Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Well we had another surgery last week for removal of an 8cm spot. Came back Grade 2 high mast cell. So they are changing his chemo to lomustine, he's had 4 weeks of vinblastine and prednisone. Looking for feedback from others whose dogs have been on this and your experience. I also have him on a great diet and some good supplements suggested, mushrooms, glutamine etc.
One thing I learned the hard way is that Apocaps (suggested in Dog Cancer Survival guide) should not be given if the dog is on Prednisone. Fortunately I had only given him one dose, but it really messed with his tummy for 24hours. There wasn't info/warning on the box regarding this.
It seems most of the cancers on Tripawds is osteosarcoma. But his is Mast cell. The day of Amputation there was no metastasis to lungs, lymphs or organs in x-ray or ultrasound. However the grading came back high 3 with mitotic of 50 on the tumor from his leg. I'm on a roller coaster of emotions today.
Certainly understand why your emotions are all over the place right now. Aoinds like your Bet team is on tops of things and proactive, so that's good. I have zero input regarding Casey's specific treatment protocol, hopefully others will chime in.
Karen, one of our long time extremely knowledgeable members, will see this and give you more input. She shared insights on your first posts.
One thing I learned the hard way is that Apocaps (suggested in Dog Cancer Survival guide) should not be given if the dog is on Prednisone.
Didn't know that. Is it possible there was any other cause, any other supplements, etc.? Mybe alert your Vet to this, as well as the Apocaps manufacturer.
How is he doing overall? Engaged, eating, tail wags, etc?
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!
Patti I'm so sorry. I've heard from oncologists that treating mast cell cancer is like playing whack-a-mole. When one treatment doesn't work, you try another until something sticks (always keeping quality of life #1 of course). Try not to feel defeated, you just have to find the right therapy to manage that cancer.
MCT is about the 2nd most common cancer here, you're in good company. Many folks have tried lomustine, a forums search like this can show you some of their stories:
My Pug Maggie had Mast Cell cancer- lost her back leg to a MCT in her knee.
Her chemo regimen was actually both lomustine and vinblastine, alternating dose given every other week. You can read about her chemo in her blog, the link is 'Amputation and Chemo' in my signature below. According to the notes in my blog post Mag had reactions to vinblastine but not lomustine.
Our oncologist called mast cell the most unpredictable cancer she treated, that was my experience with multiple tumors over two Pugs. Mag lost her leg but actually passed from a combination of kidney failure and an unrelated second cancer (the kidney failure may have been related to her chemo but no way to know for sure). Mag's little sis Tani had 12 or 14 MCTs over the course of her life. I stopped removing them when we had 2 tumors removed with the 'punch' method and even before the path report came back more tumors appeared.
Karen and the Spirit Pug Girls and Boy
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Coco did 6 rounds of lomustine and handled it surprisingly well. Other than just being a little lethargic the last 2 months no other real side effects that we noticed. Unfortunately, a tumor returned at 4 months and was cancerous at 6 months. We switched to a trial drug which Tramitinib which after 2 months had to stop do to low white blood cell counts. They said she probably wouldnt last past 9 months post amp and here we are almost 14 months later. I understand the emotional roller coaster and I would like to say it gets easier. Coco's tumor has grown to an astounishing size yet she still exudes happiness more days than not. I dont know when her day will be, but we are gonna enjoy everyday now. My only advice I can really offer is nobody knows your dog like you and if you listen to what he is telling you he will guide you the direction you need to go thats best for him and you. Oh. Coco has Histiocytic Sarcoma which unfortunately is a very aggressive cancer. Sorry for the all the babbling, Hope at least some of it helps.
Thank you so much for taking the time to chronicle the details of our beloved RockStar Coco♥️ This is very informative, as well as giving a Beacon Of Hope to anyone facing thise crap disease. Coco has already blown statistics out of the water to prove to everyone that our dogs just do not listen to "prognosis--schmognosis"!
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!
Thank you for your feedback. The lomustine wiped him out for the last 2 days, lots of sleeping. But he is eating fine with no other side effects. As all of you on here know and are sharing, each dog is different. I will keep you all posted.
I was reading something from Dr. Sue Ettinger (the cancer vet) she has been treating Mast Cell tumors with STELFONTA, She has been having good success with it. She does have a facebook page where she talks about it and does live videos quite a bit. here is one of her talks copied from there.
Sassy is a proud member of the Winter Warriors. Live long, & strong Winter Warriors.
sassysugarbear.tripawds.com
07/26/2006 - Sassy earned her wings 08/20/2013
05/04/2006 - Bosch, Sassy's pal, earned his wings 03/29/19 fought cancer for 4 months.
"You aren't doing it TO her, you are doing it FOR her. Give her a chance at life."
Michelle you are so sweet, thank you!
I had forgotten that we wrote about Stelfonta a while ago. Since then I've talked to a few oncologists about it. The issue with that treatment is that it is not for the faint-hearted. A pet parent has to be really committed to wound care and stomaching all that comes along with watching and waiting for a tumor to disintegrate, basically. It's good to know that it's an option though.
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