my heart! I have not spent much time replying to other people's posts, but I am making a change and want to dedicate a little time each week to this because I know how helpful it has been for me to read all of your responses and posts!
My two cents on Banjo: Not sure if you have him on any kind of natural supplements, but highly recommended!! I would get him on an immune supplement - like the k9 Medicinals (mushrooms) which are advertised here, and you can buy them through Amazon for a little cheaper. (Be sure to use the Amazon link via Tripawds).
His system needs all the support it can get since it has been temporarily weakened by the chemo. Maybe a multi vitamin, and fish oil too? Hang in there, he should be back to normal soon. But I would support his immune system any way possible, fresh veggies and meat too!
Love and hugs,
Kassi and Nesta
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