Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Thanks for the thoughts....yes, Sally, as of now Nitro is off cytoxan (since Sunday). My vet was told by the onco that once the cystitis symptoms start, he should never get cytoxan again. I wish we HAD done it every other day, but you know what they say about wishes....
i will pass on the info about Argus Institute when I see the vet tomorrow. Its not that I like giving him drugs, but I feel I need to do SOMETHING since we've come so far; I don't want it all to be for naught. Does this make sense, or am I just grasping at straws? And he is doing really well, it's not like he's at deaths door. How do I know when enough has to be enough?
I will update more when I know something new.
Again, thanks for the info and support!
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
Yes, you make perfect sense! You are not grasping at straws when holding onto hope! And you have every reason to be very hopeful about Nitro's continuing good health!
When do we know enough has to be enough? Hiw do we know? That's a real hard one and certainly very personal...very individual. All I can say, for me anyway, when I decided to not pursue anymore "medical stuff" that involved constant trips to the vet for blood work, tests, etc., it was more of a "feeling". It wasn't pre-planned, or thought out in any great detail. It wasn't even a hard decision for me. After the chemo and after trying the metronomics (even though it was just a couple of weeks), I just felt at peace about not doing anything involving more poking, prodding, etc. It by no means meant I was giving up..no way! I was still incorporating supplements, nutrition, holistic stuff, etc. Again, just a very, very individual decision.
It would certainly be worth getting as much updated info.as you can on Lukeran. It certainly sounded promising almost two years sgo so I imagine a lot more is known about it now.
Sending you lots of love Paula. Look forward ro your uldate.
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!
Yep, everyone reaches that "enough" decision at different times and in different ways. Overall, when the benefits you hoped for no longer materialize, that's when it's time to give it consideration. At least it was that way for us. When we stopped metronomics , it was very freeing for us, just like how Sally described. Those pill-popping mornings were replaced with other routines that were way more fun 🙂
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Just stopping by to let you know I'm thinking of you and Nitro and John and offering support like all the others. I know whatever you decide to do will be the "right" choice.
So the latest update on where we're at....
My vet contacted Colorado State like Rene suggested (it appears my vet went to vet school with Dr. Biller); the response she got was that there isn't any real known value of metronomics for OSA. Nothing to say it helps, but nothing to say it doesn't. For sure, we're done with Cytoxan, but as for Leukaran, I'm still up in the air. I'm pondering what our next move will be as we wait for his bladder to calm down from the Cytoxan. I'll be checking a UA on him Monday when I get back to work. I'm really torn at this point. Do we try the new drug, see how he handles it just in case there IS some hidden benefit. or do we accept that we've done what we can and see where it takes us? Neither of us minds the pill-giving...he's a trouper and loves any excuse to have liver paste. If anyone out there has personal experience with using Leukaran, I'd love to hear what they think.
He really is doing well, I just want to be proactive if it can help him STAY doing really well.
So that's it for now....thanks for listening!
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
I used it with Sassy until she passed. She used Cytoxin 5 months and then almost 3 months with the Leukeran. I can't say how well it helped because I quit doing x-rays about 2 months after starting Cytoxin. I know I got more time with my girl. 🙂 Katy used it a lot longer with Jackson. All I know is between the 2 I got an extra 7 3/4 months with her.
xoxoxo
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."
I think Erica tried it with kitty Jill and she lost a lot of weight rapidly so she stopped. She regained her weight back. Entirely different though because Jill's a kitty.
Interesting comment about the metronomics .
Since there isn't any real data on Leukeran, it really boils down to "the" question ......yeah, that question (or a form of it anyway).
Which could cause you the least amount of second guessing regardless of what the future holds, accepting you've done all that you can medically, or believing more can be done and going that route. At this point, I don't think your decision could possibly be be any more personal or individual! I also "sense" that, in your gut, you already know which path you could live with a little easier.
As always, sending you and Nitro 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!
Sally, we've never met, but it seems you know me pretty well. There's an excellent chance I DO know what I should do, but I guess I wanted validation of my decision. Stupid , I know. We need to do what's best for US, nopawdy else. Thanks for being so wise.
paula and nitro
P.S. Thanks Michelle for your input, that helped me as well
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 too think that in your heart you know what the right choice is for you and Nitro (which is nobody else's "right" choice, just yours).
Did you get to listen to Dr. Biller on Tripawd Talk Radio? She has good insight about it.
You managed to catch the problem with cytoxan early, which is great. If you tried the leukeran and were as on-top of things as you are now, with the ability to do a urinalysis whenever you get worried, then you would have a better chance of preventing any problems from recurring. With that kind of resource, he could have a great quality of life regardless, even if it did have any side effects at some point. Only problem is if you start chasing him around the yard with a cup to catch his pee every week, he's gonna be like "MOM STOP IT!"
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
. . . if you start chasing him around the yard with a cup to catch his pee every week, he's gonna be like "MOM STOP IT!"
Video please.
Like others, I know NOTHING about this but I'm here too!!!
xoxo
pam
Harmony became a Tripawd on 10/21/14 (MCT). She left us way too soon on 11/1/14.
"We miss you so much; our love, our heart, our Harmony."
- Pam, Ron and Melody, Meesha, Doublestuff and Mariah Carey
Paula, being so new to all of this I don't have any helpful information to add...but please know that your beloved Nitro will be in my prayers for a lot more quality time to share with you.
Sketch's Mom
What makes this community so great is that from the veterans who've been here way before me, to the newest members just starting this journey, you all care; whether you have firsthand knowledge, or are here to just offer heartfelt pawsitive thoughts and support.
I'm leaning towards continuing metronomic therapy in the form of liquid Leukeran (in case the dosage needs to be adjusted, it'll be easier than with tablets)....in all honesty, this is probably more for my peace of mind than realistically doing any actual good. But if I have faith, and BELIEVE it will help! it WILL! I'm thinking a few more months will be the goal, and I won't have left any cards on the table.
Just to be clear, Nitro is doing FABULOUS! I don't mean to make it sound as if he is on his last 3 legs by any means. He's happy, energetic and full of life - my brave cancer warrior.
thanks to all for thinking of us as we continue our journey
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
Woo hoo, go Nitro! Glad to hear you have decided on a plan, and that Nitro is doing so well! Murphy and I will be sending positive vibes your way!
Murphy, became a tripawd on August 17, 2015. Went to the rainbow bridge on July 5, 2016.
Paula, your peace of mind translates to good positive energy in Nito's world, and that's a bery important "treatment" for continued good health! I'm really glad you've made a decision that best supports your belief system. And goodness knows, it may certainly benefit Nitro too! No second guessing, no regrets. You are doing everything possible for Nitro!
There is NO reason not to believe Nitro may be a many year survivor!!! It does indeed happen and it can happen to Nitro! His name IS NITRO!!! That gives him an edge! You keep on kicking butt Nitro! We're all cheering for you!
Lots of love to you and Nitro!
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!
Yaay Paula. Sounds like you've made your decision and are moving forward. Your pawsitivity is amazing! Nitro is a lucky pup to have you and John as his champions. He is an amazing dog and you have such a wonderful connection to him. You are so aware and just seem to notice the slightest change in him. You two are soul mates!
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