Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Well, its been a couple weeks since our last post, which at the time I asked for suggetions about treating lung met and was given some great advice. Right about that same time dasha was offering some K-9 immunity she had for Finn and we graciously took advantage of that. Gus has been doing pretty good but last night he was very slow to come to the house, not his usual. I willl say the last couple days he has been quite the roamer in the fields, and usually when he does that much walking, he is a little slow for a day , but not this slow. The lump on his neck seems to be growing a little faster. I had asked our vet about metronomic therapy and he has just now gotten the information for for some of the drugs I inquired about. We were going to start him on cytoxin and one drug that starts with D today, but I am concerned it might be to late, and I am not sure if he has a reaction such as vomiting or diahrea I want to put him through that since he isn't feeling quite as good. One thing I might have messed up on, I forgot about the calendar the vet gave me for his prednisone, I have been giving him 3 twice a day and I should have been down to 2 a day, so I just gave him one yesterday morning, and a doctor friend told me last night you shouldn't drop it down that quick. I had given him 2 last night, so when we got home I gave him another, so maybe that was doing more than I thought it was, but I think I am going to stay where we were at for now. I'll talk to the vet this morning. This morning he seems to have a little more energy, he ate his pills and food, but I'm not sure if the lump is starting to bother him more, I was rubbing him last night and just felt it and he winced as if it was sore. I hope this isn't the beginning of having to make that decision, I wasn't sure I wanted to get out of bed this morning, he likes to sleep on the porch on cool nights, didn't know what I would wake up to, but every night I tell him what a great looking guy he is, what a good boy he is and that I love him, so I know if he doesn't wake those were the last words he heard. We are suppose to go down to Tennessee in 2 weeks for a wedding, that last thing I want is to have to be in a position of making a decision at the time we go down, don't know if I could go if he isn't doing well. Can anybody give me help on their experience when they started cytoxin. Thanks for your help, 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
Dan, I don't have any experience with the drug cytoxin but just want to say that I hope Gus is doing better today. Roaming about the fields. Now thats living the dog's life. I'm sure Lot's of great advice will be coming your way soon. It always does!
Fortis'Dad
Hi Dan and Gus,
I don't have any experience with Cytoxin either. But wanted to chime in that we will keep fingers and paws crossed for Gus. We're keeping you in our hearts. And Fortis' Dad is right - roaming the fields sounds pawsome. We'll hope for the best for your boy.
Sending hugs,
Holly, Zuzu and Susan
Holly joined the world of tripawds on 12/29/2009. She has a big little sister, Zuzu, who idolizes Holly and tries to make all of her toys into tripawds in Holly's honor. And she's enjoying life one hop at a time!
http://anyemery.....ipawds.com
For some reason I have the need to state the obvious. Gus is leading a great dog life. He has a human who cares and keeps his medical needs taken care of, and he has a great outdoor life a dog can enjoy. Roaming the fields and sleeping on the porch - now that sounds like fun.
Our cancer dogs are going to slow down. But that doesn't mean they don't get enjoyment out of what they can do. I've not had to encounter the metronomics journey yet, so I cannot comment on the drugs, but there have been lots of dogs given many more months because of these drugs.
Wishing you and Gus the very best!
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.
Hi Dan & Gus. When our Max was on metronomics , cytoxan was part of the protocol, along with Piroxicam and Actos. Max never had any reaction to the meds, as far as we ever knew. The only directive we had for cytoxan was to give it in the morning. Apparently cytoxan can cause crystals to build up in the bladder (I think?), which can cause pain when urinating. We were supposed to watch for signs of pain, or possible blood in the uring. Max never had either. Again, we never saw a problem with him with any of the metronomic meds.
I hope you and Gus have a better day today. Don't worry about the wedding right now. Just take each day with your boy, and give him lots of love (which it sounds like you're already doing!). Good luck, and keep everyone updated.
Diane
PS: You're right: he is a very good-looking boy!
Dear Dan,
You know I have don't have any experience with cancer long term (my Rugby died in about 3 hours from cancer). All I can offer is a virtual hug to you and pooch smooch to Gus! It really sounds like you could use it!
It twists my insides thinking that you are worried Gus may not be awake in mornings. Probably because I've done it with Comet when I worried if she had brain cancer. (She had paraylzes of the face and neurological symptoms that led me to think it was brain cancer. Honestly, I didn't dream it up - she had symptoms! 
)
I'm so glad you found our little community. We are sure enjoying your company and I hate thinking you are going through such a terrible time and not always telling us. So, will you make a little promise (and this goes for Fortis' dad, too and all the men folk out there!) that you will let us know when you are having a tough time? I just don't want you guys to think it's a Hen Fest here on the boards!
In the meantime, just know you got a handsome guy by your side that is pawsome and brave and you got friends out here that care!
Comet - 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.
djbockman said:
Can anybody give me help on their experience when they started cytoxin.
You can read all about Jerry's experience with Cytoxan and metronomics for his lung mets, but in short, we never noticed any adverse reaction whatsover. If you proceed, you only need to ensure that Gus gets lots of water and plenty of pee breaks throughout the day. The Cytoxan can cause urinary toxicity in some dogs. I believe Pam stopped giving Tazzie Cytoxan for this reason, but we didn't have that issue and we've never heard of reports about Cytoxan causing any other sickness.
Thanks for the update and bless you for all you're doing for Gus. Best wishes.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Dan, I'm so sorry. Admin pointed out the places where you can read about my experience with it, but I just wanted to say that I'm thinking of Gus and hoping that he's doing better today.
Don't beat yourself up about any decisions you've made, we all do the best we can with the information we cram into our already maxed-out brains. You are doing your best, and what's best for Gus and that's all that matters.
Now, go give that boy a big hug from us. We send our love.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Dan,
We started Mackenzie on the metronomic about 2 months ago. Includes Cytoxan (15mg capsule), a diuretic called Lasix (about 40mg)and Metacam – anti-steroidal) She takes this in the morning only. She has had no side effects and she was a tripawd who had major side effects on regular chemo (carboplatin.) They want the diuretic to flush through her system throughout the day to prevent irritation to the bladder and bladder infections (that's why they take it in the morning.) From what my vet told me, Cytoxan can cause an irritation to the bladder lining which in turn causes bladder infections and possible other complications. So that's something you just need to watch for. In fact, I thought maybe she had a bladder infection a couple of weeks ago and the vet had me take her off the Cytoxan for a week. Then we did a culture and it came back clear. So now she's back on it without any trouble. I too was concerned about giving her this but now I'm not at all – it hasn't changed her energy level whatsoever or caused any other side effects. Our oncologist said that she would like to see Mackenzie on this for 6 months pending any issues, and then we'd evaluate. She also said that she is recommending this course of treatment more and more now because it's much easier on dogs and it has shown to be pretty effective in many cases.
I can totally relate to your concerns about Gus. Sometimes if Mackenzie has done too much I notice her energy level is pretty low the next day. I worry about it but then she seems to come out of it…so maybe Gus is going through something similar. Being a tripawd pawrent always comes with a lot of worries unfortunately. I think our "worry" sensory is on overload for most of the time. So try not to worry too much just yet. The fact that he's eating his food and pills says a lot. Maybe once you talk to your vet you'll get a better sense of how Gus is feeling. We're thinking of you and Gus and hope everything is ok! 
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!
Hang in there and keep us posted. !! We are thinking about you and Gus!!
Erin and Jack
Well, it's about 6:20 in the afternoon and I will say that Gus seems a little better. I notice he is wincing once in a while when he moves, not sure what it is that is making him do that, but I will say thank you all for your suggestions and support. I didn't get the medicine yet basically because I wanted to see how today went. I did find out that this guy was roaming the fields way farther than I thought, which might explain a little of the soreness and low energy. So if the pharmacy is open tomorrow, depending on how Gus does the next 12 hours, I might get him started tomorrow. I must say he has been real good up until last night, I couldn't believe how tired and sore he seemed. I am hoping the cancer hasn't went to his other front leg, he seems to be moving somewhat better, and it is REALLY humid here today, and I think the prednisone is making him pant more also, so I know that will effect his energy level. Right now he's sprawled out in front of the fan, but when I go back out, he'll probably follow me, what a guy. We just take it one day at a time, I have no regrets whatsoever of any of my decisions, after all, he loves to go out in the fields, he likes to lay in the same area I am working in, and if he didn't wake up tomorrow, he's been in his glory right until the end, but we'll assume he is just having a bump in the road for now, might have to keep him a little closer to home for his own good. So, we'll see what tomorrow brings, 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
Gus and Dan, We are thinking about you and praying that today is a good day for Gus.
Jo Ann & Tasha
Tasha 8 years old, First cancer diagnosis 6/26/09, Last cancer diagnosis 9/26/09, Amputation 10/01/09, Loving our girl moment by moment.
Tasha lost her battle and became my Angel on May 4 2011. Forever in my heart….
kbryant said:
I think our "worry" sensory is on overload for most of the time. So try not to worry too much just yet. The fact that he's eating his food and pills says a lot. Maybe once you talk to your vet you'll get a better sense of how Gus is feeling.
Dan, at our final visit with the oncologist for Catie, she told that not every nuance in behaviour or fluctuations in activity level or aches and pains would necessarily be attributed to the cancer. Kami's right: our worry sensory is hopelessly on high alert.
Oh, isn't this cancer journey a tumultuous one.
It sounds like Gus overall is doing ok though; roaming the fields (lucky dude), eating, lying at your feet. You know, throughout our experience with Catie I've had to work real, real hard (and it's been work) to learn to minimize my five decades worth of worrying about tomorrow - I swear I was born scrunchy-faced with anxiety 🙂 and I have baby pictures o prove it. Man, it's been a tough to let go of a very defeating lifetime habit.
I'm so happy Gus had a better day, after all. Got our fingers and paws crossed the good days keep coming.
Carmen, Catie and Riley
Catie -
Birthday – November 4 2003
Amputation – January 13 2010
Crossed the Bridge – June 2 2011
boy me too on the worrying part!! Dan and Gus, paws crossed that it was just a day you felt like lazing a little more…..after all, policing those fields is hard work for a tripawd!!
Good luck on the new treatment plan I hope it goes perfectly!!
Augh … evidently I got the math question wrong, so now I have to try to retype what I had … frustrating!!!
Anyway …
While we don’t have experience with metronomics , we are in the process of withdrawing Harley off of Prednisone. I have noticed when I step the dosage down to the next lower level that Harley definitely seems more tired … I assume this is him adjusting to the new level of Prednisone? What you described with Gus sounds similar to our experience with Harley when lowering the Prednisone. We’ve also experience a lot of panting on Prednisone, although it has lessened with each lower dosage.
I did read this online about Prednisone withdrawal & possible side effects:
- joint pain
- muscle pain
- fatigue
- headache
- fever
- low blood pressure
- nausea and vomiting
Hope Gus is feeling better … our paws are crossed for him!!
Amputation on 11/10/09, due to Histiocytic Sarcoma in left elbow. Angel Harley earned his wings on 06/24/10.
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