Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Our lovely collie Valentine (8 years old on Valentine's Day) has osteosarcoma, had the front left leg amputated, lung X-ray clear, had her first carboplatin chemo treatment a month ago, round 2 was postponed last week after her netrophils were too low at 1.55, she is on antibiotics (Baytril) in case of infection. Her next appointment is in 2 days.
But we live in Chicago and there is an outbreak of an epidemic level of dog flu-influenza here. Warnings are going out to avoid dog parks, doggy day care, grooming places.
Bringing Valentine to a vet's office for a chemo treatment that will most likely lower her immune system while simultaneously potentially exposing her to influenza seems so risky.
Any thoughts are welcome, I just do not know what to do here.
Hello and welcome to Tripawds, your future posts will not have to wait for approval.
I hope you don't mind that I moved your post to it's own topic and added a title, that way your question won't get lost in the other thread.
And saying all that, I don't have any input on your question, sorry. Hopefully another member might have some ideas. You might also post in the Ask A Vet forum and get Dr. Pam's input.
Also- please consider starting a new thread in Share Your Story so you can tell us all about your Valentine and maybe post some pictures.
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
I would ask if you could bring her in another way from all the sick dogs. I am sure your vet would accommodate that for you. I know one of our other pawrents live in the Chicago area and said her vet is doing that and even going as far as to change clothes between patients.
I do understand your concern. Check and see if they can help you out
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."
VALENTINE! Love your name and the fact you were born in Valentine's Day! You were a SWEETHEART the day you were born!
Sorry you are dealing with the osteo. Good that the xrays were clear and you were able to ove forward with amputation and Carboplatin. Yeah, the "delay" happens sometimes. "Supposedly" that means the chemo is working!
No insight into the flu situation, but I like Michelle's suggestion to discuss with your vet.
I like Karen's suggestion to post under Ask A Vet too.
Keep us losted and, when you can, tell us more avout your sweet Valentine...and pictures!!
We are with you!
Hugs to Valentine!
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!
I am thinking of skipping her treatment this week and waiting a few weeks until this dog flu epidemic fades, hopefully. What are the consequences of delaying her second dose of carboplatin? We have already been forced to delay this second treatment a week because of low neutro levels.
I have never heard of a doggie flu. That would really scare me too. Keep us posted!
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
I think having low neutrophils and needing to wait a week is common. Ellie had it once (on her 2nd round) but never again (she did 6 rounds). We also worried about Ellie being exposed to other sick dogs at the hospital, because we started chemo right when her yearly vaccinations became due and we just put them all off until she was done with chemo. I worried most about kennel cough. But she did fine. I'd also hope that the vet was taking extra precautions, given how contagious the flu seems to be.
Active 10+ Pyr mix suddenly came up lame with ACL tear in left rear leg. Scheduled for a TPLO but final pre-op x-rays indicated a small suspicious area, possibly OSA, which could have caused the ACL tear. Surgeon opened the knee for TPLO but found soft bone. Biopsy came back positive for OSA. Became a Tripawd 9/18/14. Carbo6 with Cerenia and Fluids. Pain free and living in the moment. Crossed the Bridge on 7/12/15 after probable spread of cancer to her cervical spine. A whole lifetime of memories squeezed into 10 months. Here's her story: Eloise
I agree with speaking to the vet about being cautious to see if there is any way they would be able to accommodate to protect your pooch if the blood count has risen. Sometimes an additional week is needed to allow them to rise again.
We had our vet pop out to our car to see our pooch once. They will also have rooms to isolate pets so this maybe an option too.
good luck and go with what you feel comfortable with.
That is a great question! I am posting this on Twitter and hope we get some good responses from onco vets. Hopefully our onco expert Elaina (LVT) will see this , she always has great feedback.
Like Michelle said, vets are very aware and taking extra precautions but I too would be concerned.
As for consequences of delaying treatment...I'm not an expert but the way I see it is any chemo is better than none if you're going that route. Try to look at it as more time for Valentine's system to get stronger.
I can't wait to see pics of your pup. Thanks for joining us!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thank you all so far and thank you Jerry for reposting on Twitter.
I cancelled Valentine's appointment for this morning because I was so nervous about exposing her to the Chicago dog flu. It is reported to be very, very, contagious and seems to also be spreading rapidly. If she gets the flu at the same time she gets her chemo then her immune system would probably have a very hard time dealing with both flu and chemo stuff.
She has a new appointment for Monday, at which point she will be 4 weeks and 3 days past her first treatment of carboplatin.
Her oncologist admits that possibly exposing her to the flu is risky but is also pushing us to take the risk in order to get her second dose of chemo in her. But he also admits they have also treated many dogs with the flu in their clinic and are trying to do as much isolation and cleaning as they can.
If Valentine were human, I cannot imagine any oncologist or clinic setting that would administer chemo while simultaneously treating a flu epidemic in the very same clinic setting.
I will post a photo of valentine as soon as I can.
No prob. Can't blame you for canceling. I just read that a case has been confirmed in Madison WI. Scary stuff. Be safe and give her a smooch from us.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I cancelled Valentine's chemo appointment again. We will wait a few weeks until this flu has passed and then get a lung X-ray and maybe start chemo again.
This was a very hard decision to make. She is adapting pretty well to her new life as a tripod. For today she is doing great, 6 weeks post amputation.
Sometimes you just have to trust your inner voice...and it's usually right.
Unfortunately, chemo tretments sometimes do get delayed for a variety of reasons...it just happens. Sometimes the WBC count delays it more than once.
Adorable Valentine is feeling great and that's all that matters! And it continues to get better and better!!
And had happy SIX WEEK AMPUVERSARY!!! This calls for ice cream snd cake!! Now go enjoy this "in- between" time of no hospital trips!!
Keep js posted and look forward to seeing pictures!!
((((((((((((((((HUGS))))))))))))))
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!
Aww Hoppy Ampuversary!
I agree, following your gut instinct is so important. You guys are doing great. Keep us posted.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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