Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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MY 6 YR. OLD ROTTIE, CHANCE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH OSTEOSARCOMA JUNE 1 2012, SINCE AMP SURGERY WAS NOT AN OPTION SHE WAS ACCEPTED INTO A CLINICAL TRIAL AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS. THIS CONSISTS OF RADIATION TO THE TUMOR AND MONTHLY INFUSIONS OF A DRUG CALLED ZOMETA......DECEMBER 1 WILL BE 7 MONTHS AND SHE IS DOING REMARKABLE! IN JUNE SHE COULD NOT EVEN WALK INOT THE HOSPITAL, TODAY CHANCE IS SPENDING HER DAYS AT HER FAVORITE DOG PARK AGAIN. HER LIMP IS GONE! ON THE LOWEST DOSE OF PAIN MEDS IN FACT SHE IS DOWN TO PAIN MEDS TWICE A DAY INSTEAD OF 3 TIMES A DAY.....I WANT TO REACH OUT TO ANYONE WHO IS STRUGGLING WITH THIS GOD AWEFUL CANCER, THERE IS HOPE! THE U OF I IS LOOKING FOR MORE DOGS TO ENTER THE TRIAL, THEY HAVE 50 NOW. THERE IS NO TRAMA OR PAIN ASSOCIATED WITH THE TREATMENTS, CHANCE IS MY BEST FRIEND I WOULD NEVER ALLOW THAT. THERE IS A ROTTIE IN THE TRIAL NOW, SHE IS IN THE TRIAL FOR OVER 2 1/2 YRS. NO CANCER SPREAD AND SHE IS OFF ALL HER PAIN MEDS.....DID THEY CURE HER???? I DONT KNOW, ALL I KNOW IS THAT THIS IS WORKING FOR MY CHANCE, I DID NOT EXPECT HER TO BE HERE FOR THANKSGIVING AND NOW I KNOW SHE WILL BE HER CELEBRATING CHRISTMAS WITH US, SHE IS EXPECTED TO EXCEED HER 7TH BIRTHDAY WHICH IS ST. PATRICKS DAY <img class="spSmiley" title="clap" onclick="spjEdInsertSmiley('smiley_clap.gif', 'clap', 'https://tripawds.com/wp-content/sp-resources/forum-smileys/', '
');" src="/wp-content/sp-resources/forum-smileys/smiley_clap.gif" alt="clap" /> GOD BLESS ALL OF OUR BEAUTIFUL FURBABIES WHO ARE FIGHTING, AND THEIR PARENTS TOO!!!
Yay, I am so glad you figured out how to post here in the forums! This is such important information and so many more folks will see it here. For anyone interested in the trial, can you give us the name of the person they should contact? Also, since this is a clinical trial, is there any charge to you for the treatment?
Lisa (Zeuspod from the chat room earlier tonight)
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/
if you have an interest contact NANCY GEORGE...CHEIF CLINICAL TRIAL COORDINATOR. ONCOLOGY DEPT. 217-333-5300...PLEASE LET THEM KNOW CHANCE TOLD YOU ABOUT THEM( THEY LOVE HER) that is the other thing they are so good with the dogs,,,,my first visit i did have to pay for some tests, chest exrays, lab work, she was admitted into the hospital for 2 days for the radiation treatment total cost to me was around $1400.00, after that each month is around 200 to 300, however that does include a month supply of her pain meds. they pay for the zometa treatments every month they did tell me they spend an average of 3500 to 4500 for each dog every month. next month they do chest and leg exrays, which they pay for, so around 200 a month, could be less without the pain meds. when they are there the dogs are given a full exam, example, they found a enlarged limp node one month, however, they called me to see if i wanted to have it tested for cancer spread, which i did and i was responsible for that, thankfully it came back normal. i am hoping this is the treatment that will become nationally recognized for osteosarcoma. GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!
OH MY DOG! Seven months???? WOW!
It's so wonderful to hear from you and know how well Chance is doing. What a GREAT update, I'm so glad you took the time to share this with us. Your journey to get to where you are was such a tough one, I know it will give hope to those who aren't amputation candidates. Chance is AMAZING and so are you for going through the zometa trial!!!!
YAAAAY! Thank you again, this is really fantastic news.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Wow, congrats to you and Chance! Thanks for sharing your info here. This drug sounds pretty amazing.
Wouldn't it be amazing if some day there was a cure?!
Jackie, Angel Abby's mom
Abby: Aug 1, 2009 – Jan 10, 2012. Our beautiful rescue pup lived LARGE with osteosarcoma for 15 months – half her way-too-short life. I think our "halflistic" approach (mixing traditional meds + supplements) helped her thrive. (PM me for details. I'm happy to help.) She had lung mets for over a year. They took her from us in the end, but they cannot take her spirit! She will live forever in our hearts. She loved the beach and giving kisses and going to In-N-Out for a Flying Dutchman. Tripawds blog, and a more detailed blog here. Please also check out my novel, What the Dog Ate. Now also in paperback! Purchase it at Amazon via Tripawds and help support Tripawds!
This is awesome news for anyone who needs a different option. Please keep us posted on Chance's progress.
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.
update on chance.....lungs exrays CLEAR, blood work AMAZING......leg exray showed a intact fracture.....drs. cannot believe it she shows NO sign of pain from that area,no limp, still using the leg. usually a fracture would disqualify her from the trial, however, her fracture is intact, they believe the Zometa, which is a bone rebuilder is keeping the fracture intact, they have never seen this so they are very interested in keeping chance in the trial, could this help other dogs that have a fracture??? my chancey, she has been thru so much, but still smiling...this is a dog who would scream when she got her rabies shot..we have to stop the puppy park for now,,,but thats okay,chance is just living life one day at a time, she has taught me so much..... lung exrays again in 2 months....now for the hard part restricting her excessive playing with her sisters,brother and the "new" puppy that found us this past sunday....see she does not know she is sick, chances personality is i wanna run, play, jump, chase the ball....but cant do those things today, cannot risk the fracture becoming out of intact, or another decision would have to be made...but as her oncologist told me, we are not there, we may never be there.....they will take another leg exray in 6 months to see where we are at that point. hoping that this trial will bring good things in the future for all of the unfortunate who will be diagnosed with this God aweful cancer, it certainley has given my chance back to me and for that i am grateful...BLESSINGS TO ALL OF YOUR BABIES.
Wow! This is so great to read - you must be so so happy! It's so great hearing great news 
Jill is a 9-year-old tuxedo kitty. She was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma in June 2012 on her toe in her right hind leg. Her leg was amputated on 12/12/12 and she completed four rounds of chemo (2 of Carbo, 2 of Doxy) in April 2013. "Like" Jill's facebook page: https://www.fac.....tty?ref=hl Proud member of the WINTER WARRIORS!!!! Her blog can be read at http://jillsjou.....ipawds.com. xoxo
Awww this is so cool! I'm thrilled that her x-rays were clear!
Chance, and you and your pack, have come such a long way, and your story is indeed miraculous. It just goes to show you that when you be a great advocate for your dog, anything is possible. You took control of the situation, stayed strong while researching all of your options, and now look, she's still here and doing great!
The Zometa trial is so hopeful, it's wonderful that you were able to participate, and share the results with us here.
Oh and a big WOOF! to your new pack mate!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
update.......not too good,,,,chance had her monthly appointment yesterday oncologist noticed her gums where pale did blood work, she's anemic......that's why she is licking the bricks, carpets....they did an ultrasound to see if anything was bleeding, good news nothing was, bad news, found a few masses on her right kidney plus they saw a few enlarged spots, did a biopsey came back malignent.....will find out what kind of cancer later on today, osteo or something else they are a bit surprises as the osteo normally does not go to the kidneys, so options remove kidney do chemo,,,,but i have decided not to put her thru that. when do you stop, she is my best friend and she has been doing amazing for the last 8 months, promised her i would do ANYTHING for her, money is no object however, i promised her a quality of life, this is a MAJOR surgery with a 6 to 8 week recovery, plus chemo...................NO....i have decided that she will stay in the trial and as long as she is happy and pain free that is all i can ask for....this girl has amazed her oncologists for the past 8 months{with a fracture) WHO KNOWS she could continue on for months...that is all i ask for is a QUALITY of life for her, very devastated thought my CHANCEY would get better....coming to the acceptance that this is cancer, there is NO CURE...altho, for whatever time she is here it will be QUALITY and i will keep my promise to her for as long as she needs me too.....this just SUCKS,,, she just a puppy 6 yrs old.i will continue to stay positive and do alot of praying for spiritual guidance for i believe that GOD is BIGGER than cancer and he can perform miracles.....so far she is a mIRACLE............sorry i hat to share this aweful news with you guys...thanks for being here for Chance and me...linda Chance;s devoted MOM
Linda, I'm so, so sorry. This is a really sad update, I know you must be heartbroken, as we are too.
Please remember though that you've really done an excellent job at advocating for Chance, and given her all of the love and care that a dog could ask for. You didn't give up on her when other dog pawrents would, and you gave her quality time because you cared enough to investigate your options.
As weird as it may sound, when we got to this point in my journey, we found there was a bit of relief in the kind of acceptance you are coping with. For us, it was all about spending good quality time together and not filling our days with medication, doctor visits, etc. Those last few weeks together were precious.
I know that whatever comes next for you and Chance, you will create more loving, happy memories for your girl. Please let her know we are sending all our love to you both.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I'm so saddened to read this news about Chance. Her story is an inspiration and she's got one awesome mum! She's in good care. Now is the time to really spoil her rotten! Loads of kisses and belly rubs!
ACL tear in right hind leg 12/5/12 and scheduled ACL repair surgery 12/21/12. Pre-op xrays revealed osteosarcoma. Amputation 12/28/12. Chemo (carboplatin) started Jan 10, 2013 and ended on April 5, for a total of 5 doses. He handled carbo like a champ! No side effects. We started metronomic therapy at his third chemo and have been also doing some holistic treatments. He's a lively, playful 10 year old huskie-boarder collie and a very proud member of the Winter Warriors! Our love. Our funny little guy!
thank you....i feel that sense of relief as well, i did all i can, know its up to God.....im too tired emotionally to go thru that surgery with her, and the big reason for not doing it, I DO NOT WANT HER SPENDING HER LAST DAYS IN PAIN recovering from a horrible surgery...once again thank you for taking time out of your day to send me his comforting message, Chance and I are going to be fine whatever comes are way, not that im giving up, im just accepting what is..and i will continue to stay strong for her....she just ate a whole hot dog bun and all......she makes me laugh 
love all you guys!!!
just received call from the oncologist...good news the tumor is not osteo, she belives it is either lymphoma or sarcoma, taking chance next tuesday so they can do another biopsy to determine which cancer they are dealing with....they are hoping it is the lymphoma, since the oral chemo seems to aggressively attack the tumor.....for now she is out of the trial as they deal with this tumor on the kidney, there may be hope for my Chance....Linda
Good luck Linda, we hope it's an easier cancer to treat, keep us posted on what you and the docs plan to do. {{{{hugs}}}}
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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