Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
Tripawds is your home to learn how to care for a three legged dog or cat, with answers about dog leg amputation, and cat amputation recovery from many years of member experiences.
Join The Tripawds Community
Learn how to help three legged dogs and cats in the forums below. Browse and search as a guest or register for free and get full member benefits:
Instant post approval.
Private messages to members.
Subscribe to favorite topics.
Live Chat and much more!
Register
Log In
Members
Add Topic
Offline
Hi Tripawds -
Max C. here, 6 month post op of my left rear leg due to osteosarcoma. For the most part it has been a great 6 months for me and I have been very hoppy!
I wanted to share a perfect 6 month "ampuversary" report with everyone, but we got thrown a bit of a curve ball when it was recently determined that I most likely have more cancer in my left front leg. We took an xray after 2 episodes of unexplained limping. The doc says "70 percent" chance after looking at the pics.
My lungs are clear, so that is good news! I did 4 rounds of chemo and have had numerous supplements such as K-9 immunity , K-9 omega, canine whole body support, Rx vitamins Onco support, Alfalfa, and Kelp. I also have been eating "EVO". All of this and it looks like the cancer may have spread to another limb so I guess you just never know what to expect.
From what we have heard, spreading to another limb is not nearly as common as spreading to the lungs with this type of cancer. The vet said the chemo is long gone (last treatment 9/16), so this could be more osteosarcoma, a new type of cancer ...or maybe a fungal infection. I am scheduled to go in for another xray after the holidays to check it again. After the very painful biopsy we did last time, we are probably not going to do that again.
Anyway, right now I am happy and howling and enjoying every day to the fullest!
Wishing all happy holidays!
Max
Max, I am very sorry to hear that the cancer may be back in a different leg. This does happen sometimes, although not that frequently. Radiation therapy can reduce the growth rate of the tumor and can decrease the pain, as can IV pamidronate treatments.
I think you are wise to skip the biopsy. They usually just end up causing more pain and the diagnosis is often made by radiographs anyway.
I would also consider trying Metronomic therapy or Artemisinin at this point.
Most of all, I hope that Max continues to enjoy lots of quality time with his family!
Pam and Tazzie
Max,
It is indeed very discouraging to hear that you most likely have osteosarcoma in your right front leg.
As you may already know, Tazziedog's Mom is Pam the veterinarian and it sounds like she has some great ideas for you to try, such as the Metronomic therapy or the Artemisinin . It would be worth a try to see if it helps slow down the cancer.
We, too, are hoping that Max continues to enjoy a great quality of life with his family. We're very sorry to hear this new news, however.
Love, Blazer, Kitty Kimber & Mom (Vicki)
6 months ampuversary - about that for me too - and Zeus!. We've had a good few more months buddy, of fun with our pawrents.
We did not opt for chemo etc. (in fact it was never offered to us!) just see how it goes, it is a real bonus to have another Christmas tho. (You need to milk that one for all it's worth - my parcel of pigs ears looks tremendous - I sneaked a peak under the tree!!!) I wish you all the best Max - my names sake - I feel like we're great friends... "happy and howling" me too...
Have a great Christmas.
Your pal from Scotland,
Maxwell
xxx
Hi guys - thanks for the good suggestions.
Radiation is something that our vet has mentioned as an option and we are considering. Maybe my pawrents can take out a second mortgage on the house! ha ha. We will ask about Metronomic therapy and Artemisinin . I know Jerry had good results with Metronomic and, but we do not know much about Artemisinin . And Maxwell, the pigs ears under the tree sound like a great idea! I have not had any of those in a while.
I went for my normal short walk around the block today and you would never know that anything was wrong as I was happily hopping about and wagging my tail while sniffing everything in sight! Staying positive and enjoying each day...
Cheers,
Max
Hi Max,
From what I understand, Artemisinin has been around for years as a Chinese herbal supplement, but within the last few years it has been found to perform wonders in combatting cancer. Here are some excerpts from a website I found on the drug:
use of Artemisinin to fiht cancer"
"Artemisinin is effective against a wide variety of cancers as shown in a series of successful experiments. The most effective is leukemia and colon cancer. Intermediate activities were also shown against melanoma, breast, ovarian, prostate, CNS and renal cancer."
"Most cancers have large number of iron attracting transferring receptors on their cell surface compared to normal cells. In laboratory studies of radiation, resistant breast cancer cells that has high propensity for accumulating iron revealed that artemisinin has 75 percent cancer cell killing properties in a 8 hours and almost 100 percent killing properties within 24 hours when these cancer cells are "pre-loaded" with iron..."
Perhaps more reading about the drug will help you with your decisions on future treatments for Max.
Good luck and Happy Holidays to you!
Love, Vicki, Blazer & Kitty Kimber
Max C said:
... right now I am happy and howling and enjoying every day to the fullest!
Now that's what I'm talkin' about!
Congratulations, and keep up the great spirit. It really does help, you and others on this website. Thanks for sharing, and thank you for your continued support.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Max, forgot to mention that you may want to join the Artemisinin and Cancer Yahoo Group to read up on this promising treatment.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi Max - happy 6 months pal! You're attitude and approach is an inspawration even tho you may be dealing with more cancer - gosh we hope that is not the case. Another reminder to live life in the moment and enjoy each day we get to have with each other. Thank you for that.
We are sending lots of loving and prayers your way - please keep us posted.
Licks and wags,
Your pal Zeus
Heather and Spirit Zeus - Our life changing journey…from the earth to the heavens…one day at a time…always together
Thanks for the support everyone!
Mom has been researching the info suggested. She is very familiar with those crazy yahoo newgroups from when we first got diagnosed. Much good information if you can filter through it all.
Time for my morning walk! Max.
Hello Max,
Happy 6 months....
As far as treatment options, I would like to know what course you decide to take.
In regard to Artemisinin it is always mentioned , however the dosage and which brand works best never is. All supplements vary in strength and quality. I, myself, would like to know more. I may consult my own Chinese practitioner to learn more on the topic.
Happy Holidays to you and yours Max, looks like you have a Santa hat on. Very cute.
Kim&Buster
Kim & Angel Buster
"Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened."
–Anatole France
Hi Kim & Buster....yes you are very observant, that is the fluffy edge of my Santa hat in my pic! It is difficult to get me to pose with something like that on my head to be sure. And yes we are finding that the dosage and info on Artemisinin is all over the place! Mom did ask our vet about it a while back and she did not seem to crazy about it at the time. We will keep researching and let you know what we decide.
Happy Holidays to you two(too)!
Hi Max,
Artemisinin is something that most traditional vets aren't all that informed about yet. We suggest looking for a holistic practitioner or acupuncturist who knows more about it. Hopefully there's one in your area. Dosages, as far as I understand it, should be customized according to the dog, and given under the supervision of a specialist.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi Max! Good to hear from you, buddy!! You are surely an inspawration to us all - still staying positive and enjoying every day to the fullest! We are hoping that the artemisinin will work for you - if you can find someone to administer / give you advice on how to use it. Mommy is very interested in this new approach and is going to try and find some for me too.
Wishing you all the best - enjoy your walks!!
Lots of love and licks, Dee xxx (And mommy, Ansunette)
1 Guest(s)
