Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hi all,
My beloved Leonberger Harry has lung mets. He went in for what was supposed to be his final chemo yesterday (carboplatin - he is 3 months post amp for osteosarcoma), they did blood work and xrays and 2 suspicious looking nodules showed up on his lung. So he had a CT scan today and this showed up a lot more. Probably a dozen or so, all different sizes. The largest I believe they said was about 11mm.
They are giving him a month or two with no further treatment, or possibly 6 months with treatment. They have suggested Palladia so I was hoping to hear from anyone who may have dealt with this. Or any suggestions for anything else. Harry seems happier and healthier than he has in months and I just cannot believe he could have such a short time left with us. It's so unfair.
Michelle.
Michelle that breaks my heart, I'm so very sorry. A diagnosis of lung mets is devastating, I know. Try to keep in mind that statistics are just that; not all dogs will follow them exactly as vets estimate. Some can go even longer, and many here have.
Lots of Tripawders have tried Palladia (not us) and I know they can help you with sharing their own stories. Some have had success with delaying metastasis onset, some have not. Meanwhile, you'll want to look at ways you can keep him comfortable if the symptoms progress to outward signs like coughing occur, which is common. Here is a blog post we did about alleviating lung mets symptoms. I hope it helps.
In the meantime we are here for you. I'm so sorry. Live each day to the fullest, and give that big boy a hug from all of us. Remember, even without cancer, none of us have a guarantee for tomorrow and Harry doesn't know any different from before you got the bad news.
{{{{{hugs}}}}}
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I'm so sorry to hear this! Bad news. Not the news anyone wants. We have no experience with Palladia, but many here have. I hope you can connect with them or read their posts and get some knowledge.
HUGS
~ Katy & Jackson
ACL tear in right hind leg 12/5/12 and scheduled ACL repair surgery 12/21/12. Pre-op xrays revealed osteosarcoma. Amputation 12/28/12. Chemo (carboplatin) started Jan 10, 2013 and ended on April 5, for a total of 5 doses. He handled carbo like a champ! No side effects. We started metronomic therapy at his third chemo and have been also doing some holistic treatments. He's a lively, playful 10 year old huskie-boarder collie and a very proud member of the Winter Warriors! Our love. Our funny little guy!
Michelle and Harry!
No, not the best news AND cettainly not a death sentence either!! You've nacigated this site enough to kow that statistics and diagnosis don't mean a whole lot around here. NO DOG HAS A TIMEFRAME STAMPED ON HIS BUTT!!
Jerry, Sassy, and many, many others had great extended quality time and tnoroughly enjoyed all the loving and spoiling that was thrown their way!
Check out metromiics too, as well as s e of the holistic approaches some have used. Others will chime in who have used Palladia. I knlw that metronomics is used by a lot of people here too in these situations. And I kow that some did no treatment and still got good extended quality ti e. Thks whole journey is pretty uch a crap shoot anyway!
HARRY HAS NO INTENTION OF GOING ANYWHERE ANYTIME SOON!! Look at him! He feels GREAT!! As you already know, he is living in the moment and not worried about any ole' stupid xrays, or statistics, or anything! LET NOTHING ROB YOU OF THIS TIME TOGETHER!! You are together NOW! Harry is blissfully hapy! He has pai ! He is being loved and spoiled like crazy! You are making f"forever treasured memories"!
We DEFINITELY need more photos of Harry! PLEASE!! And the crowd roars, "Pretty please"!
Michelle, ou are NOT alone, okay? We are here for you wherever this journey takes you. Right now, follow Harry's lead because he's thoroughly e joying hi self...and that's all that matters!!!
Surrou ding you with love and hugs and calm and strength... and.....the avility to post more pictures!!!
Sally and Happy Hannah
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!
Thanks for the responses, I really appreciate any input I can get at the moment. We received Harry's protocol from the specialist yesterday and the plan is to go with palladia for the first 2 weeks then begin with metronomics
. I really don't know if this is the right decision or not - my head is spinning. I just can't believe that my boy has lung mets. He seems the healthiest and happiest he has been for months. Last night I took him out and we both ran the length of a huge field I'm pretty sure he wouldn't have ran even on 4 legs! He only needed to stop once in the middle. We sat together while he got his breath back and the sun was setting behind us and it had been stormy so the sky was black but red...so peaceful and beautiful. He had that big goofy smile on his face and I just thought to myself he doesn't want to give up yet. But then I think to what the scans showed and how many mets he has and I just wonder is anything really going to help that?? I'm so confused. I just don't want to say goodbye to boy any time soon.
I promise to put pictures up today. I'm just usually typing on my phone so I need to sit down at the pc (sally and happy hannah, tonight I promise!! 
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