Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hi everyone, I've posted lots of replies to people, now I'm the one who needs advice.....
Nitro is an almost 10 year old Doberman who underwent amp surgery in June of 2014 for OSA. He had 6 doses of carboplatin with minimal side effects and has been doing metronomic therapy since January 2015 (cytoxan and piroxicam daily). In the last couple of days, I've noticed him trying to pee and nothing coming out; I work in a hospital laboratory, and did a urinalysis on him yesterday which showed a moderate amount of blood. He does have a vet appointment on Tuesday for labs, so I will,be discussing this with her then. Should I stop the drugs until I talk with her? Any insight on what happens next? Things have been so good for us lately, I'm afraid I've started to take his health for granted a little, and FATE has decided to slap me down some.
Thank you Tripawd Nation
paula and nitro
Nitro 11 1/2 yr old Doberman; right front amp June 2014. Had 6 doses carboplatin, followed by metronomic therapy. Rocked it on 3 legs for over 3 years! My Warrior beat cancer, but couldn't beat old age. He crossed the Bridge peacefully on July 25, 2017, with dignity and on his terms. Follow his blog entitled "Doberman's journey"
"Be good, mama loves you".....run free my beautiful Warrior
Oh Paula I'm so sorry this is happening. I may be wrong but didn't Sally say that Happy Hanna developed some bladder issues while on metronomics ? Maybe stop them until you have your appointment on Tuesday and see what your vet says. Maybe it's just a regular bladder infection and can be cleared up with antibiotics? Try not to worry. I know it's hard because everything gets magnified in this journey. Keep us posted! Healing thoughts coming your way.
Hey Paula,
Try not to panic. It's not unheard of for dogs to develop cystitis. I would want to stop until I talk to the vet if he was my dog, but that's just me. As you know this could be a number of things, and in all likelihood it'll just end up being a matter of changing meds around. Is he on cytoxan every day or just every other day?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Everyday, Rene
Nitro 11 1/2 yr old Doberman; right front amp June 2014. Had 6 doses carboplatin, followed by metronomic therapy. Rocked it on 3 legs for over 3 years! My Warrior beat cancer, but couldn't beat old age. He crossed the Bridge peacefully on July 25, 2017, with dignity and on his terms. Follow his blog entitled "Doberman's journey"
"Be good, mama loves you".....run free my beautiful Warrior
I'm with the majority here ... while the two could be unrelated, I would probably stop the meds until the doctor cleared it again. So sorry for the setback, but hopefully it's just a small bump in the road!
Keep us posted!
Momma to the world's most beautiful American Bulldog, Izzy!! Lost her front leg to OSA 9/18/15. Diagnosed w MCT in June 2016. Celebrated her 1 year ampuversary with knee surgery on 9/18/16! MCT recurrence in Dec 2016. Happy & hungry til nearly 14, earning her wings on 7/31/17.
I am only here for love and support! I don't know anything about metronics since we didn't go that route but I'm sending positive energy you way!!!!
hugs!
Shelby Lynne; Jack Russell/Shiba Inu mix. Proud member of the April Angels of 2014.
October 15, 2000 to April 8, 2014
Our story: Broke rear leg in June 2013 - non-conclusive results for cancer so leg was plated and pinned. Enlarged spleen in September 2013 and had it removed and was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma and started chemotherapy. Became a Tripawd January 8th, 2014 and definitive Hemangiosarcoma diagnosis. Three major surgeries in 7 months and Shelby took them all like a champ only to lose her battle to cancer in her brain. We had 8 amazing extra months together and no regrets. #shelbystrong #loveofmylife
When Jake was on metronomics , we were advised that bladder/kidney infections were a common side affect. Jake's urine was checked for blood at every check up and we were told to keep an eye out for him having a hard time peeing etc. They also would check his kidney values. Jake's were elevated a couple of times and we just kept an eye on it. Make sure Nitro is getting plenty to drink also. I would give Jake a water "treat" which was basically a spoonful of plain chicken baby food mixed into some water to make sure he was drinking plenty of water. I'd definitely give the vet a call tomorrow and let them know what's going on. I wouldn't just stop the meds without their ok.
HUGS
Mom to Tripawd Angels Jake (2001-2014) and Rosco (2012-2015) and Tripawd Tanner. “Whatever happens tomorrow, we had today; and I'll always remember it”
Good memory Linda! Yep, my Happy Hannah sure did develop uti. Now,I'm using that as a "catch all" phrase because I was always co fused between uti, bladder I infection, cyctitis, etc. I do know they dud a "bladder tap" which scared the heck out of me but it was no biggie at all.
M.y end result was I took her off the metronomics . Her flare up was only after two or three weeks of the metro.
I do know...according to her Onco...that some Oncos do the cytoxan every ither day as a precaution.
As EIzabeth said, lots of water ro make him pee frequently. Good idea on the water treat E!
If my memory serves me, Jackson had bladder issues and was off metro for a couple of weeks til it cleared up and then went back on. I think .maybe Sassy jad the same issue. Michelle can chime in.
We ALL understand the panic at so much as a burp!! But this would not be unexpected in my unprofessional opinion and so.ething that can clear up after taking him off the cytoxan. Double check on this, but I "think" you could still give him the Piroxicam.
Don't you worry, the Tripawd Nation has your back!!! Okay, of course you are going to worry...just know we still jave your back and Nitro feels fine and IS healthy! A little pee pee infection isn't going to bother him!
Lots of love!!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle 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!
Paula,
Here is the forum post I talked to you about last night. It has a lot of good information in it. http://tripawds.....-leukeran/
I told you what I did with the every other day until we got the Leukeran and that was because Sassy already had mets and I was freaked out she would go faster without anything.
xoxoxox
Michelle & Angel Sassy
Sassy is a proud member of the Winter Warriors. Live long, & strong Winter Warriors.
sassysugarbear.tripawds.com
07/26/2006 - Sassy earned her wings 08/20/2013
05/04/2006 - Bosch, Sassy's pal, earned his wings 03/29/19 fought cancer for 4 months.
"You aren't doing it TO her, you are doing it FOR her. Give her a chance at life."
Hi Paula,
We are going to do metronymics after our carboplatin regimen so I'm reading and hoping Nitro is ok and that the therapy works. Hugs and prayers for you and Nitro!
Debbie
So the latest update after talking to the vet...she's not uber concerned with his symptoms. Yes its probably the start of cystitis, but she feels its very early. She consulted with her favorite oncologist and he felt there really isn't a lot of published info on leukoran, so it's kind of a crap shoot. I'd like to hear other folks feelings on this, as I now have to decide to pursue this or call it quits for metronomics .
Nitro's chiropractic vet does have natural remedies for the cystitis and will evaluate his "chi" at his appointment next week to see what will suit him best.
So that's where we are...let me hear your opinions Tripawd Nation, on how you feel about Leukoran.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart!
Paula and Nitro
Nitro 11 1/2 yr old Doberman; right front amp June 2014. Had 6 doses carboplatin, followed by metronomic therapy. Rocked it on 3 legs for over 3 years! My Warrior beat cancer, but couldn't beat old age. He crossed the Bridge peacefully on July 25, 2017, with dignity and on his terms. Follow his blog entitled "Doberman's journey"
"Be good, mama loves you".....run free my beautiful Warrior
Hi Paula,
I don't have any facts or experiences to share. Just wanted to throw in my support and let you know I'm thinking of you and Nitro.
Karen and the Spirit Pug Girls
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Paula, so to be clear, is Nitro off the Cytoxan for now? I'm glad that the vets aren't concerned about the cystitis.
.Michelle, thanks for posting that previous link on Leukoran. I remember being very interested in it and was leaning towards givi g it a try. . I just can't recall why I didn't pursue it with Happy Hannah.....maybe a lot of vet trips and tests involved? It must have been around this time that I made a pretty conscious decision to not subject her to any more poking and prodding and free her from that.
Trilawd Nation cheering you on Nitro! And we can't say this enough...Nitro is strong and feeling great!!
Hugs!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle too!
PS...Yo, Nitro! Tell your mom Happy Hannah had me convinced a scoop.of ice cream would help clear up her cystitis...pretty sure it helped
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!
OK so glad you had the vet convos today. Yeah, they're right, not a lot of studies on Leukeran (thank you for sharing that post Michelle!) but Dr. Intile is pretty dang smart IMO and if she's using it, I'd feel good about it. BUT, first, what I might want to do is give the cytoxan every other day. It's how we did it with Jerry (numerous other members did it that way too), and only recently within the last year or so have oncos decided that every day is safe. Up until then, for over a decade it was done every other day. So maybe I'd start there before switching drugs. That's just me though, take it for what it's worth.
Lucky Nitro to have a scientific mommy with her own lab! Very cool.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Another idea; You may want to see if Colorado State U's Argus Institute will allow you to get free consulting feedback from Dr. Barbara Biller, a leading researcher of metronomic chemotherapy . She's awesome and so knowledgeable about it.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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