Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hello!
My doodle harry has Osteosarcoma - bone tumor was present in his left hing leg. He beautifully recovered from his left hind leg amputation and had his first round of chemo (carboplatin 3 weeks ago). At his one and 2 week checkup, his white blood cell count was low, but nothing extremely concerning. Strangely, at week 3, his count was even lower at this time, so his chemotherapy will be postponed by at least a week to give a chance for his white blood cells to come back up. We are a little perplexed. We are hoping that the count restores itself. if it doesnt and if he is just really sensitive to chemo, further chemotherapy will be off the table, which we really do not want. He has been doing SO well, and had zero side effects from his first dose with the exception of the low white cell count.
Has anyone experienced anything like this? I would really love to get some additional perspective, as we are a little perplexed at this point.
Thank you!
Hello and welcome, your future posts will not have to wait for approval.
My pug Maggie had a different type of cancer, mast cell, so her chemo protocol was different. We did have to postpone her chemo treatment once or twice due to low WBC count. It's not uncommon and usually not a concern- it is often interpreted as a sign that chemo is working!
What does your oncologist say? Are they concerned at all?
I did a forum search on white blood cell and got These Results. There looks like there are a few topics that might help.
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
Rocky was getting Carboplatin every three weeks. Before his fourth treatment, his neutrophils count was too low for treatment. So we ended up going every four weeks for his fourth and fifth treatments. I forget the exact numbers, but his count went way up with that extra week between treatments.
David and Rocky (and Baxter now too!)
Rocky had his right front leg amputated on Valentine's Day 2017 after being diagnosed with osteosarcoma.
He joined the September Saints on September 3, 2017.
He is the toughest, bravest, sweetest and best friend I'll ever know.
David and Karen,
Thank you so much for the insight, it is so much appreciated.
As of now we play the waiting game to see if his WBC is higher next week. Hopefully this is nothing more than Harry (our doodle) just reacting to the chemo in his own unique way.
The oncologist said that there is a chance that he is very very sensitive to the chemo, but theres also the chance that he is just a 3 week dog, meaning his cell count will drop every 3 weeks as opposed to the more common scenario where the count drops within the first 7 or 14 days.
On another note- this site has been IMMENSELY helpful and is certainly a wonderful resource for the people navigating these illnesses that impact our pet family members. Best wishes and thanks to all involved!
Hi Harry and family!
Cannot wait to see photos ofnyour cute self! Doodles are so darn adorable!!
Yes, ditto Karen and David. Low WBC not unusual at all. If they stay low for next check-in, it just means treatment may have to be put off a week or so, or the dose needs to be lowered, or, as in Rocky's case, it's given every four weeks instead of three.
Did the Onco give him an antibiotic?
So glad Harry is doing well! Update when you can and with PICTURES!! Here's a link for adding images .
Lots of 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!
Hi Harry and furmily
i hope that Harry has better results next week with his bloodwork! We will all keep our fingers crossed for you!!
Stewie had 5 rounds of Carboplatin every 3 weeks after his stitches came out. I was grateful that his numbers were always good to carry on! He is now 8 months past his amputation and is living a hoppy life on three!
Best wishes to you all and rots of ruvin’
Petra, Stewie adnd his Pride of Kittens.
Remember...“live in the moment!“ 
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