Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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I am so very sorry to read this. Sometimes the cancer is just too strong. It really sucks.
Fiona would have known how much you loved her and that you did everything you could. I hope that can give you some comfort.
Thinking of you at this difficult time.
Karen and Spirit Magnum
Magnum: 30th May 2002 to 5th May 2012. Lost her back left leg to osteosarcoma on 5th Sep 2011. Lung mets found on 20th Mar 2012 but it was bone mets in the hip that ended her brave battle. Magnum's motto - "Dream as if you'll live for ever, live as if you'll die today" (James Dean). Loyal, loving, courageous and spirited to the end. My beloved heart dog, see her memoirs from Rainbow Bridge ...... http://princess.....pawds.com/
my 9 yr old Scooter, a gorgeous red golden, diagnosed w/bone cancer in end of May.Front leg amputated first day of June.
He's done so well and just had his 4th round of chemo today. This was what was told to me by vet oncologist. Now today, after last chemo..."maybe we should do two more...just to be sure". I asked if there were any studies showing 4 treatments vs 6 total made a difference in life span. We were supposed to go right to oral chemo drug. I have to call tomorrow and decide.
Anyone else run into 6 treatments as opposed to 4 "just to be sure". Cost is $358 per treatment.
Scooter had scan of lungs last week and no mets. Thank goodness.
Please let me know if you have had any experience with this. Thank you. God Bless.
Hi there. Magnum had a clear lung scan after 4 chemo treatments and we went on to do a total of 6 (carboplatin). She was definitely more lethargic with the last two treatments and a bit more nauseous. The 6th treatment was the hardest for her. The costs you mention sound similar.
Unfortunately for us mets showed up about 6 weeks after the 6th chemo treatment (we were on the wrong side of the median prognosis!). I'm glad we did the full 6 treatments because I believe (no proof of course) that the mets would have shown up earlier if we hadn't. But then again I don't know how that compares with moving to the oral chemo after 4 treatments.
I hope it goes well for Scooter.
Karen and Spirit Magnum
Magnum: 30th May 2002 to 5th May 2012. Lost her back left leg to osteosarcoma on 5th Sep 2011. Lung mets found on 20th Mar 2012 but it was bone mets in the hip that ended her brave battle. Magnum's motto - "Dream as if you'll live for ever, live as if you'll die today" (James Dean). Loyal, loving, courageous and spirited to the end. My beloved heart dog, see her memoirs from Rainbow Bridge ...... http://princess.....pawds.com/
princess said
Hi there. Magnum had a clear lung scan after 4 chemo treatments and we went on to do a total of 6 (carboplatin). She was definitely more lethargic with the last two treatments and a bit more nauseous. The 6th treatment was the hardest for her. The costs you mention sound similar.Unfortunately for us mets showed up about 6 weeks after the 6th chemo treatment (we were on the wrong side of the median prognosis!). I'm glad we did the full 6 treatments because I believe (no proof of course) that the mets would have shown up earlier if we hadn't. But then again I don't know how that compares with moving to the oral chemo after 4 treatments.
I hope it goes well for Scooter.
Karen and Spirit Magnum
Thank you for replying. I have googled this awful disease for hours. I find nothing about 4 treatments then oral. But
Scooter is doing so well eating, playing, even running. I think I will speak to my regular vet tomorrow and ask her. Scooter hasn't had any side effects from chemo, gained a pound! So I'm prone to go with the 4 and start the oral. I want Scooter to be well and happy for as long as he can....decisions are so hard. Amputation was awful decision to make, but he just seems to ignore it. Again, many thanks for your reply.
ronnie3716 said
Anyone else run into 6 treatments as opposed to 4 "just to be sure". Cost is $358 per treatment.
Glad to hear Scooter is doing well!
Starting in October, 2009, six rounds of carboplatin became the newest standard of treatment, according to world-renowned veterinary oncologist Dr. Mona Rosenberg. You can read more about it here:
Canine Bone Cancer Treatment News with Dr. Mona Rosenberg
Please consider starting a new topic so we can keep up with Scooter's progress. Good luck, we hope all goes well with whatever you decide. Always remember, the only "right" answer is the one that works for you and Scooter.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
We did 6 rounds - but then we went to an office that is withing the group where Dr. Mona works, so that was their recommendation. Abby more or less breezed through the first 4 but was much more tired after treatments 5 & 6. We did oral chemo after that.
Hope Scooter continues to do well!
Jackie, Angel 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!
We did 6 rounds too. Sam didn't tolerate it real well, but for some reason, his earlier rounds were worse than the later ones. We think he was just still so weak from surgery when he had his first round that it was difficult for him to tolerate. He didn't eat much after surgery so he was pretty weak. Our first round was disastrous and made us rethink our decision, we worked with our oncologist though and decided to try a second because he had gained some strength. We also upped his anti-nausea meds. Nausea was a big problem...I think protocol may be 2-3 days of cerenia to help but we did 5-6....it helped a great deal. We did oral after the 6 rounds. Hang in there. Xo Sue
Hi guys...I notice most people use carboplatin; my vet is using doxorubicin. Do studies show one is more effective than the other? Odin was zonked for a day or so. Started with diarrhea yesterday four days after his treatment. I will see what happens. Other that and his change of taste buds I think he is doing well. He is going to have 5 treatments of doxorubicin at three week intervals.
Are there things anyone did or would do differently if they were to do it over as far as prior to chemo treatments or after chemo treatments?
FYI: Dr. Chretin discusses side effects of chemotherapy for dogs in this video interview:
Cisplatin and Doxorubicin Side Effects in Dogs
And Dr. Rosendberg discusses carboplatin side effects in this one:
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I've read that carboplatin is preferred because it doesn't damage the kidneys and is better tolerated. Scooter, who just finished his 4th chemo treatment, didn't have any side effects. Carboplatin is more expensive then doxorubcin but I'm glad I chose it since losing his leg was bad enough. His tummy didn't have any problems. I'm trying to decide now between going to 6 treatments or go to the oral.
I've done so much reading on canine bone cancer. Standard treatment is 4. There are no studies showing that anything more then 4 leads to longer life.
Hang in there...this journey is full of decisions...but a clear lung x-ray makes it all worth it ; )
Ronnie
Ronnie said
I've done so much reading on canine bone cancer. Standard treatment is 4. There are no studies showing that anything more then 4 leads to longer life.
Hi Ronnie,
Please see the above post about the 2009 findings comparing 6 carboplatin treatments versus 4.
Thanks for sharing your insight! Please consider registering so your future posts won't require moderation.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
jerry said
Ronnie said
I've done so much reading on canine bone cancer. Standard treatment is 4. There are no studies showing that anything more then 4 leads to longer life.Hi Ronnie,
Please see the above post about the 2009 findings comparing 6 carboplatin treatments versus 4.
Thanks for sharing your insight! Please consider registering so your future posts won't require moderation.
Jerry,
I've read that study. My oncologist said the only verified study that showed any difference was one that compared results w/children w/bone cancer. Yet no data to show those results are accurate as kids and dogs are apples and oranges.
I am a member of this site, and it has helped me SO much...couldn't find "sign in" on top.
From all I've read all over the web, like cancer in people, it seems to be a case by case results.
Ronnie
We're so glad you find Tripawds helpful! The Log-In button is located at the top right corner of where this topic section starts, an orange button next to "Profile". Do you see it there?
Case by case indeed. Cancer has a mind of its own sometimes. Ugh.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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