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Gus got some bad news, looking for suggestions
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Member Since:
14 April 2010
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27 May 2010 - 8:36 am
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Unfortunately we found out this mornig Gus now has lung mets and the vet feels this cancer is aggresive when comparing x-rays. I found a lump on his neck last week and the vet said he wasn't sure how deep it went so he wasn't comfortable with trying to take it off, not knowing where it is coming from, but drew a sample out of it and didn't like the cells in it, so he gave us prednisone to try and shrink it but feels Gus only has a few months at best. Does anybody have any suggestions that might help slow down the cancer, I know we won't stop it, but was hoping we would have more time with him than what it now sounds like. At least I know he doesn't know whats going on, and right know he is still doing great, so I will let him enjoy whatever he wants while he can. Thanks forany help, Gus and Dan

My buddy Gus had a left front amputation on April 7, 2010 and lived a great life until July 26,2010

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
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27 May 2010 - 10:19 am
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When we discovered Jerry's lung mets, we put him on K9 Immunity and started his Metronomic therapy (low dose oral chemo). After two months, the tumors had shrunk in size about 10% – what his oncologist called "stable disease". He lived happily for nearly another eight months.

Sorry to hear about this news for Gus, but we wish you the best. Whatever happens, just try to remember ... Gus is not dying from cancer, he's living with t!

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

Edmonton, Alberta
Member Since:
11 January 2010
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27 May 2010 - 10:40 am
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Soooo sorry to hear about this news for Gus. I don't have much to offer except just keep loving and enjoying him.

Catie -

Birthday – November 4 2003

Amputation – January 13 2010

Crossed the Bridge – June 2 2011

 Catie Caitlin 

My heart lives at Rainbow Bridge
Member Since:
28 November 2008
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27 May 2010 - 11:10 am
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Dan, I'm very sorry to hear the news about Gus.  I have not been in your shoes, so I don't know what decision I would make at that point, but my first thought is to try metronomics , unless the vet is totally opposed for some reason.

I think Admin gave you the best advise you can get - … Gus is not dying from cancer, he's living with it! 

Enjoy each and every day - there is no timestamp on his butt, no expiration date.

 

Good luck to the two of you.

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.

Member Since:
26 November 2008
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27 May 2010 - 12:57 pm
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Gus and Dan,

Words fail to express the extreme sorrow that we feel with you new. The frustration, fear, and anger that this disease generates within my being could never be totaly expressed - only felt by this community. I so very much hate any expression of life-expectency but it is only natural for your vet to be honest with the prognosis. I know that it is little consulation when you hear of others who have beaten their life-expectency projections. However, everyone above have expressed the real message that you should hold dear - enjoy each and every moment. This is a great motto to live by even if we were not faced with this disease.

Some, like Jerry, were very successful. They not only extended his life, but they filled it with excellent memories. We can only express our support for everything that you have done, are doing, and will continue to do. Your battle is not over and Gus is far from giving up.

Pawsitive Thoughts and Prayers,

Spirit Cherry's Dad

Las Vegas, Nevada
Member Since:
14 August 2009
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27 May 2010 - 2:23 pm
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Awww - poor Gus and Dan.  I know this is heart wrenching news for you.   But as admin wrote, it's not necessarily the end. 

Ruthie and even Magic has done Temadar.  

"She was on Temadar for 5 days which I really think helped.  Two of the chest mets are less dense!  One seems possibly more dense so she is now on Palladia (toceranib phosphate) 2 pills every other day for a month.  It's FDA approved but still in trials, but as Dr. Dhaliwal says, we have to "think outside the box" at this point." 

 

But it is very, very expensive.   ($1600 more or less)

 

Just know Dan, that we are here to listen.  Whatever happens, you are not alone in this next phase of Gus' journey.

Hugs to you both!

Comet's mom

Her Retired AvatarComet - 1999 to 2011

She departed us unexpectedly  January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.

She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.

Member Since:
10 March 2010
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27 May 2010 - 2:28 pm
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Oh Gus and Dan...I am sending the biggest hugs I can to you {{{{{{}}}}}}

Magic also has the lung mets and we have only thrown IV chemo and the temador at them, with no success, so I don't have a positive suggestion, other than maybe the metronomic protocol that seems to have worked in a number of cases (YEA!!!!)

I had decided to stop with the chemos on Magic because I am not sure the low dose chemo is going to do anything when the really aggressive chemos have done nothing other than seemingly act like fertilizer. 

So I'm no help at all except to tell you that I know EXACTLY how you feel and how your heart hurts.  Please keep us posted and I wish I had something else to offer...

Member Since:
10 March 2010
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27 May 2010 - 2:29 pm
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Just saw Cometdog's post and want to say again that AAA has a drug savings program that costs nothing if you are a AAA member and works for pet medications also…..

 

Kirkland, WA
Member Since:
2 June 2009
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27 May 2010 - 5:26 pm
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I've had Jack on IP6 and Inositol since shortly after his amputation.  I recently saw a piece on 60 minutes that was about how this combination helped cancer in people.  I don't know if it's working or not, but it makes me feel better giving it to him, so it's probably more for me than for him.  It's about $30 for a container of the pills (depending on where you get them), so I would research it to see if this would be something you were interested in and then ask your vet about adding them to his regimine.  Good lucks!!!

<3 Laura and Jackers

ps  a few months is a heck of a long time

My heart lives at Rainbow Bridge
Member Since:
28 November 2008
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27 May 2010 - 5:55 pm
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I've heard some good things about the IP6 as well.  Don't remember who originally told me to look into it.

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.

Los Angeles
Member Since:
2 November 2009
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27 May 2010 - 6:19 pm
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So sorry to hear the news about Gus. This must be so devastating.  But as everyone says, it's not the end. Many dogs live for many months with lung mets.  But my heart goes out to you. This is never easy news to hear.

I was also going to suggest checking into the metronomic therapy - Jerry provides some great information on this in the link and Mackenzie's been on it now for 1 1/2 months. Not sure yet of the results but from what I've read and what my oncologist says, it's a great alternative and effective maintenance chemo treatment without the side effects.  I was also going to suggest (and I'm not sure if this would be effective for lung mets) but Mackenzie's also taking Metacam (part of her metronomic protocol)  which apparently has shown in studies to have anti-cancer fighting agents.  Metacam or something similar might also be something to talk to your vet about if Gus isn't taking this already.  And I also have Mackenzie on power mushrooms which I know many tripawds are on, which is a great chinese herb that boosts the immune system (like the K9 Immunity ).  There's a wealth of information on this website too about these additional supplements.

Please let us know how Gus is doing and we hope that he will be ok for a long time to come. We will be keeping our paws crossed for you!

Sending you lots of golden hugs.

Kami (Mackenzie's Mom)  

 

My sweet golden Mackenzie.  She became my angel on Dec 29, 2010 at the age of 8 1/2  although she was always my angel from the time we brought her home.  She was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in Sept 2009 and officially became a tripawd (front leg) on Nov 5, 2009.  She will be forever in my heart and now she's running free with all of our other tripawd heroes.  I love you Mackenzie!

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
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27 May 2010 - 8:49 pm
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Dan, I'm so sorry. But please know this doesn't mean a hopeless situation is ahead. Ask your vet about metronomic therapy. While it's not a cure, it can possibly stabilize the tumors and give a good quality of life longer than without. It's not expensive and many studies show that it can work.

Until then, it's good to hear that Gus is doing great. Remember, Gus doesn't know he has cancer. He's living life as normal, and until it gets to be too much, celebrate every day together and praise the universe for giving you every extra day. 🙂

We love you Gus, lots of people are here rootin' for you. Keep us posted OK?

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

Orange County, CA
Member Since:
2 January 2010
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27 May 2010 - 9:29 pm
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Lung mets are certainly bad news, but the game's not over yet.  I agree with the suggestions for metronomic protocol.  We put our dog Max on that treatment as soon as he recovered from his amputation.  He remained met-free for almost a year after that.  I can't say that it's a miracle treatment or anything, but there are plenty of others here who think it at least helps to slow the spread of cancer.

 And in the meantime, spend as much time with Gus as you can, and focus on giving him the best possible life during whatever time he has left.  The memories you create with him now will make all the difference to you later.

Member Since:
14 April 2010
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27 May 2010 - 9:35 pm
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Thank you all so much for your support and suggestions. I am going to be looking into them all right away. I did ask the vet if he felt if we had started chemo if we might have slowed this down, but his feeling was in this situation probably not, as he was surprised at the aggressiveness of the cancer, and I don't have any guilt over not doing it, I was and still am comfortable with that decision as he has been doing great, as he was right out there with us tonight as we unloaded hay, he just loves that.  Having grown up around animals I have had to deal with all kinds of situations, and believe it or not, decisions have come hard about my favorite cows over the years that weren't easy also, but Gus is my buddy, we haven't given up, and I know I have and will continue to give him the best life he can have. We are good here, not in a downer mood, maybe disappointed, but I try to be realistic and I know Gus doesn't have a clue whats going on. I talk to him the same as I always have and will continue to do so, the only thing different is he is getting spoiled a little more when it comes to meals. I feel  we are part of a great family that only we know what this ride is all about and what feelings go with it, and thank you letting us be a part of it. We'll keep you all posted, again, thank you all for your support and suggestions. Paws up, Gus and Dan   

My buddy Gus had a left front amputation on April 7, 2010 and lived a great life until July 26,2010

On The Road


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24 September 2009
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27 May 2010 - 10:07 pm
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You're doing GREAT! Keep up the pawsitive attitude, it'll make the biggest difference.

Never feel badly about any decisions you made, they were all the right one for your pack.

Ok, good luck. Let us know what happens.

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

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