Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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He had hind leg amputated on sept 10 and was doing so great on 3 legs! Went today for post op visit to have stitches removed and to see oncologist. Found out today that cancer spread to his lungs. Options are chemo, metronomic protocol or pallative care.
Any thoughts? He is doing so well post amputation and otherwise acts like nothing is going on with him.
Thanks
Sonia
Hi Sonia
I am happy to hear how well Bull has been doing. But it is sad to hear the lung mets showed up so quickly. When were the last x-rays taken and why did they x-ray again so soon? Normally they only x-ray every couple of months. Was there some reason they expected to see something in the lungs?
Of course the most important thing with our dogs is that they are happy now, and that we help them to be happy now. Cancer will end up getting most of them, but that does not matter today while they are still happy.
As for treatment, normally people switch to metronomics or a couple of other things (Palladia is a drug that was released to 'board-certified' surgeons or oncologists this summer). On this website somewhere, Jerry has a table outlining treatment options for different stages (pre-mets, after mets), but I think metronomics is the one that would be most helpful to you. Chemo is usually used to kill microscopic disease but is not effective in shrinking mets. There are a few herbal supplements that might be helpful (unproven but are reasonable). I just ordered Artemisinin and you can find information on that if you do a search on this website. We talked about it last weekend. If I were you, I'd probably look closely at metronomics and Artemisinin . (Search for "metronomics ", and "artemisinin ").
Certainly there have been dogs that developed mets that lived several months, but that seems to vary.
You might want to copy your blog post into this forum so that people get the details.
Susan
Dear Sonia,
I was so sorry to hear that lung mets have hit Bull already. I don't have any advice but wanted to let you know I care. After reading the forums I rarely make it to the blogs so I am sorry I don't know Bull's story. I will try to find it.
Debra & Emily
Debra & Emily, a five year old doberman mix, who was diagnosed with an osteosaecoma. She had a right rear leg amputation on May 19, 2009. On November 10, 2009 she earned her wings and regained her fourth leg.
Looks like you figured out the forums! 
We're sorry to hear about Bull's lung mets. But it is not the end, by far. Jerry lived another 8 months or so after we discovered his mets, thanks to his healthy dog cancer diet, metronomic therapy and K9 Immunity.
You might also find Jerry's posts answering top canine cancer questions helpful.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Don't give up yet...it sounds like Bull still has life in him! Paris had her amputation in January, followed by 4 chemo (Carboplatin) treatments. Her follow up visit after the chemo showed lung mets. That was in April, they started her on Prednisone and she is still with us. She has had ups and downs and we are realistic about what we are facing and yet we celebrate every day she is with us.
Educate yourself about all the options and do what is best for you, we will all be sending you our care and support.
Gineej & Paris
Grateful for every moment we had with Paris…..no regrets!
Honoring her life by opening our hearts & home to Addy!
Hi Paris and Gineej
That is impressive and encouraging for us (and probably Bull's parents) that you have gone since April with your current treatment! Congratulations! Keep it up!
Susan & Tazzie 2
Gineej,
I want to second Susan's post. I am sure that is an encouragement to Bull's parents. I know it is an encouragement to me. Realistically, we are all going to get that bad news someday and it is good to know we have options. Take heart, Bull's parents.
Debra
Debra & Emily, a five year old doberman mix, who was diagnosed with an osteosaecoma. She had a right rear leg amputation on May 19, 2009. On November 10, 2009 she earned her wings and regained her fourth leg.
Emilysmom said:
...we are all going to get that bad news someday and it is good to know we have options.
Indeed... exactly why after discovering his lung mets, Jerry wrote about buying time on an emotional budget and how important it is to acknowledge you have noting to lose.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Dear Sonia: What a cutie Bull is! I love your picture. My daughter loves to put hats on Romeo---particularly birthday hats!
So glad to hear Bull is doing great after the surgery. And so sorry to hear about the mets showing up. I think first and foremost, the most important thing is Bull is happy and doing great. He is telling you something there. Romeo just had his surgery on Aug 17 and we agonized over whether or not to do chemo. We decided against it because Romeo has had a history of GI problems. And we just wanted to focus on quality of life for him. We are doing acupuncture, herbs and supplements. He has also done great post surgery and seems his old happy self again.
In my limited understanding, it does seem you may be past the point of chemo. I know a lot of dogs on this site seem to have had a pretty good experience with the metronomic protocol. And there are also some living happily post mets. I know some day we'll reach this point too. I say go with your gut. You know Bull best.
We're sending good thoughts your way! Eve and Romeo
That is great news about Paris!
Sending all our good thoughts to Bull!!! Hope he feels better real soon... and beats those nasty mets!!!
Jake's Mom
Jake, 10yr old golden retriever (fractured his front right leg on 9/1, bone biopsy revealed osteosarcoma on 9/10, amputation on 9/17) and his family Marguerite, Jacques and Wolfie, 5yr old german shepherd and the newest addition to the family, Nala, a 7mth old Bengal mix kittie. Jake lost his battle on 11/9/2009, almost 8 weeks after his surgery. We will never forget our sweet golden angel… http://jakesjou.....ipawds.com ….. CANCER SUCKS!
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