Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hey guys, it's been a few weeks...
Where to start, where to start?
Our 9 year old golden retriever Kenzie was diagnosed with osteosarcoma a month and a half ago. When faced with the ugly truths about her type of cancer we still made the decision to fight as hard as we could. We underwent the amputation 4 weeks ago and she rebounded great from the surgery. Following our oncologists suggestion for carboplatin treatments, we went through with the first round of chemo 2 weeks ago. I was told that carbo is the least evasive of the chemo treatments and that larger dogs generally have no problems with the treatment.
On Thursday we woke up to a floor covered in blood. We finally figured out that if had come from her nose and we went to the local vet for complete CBC to find out what was going on. Unfortunately, the bloodwork didn't come back until Saturday (grrrrr) and we are behind the eight ball in helping her fight an infection. Kenz had to be rushed to the emergency hospital in Boston yesterday and she's currently in critical condition. Her platelets and white blood cell count are so low that they actually re-ran the tests because they thought there were errors in the numbers. She has a very bad infection that her body can't fight off because the chemo killed nearly all her white blood cells (count was 96). Her platelets are 13,000 and she's bleeding out because she's incapable of clotting. She has a fever of 105 and has infection sites popping up randondomly all over.
I just got off the phone with our oncologist and she said in 10 years she's only seen 2 dogs have the same reaction to carbo as Kenzie but that's not exactly comforting. We just want to see our girl through the woods before making any decision regarding continuing treatments. The oncologist said they would reduce the carbo by 25% if we wanted to continue, but I have no idea where I stand at this point.
The guilt I feel for putting her through all this is indescribable. We started down this path of amputation and chemo to give her the best quality (and hopefully, pain-free) life as possible. I'm not sure if chemo was the right decision for us. She was a much happier dog after the amputation once the pain from the bone tumor was removed and now she's fighting to live.
I tried searching the forums for similar reactions to carbo but sometimes I think it's just easier to start a new topic. I saw only one thread about nosebleeds but it didn't really seem to fit our scenario. I know no one has a crystal ball and can tell us what's going to happen, but I'm looking for other stories. I need some hope.
They're going to run another CBC on her today to see what direction her numbers are going in and I'll update as soon as I hear anything.
Thanks for reading/listening, lol... I think I just needed to vent/type things through. I'm scared for my baby and I feel so guilty that I made things worse.
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Hezzer:
What a terrible situation Kensington and you are dealing with; all of these treatments seem to be a "crap shot" since they are designed for humans and not canines. We will keep our fingers crossed for you and Kensington to pull out of this and enjoy life as a Tripawd.
Chuck & Rusty
Rusty is a Labradoodle who was diagnosed with level 3 Fibrosarcoma on January 16th, 2010 and had his left hind leg amputated on January 25th, 2010 five days before his 18 month birthday. Please see Rusty's blog @rusty.tripawds.com. He is putting up one heck of a fight against this terrible disease.
Thanks Chuck! 🙂
I just popped back into say I made better use of the search function just now ("carboplatin reactions" resulted in a much better return than nosebleeds). We were on vacation when all this happened and searching the forums on my BlackBerry wasn't as easy as sitting at my desktop...
Thanks again for the thoughts and support. You guys have been invaluable through all this.
Hezzer, please know that my heart is 100% behind you. I am sending Kenzie as many positive thoughts I can. My Oslo went through 2 infections while he was on carboplatin. Even though they were not as severe as Kenzie's infection, I somewhat can relate to what you are experiencing right now. This is very hard and scary. Please, keep us updated.
I am thinking of you
Suzanne
We are so sorry to hear this news, and we send our healing thoughts out to Kenzie. This is so scary, I can't even imagine.
You're right, there are very few dogs who react to it. I just did a search and found that less than 5 percent of dogs have a severe reaction (I know, no comfort there), but that less than 1 percent of these reactions are fatal. She will pull through.
Please don't feel guilty over this, you had no control over what would happen, and you made the decision based on love and wanting the best for her. This is not your fault and Kenzie would never, ever hold this against you. Try to forgive yourself as dogs forgive humans. Be More Dog . You can get through this.
Many hugs coming your way. Please keep us posted OK?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Oh no.... so sorry to hear this news about Kensington. 
This must be so incredibly difficult and scary! I'm praying and praying that she pulls through and heals. Please don't second guess your decision about the chemo - you wouldn't have known that she reacted this way. It's one of those damn if you do damn if you don't situations unfortunately. I so hope and pray that you get good news today on her wbc - please let us know how she's doing. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Sending lots of golden hugs to you and Kensington.
Kami (Mackenzie's Mom)
My sweet golden Mackenzie. She became my angel on Dec 29, 2010 at the age of 8 1/2 although she was always my angel from the time we brought her home. She was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in Sept 2009 and officially became a tripawd (front leg) on Nov 5, 2009. She will be forever in my heart and now she's running free with all of our other tripawd heroes. I love you Mackenzie!
I'm so sorry you and Kensington are having to deal with this so soon after the surgery. I don't have any experience in dealing with the chemo treatments or the side effects but please know that I will keep you and Kensington in my thoughts and prayers.
Fortis'Dad,
Brett
How tragic this must have been for you.This is the first we've heard of such seriously adverse reactions.
Best wishes for Kenzie pulling through, and when she does, do not feel obligated to continue with the chemo. Remember, the cancer battle all about quality of life. But most importantly, please do not feel guilty for doing what you thought to be the best thing for Kenzie.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I am so very sorry for what you and Kenzie are going through. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Please don't feel guilty you were doing everything to give Kenzie a chance for a good life, you couldn't ever have known she would have such a reaction to chemo. Please keep us updated on her progress.
Jo Ann & Tasha
Tasha 8 years old, First cancer diagnosis 6/26/09, Last cancer diagnosis 9/26/09, Amputation 10/01/09, Loving our girl moment by moment.
Tasha lost her battle and became my Angel on May 4 2011. Forever in my heart….
I am so sorry for Kensington! Please keep us with up-to the-minute updates, okay?
Pawsitive energy, pawsitive energy, pawsitive energy.
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.
Hey guys, just heard back from the doctor.
Kenzie's bloodwork from this morning came back showing that her white blood cell count and her platelets haven't changed since yesterday. That could mean that she's stabalized and those numbers will be her low water mark. The bad news is her red blood cell count is falling. They said that could either mean two things; that she was dehydrated when she was admitted and by pumping her full of fluids they have essentially dilluted her red blood count... Or, on the flip side, that she's bleeding internally somewhere.
They're going to run another CBC in an hour to see what direction the numbers are going. If the RBC continues to fall the next step is a blood transfusion.
She is responsive, she's awake, and they were able to get her up to go outside to go to the bathroom. I guess that's the good news, it's not like she's in a coma and unresponsive.
We're taking things minute by minute right now. We started down this road to make her better so we're not ready to kick in the towel yet - I can't fathom giving up on her yet if she's still fighting. I just don't want her to suffer either.
I'll update more when they call back with the new results.
I'm so sorry to hear about Kensington's reaction. Our dog Max had 6 treatments of carbo, and he was fine. Don't feel guilty about the carbo; it's pretty much the standard treatment for OS, and there's no way you could've predicted the reaction she had. There are other ways OS can be treated; so wait until this passes, then discuss those other options with your onco. In the meantime, I'll be praying and thinking of Kenzie. Please keep us updated when you can.
Diane
Sending you our prayers for Kenzie and you. This is such a difficult time - things do change minute-to-minute - I pray that they change for the better.
Hang in there - send Kenzie all the positive energy you can.
Sophie and Tana
Sophie (1998 – 2010)
"Going Dog" def: living every day in the moment
"It came to me that every time I lose a dog they take a piece of my heart with them. And every new dog who comes into my life gifts me with a piece of their heart. If I live long enough, all the components of my heart will be dog, and I will become as generous and loving as they are."
–Unknown
OMG! I'm so sorry to hear about what Kenzie has been going through!!! 
I can just imagine how awful you are feeling right now... You just wanted to give Kenzie the best chance at life... and then this happens. But there was no way that you, or even the vet could have predicted this was going to happen... Please don't beat yourself up about this... The main thing is to do whatever is needed to get Kenzie's WBC's and RBC's up again... even if it means a blood transfusion. Since Kenzie had such a bad reaction to the carbo, I'm not sure if it's a good idea to continue with it after she recovers... There are other chemos out there... and then look at Jerry... who had no chemo after his amputation and he survived over a year before he had lung mets and then tried metronomic therapy.
It's such a difficult journey, I know. I guess there are no right or wrong answers on what to do... None of us are experts... none of us (even the vets) have a crystal ball. We just do whatever we can out of love for our babies...
You and Kenzie are in my thoughts and prayers... I hope that she recovers from this soon! Sending you both a big fat loving hug!!! Please keep us posted on Kenzie's progress...
Angel Jake and Wolfie's Mom
Jake, 10yr old golden retriever (fractured his front right leg on 9/1, bone biopsy revealed osteosarcoma on 9/10, amputation on 9/17) and his family Marguerite, Jacques and Wolfie, 5yr old german shepherd and the newest addition to the family, Nala, a 7mth old Bengal mix kittie. Jake lost his battle on 11/9/2009, almost 8 weeks after his surgery. We will never forget our sweet golden angel… http://jakesjou.....ipawds.com ….. CANCER SUCKS!
Thanks for the update. More good thoughts going your way.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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