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Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat

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Princeton's story
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Las Vegas, Nevada
Member Since:
14 August 2009
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16
6 September 2011 - 9:28 pm
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Oh wow!  He is a beauty!  We are also suckers for Farm dogs!

 

No help here either ...but it sounds like you are on the right track!

Keep up the good work!

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.

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
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6 September 2011 - 9:42 pm
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A beauty indeed!

You might want to check out this video with Dr. Rosenberg discussing chemotherapy side effects and when they can occur.

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

Greater Western Washington area
Member Since:
25 August 2010
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18
7 September 2011 - 4:43 pm
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Hi Terry and Princeton,

I think you describe your connection to that pretty boy very well.  I know what you mean about him being amazing, he will prove it to you for sure!  I did six rounds of carboplatin with my boy Sammy and it wasn't until the last couple that we saw more than just the being off his food thing.  The last couple of rounds made him shake for a little while, a few hours after the chemo.  He would always be unwilling ot eat the next day and pretty weak, he needed help going outside to go potty.  All he wanted to do was sleep on the day after his chemo.

That sounds worse than it was, because the day after that he would be starving and ready to rock and roll, every time 24 hours after his chemo.   His last chemo hit him a little bit harder, the acted like he was freezing, so cold we warmed up blankets for him in the dryer and kept him close to us for the night.  My boy is fuzzy like yours, so that was quite a suprise to see.  I figured that to do that 6 times only at worst made for 6 bad days, but could possibly win us his life back, so that is what we tried. 

So far so good 🙂  1 year later and counting.

We will be hoping very much that it all works that well for you or even better.

 

Elizabeth and Sammy

Diagnosed with osteosarcoma in the right front leg 8/23/10,

leg fractured 8/27/10,

leg amputated 8/30/10

http://sammyand.....pawds.com/

 

I couldn't begin to say how special Sammy is to us.  Living and laughing with and loving this wonderful boy is priceless.

Member Since:
23 August 2011
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19
7 September 2011 - 11:06 pm
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Thanks again everyone for the replies.  It's really been helpful.

Princeton was a little off for most of the day today, but tonight he was back to his old self.  You know, for a few weeks I've been agonizing, even questioning, if I'm doing the right thing.  Don't get me wrong, I would absolutely do the what I'm doing for him, but I still wondered if I would make him uncomfortable or sick.  Now that the leg is amputated, and the first round of chemo is done, I feel better with the choice I made.  Now we both deal with the task at hand.  Princeton is still here, and seeing how he reacts, makes me believe he will be here for some time yet.

In about a week, he goes to see a holistic vet.  I met with the vet a week ago and was pretty impressed.  The first thing I mentioned was that Princeton's vet has been caring for him for a decade (as well as  my other critters), and I'm completely satisfied.  I only wanted an opinion about other options between chemo sessions.  The holistic vet was entirely supportive of amputation and chemo, and considers her approach as something to supplement what were doing and to provide another line of defense.  She and my vet have agreed to contact each other and work out a program for Princeton while he undergoes chemo.

BTW, has anyone heard of a shortage of cancer (chemo) drugs?  I was first aware of this while watching the news a month ago.  I didn't think too much about it until my vet mentioned he had trouble locating some.  And as many chemo drugs are the same for either people or animals, the price had increased.   I purchased enough carboplatin for Princeton to have a minimum of four treatments.  If more is required, then it may be a challenge.  It's been recommended Princeton goes for bloodwork twice between sessions, so perhaps we will find his system may only take four.

To those of you that have responded and are dealing with the same, I really wish the best for you and your furkids.

 

 

Terry

Greater Western Washington area
Member Since:
25 August 2010
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8 September 2011 - 5:01 am
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Goodmorning Terry,

 

I haven't heard anything about a shortage.  I know my vet and we used a generic version of the carboplatin, it was much less expensive and as far as I know there was no availability problems.  That was about 9 months ago though. 

I am glad Princeton is doing well!  It is gratifying when the realization dawns upon you that a very difficult decision turns out to be the right one for you. 

It isn't a requirement, but I would love to see more pictures of Princeton, he is a very cute boy.big-grin

 

Elizabeth and Sammy

Diagnosed with osteosarcoma in the right front leg 8/23/10,

leg fractured 8/27/10,

leg amputated 8/30/10

http://sammyand.....pawds.com/

 

I couldn't begin to say how special Sammy is to us.  Living and laughing with and loving this wonderful boy is priceless.

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
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8 September 2011 - 5:28 am
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Hi Terry,

Your holistic vet sounds great. A favorite oncologist of ours, Dr. Johnny Chretin would definitely agree on this doc's approach (see this post for his views about holistic care and chemo).

Haven't heard about a chemo drug shortage but I can ask Dr. Chretin. Stay tuned.

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

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
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12 September 2011 - 11:55 pm
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Princeton's a trucker dawg? Cool!

Hey did you see our news blog post? I'm so glad you told us about the shortage, thank you.

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

Member Since:
23 August 2011
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23
13 September 2011 - 12:12 am
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Princeton loves riding in all the farm trucks.  His silhouette is actually on all of the doors of the farm vehicles.  I guess you can say he has corporate duties.:)

 

Sorry to have to bring up the shortage of chemo drugs, but I thought it best that people know.  It's really unfortunate that everything, including life saving drugs, are also subject to the profits of drug companies.  I know my vet phoned around to nearly a dozen suppliers until he could find a source of carboplatin.  I bought as much as he could secure up front (four doses) to make sure Princeton at least had a chance.

 

No big deal, but I'm actually Princeton's dad, and not his mom as stated in the blog.:)

 

 

Terry

Greater Western Washington area
Member Since:
25 August 2010
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13 September 2011 - 6:58 am
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Hey Terry,

 

Sammy and his brother are trucker dogs too!  I used to haul a bull-rack sixmid-western, but now my husband does flat-bedding out here on the coast.  My husband's peterbilt is John Deere green 🙂

 

Princeton looks pretty happy out there 🙂

 

Elizabeth and Sammy

Diagnosed with osteosarcoma in the right front leg 8/23/10,

leg fractured 8/27/10,

leg amputated 8/30/10

http://sammyand.....pawds.com/

 

I couldn't begin to say how special Sammy is to us.  Living and laughing with and loving this wonderful boy is priceless.

knoxville, tn
Member Since:
12 February 2010
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25
13 September 2011 - 7:46 am
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princeton, you look GGRREEEAAATTTT in that truck!!  wow, you are a corporate executive!!  thanks for sharing the info about the drug shortages - something we all need to be aware of. 

charon & gayle

Life is good, so very, very good!!! Gayle enjoyed each and every moment of each and every wonderful day (naps included).  She left this world December 12, 2011 – off on a new adventure.

Love Never Ends

http://etgayle

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
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13 September 2011 - 5:28 pm
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Dont' be sorry about sharing the information about shortages, we're all about sharing information here, good or bad. THANK YOU! 🙂

Farm dawgs rule!

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

Las Vegas, Nevada
Member Since:
14 August 2009
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27
13 September 2011 - 8:44 pm
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Those are some swell pictures! Princeton looks like a "dog in charge"!

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:
23 August 2011
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28
29 September 2011 - 1:49 pm
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Hi everyone

 

I just wanted let everyone know about Princeton's progress and some holistic treatments that others may find helpful.

On Tuesday, Princeton received his second dosage of carboplatin.  My vet still wants to do a minimum of four chemo treatments to a maximum of six depending on Princeton's bloodwork.  A week before the second chemo, Princeton had a CBC performed, and although the white blood cells and platelets were a little off, it was determined he did well after the first treatment.  On Tuesday, just before the chemo, he had another CBC performed as well as a complete blood analysis.  The platelets and wbcs had all improved, and nothing had shown up from the other blood tests.  He went ahead with chemo and I picked him up that afternoon.  To my surprise, he showed absolutely no ill effects the following day as he did when he received the first treatment.  He ran around happily and didn't seem to be in any discomfort whatsoever.  My vet has ended up calling my twelve year old friend the "wonder dog".

About two weeks ago Princeton had a round of acupuncture and analysis with the holistic vet.  She inserted the needles, felt his pulse, and determined he was in great shape.  In fact she said that it would be hard for her to determine how much he would "improve" with upcoming visits.  Nonetheless, a regimen of cancer killing products were prescribed.  The first was Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang.  It's a powder comprised mainly of root and flower sources.  I investigated it online, and there seems to be some independent studies confirming it's worth.  Apparently it stimulates bone marrow production and heightens the effectiveness of cancer fighting cells.  A second formula, Himematsutake, was also prescribed.  The formula isn't in yet, but should be at the vet's office next week.  Comprised mainly of mushroom powders, it too seem to have a benefit when fighting cancer.  Instead of promoting cancer fighting cells, it appears to actually attack any tumors or cancerous growths.  Both products can be used together, and are best used between chemo sessions.

Anyway, that a little more info for now.  Take care everyone.

 

Terry

Las Vegas, Nevada
Member Since:
14 August 2009
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29 September 2011 - 2:45 pm
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Thanks for the info Terry!  Glad to see Princeton is doing well!

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:
23 August 2011
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30
11 January 2012 - 11:52 pm
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Well……….

 

Princeton completed his sixth and last round of chemo last Thursday.  Throughout the process he seemed to do remarkably well.  His blood values always rebounded before chemo and he only twice showed any symptoms of the treatment.  Either time was only for a few hours.  Both vets now refer to him as the "wonder dog".  They seem in awe of how a twelve year old farm dog can to do so well.  He happily bounces on his three legs, preferring to run that walk.  He will still be on some holistic stuff for about another month, and then we'll hope for the best.  It's been about six months so far.

 

Want to hear a neat story?

 

About two months ago Princeton had a tumble.  My house is built on a river bank, with the bank itself about seventy-five feet down at about an eighty degree angle.  In other words, very steep.  Anyway, Princeton was chasing a fox around the yard when it jumped down the bank.  Princeton, being Princeton, launched himself over the edge after the fox.  I ran to the edge only to see him sitting at the bottom with a look as if he knew what he was doing all along.  I had to get a rope, tie it to a tree, and lower myself down to retrieve him.  It took two hours to pull ourselves up.  A week later, he did the same damn thing!  My twelve year old dog, with three legs, undergoing chemo, was again sitting at the bottom of the bank.  I told him that he was idiot and that he would have to wait until chores were done.  After about fifteen twenty minutes I went to the shop to once again get the rope.  When I returned he wasn't there.  I hollered for about ten minutes hoping he would show himself.

 

By this time I was getting pretty worried and wondered what had happened to him.  It was dusk and I decided I had better get a flashlight to bring with me when I lowered myself down the bank.  I went to the shop to get one and made my way back hoping I would find him shortly.  Just before lowering myself down I looked around.  By some fluke I looked at the neighbour's field and saw a tiny black blob bouncing towards me.  Waiting for a few minutes I realized it was Princeton.  The little bugger had gotten tired of waiting, hopped along the river's edge to where the incline was gradual and he could pull himself up.  This area was about half a mile away!  Once up he decided he would hop back to the farm.  When he reached me he had a smug look on his face and immediately went to his water dish.  The wonder dog.  Indeed.

 

Anyway, I just though people might want to know what happened to my boy.  I'm both proud and pleased to announce that he is doing fine.  Unfortunately, my cat is experiencing non-reversible kidney failure and I've been dealing with that the last few months.  Hopefully she'll rebound like Princeton, although I know it will eventually take her.  The thing we do for our furkids…………….

 

Terry

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