Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
Tripawds is your home to learn how to care for a three legged dog or cat, with answers about dog leg amputation, and cat amputation recovery from many years of member experiences.
Join The Tripawds Community
Learn how to help three legged dogs and cats in the forums below. Browse and search as a guest or register for free and get full member benefits:
Instant post approval.
Private messages to members.
Subscribe to favorite topics.
Live Chat and much more!
Register
Log In
Members
Add Topic
Offline
Hi ! Is anyone out there enrolled in an osteosarcoma vaccine trial?Ā What was your experience? We were encouraged and blessed to be part of this research trial in Texas that gives hope not only to our beloved dogs but humans too! Caesar was diagnosed withĀ osteosarcoma 12/2017. He had his back left leg amputated 12/28/17 and completed 5 rounds of CarboplatinĀ 1/8/18-4/25/18. We entered the OSA vaccine trial 5/2018. Ā Caesar just completed three osteosarcoma vaccines as of 7/5/18Ā and did well over allĀ but sadlyĀ was diagnosed with lung metastasis end trial 7/24/18.Ā We are devastated but trying to remain hopeful that the vaccine will still offer help. Has anyone been diagnosed with lung metastasis post vaccine? What did you do next? Did you seen benefit from the vaccine after mets? WhatĀ are our options? Ā We don't want to pursue harsh chemotherapy with doxorubicin. Our last dog MugsyĀ went into heart failure from this medication and died. At this timeĀ Caesar looksĀ amazing and so we have opted to observe and treat with love and all the yummy food possible so to allow his time left to be enjoyable and happy...however we would be interested to hear what our fellow tripawds are doing elsewhere!
Thank You !
Hello Caesar and family, welcome. We are sorry that those mean mets came on so soon after Caesar started the trial, but hopefully it can offer some sort of protection to keep them from growing.Ā
Has anyone been diagnosed with lung metastasis post vaccine? What did you do next? Did you seen benefit from the vaccine after mets? WhatĀ are our options?
Honestly the vaccine is so new, that we aren't aware of anyone who has developed mets during or immediately after participating. This also may be in part to the confidentiality clause that participants are bound to while they are in the study. Perhaps we just haven't heard from them yet.
What did your oncologist suggest, other than doxorubicin? I haven't heard of that as a treatment post-metastasis, usually a course of Palladia is suggested, along with metronomics . If your onco thinks doxorubicin is the way to go, keep in mind that all dogs are different and Caesar may respond totally differently to it, in a good way of course.Ā
If you click on this metronomics link you'll see lots of suggestions for managing those nasty mets, we try to include them as we hear about new methods.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
OMD! Ceasar's avatarĀ pictureĀ is deeeelightful!Ā That guy has personalityĀ shining through so brightly, he makes us all grin ear ro ear!.
Don'tĀ have anyĀ knowledge per se egardingĀ yourĀ specificĀ situation. Jerry has given you some fairly "safe" options that aren'tĀ jnvasive or intrusiveĀ in Ceasar's quality.Ā Ā That doesn'tĀ mean they don'tĀ have potentialĀ side effects, but they manageable, or the meds can be stopped.
Bur what I can tell you, is clearlyĀ Ceasar is symptom free and that is HUGE!!!Ā He is being his happy self and not paying any attentionĀ whatsoeverĀ to what the xrays show!!!Ā Even if symptomsĀ start to show, there are still wonderfulĀ optio s you have for extendedĀ qualityĀ time.Ā My Happy HannahĀ got some good extended qualityĀ time (and this was even after outward symptoms) with some PrednisoneĀ and someĀ low dose Tramadol.Ā
You haveĀ the right attitude...make every day count!!Ā Don'tĀ waste one secondĀ letting that piece ofĀ 
Ā disease interfere with the blissful days you have ahead!Ā Be More Dog
!
I recentlyĀ communicatedĀ with a Vet on the "outward behavior" of my dog, which was far more positive and upliftiting than what the "clinical tests" showed.Ā She said that my assessmentĀ of his sttitude, engagementĀ with life, etc, told her farĀ more about what was goingĀ on with him than the test results.
So point being, Ceasar is telling you categorically that all is well in his world, regardlessĀ what those ole xrays show!Ā Ā
Okay, this is just a small HINT!Ā We would loooove to see mpre PICTURES, PICTURES, PICTURES of this handsome fella'!Ā Ā PICTURES!!!Ā PLEASE, PICTURES!!!Ā Okay, maybe that was more than just a "hint"!
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!
we are in the boat-- mets discovered during the vaccine. diagnosed 10/10/17, radiation and chemo until amputation was the only path to go on 3/7/18 and then started the vaccine in May. we continued with it knowing there was one met and I reluctantly started palladia as I was told my dog would not survive long without it. we are symptom free, I am giving low doses of palladia after a first dose that was very hard on her. doing supplements and trying to take it day by day.Ā
would love to hear how your dog is doing post vaccine.Ā
Similar enough situation here.Ā Utley the goldendoodle was diagnosed with left forelimb osteosarcoma and amputated on March 3.Ā Six rounds of chemo and he was doing very well.Ā Great spirit;Ā niceĀ energy and at Drs' suggestion, we started the osteo "vaccine" (COV).Ā He tolerated the first two rounds OK, but when we presented for the third and final round last week, we showed the doc a lump that had developed on the back of his neck.
This was determined to be a sarcoma, which he called "atypical".Ā Worse, the lung X-ray revealed 3 small lesions.Ā So the osteosarcoma has returned and we are very sad.Ā Ā We started him on Palladia, 60 mg 3x/week.
He has been lethargic for the past couple weeks, and even more so with the Palladia.Ā We want his declining weeks/months to be happy.Ā Ā He fought so hard all year and deserves this.Ā Is there any alternative to the palladia?Ā any other thoughts?
I only posted one other time, but this board and many of the articles have been extremely helpful and comforting.Ā Thank you.
bunnut said
He has been lethargic for the past couple weeks, and even more so with the Palladia.Ā We want his declining weeks/months to be happy.Ā Ā He fought so hard all year and deserves this.Ā Is there any alternative to the palladia?Ā any other thoughts?
I only posted one other time, but this board and many of the articles have been extremely helpful and comforting.Ā Thank you.Ā Ā
I'm sad to read about Utley, my heart goes out to you, this is a tough time and I'm glad that the community is here for you. Stay strong, take things day by day and know that Utley might be tired but he's still the same boy and he still just wants you to be happy.Ā
Have you seen our Forum posts about metronomics and life after metastasis? We try to keep track of options for dealing with lung mets in that topic so you may want to check it out for options that you can talk about with Utley's oncologist.
Keep us posted and be sure to start a new topic about his situation so we can help you OK?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Just want to send some extra positive energy to handsome Utley.Ā Ā
As Jerry said, Utley may be tired (which, thankfully,Ā is not "painful"),Ā but he still can enjoy soaking up all that lovingĀ and spoilingĀ that he'sĀ getting from you.Ā
My Happy HannahĀ was also tired with her mets.Ā When her breathing pattern changed , she was put on PrednisoneĀ and that seemed to help.Ā And yes, metronomics is definitelyĀ somethingĀ to check out.Ā The protocolĀ almost has no side effects as far as impacting the day to day quality.Ā Ā SometimesĀ UTI can develop, so you would want to make sure Utley is getting plentyĀ of fluids to keep his kidneys "flushed ".Ā
In the meantimeĀ continueĀ to make every moment the best moment ever for Utley!!Ā Ā Let NOTHING rob you of your time together!Ā Utley doesn'tĀ give a rat's butt about any ole xrays.Ā Nothing jas changed in Utley's world!Ā Well, other than he'sĀ getring more "junk food" than ever bedore!Ā Ā Make sure Utley gets special "forbidden" treats, like ice cream every day...maybe even three times a day!!Ā Take lots of pictures and...hint...we would love to see them!
HugsĀ
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!
So Utley has had five doses of Palladia -- unfortunately, his oncology vet is not available to speak to us until Wednesday.Ā His nurse was helpful but still . . .Ā He has been verrry lethargic, with a reluctance to ambulate, over that time and likely even prior.Ā We have had to somewhat drag him to go outside.Ā Ā This is not our boy!Ā So the question is whether to discontinue the Palladia with the notion that thisĀ is mostly an unwelcome side effect.Ā Or isĀ it still doing more good than harm.Ā
Poor Utley! I'm so sorry. I have heard of this side effect happening to other dogs, it's not at all uncommon unfortunately. What did the nurse recommend? Is there anything like an anti-nausea Rx that may be able to help?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I know you mentionedĀ Utley was feeling tired BEFORE he started the Palladia,Ā is that right?Ā And now he'sĀ even more lethargic?
Just wondering ifĀ you could skip some doses to see ifĀ any of his energy comes back, at leastĀ to the level of was before the Palladia?Ā Or maybeĀ lower doses?Ā Your Onco can advise.Ā Ā IF the Palladia is zapping him of his energy to the pointĀ it'sĀ interferingĀ with his quailty, then you can make a determinationĀ of whether to continueĀ or not.
Even though UtleyĀ is very low energy rightĀ now, is he engaged and alert?Ā Still showing tail wags?Ā Eating?Ā Is he enjoying tummy rubsĀ and lounging on the sofa?
HugsĀ
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!
i stopped the palladia-- it made my girl so lethargic and her quality of life diminished. right now she is more of a hobbler than a hopper, she takes prednisone which helped a lot for 1-2 months but now things are slowing down...may get a cart for her front limb as the pressure from nyc sidewalks seems to be too much. the oncologist told me my time is limited, when I said I hope to have her for christmas, he told me that was "highly unlikely" which is 2 months from now. hard to think of life without her, so I just enjoy what time I do have....I am grateful to this forum for advice and input on how to manage things when you know that things are pointing to the end. she has 3 nodules in her lungs now. still wags her tail, eats a ton and is affectionate. i just look into her eyes and tell her i am hereĀ
Sweet friends šø
My Eurydice did not do the trial but she developed lung mets, we had the most marvellous 6 1/2 months after that was spotted.
Just wanted to share our experience with you.
My girl did metronomics for a few months after Carboplatin was concluded.
When we found lung mets, sheĀ did 4 sessions of Doxorubicin, our oncologist was hopeful that could stop or at least slow down size of existing mets and hopefully no new ones would develop.
Sadly this wasnāt the case so we did Palladia briefly but it didnāt feel right for us so we stopped and switched to holistic treatments instead, ie osteopathy, acunpuncture, mesotherapy and natural supplements.
When mets got seriously large and she became very lethargic we followed a cortisone and diuretics (to dry the liquid in the lungs) treatment and that proved to be a miracle treatment as she became herself and highly energetic virtually overnight.Ā
Whichever stage each of your adored pups may be in right now please be sure it is not the end.
There are still options available (conventional and alternative medicine) which will help them feeling active and happy with their loving pawrents.
Please check with your oncologists and consider seeing holistic vets too, for us, at this point I just felt it was worth exploring all options to ensure my baby was happy and āwellā.
Wishing you all the best and sending hugs and cuddles to all šš®š«āØšš¹
Eurydice 77kg/170lb Great Dane limping end of April 2016, amputation (right front leg/osteosarcoma) 4Ā May 2016 6 courses of carboplatin followed by metronomic therapy, lung mets found 30Ā Nov 2016. 3 courses of doxorubicin, PET scan 26 Jan 2017 showed more mets so stopped chemo. Holistic route April 2017. Lung X-ray 5 May 2017 showed several tennis ball size mets, started cortisone and diuretics. Miss Cow earned her XXL silver wings 12 June 2017, 13 months and 1 week after amputation and 6 1/2 months after lung mets, she was the goofiest dawg ever and is now happily flying from cloud to cloud woof woofing away :-)Ā
Thank you to everyone who advised and commented on Utley.Ā When I finally spoke with his oncologist (2 days after my last post), Utley was worse, and what seemed to be extreme lethargy and reluctance to walk was explained to me to be aĀ "thickening of the limbs" and a very painful side effect of the recurrence of his osteosarcoma.Ā Ā The last three days of his life was spent lying in our kitchen, mostly hand fed andĀ being carried out to do his business.Ā Ā The last day (10/12) he was unableĀ to relieve himself at all.
We used Lap of Love to come into our home, and Dr.Ā Jessica was awesome.Ā Ā
I have questions on how this all went so badly so quickly, and doubts on of all the decisions that we made over the past 8 or 9 months,Ā but am trying to focus my energies onĀ remembering our sweet boy the way he was before this damn cancer came back.
Is it possible to donate his unused Rx's?Ā Love to all.
Ohhh I am so sorry, my heart aches for you. Utley fought so hard, and you gave it everything you had. Cancer is so mean. I'm really sorry.
It sounds like he may have had hypertrophic osteopathy? Poor guy. Only a few dogs have dealt with it here, and yes, it's extremely painful.
Right now you are hurting and it's human nature to second guess ourselves. The more you can focus on Utley before the cancer, and honor the good times you shared, the better your broken heart can heal. If it helps, try sharing his life story with us in Coping with Loss or even Shout Outs. Utley was a great dog who was so much more than the cancer. We would love to honor his legacy with you.
Regarding the unused medication: that is such a sweet thing to think about right now. There's no rush, but when you are ready, your vet will be able to refer you to a group that can take the medications. Sending medications to non-vets is illegal so we don't allow it in our Angel Exchange.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
1 Guest(s)
