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.
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baconsmom said
I will post the pictures of rehab as soon as we figure out how...
Here are detailed instructions for adding photos to forum posts . If you don't already share photos online somewhere, you can start a free Tripawds blog any time and upload them there. Photos uploaded to Tripawds blogs will automatically be resized to a reasonable size.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
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midnighter94 said
Murphy also had his surgery and chemo done out at MSU. I just love Dr. Swanson! She laughs every time I take Murphy out there because not much has changed and he's far surpassed everyone's expectations. Murphy was 7 when he had his surgery and he just turned 10 in January. It sounds like Bacon is doing fairly well. We also use the Pawz boots when we go out to MSU, since the floor is so slippery.Donna
Hi Donna, what type of chemo did Murphy have, pill form or IV? Was he unphased by chemo or did he experience some issues?
Murphy had CCNU, which is a pill. He did pretty good with it. We would spend most of the day out there then drive 1 1/2 hours home, and he usually seemed like he had a little less appetite that day, but other than that he was good! He also had to take denamarin every day to help protect his liver. He would have a CBC (blood work) on the day of chemo, and another a week later at our regular vet.
Donna
Donna, Glenn & Murphy
Murphy had his right front leg amputated due to histiocytic sarcoma at 7 years old. He survived 4 years, 2 months & 1 week, only to be taken by hemangiosarcoma at 11 1/2 years 6/12/17
Read about Murphy's Life on Three Legs
midnighter94 said
Murphy had CCNU, which is a pill. He did pretty good with it. We would spend most of the day out there then drive 1 1/2 hours home, and he usually seemed like he had a little less appetite that day, but other than that he was good! He also had to take denamarin every day to help protect his liver. He would have a CBC (blood work) on the day of chemo, and another a week later at our regular vet.Donna
Bacon's liver values were very high this time. It is a concern for me. He has two more tx's left. I wonder how much more effective 5 or 6 tx's are vs. 4.
I wonder how much more effective 5 or 6 tx's are vs. 4.
Here is a Blog Post Discussing How Many Chemo Treatments are Best.
I hope the post helps.
Karen
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Thank you Karen. I'm still unclear if we can stop at 4 txs of carbo. I have my local vet (who knows Bacon so well) speaking with his oncologist (who doesn't know him from the 500 other dogs he is treating). My local vet is inquiring how much more benefit 5 or 6 txs would really be. If the percentage is not very high I'm stopping the txs. I'm afraid we will get into liver damaging territory if we proceed.
You are welcome.
My pug Maggie had about 6 months of chemo- for mast cell cancer, she tolerated it pretty well. It was two different meds not carbo. Maggie far outlived her prognosis of 6 to 9 months and eventually developed kidney failure. The onc at the time said it was not tied to the chemo but later studies suggested it could happen. I wouldn't have changed anything, but I would have been on the look out for symptoms and I would have picked up on it faster than I did.
Remember too- you can stop chemo at any time you want. You are in charge of Bacon's treatment! Of course you listen to your vets, but I always figured I could stop if I thought Maggie wasn't feeling well during treatment.
Karen
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Jist to muddy the water for you even more, the Onco who treated my Happy Hannah suggested four rounds of chemo Carboplatin for her osteosarcoma. You will definitely see a wide range here of four...or five...or six!
The Onco here in Virginia was a graduate of Clemson (I think). She said four is what they were teaching and "less is more". I remember she said she coukd do five if I wanted, vut that would just be "icing on the cake".
Others here were advised to do more by their very qualified Oncos.
I'm absolutely not a vet and certainly not giving vet advice. I'm just sharing Happy Hannah's experience. She graced me with additional bonus time of one year and two months. I also would be concerned about Bacon's liver values if deciding to do .more than four.
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!
The number of carbo rounds does seem to be highly variable. So much depends not only on the Doctor's preferences and also on the owner's finances and most importantly, how the dog is tolerating the chemo. Even if there was really solid evidence that more is better then if Bacon's liver isn't doing well, I think that is telling you something. I'm not a vet but just as an owner it would worry me too.
Bacon's had 4 rounds and 4 rounds is all that many many people choose to do. Our Onc told us 4 rounds was the 'gold standard' for many years because Carbo was so expensive. But the cost had come way way down, and it made it more feasible to do more rounds. But she also told us that it was optional.
Denise, Bill and Angel Ellie
Active 10+ Pyr mix suddenly came up lame with ACL tear in left rear leg. Scheduled for a TPLO but final pre-op x-rays indicated a small suspicious area, possibly OSA, which could have caused the ACL tear. Surgeon opened the knee for TPLO but found soft bone. Biopsy came back positive for OSA. Became a Tripawd 9/18/14. Carbo6 with Cerenia and Fluids. Pain free and living in the moment. Crossed the Bridge on 7/12/15 after probable spread of cancer to her cervical spine. A whole lifetime of memories squeezed into 10 months. Here's her story: Eloise
Thank you all for commenting on the number of txs. I will see what Bacon's bloodwork looks like on Wednesday. I have decided if his values are not in the normal range I am either stopping all together or reconsidering only after the values have come up.
The oncologist is recommending moving forward at a lower dose (Bacon is already receiving the minimal dose for his weight) but he is basing his decision on all the dogs he has txd thus far. Bacon is unique and always has been. My number one concern is his health. Again, thank you all. This site has helped me through the worst experience in my life. Bacon sends paws and licks.
Rebecca,
I've got nothing to add to the info above -- Koda's only one week post-amputation, so we're at the start of this godawful learning curve. Just wanted to let you know I've been keeping up with Bacon's progress and I'm wishing you both well.
(Also, I think Bacon is one of the best dog names ever!).
xo
Julie
Mom of Koda, 150 lb male Anatolian Shepherd age 6 1/2 (DOB 10/4/09).
TPLO both knees - one 11/2012 and the other 2/2013;
Underpants-ectomy (a/k/a blockage removal) 8/2013;
Osteosarcoma in front left leg diagnosed 3/1/16;
Joined Tripawd Nation 3/4/16
Forever missing Koda's big brother, Sully (a/k/a James P. Sullivan), our first Anatolian and the Original Big Man (tm), who passed at age 10 1/2 from degenerative myelopathy on 6/27/13.
Sounds like you've really got a good handle on how you will.proceed based on knowing your precious Bacon better than anyone! Factoring in the individuality of Bacon and his overall well-being into the equation is so important.
You're really doing a great job of being his advocate! Bacon is a very loved boy!
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!
Hi, thanks so much for the support and kind words. We decided to stop at four carbo treatments. Bacon is now off all medications and beginning his next 8 weeks of PT next Thursday.
Bacon is really happy since being medication free and even jumped up on the couch for the first time since his surgery!
Julie, my heart goes out to you and Koda. Furkids truly are so resiliant. Please feel free to email me if you need to know anything else about Bacon's journey or just need someone to vent to. Although it is very difficult I wouldn't change anything we have done thus far. I hope you experience the same feeling.
As for how Bacon got his name: he is from Paris, Ontario. The breeders told me I needed to come up with a name that would include the breeder's name. Because he is Canadian, his full name is Blacktie's Canadian Bacon. Way too fancy so he is just Bacon, Bac-a-boo, or the Baconator. He has an 8 year old golden brother and best friend from Kalamazoo, MI. His name is Hamlet because he is a small piece of pork too. He is also known as Hamster, Hamburgular, Hambone, Hama-lama-ding-dong, or Stinky Twinkie. Haha.
Again, thank you all for the support. Bacon sends paws and licks.
So glad to hear that Bacon is feeling better! Sometimes we just have to go with what they are telling us.
Love the way he got his name 
Donna
Donna, Glenn & Murphy
Murphy had his right front leg amputated due to histiocytic sarcoma at 7 years old. He survived 4 years, 2 months & 1 week, only to be taken by hemangiosarcoma at 11 1/2 years 6/12/17
Read about Murphy's Life on Three Legs
Soooo glad to hear how well Bacon, Baconator, Bac-a-boo is doing!!!! YAAAAAAAAAY FOR JUMPING ON THE COUCH!!
I know it is absolutely exhilarating to see Bacon feeling so good and to see him return to his normal habits. Clearly you've made an excellent decision for Bacon's well being! 🙂
I love the fun story behind his name and that of his brother. .
Thanks for updating us. We're all cheering for Bacon!
Hugs and love!
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!
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