Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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I wanted to start a blog post on this disease since it appears we are only the third ones on the site to be dealing with this. There is a post here about Caira Sue. From what I understand, she lost her battle shortly after that post, so while it is helpful to read (knowledge is power!) it is a bit grim.
Yes, the diagnosis of H.O. is grim, and I'm not trying to be Suzy Sunshine about it - but for us, we were SO relieved to find out that Abby's cancer hadn't spread (we really thought we would find out it had spread to her lone front leg, and that we'd only have a few days left with her), that we actually felt happy when her x-ray showed HO.
Here are some things I know about the disease, having lived with it two weeks now:
- It's caused by lung mets. Most dogs' lungs are overtaken by the mets, causing the dog to pass. With Abby, either through luck or the combo of things we've done with her (see what all we've done in my sig), we are now going on almost one year (!) since her first met was spotted - and she still only has three (!) mets. This isn't normal. Unfortunately, just when you think you are doing a great job keeping the mets at bay, cancer throws you a curve ball (cancer is a dickweed that way...) - and the mets bring on this other disease that is painful and will likely be the reason we'll ultimately be making her "appointment to get her wings."
- There's no cure - unless you can get rid of the mets. The general rule is that surgery will only be done to remove a single met. And the met has to have been stable (slow growing) for a long time (I believe a year is the standard). Since surgery is not an option for Abby, we are trying to attack the mets one more time - this time with Masitinib (aka Kinavet) and artemisinin .
- There are various options to help with the pain - at the moment we are doing gabapentin in the a.m and tramadol at night before bed. Apparently a shot of biophosphonates (sp?) (e.g. Pamidronate) can help in some dogs, giving a marked improvement in pain relief and mobility. We haven't tried this with Abby, but are keeping it in the back pocket. It is apparently a bit pricey as it has to be given via an IV lasting 2 to 4 hours.
- The pain waxes and wans. This is very true in Abby's case. Over Thanksgiving weekend we thought she was quite close to being a goner. Since then she has really perked up! Just this a.m. we went to the beach and she ran and had a good time - we were down there about 45 minutes and she only laid down to rest once.
- Our onc. told us that walking her will help with the pain, since it gets the blood flowing. This has definitely seemed to be true.
- I spoke to an onc. at CSU via their free phone consultation service and he said dogs usually only last 2 months once they are diagnosed. (personally we are hoping to blow that stat outta the water.)
- Signs that your dog might have it: With Abby, the first thing was a lack of her usual mobility and agility. Because she started to act odd on Thanksgiving day, it was a long weekend before we could get in to see her onc. During that time, her wrist started to swell quite badly. The swelling is a sign of the disease (but please don't completely freak out if you are seeing some swelling - because it also could just be an overuse injury. I just want you to know what it looks like so you can get to the vet if need be). It only attacks the long bones of the limbs, adding new bone, and (oddly) it is symmetrical. That weekend I kept asking my hubby if he thought her back feet looked weird - we thought they did, but since they both looked exactly the same, we thought we were imagining it, and her feet must have always looked that way but we never noticed. So, if you notice symmetrical strange elongated bumps on the limbs, that is also a sign.
I've posted more here and here about this on Abby's blog if you want to see pics or hear more about her dealings with H.O. and to also read about a Miracle Dog I know of that was actually cured of both OSA and HO!
I'll try to update this topic with other things we try or find out. Hopefully I'll be posting updates here for a long while.
Hope this is helpful to someone coming along later on. PM me with questions.
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!
jackie, this indeed a very serious challenge for you guys. thanks for your bravery in posting all of the raw facts, it will definitely help others along the way. we're sending our best ET juju (now fortified with angelic support) to abby and you. and we agree, cancer is a dickweed.
charon & spirit gayle
Life is good, so very, very good!!! Gayle enjoyed each and every moment of each and every wonderful day (naps included). She left this world December 12, 2011 – off on a new adventure.
Love Never Ends
Jackie, THANK YOU for doing this. I know it couldn't have been easy to write this out. But this is incredibly valuable information to have here, and some day, there may likely be someone looking for it. Your links to the other posts are greatly appreciated too.
You are a superstar for being such an awesome advocate for Abby's health. I love how you investigate everything, assess the situation, then decide on a path. Information is power, which helps pawrents make the best decisions possible for their pack.
I'm just so sorry that she is affected by this HO condition, it's not something anyone prepares for after they learn they are dealing with cancer. But Abby, like you, is coping with such spunk, and we remain in awe. You are both warrior princesses!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
As our dogs survival times from the initial cancers begin to increase because of advances in medical treatment, awareness and early detection, secondary issues like this will likely start to become more common. Knowing not to let our guard down, and what to look for will go a long way in improving our pets' long term quality of life following a cancer diagnosis. Thanks for sharing.
Abby's got herself a wonder-mom!
Micki and Rio
~ ~ Rio ~ ~ |
Oh, Jackie!
We knew it wasn't good, but we are didn't know how unfair it was!
I hope with every molecule in my body that Abby does blow the stats "outta the water"! I want her to be the true Tripawd Warrior Princess for many, many, many years!
There are those that may think, "it's can't happen to my dog because he/she is young" and then you find out......yes, anything can.
Thank you for posting it as I am sure it wasn't easy for you.
Lots of Abby kisses in reverse!
Comet - 1999 to 2011
She departed us unexpectedly January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.
She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.
Thank you Jackie for your amazing research and for posting it. Abby is an incredible girl ~ a Tripawd Warrior Princess Extraordinaire!
I read her blog and saw the fab photos of her zooming across the beach - wow, she is such a happy girl.
She is so lucky to have you as her pawrents.
Sending tons of healing intention your way to have Abby be another Miracle Pup!
Joanne & Lylee
xoxo
http://lyleegir.....ipawds.com
Good job Jackie- thanks for posting this.
It is difficult to post about this stuff, especially when you are dealing with it in your pup. But this is another example of the strength of this community- willingness to help the next pup and parent coming down this rocky cancer road.
Way to pay it forward!
Karen and the pugapalooza
Oh Jackie, I knew it was bad, but I didn't know it was that bad. Thank you for posting this for others who may end up going through the same thing. Abby is a spunky monkey, and a true warrior, I am also jumping on the bandwagon for Miracle Pup and that she blows those stats out of the water! If anyone can do it, Abby sure can!
Jenna
Diagnosed with OSA: 5/2/2011 Ampuversary: 5/11/2011 OSA returned in hip: 8/26/2011
Chili Dawg crossed the Rainbow Bridge on 8/30/2011 & is now pain free. He was my heart dog, and I miss him every day.
So glad you posted this. Winston was diagnosed with this back in September, I honestly thought at the time he would not last the month. His legs were so swollen and he was in so much pain. The vets prescribed tramadol and metacam and told us to keep him comfortable. Since then he has been transformed, he is completely back to normal and tearing round like a lunatic! We are 3 months down the line and he is showing no signs of slowing down, my goal was for him to make it to xmas, looks like he is going to achieve that now, am very happy!!
Winston started limping in Feb 11, diagnosed with osteosarcoma in his right front paw in March 11, amputation April 11. Six rounds of carboplatin. Diagnosed with HO and lung mets September 11.We sadly said goodbye on 24 May 12, sleep tight Winston dog xx
Oh I'm so glad!! When I mentioned that I thought we were only the 3rd ones to deal with this, I was counting Winston in the 3. I'd seen your post from back in September - I confess I was afraid to PM you to see how he was doing. This is such good news!!
Does he still look swollen? Abby tears around too (just went to the beach today for an hour - she's not as agile as she used to be and doesn't run as much/as fast anymore, but she still runs/plays/wrestles, etc.). But... her joints look quite swollen. It sure looks painful, but she doesn't act like it is.
Hang in there Winston!! So happy you'll have your boy with your for Xmas. We are so happy Abby will be with us.
Feel free to PM me if you want.
Hooray for Winston (and thanks to everyone else for the nice messages!)
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!
I have been meaning to come on and update for a while but I have a 4 month old baby, so between him and Winston I am kept very busy! His paws are far less swollen than they were, they are not 'normal' but I think they have improved.
I have just read your blog, it is fantastic, wish I had seen it earlier. Would love to keep in touch and compare our journeys, my vet said HO is a rare condition and wouldn't speculate on life expectancy. I see every extra day with him as a bonus now, in the back of my mind I am daring to hope that he might make it to a year post diagnosis. x
Winston started limping in Feb 11, diagnosed with osteosarcoma in his right front paw in March 11, amputation April 11. Six rounds of carboplatin. Diagnosed with HO and lung mets September 11.We sadly said goodbye on 24 May 12, sleep tight Winston dog xx
That would be great to stay in touch. Wowza - a cancer pup and a 4 month old - you have your hands full!!!
Whenever you want to compare treatments/notes or if you just need someone to vent to, send me a PM.
This made my day hearing about how well Winston's been doing!
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!
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