Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hi,
My 8yr7mo German Shep/Malamute mix was diagnosed with osteosarcoma 12/1 on his left hind limb. Amputation was on 12/8. We just had his lungs re-xrayed prior to his first chemo appointment next Tuesday, and the vet thinks he sees metastasis. His lungs had looked clear prior to his amputation.
I know adding chemo likely won't extend his life much beyond 6-12 more months at this point--at least those are the stats I was given.
I'm interested in any of the immunotherapy/vaccine clinical trials, or any kind of alternative drug or treatment option that seems to have seen a decent amount of success. Are there any that I should look into? Are any of them free or low cost? If not, what do they cost? Which ones would you recommend?
Thanks for the help!
Hi Atlas and mom, welcome. Your future posts won't need to wait for approval so post away.
I'm sorry about the suspected Mets. Did your vet have a radiologist confirm the scans? I see you are in Oregon, are you able to work with the Oregon State vet school?
If he does have mets, there is a new treatment available in some places but I'm not sure about Oregon. See:
https://tripawd.....s-surgery/
Unfortunately I know it's not inexpensive. Most therapies are costly. The vet school might have clinical trials going on though so it's worth looking into.
I'll be back tomorrow with some additional thoughts ...
Hi, thanks for the welcome. I am currently waiting for confirmation on the scans. I checked the OSU vet webpage and the only clinical trial they have going right now is for lymphoma, but I will email them and ask if there is anything else going on. I was really interested in the Yale vaccine, but it is too far away from me. It looks like my options right now are chemo and maybe Palladia. It would be wonderful if the Yale vaccine was USDA approved soon and commercially available. I wonder when their trial will be complete?
Thanks for the link. San Diego is too far from me as well, but that is certainly a promising treatment option. Let me know if you have any other suggestions!
Aww anytime. You sound like such a great advocate for Atlas. I hope the scans reveal that this is just a smudge or weird calcification that's benign (it happens!).
Take things one step at a time, try not to get too far ahead yet. Hopefully this is nothing. Let us know what you find out OK? And most of all give that handsome boy a big ol smooch from us 
According to their website the Bridge Animal Referral Center (BARC) in Edmunds WA (outside of Seattle) is still participating in the Yale Trials and accepting new dogs. https://www.bar.....ls-index Read the EGFR Immunotherapy section. That's the Yale vaccine.
Our Nicholas got the Yale vaccine in July after his amputation. They need an oncologist's report first and BARC is usually backed up but you could use OSU. We did. It may be that Yale is now requiring a clear scan before enrolling, but it can't hurt to ask. BARC is very well run and the staff is unusually helpful. An easy trip for those of us in the Willamette Valley.
If you qualify to enroll, and can do the OR-Seattle drive twice, the charge is minimal and the rest is simple. There is really no downside for the dog here, the vaccine has been extensively tested and is safe, just a shoulder injection, no anesthesia, nice people, get to go home right away, Nicky wanted to go back inside and see his new friends.
Hi suzanne, I appreciate the information, but unfortunately Seattle is over 7 hours away from me (Southern Oregon) and that's just too much stress on our super nervous boy. I wish they could just ship the vaccine to a local clinic, or even OSU.
Thank you jerry!
Yes, absolutely, I was assuming you were near Corvallis ... it was a long trip even from Salem with a new tripawd and we had to stop a lot on the way. Wishing you good luck on those scans... it's so hard in the beginning of this experience with all the many unknowns, and every dog and every situation is different. Suzanne
Atlas's Mom said
Hi suzanne, I appreciate the information, but unfortunately Seattle is over 7 hours away from me (Southern Oregon) and that's just too much stress on our super nervous boy. I wish they could just ship the vaccine to a local clinic, or even OSU.Thank you jerry!
You wouldn't happen to be near Eugene would you? Our favorite vet is there, Dr. Beyerinck at Bush Animal Hospital.
@suzanne, Thank you, I called the specialty clinic we are using (SOVC in Medford) and they said the internal medicine team would be in tomorrow to read those xrays for me. I can post before/after xrays here if you are curious? I'm not sure how to attach them though.
I joined the Yale Vaccine group on FB and some people have driven 13 hours from Florida to Seattle (twice!). I'm not sure the trip is worth the stress on Atlas though. I would have to heavily sedate him and while I could, I worry about his heart. I have to use acepromazine becase trazadone just makes him act like he's tripping and even more nervous. 🙁 I may be more inclined to do the drive if the vaccine had better data/stats. As of now, from what I've seen, the 12 month survival rate is only 65% with vaccine vs 30-40% not vaccinated. It is getting a lot of hype, but those numbers don't seem that significant to me. Maybe I'm missing something? And only 3 of 600 dogs had lung metastasis reversed it looks like?
@jerry, I am in Klamath Falls. Basically right on the Oregon/California border.
We're in Monmouth outside of Salem on a farm. I think you just always have to factor in the quality of life for your own dog (not the theoretical dog in the study, who does not exist!) For us, it was only five hours, we went to the beach for a while and then had a short time at BARC, most of it outside on the walkway, then spent the night with our son's family, which was fun for all. That's way, way different from driving 7+ hours each way with a terrified or sedated Atlas! The hype doesn't come from the researchers at Yale, who recommend this non invasive procedure as an adjunct to standard of care, but from people loving their dogs and grasping at straws I guess. Believe me, I know the feeling, but we have chosen not to do that with Nicky, just to give him a happy, useful life for as long as it lasts. And how that works out is different for every dog.
Catching up on you sweet Atlas and the good insight offered by Jerry and Suzanne. You clearly have his best interest in mind and are focused on his quality. You know him very well and are processing options based on who he is. Atlas is very lucky to have you as his hooman.
A couple pf rhings Suzanne said that resonated with me;
.......always have to factor in the quality of life for your own dog (not the theoretical dog in the study, who does not exist!)
The hype doesn't come from the researchers at Yale, who recommend this non invasive procedure as an adjunct to standard of care, but from people loving their dogs and grasping at straws
with Nicky, just to give him a happy, useful life for as long as it lasts. And how that works out is different for every dog.
As far as posting xrays here, best leave the interpretation to the experts. Even my own Vet thought she saw mets in xrays for my Tripawd Frankie several years ago. She wanted confirmation from a Radiologist though and sent them over for the expert opinion. He said he saw NO mets wnd hopefully that will be the case for Atlas.
IF, IF, IF there are mets, he is symptom free and very early on. There are other options and Palladia is one of them, Metronomics another.
As far as posting poctures pf Atlas, here's a link. In the meantime, I would be honored to post them for you. I'll PM you my email and you can forward me somempics of this sweet boy
Stay connected and update when uou can.
Hugs
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie 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!
suzanne52515 said
We're in Monmouth outside of Salem on a farm. I think you just always have to factor in the quality of life for your own dog (not the theoretical dog in the study, who does not exist!) For us, it was only five hours, we went to the beach for a while and then had a short time at BARC, most of it outside on the walkway, then spent the night with our son's family, which was fun for all. That's way, way different from driving 7+ hours each way with a terrified or sedated Atlas! The hype doesn't come from the researchers at Yale, who recommend this non invasive procedure as an adjunct to standard of care, but from people loving their dogs and grasping at straws I guess. Believe me, I know the feeling, but we have chosen not to do that with Nicky, just to give him a happy, useful life for as long as it lasts. And how that works out is different for every dog.
Thank you, Suzanne. I've been to Monmouth! Very pretty area. I have an aunt who lives in Dallas. 🙂
I agree, each dog is different, and their quality of life is the most important factor. I might post on that FB group and try to get some anecdotal data regarding length of time from the vaccine until they passed, or if they are still living, how long it's been. I would probably find a way to make the trip work if I knew it had good chances of working. I've been told we caught it early, and they say the vaccine works best in the early stages. I watched the whole hour-long Q&A video on their website last night to learn more about it. I just wonder if the hype from the people on that group is because their pups are living longer than they expected with the vaccine. I will have to ask. I definitely would not be hyped until I saw some hard evidence for myself. You said your Nicky got the vaccine in July, right? Did he get both doses? And did you do any chemo?
@Sally, those statements resonated with me as well. It's easy to get caught up in "the fight" and forget to live day to day. I'm hopeful that there really aren't any mets; it was my regular vet who thought there MAY be some, but I looked at the xrays myself and compared them to the first ones and I'm not really sure I see anything. I hope the radiologist gives us good news. I learned today that they are out of office until next Tuesday now, so I suppose I will find out next week at our consult+chemo appointment. I will have to read about metronomics , as I haven't heard about that one. Are there any supplements or food I should be using as well? Oh, and can you please repost the photo link? I didn't see it in your post. 🙂
Oops....didnt put the link...adding images . Not only did I not post a link, I also forgot to PM you my email address in case you wanted me to post some pictures for you. So doing that now.
That nothing a few years ago most of them it is now. I do know we have a member, maybe two, Who is using it for their vet suggestion. It's basically at home pills and, other than some ocassional follow up at Vet, and virtually almost no side effects, dogs are free to get on with living!
As far as supplements a couple of things recognized by oncologist Dr Sue Ettinger you can ask about our APOcaps, K9 Immunity and fish oil supplements
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!
Ohhh Klamath Falls is wayyyy Southern Oregon, a long way from any big city. It's a pretty place, but very difficult logistic-wise. Totally get it, especially about the toll that a long-distance trip would take on Atlas.
Thank you, Sally. I tried to do the FB trick, but it didn't work for me. I also created a blog but don't see the Media tab anywhere to upload images. Where do I find the media tab? I have no help videos either when I try to search for them.
I've been watching the "Dr Sue Cancer Vet" videos on Youtube; is that Dr. Sue Ettinger?
@jerry, yes, we're out here in the middle of nowhere. We have to drive 70 miles over a mountain pass just to get Atlas to the specialty vet center for his surgeries and chemo. Atlas has been there far more than he'd like. Two TPLOs, one TPLO hardware removal due to infection, and now the amputation. 🙁 He's had a hard life. His back legs have never been fair to him, and his front legs have an angular limb deformity. I thought his front legs would end up causing him problems in the long run, but it has always been his back legs. Maybe because his back legs have born most of his weight to compensate, resulting in the CCL tears which required the double TPLO.
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