Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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We LOVE our harness, and it has helped a great deal with Mitchell's mobility problems. When I was a vet tech, we always recommended harnesses for smaller dogs and dogs that had issues like a collapsing trachea. Taking that pressure off of his neck should help a great deal.
He is totally gorgeous, by the way... and CONGRATS on clear CT scan!!!
Hugs,
Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry 
HI,
Brownie and I was just wondering how you and Ronnie have been? We hope the both of you are doing well.
My Beautiful Beloved Brownie was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma on February 26, 2019. With all odds against him he lived an additional one year and eight days with amputation, love, and prayer. I was honored to be his mom, and I have never been so proud! He will live forever in my Heart!
04/01/2007 - 03/05/2020
"March Saint"
Yessss! Do update when you can. Thanks for pinging this discussion, brownie!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I miss seeing pictures of that little happy guy!
My Beautiful Beloved Brownie was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma on February 26, 2019. With all odds against him he lived an additional one year and eight days with amputation, love, and prayer. I was honored to be his mom, and I have never been so proud! He will live forever in my Heart!
04/01/2007 - 03/05/2020
"March Saint"
Hey everyone! i know its been a while and apologies for not keeping the updates going. Ronnie has last week completed his cycle of 6 sessions of carboplatin chemotherapy. Prior to the session he had a CT scan with side by side comparison with the previous 2 CT's taken prior to amputation and at the time of his 3rd chemotherapy session. The out come according to the report?
| 'Today was the final carboplatin treatment and it is great that Ronnie is still in complete remission from his osteosarcoma' |
So this means that so far, so good! he's still in good spirits and taking the treatment after effects in his stride with very little discomfort, the most significant being the slight hangover he seems to get for 24 hours from the sedative or GA.
So! next steps this is where i need some advice. Our Oncologist has been very clear about the potential treatment and isn't steering us in one way or another, but we are due to go back around in a weeks time 'IF' we decide to go through with the next step. From a financial POV, this is pricey but not an issue and all being well from December onwards the insurance will pick up the cost once the policy claim limit renews.
I'll post the follow up notes verbatim below and the only question is, do we or dont we?
| Follow up Today was the final carboplatin treatment and it is great that Ronnie is still in complete remission from his osteosarcoma. Going forwards there are two options: 1) Active monitoring (regular repeat CT scan and clinical examination) 2) Low-dose oral chemotherapy at home (~£250-300 per month) The aim of low dose chemotherapy (cyclophosphamide + thalidomide + anti-inflammatory) is to slow down tumour progression by limiting the production of blood vessels and simulating the effects of the immune system against the tumour. There are only a small number of studies looking at using low-dose chemotherapy tablets in osteosarcoma and these studies suggest there might be a benefit to delay disease progression. However, the evidence is weak and the benefit of low-dose chemotherapy in uncertain. Cyclophosphamide is given every day at home and are usually well tolerated although some dogs can experience diarrhoea, vomiting or loss of appetite. Low-dose chemotherapy can also cause a decrease of the white blood cell count and platelet and we will monitor that – this is uncommon and typically occur on a longer term. More importantly, 20-30% of the cases treated with low dose cyclophosphamide can develop a condition called sterile haemorrhagic cystitis (inflammation of the bladder and associated blood in the urine). This is usually mild and usually switching to another chemotherapy medication is sufficient to resolve the symptoms. However, for some dogs, it can be serious and be difficult to resolve. We would ask you to monitor Ronnie’s urine every week at home using a urine dipstick to check whether there is any microscopic traces of blood in Ronnie’s urine. We would also start him on a tablet which would encourage him to drink and urinate more to reduce the amount of time the chemotherapy breakdown products sit in his bladder and therefore reduce the risk of this condition. Thalidomide is given every day at night and side effects are minimal. Only a mild sedation can be seen after administration and it is usually non-significant when administered before bed. Thalidomide can cause malformation in babies and caution is warranted. As we discussed please make an appointment for Ronnie in 2 weeks’ time to start these tablets. Please bring a fresh urine sample to this appointment. If you have any concerns in the meantime please feel free to contact us. Whether or not we start the chemotherapy tablets we would recommend repeating the CT in 3 months’ time to assess for any tumour recurrence. |
And what good is any Ronnie update without a Ronnie pic or two?
Here he is at our groomer, The Dog House in Tottington getting a little pamper
https://www.ins.....TwLmsHFxa/
And this was taken just before his final chemo
That is terrific news! What a wonderful pupdate 
And the pictures... he has the most smoochable adorable face. I am really, really glad that you are all doing well
Hugs,
Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry
Awww sweet Ronnie! It's so good to see your handsome face. I'll bet you just smelled soooo good after that spaw day! We always appreciate those pupdates.
OK so as for the metronomics decision...that's a tough one. Everything your onco vet said is spot on. In the recent past, we would always say "Yeah, metronomics is a good idea!" But after recently interviewing CSU oncologist Dr. Bernard Seguin, we won't be so quick to say "Go for it." It's such a toss up now. I would say that if you can afford to pay for the treatment, and Ronnie tolerates it well (most dogs do), then it's just like trying out an herbal supplement: if it doesn't hurt, and doesn't make him miserable, or you broke, then why not?
Here is that interview with Dr. Seguin:
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
CUTENESS ALERT!!! ADORABLE ALERT!!! PRECIOUS ALERT!!! Grinning ear to ears big it hurts my face looking at those pictures of Ronnie!!
And on top of all that cuteness we get to CELEBRATE end of chemo and a PERFECT check-up!! We are all,over rhe moon happy for you and Ronnie!!!
As far as the metronomics , just like everything else on this journey. There are no right or wrong decisions. No guarantees one way another.
In addition to the "research aspect'" of any further "treatment", on thing you can ask yourself, "I I don't pursue any additional treatment, am I comfortable with that decision? Is it time to free Ronnie up from any more Vet visits, no more poking, prodding, etc, with no regrets or second guessing?"
Finances DO have to play a role. Some are not even able to pursue chemo because of finances. Same thing, sadly, about amputation.. How each dog handles Vet visits, carrides, etc, all play a role in sections for them.
The Onco for my Happy Hannah recommended four rounds of carboplatin. After completing that I did Metronomics (this was six years ago) for a couple of weeks. If I recall, she did develop at UTI. Additionally, more Vet visits for bloodwork and checkups were necessary every....whatever...couple of weeks. Anyway, at that time, it wasn't just a matter of giving pills at home, it still inv Vet stuff. I just wanted to free her up from that, And the UTI wasn't a good sign.
Anyway, all that's in the "for whatecer it's worth column". Others who did pursue metro can share their views and their experience.
Afain, no right or wrong! Clearly Ronnie is thriving and that's all that matters!! YAY RONNIE!!!
Hugs
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!
YEAH! Ronnie is back! Brownie and i was wondering how you two were doing. Happy that everything is going well!
My Beautiful Beloved Brownie was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma on February 26, 2019. With all odds against him he lived an additional one year and eight days with amputation, love, and prayer. I was honored to be his mom, and I have never been so proud! He will live forever in my Heart!
04/01/2007 - 03/05/2020
"March Saint"
Thanks for the well wishes all, i think what we're going to do is start the daily chemo and see how he takes to it. if i feel a behavioral change takes place or he isn't as comfortable or happy then we can cease and continue as is managing with only diet and exercise.
I had a chat over instagram yesterday with Sawyers owner Ashley @bluegrasshoppercreations about post chemo care as they're such an inspiration to see him cancer free still 30+months later, and got some great tips around supplements and it's made me see that the metronomics aren't quite the necessity i saw them as, but i still think it's prudent that seeing as i can afford it, i give him every chance possible.
We are back over to start the new tablets from Thursday this week so expect the updates to start coming more regularly again as i try to chart the progress for other owners in the future.
thanks!
Fingers, toes, paws, and tails crossed for you guys! He is truly a lucky pup to have someone that takes such good care of him. I am glad that you have had an opportunity to chat with a cancer survivor's pawrent too. It's so amazing how things align just at the right time.
Will be looking for your posts and of course more adorable pictures 
Jackie and Huck
Hugs,
Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry
Glad you've decided on a plan that feels right for you and Ronnie. 😎
And yes, keep the good updates coming...HOWEVER...they must ALWAYS include pictures!! We cannot get enough of Ron ie! He is such a smile maker!😊
Hugs
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
PS. When you do update, we would love to hear what supplements Sawyers Mom suggested and which ones, if any, you are adding. We all learn from each other. Thanks!
Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!
Hey everyone, sorry we've been so quiet but we've just been living a normal life and not thinking about you know what!
I just wanted to update and say everything is going great, ronnie is doing well and taking Cosequin regularly to support his joints, and is getting around with no issues. Still breathing heavy but still putting it down to the short snout and his pug breeding.
We are however due a 3 month post chemotherapy CT scan on Monday the 2nd December so send us good thoughts please! i will report back when we get the results in around a week.
In the meantime here' a picking of him loving our time away in a cottage in the North walking the Hadrians Wall historic path a few weeks back.
YAY RONNIE!
Thank you so much for taking time from your adventures to let us know how you are doing. You look sooo hoppy and really in your element out there on the path. To see you and your people making the most of life just made our day 
OK so starting now we're sending lots of pawsitivity for clear scans. Let us know when the results come in!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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