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Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat

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osteosarcoma diagnoses on lab with diabetes
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West Chester PA
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10 August 2008
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7 April 2009 - 1:44 pm
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Just an update on Bonnie's never ending battle.  Things are still doing well - as well as can be I guess.  We just went to UPenn for a second look and more consultation.   We have chosen not to remove her spleen.  That is just too much to ask of Bonnie.  Her tail is still wagging and I want it to stay that way as long as possible. 

We have agreed to a palliative chemotherapy of CCNU or lomustine.  I have not given it to her yet, but will this evening.  On top of that she gets Pepsid and Benadryl to keep things in check as much as possible.  She seems fine, but tired.   BUT  if company shows up, she runs out to meet them.   Her appetite is still non-existent, but she will eat treats willingly.   We have tried a raw diet, mainly because I can more or less force feed it.  She then gets a treat and seems to not mind it.   If it were not for the diabetes, I think we could be a little less forceful and she would eat.  Now we have to stop the raw diet because of the chemo and the possibility of bacteria. 

The good news though is she is still clear of the Osteo anywhere!   Guess we can hope to beat the odds on the Mast cell, but I think they are more stacked against us.   But Bonnie is a fighter and I only pray that I will know when she is hurting.  She confused all the vets with the Osteo because she did not limp on the leg and no one wanted to amputate because she was not limping.  For now, we are surviving one day at a time and she is still a happy dog.  She still goes up the steps on her own and still sleeps between us.  Life is good and we are grateful for every minute.

chris-bonnie

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7 April 2009 - 2:13 pm
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Chris,

Now that is a pawsitive update! Thanks so much for letting us know. All things considered, she is doing great. Definitely got that fightin' spirit!

Did we talk about the CCNU or lomustine before? I can't recall. I'm not familiar with it so I looked it up and found this.

As far as the chemo and raw diet...yes, my own oncologist wasn't entirely thrilled with the combo, but my immune system was pretty strong so she felt it was OK to keep giving it to me. Have you considered trying the pre-packaged raw foods that come frozen? They're spendy, but I'm betting that the risk of bacteria in them is a lot lower than preparing raw meat meals yourself. That's just a guess though.

As for the future...don't worry. You know Bonnie better than anyone else, you'll be the first to know when she's not feeling good.

Hey it's so great to hear from you! We are grateful for you being here. Give your girl a big smooch from us!

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

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West Chester PA
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10 August 2008
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7 April 2009 - 2:35 pm
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Thanks for your quick response Jerry and family.  We are feeding Bonnie the pricey frozen stuff, so I am tempted to keep it up.  The main problem is the one that she tolerates (will choke down) the most is the chicken and I would assume that is the one that is most prone to salmonella.  But we give it barely thawed.  She seems to like the cold better.  

Thanks for the info on the lomustine.  We had not seen that one.  I have not given it to her yet because I want to be sure she is rested from today.   I was thinking of giving it before bed tonight and hope she sleeps through the worst of it.  The scary thing is that the bottle tells me I have to wear gloves when giving it.  I am not sure why and am still trying to research that. 

Thanks again - we are so up and down anymore that it is great to hear your pawsitive comments!!   Love and kisses from both of us to everyone!

chris-bonnie

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West Chester PA
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19 May 2009 - 6:48 pm
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I know it had been a while, but life is hectic fighting all the battles that Bonnie is fighting.  BUT - she will celebrate her 9 month ampuversary on the 28th and her lungs are clear!  We are so happy that she is beating that one.

Now to the next cancer, the mast cell is on her nose and in her spleen.  When we took her in to UPenn for her chest xrays they checked a swollen area behind her remaining left front leg and found mast cells there also.  We put her through one course of CCNU chemo but it really hit her hard.  She is still not back full in her white cells and is also anemic.  They think that is from the stomach bleeding so she is on medication for that.  Pam suggested that we put her on prednisone, which is usually used for mast cell but we were not using because it interferes with the insulin absorption in diabetes, and we took her advice.  Thank God for Pam's guidance!  Bonnie has a new lease on life.  She gets around more, is happier and hungry. 

Hungry is new to Bonnie.  She still will not eat good food on her own, but will eat treats again.  She gets hungrier every day and actually barks for more treats.  The prednisone has upped her glucose levels, but I am keeping it in check with the insulin so far.   We have no idea how long this will last, but, for now, we are happy again.   Thanks to you all for your support.  We read the forum every few days, but have not posted until we had something concrete.  Bonnie sends wags and kisses to all.

chris-bonnie

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20 May 2009 - 2:40 pm
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Thanks for the update. Give Bonnie a big hug for us and don't let those silly human emotions keep you from enjoying any happy days.

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

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West Chester PA
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10 August 2008
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30 June 2009 - 6:59 am
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This will be my final post in this thread for Bonnie.  She has gone on to be with all the spirit tripawds and I am hoping she is looking down and happy.  She passed on yesteday and I have a thread started for her on the Coping with Loss.  

Bonnie was a miracle.  She fought her battle on three fronts, osteo, mast cell and diabetes.  She beat them all in my book.  She just got too tired and hurt too much.   She smiled to the end.  She wagged her tail to the end and her eyes never lost their shine.  It was unbearably tough because she never showed pain.  Never cried out and never winced.  She was valiant to the end and an everlasting angel for me.  I will miss her as long as I live and breathe and hope she will greet me when I pass.   Without that hope my life has no meaning.   I will post pictures as soon as I can figure out how.  I have loads of a happy, hoppy Bonnie.

chris-bonnie

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