Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hi,
Fergus, my 5 year old Irish Wolfhound, is now 2 weeks post amp. We still haven't had the staples removed because the middle of the incision is not yet healed and continues to leak. The doctor believes since his incision is so large and the impact of a 130 pound dog hopping is causing additional stress on the wound. Also, he constantly moves the bone from inside which applies pressure internally as well. But, it is clean and the healed portion continues to increase. It is holding us back from allowing him to try stairs (we don't want the additional trauma of him falling while learning the steps), but other than that he is doing well on his leash walks.
Anyway, we will be starting chemo next week. My doctor is recommending a 5 or 6 treatment (spaced at 3 week intervals) of carboplatin. Does anyone have any suggestions or insights on how to make this next step as easy as possible on Fergus? Foods, prep, post, etc. The doctor has told us we must pour a bucket of water wherever he urinates for 2-3 days post chemo to reduce the toxicity of his urine so our other dogs do not become poisoned. Anyone else had this issue?
Any comments or suggestions would be welcomed.
Thanks for helping us on this journey,
Tara & Fergus
Abby did 6 rounds of carbo. She handled it quite well, and hopefully Fergus will too. You might want to ask about getting some anti naseau meds to bring home, just in case. (I think it is called cerenia. We only had to use it once with Abby, but it is good to have on hand.) Abby never lost her appetite, but we had to play What Will The Dog Eat after each session, and it was always something different. After the first session the only thing she would eat was plain pasta. So, not necessarily stinky or tasty things will appeal... He might want something very bland.
As for the clean up... Our onc just said to use common sense and do basically the same routine as usual - pic up and dispose of the poops and wash up afterwards. But then, we do not have other dogs or kids in the yard, so maybe that is why we didnt have to worry too much about the urine.
Also, just be aware that there is a cumulative effect of the chemo. Abby did the best after the earlier treatments. When we got to the 5th and 6th she was *very* tired. It scared the heck out of me, because I thought she was getting worse - I didn't realize it was just the cumulative effect of the chemo making her more tired. (although, we did Abby's treatments every two weeks, so it was a bit more intense on her. maybe with every three weeks you won't have that issue.)
Hope Fergus does well with the treatment and that his incision finishes healing up quickly!
All the best,
Jackie, Abby's mom
Abby: Aug 1, 2009 – Jan 10, 2012. Our beautiful rescue pup lived LARGE with osteosarcoma for 15 months – half her way-too-short life. I think our "halflistic" approach (mixing traditional meds + supplements) helped her thrive. (PM me for details. I'm happy to help.) She had lung mets for over a year. They took her from us in the end, but they cannot take her spirit! She will live forever in our hearts. She loved the beach and giving kisses and going to In-N-Out for a Flying Dutchman. Tripawds blog, and a more detailed blog here. Please also check out my novel, What the Dog Ate. Now also in paperback! Purchase it at Amazon via Tripawds and help support Tripawds!
Our instructions are to keep other dogs away from poop/urine as well. Tate and Sam like different parts of the yard to pee in (Tate likes the flower bed, Sam the mulch under the spruce tree) so I haven't done the bucket dump, and we just pick up all poop right away.
Tate was not on carboplatin, someone else here will know more about that than me. We kept his diet exactly the same, didn't want to change too many things at once. He did have tummy problems after the 3rd round, then we did the usual chicken & rice thing.
Have a digital thermometer on hand; Tate ran a high fever one day but it may have been unrelated to the chemo. If Fergus gets weird, you'll want to be able to check it.
Everything will go fine, I'm sure. You've made it through the "hell weeks", no doubt wiser for the wear and tear. Chemo can be intimidating but you'll be a pro in no time. You should have seen my hands shaking the first time I gave Tate his CCNU pills! And if Fergus doesn't get along with carboplatin, they'll have another trick up their sleeve or you can just stop chemo altogether. Go with your gut!
http://tate.tripawds.com/
August 16, 2006 to November 28, 2011
TATE ~ Forever in our hearts.
Hi Tara, glad that Fergus' recovery is progressing well!
I didn't do IV chemo but I know others will have lots of good advice. This information sheet from the University Of Georgia is super helpful, your vet will probably give you a similar one.
Also, you may want to see our video with Daisee Dog getting carboplatin to prepare you. You'll be surprised at how easy the chemo session is, we were!
P.S. Hope you don't mind we moved your post here, but since it addresses chemo I thought it would be easier for others to find when looking for treatment tips.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
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