Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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The vet just called. Londons white blood cell count is low. They are going to have the vet school call us in a few days. What does this mean? I am terrified.
Is London doing chemo? Not uncommon for the WBC to be low during chemo, it happened to Maggie a couple of times. You have to watch for signs of illness or infection as they can get sick easier when their immune system is compromised. How serious depends on how low the counts are, and how fast they come back up. We just had to postpone chemo a couple of times until Mag's counts came back up (which they did on their own). Don't panic until you talk to the doctor- like I said, this is not uncommon in dogs (and people) who are doing chemo. I did have to take Mag's temperature a couple times a day to make sure she didn't have a fever.
Let us know what the vet says.
Karen and the pugapalooza
DON'T PANIC! If I recall correctly, you posted once that London is undergoing Carboplatin treatments. The WBC count is actually expected to drop after a chemo treatment - that's the whole reason they do CBCs before the next treatment, to be sure that the counts have recovered enough to go forward with the next round. If the counts have not recovered enough in time for the next trmt, then they usually postpone by a week to allow extra time for the numbers to bounce back.
Our vet even warned us at the beginning that it is unusual to go through a full round of treatments without having to postpone at least one! In fact, Zeus is apparently one of those dogs really sensitive to the chemo and we've had to postpone every treatment by one week b/c the counts were too low. Dr. R said that the low WBCs just mean that "the chemo is doing it's job"
I will say that, after having to postpone a couple of times they 'slightly' reduced the dosage to try and get him back on an every three week schedule. Unfortunately the counts still dropped low enough that we still had to postpone the next treatment, but I could tell a HUGE difference in his energy level. SO much more active w/ the reduced dosage!
Karen it right, you don't want the count to drop too low and it is important that the counts bounce back, but I really wouldn't panic unless the vet tells you they went abnormally low. Hope this helps! Keep us updated.
Lisa
Zeus was a Husky mix diagnosed with Osteosarcoma at age 11. A visible lung met and suspicious spot on his liver meant a poor prognosis-six weeks was our vet's best guess. We decided to fight for our boy and his right front leg was amputated on 12/1/11. We did six rounds of chemo, changed his diet and spoiled him completely rotten. We were blessed with 10 great months after diagnosis. Against the odds, the lung met remained a single met and grew very little over those months. A wonderful furbaby with the most gentle spirit, he fought with a strength that we never imagined he possessed. We have no regrets...
http://zeuspod......pawds.com/
I agree with what Lisa and Karen have said above. I had to postpone at least 2 of my chemo treatments by 1 week due to low WBC. It is very common and nothing to be scared about.
Magnum: 30th May 2002 to 5th May 2012. Lost her back left leg to osteosarcoma on 5th Sep 2011. Lung mets found on 20th Mar 2012 but it was bone mets in the hip that ended her brave battle. Magnum's motto - "Dream as if you'll live for ever, live as if you'll die today" (James Dean). Loyal, loving, courageous and spirited to the end. My beloved heart dog, see her memoirs from Rainbow Bridge ...... http://princess.....pawds.com/
Not uncommon at all, and it's just a precautionary thing. Most times the count goes right back up and there are no more worries. Hang in there, others with chemo experience can also provide their perspective.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Here's hoping London's WBC comes back quickly!
If he isn't acting sick, then try not to worry.
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.
Max went through the same thing. I got with the dr and we got him on antibiotics to prevent the WBC from crashing. If it becomes an issue every time London has chemo you should ask the dr if it's an option.
Good Luck and don't be afraid it's very common.
Lisa & Max
Rio's WBC dropped pretty low during her chemo, too, and although you have to keep an eye out for secondary infections and lethargy, it's really not uncommon for this to happen. We ended up giving Rio antibiotics starting two days after her treatments, as a preventative for any infections.
Hope you get things squared away with London!
Try not to panic...
Rio's momma, Micki
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~ ~ Rio ~ ~ |
we are going thru the same thing. chemo depletes the good cells as well as killing the cancer cells. it's frustrating, we had to hold dozer's second round for a week. go back monday for lab recheck and chemo if high enough. as long as activity, appetitie and all the other things are good we aren't SUPPOSED to worry.
i was looking at animal essences to help with the immune system, GREEN HOPE FARMS. haven't gotten anything yet. just got the cataloge.
Hi Renee, just wanted to throw in there that before you add any new supplements please talk to your oncologist. You may have heard this already, but it's generally not recommended to make any major changes during chemo. That way if Dozer has any side effects you can narrow down the causes much easier.
Hope your visit on Monday goes well.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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