Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat

Don't miss our video interview with Dr. Rosenberg discussing metronomics for canine cancer.

Another post about a new form of Metronomics, done by Dr. Kelly at the Veterinary Cancer Care center in Santa Fe.

Metronomic Protocol: A Primer for Pawrents

Here's a great look at the latest in metronomic therapy by our favorite vet, Dr. Pam Wiltzius.

"Tripawds Ask a Vet Forum: Considering Metronomics"

I just finished researching metronomics for Sammy and here is what I found.  Most oncologists prefer meloxicam (Metacam) as the NSAID due to it's wide safety range but a few still prefer piroxicam.  There are 5 different chemo drugs that are being tried but the only one with research behind it (so far) for this use is Cytoxan (cyclophosphamide).  The main side effect is on the bladder with some dogs getting infections and some getting sterile hemorrhagic cystitis (bleeding and pain without infection).  This is rare and usually reversible by stopping the drug.  Some oncologists give a low daily dose of a diuretic (Lasix) to try and prevent this but most don't since diuretics can affect the kidneys.  My holistic vet recommends cranberry capsules as a way to prevent a UTI.  Tazzie took Cytoxan for 2 or 3 months but I had to stop it due to a severe bladder infection (she had a history of bad UTIs so I wasn't too surprised).  I kept her on the meloxicam alone and then did artemisinin .

Read more here

No, thank you! And best of luck with Tate's treatment.

If you're coping with lung mets, this information from Cadence can help:

The Wonder Drug: Tussigon

According to this Veterinary Partner 360 post:

How this Medication is Used

Some typical situations in which cough suppression with hydrocodone would be helpful include:

• Kennel cough (a usually minor infection leading to bronchitis).
• Collapsing trachea (where the windpipe becomes flimsy).
• "Old dog" bronchitis (a natural part of aging in dogs involves excess mucus production in the lungs).
• Heart enlargement (where the right chambers of the heart become so large that as the heart beats they pinch off the main airways)

These are all conditions where minor secretions or actual tissues are pressing on the lung's airways and stimulating cough.  Coughs that benefit from suppression are typically dry and hacking, often described as sounding as though something is stuck in the throat.

The effect of hydrocodone in a dog is believed to last approximately 6 to 12 hours. It is typically dosed at four times a day usage or less, as needed.

A great article about metronomic chemotherapy by oncologist Dr. Joanne Intile:

Understanding Metronomic Chemotherapy for Pets with Cancer