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Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat

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Choosing a Different Path
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Mr. Man
1
11 June 2009 - 7:39 pm
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While Shiva had all the signs that she would be an excellent amputation candidate, we still had three separate consultations with veterinarians to make sure that our decision on her post-osteosarcoma diagnosis was about her rather than us.  Needless to say, we were very relieved when all three vets came to the same agreement that we should go ahead with much vigor and “take it off tomorrow”.  We did and her first two post-op weeks went from scary (day 1 & 2), to good (days 3-5) to great (day 6 and beyond)…then came chemo.  Choosing the carboplatin-only option was a concession to her age (10 in August) and the relative gentleness of the drug.  No luck.  For the last 3 weeks we've seen the Red Dog mope, pant and act generally in a way other than herself.  Some pups just aren't cut-out for this stuff, I suppose…so we've made the difficult decision to terminate the chemo process after one treatment.  This has been accepted and embraced by our vet friends, but really, what else can they say?  How many of you have made this decision and what has been your outcome?  We want whatever time we have with Shiva to be her “best” time, not watching her act as some shadow of her former self.  Jerry's people have been wonderful and I am hopeful the rest of you can provide some guidance and support.  Please take a second to share your experiences with us and pop over to say 'hi' to Shiva (and us) at http://myreddog.....ogspot.com …the Red Dog will thank you!

On The Road


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24 September 2009
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11 June 2009 - 7:47 pm
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Thanks for the kind comments, sorry Shiva didn't take so kindly to the chemo. But you gave it a shot! And you don't have to continue. Bless you for taking such good care of her and thank you for sharing your experiences. It will certainly help others face those same difficult decisions.

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

Livermore CA
Member Since:
24 January 2009
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11 June 2009 - 8:24 pm
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So, we didn't even start chemo because we couldn't, but we're doing alternate therapy to the max!  There are lots of other ways to fight--the Red Dog knows.  Since we're only four months into it, I can't say how things will turn out, but right now, life is good.  The acupuncturist became our main doctor and her recommendation was the Hoxsey formula, along with several supplements.  I'd be happy to share our regimen and I know that Jerry's is here somewhere; probably others too.  Welcome to the other path.

Cemil and mom Mary, Mujde and Radzi….appreciating and enjoying Today

Cemil's blog

On The Road


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24 September 2009
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11 June 2009 - 9:22 pm
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cemil said:

... I know that Jerry's is here somewhere ...


Here are posts for Jerry's canine cancer diet and supplements, and his metronomic therapy.

K9 Immunity is also something to consider.

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

Mr. Man
5
12 June 2009 - 9:34 am
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cemil said:

…her recommendation was the Hoxsey formula, along with several supplements.  I'd be happy to share our regimen…


The Red Dog (and her people) would love to hear more about your regimen, and we already are devouring both the info Jerry's people have shared and Aloha (K-9 Immunity) has sent.  The Red Dog is very pleased to have so many people who love her!

Loving the Red Dog
Member Since:
12 May 2009
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12 June 2009 - 7:34 pm
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Testing the new avatar...and thanking everyone again!

Oh Happy Day!

Livermore CA
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24 January 2009
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12 June 2009 - 10:33 pm
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Okay…First, into his dish goes Evo poultry kibble (because beef is more inflammatory, says my acupuncturist);

In the blender goes a mixture of raw dark green, orange or purple vegetables (usually green beans, various kinds of greens, carrots, sweet potatoes, broccoli, red or orange peppers–pick 2 for each meal), a heaping spoonful of whey protein, and a cup of filtered water–do enough so that after it's blended it's about the same amount as the kibble, and pour it on top of the kibble. 

Then the pills–Cemil eats his pills along with his food, so they go into the mix: Co-Q10, freeze-dried Acai berry, Salmon oil, vit. A & D combination, and Immpower (American BioSciences).  And probiotic powder.  If he's stressed about anything, I also add a couple drops of Rescue Remedy.

The Hoxsey-like Formula (Wise Woman Herbals) is given by syringe into his mouth.  Then I quickly give him his dish of enriched Evo-vegetable soup to kill the taste of that nasty Hoxsey stuff.

For an interesting trip into history, do a Google search for “Hoxsey cancer treament” and see what turns up.

If you're lucky enough, like I am, to have an animal acupuncturist nearby, they could probably recommend things specific to Shiva's needs. Cemil gets a blend of things that I believe in, that my acupuncturist believes in, and that his acupuncturist believes in–and she approved the entire combination.  Making the final choice of what to use is difficult because there are so many options–I've changed a few things already. Happy research!

PS…Loved the video of Shiva swimming.  Go Red Dog!!

Cemil and mom Mary, Mujde and Radzi….appreciating and enjoying Today

Cemil's blog


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22 August 2008
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12 June 2009 - 10:46 pm
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You also might want to consider Artemisinin.  It has been proven to kill osteosarcoma cells in a petri dish but it is unproven if it works when taken orally.  I am giving it to Tazzie because it is safe and might help.  They are doing a study at OSU vet school which seems promising.

If you find a holistic vet there is a good Chinese herbal formula called Stasis Breaker that can also help.  I would also use K9 Immunity or some other immune stimulant containing a mushroom blend.  Cemil's mom is right; it is best to customize these treatments to the individual dog.

Tazzie just had her first acupuncture/chiropractic treatment this week and I wish I had done it sooner!  Her back is so much looser and she slept like a rock that night.  I guess it was bothering her more than I thought, but after 10 months as a tripawd the body has to compensate and the spine often suffers.  I learned some new massage tricks that should help, and she will have another treatment in about 2 weeks.

Pam and Tazzie

On The Road


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24 September 2009
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13 June 2009 - 4:59 pm
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tazziedog said:

Tazzie just had her first acupuncture/chiropractic treatment this week and I wish I had done it sooner!  Her back is so much looser and she slept like a rock that night. 


Oh that's so neat to hear! Yes, isn't it amazing what a difference even one session makes? We too wished we had done it a lot sooner for Jerry, it was so obvious that it helped out his bum knee.

Go Tazzie!

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

On The Road


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24 September 2009
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13 June 2009 - 5:02 pm
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cemil said:

Okay…First, into his dish goes Evo poultry kibble (because beef is more inflammatory, says my acupuncturist);


This is such a great description of Cemil's diet. If you have the chance sometime, would you re-post this info in our "Eating Healthy" Forum topic? I know a lot of people would look for this kind of help there. Thanks for considering it!

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

Loving the Red Dog
Member Since:
12 May 2009
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24 June 2009 - 9:18 am
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Thanks for all the good and helpful suggestions.  We already had switched the Red Dog to the EVO poultry kibble, and she takes her fish oil fine as long as it's in a dollop of peanut butter (all natural and sugar free, of course, which we hope is ok for her).  We also are expecting our K-9 Immunity and Transfer Factors to arrive today.  Her stamina is improving daily do to regular walks and swims, and the rigorous application of “Car Ride Therapy” has helped immeasurably.  Finally, she will be going to the beach in less than 3 weeks, which should send her into orbit (the good kind!).  We continue to research some of the other therapies and yet add them to the mix.  The Red Dog says thanks and more advice is welcome.  Special WOOFs to Cemil, Tazziedog and Jerry's people!

Oh Happy Day!

Seattle
Member Since:
22 February 2009
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24 June 2009 - 11:36 am
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Good luck with this Mr. Man. Our Willy is on “the different path” too (we didn't even start the Chemo). He is 4 days from his 6 month ampuversary with no current signs of trouble.

He too eats EVO poultry kibble (with a bit of wet food to sweeten the mix). He is a 95 pound German Shepherd Dog, and so he is taking a large dose of the K9 Immunity and Transfer factor. His hips (he is almost 11 years old) started bothering him, and so now he is taking Novox. His supplements: A&D, fish oil, C, E, and Glucosamine.

He is very happy. His stamina has diminished some, and there are days when he sleeps a lot, but he still gets totally jazzed to chase his ball and ride in the car. We are lovin' every additional minute we get with him, given how close we came to rejecting the amputation option. Had it not been for Jerry, this site (such a wonderful testimony to Jerry's spirit), and all of the generous contributors, I'm quite sure that we would be mourning Willy right now. I know that the site will be as helpful for you as it has been for us.

The only other advice I have from our experience is to listen to your dog. Willy tells us when he is tired and needs to rest, and for a while we were thinking that the development was linear, but it wasn't. One day he would rest and the next day, he was up for lots of activity. We just take each day as a day to listen again and to be so grateful that we still have Willy to listen to! We are happy for you that you can still love your Red Dog!

Willy--diagnosed with osteosarcoma January 5, 2009 (amputation January 27, 2009) left us just after his 11th birthday on December 2, 2009 to join all the other brave tripawds. We'll always love you!

On The Road


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24 September 2009
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13
24 June 2009 - 7:22 pm
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The Red Dog is lucky to have you Mr. Man. Thanks for the update!

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

Loving the Red Dog
Member Since:
12 May 2009
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14
1 August 2009 - 7:09 pm
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Pam (and Tazzie of course!):  we just added Artemisinin to Shiva's regimen of K-9 Immunity , Transfer Factor & Omega today, and we are wondering if there are any short-term side-effects (esp. disgestive) that we need to worry about?  Also, any dosage suggetstions (the Red Dog weighs around 70 lbs)?  So far, she seems to be doing quite well.  We enjoy reading your posts and are happy you are here.  Thanks from us and WOOFS from the Red Dog!

Oh Happy Day!


Member Since:
22 August 2008
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15
2 August 2009 - 5:28 pm
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Tazzie did not seem to have any problems with artemisinin .  When we first started she was getting 200 mg of artemisinin daily, 80 mg of artemether daily (another form of artemisinin that may be stronger), and 2 capsules of Butyrex daily (helps absorption).  After 8 weeks she went on "preventative maintenance" of 4 times weekly (I do Tues, Thurs, Sat, Sun).  We give the meds in cheese 3-4 hours after she eats dinner.  If she gets lung mets we will increase back to once daily dosing. 

We tried the metronomic chemotherapy but once Tazzie had to stop the Cytoxan pill we upped the artemisinin to 300 mg 4 times weekly.  I left the other dosages the same.  We get the artemisinin and Butyrex from Holley Pharmaceuticals and the hepamether from Hepalin.com.  It is not that pricey and seems safe.  Tazzie weighs about 190 # so I would give half the dose for your dog.

Pam and Tazzie

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