Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Well I have a new adventure... Shilo, my 6-ish year old stray I picked up 3 years ago just got the official stamp of 'you got cancer' from the oncologist.
The cancer is in the shoulder, not in the wrist, and the oncologist said that amputation was not a real option due to the closeness of the tumor to the body (not sure if that is a real concern.... TJ was pretty far along in his OS before amputation).
The good news is that Shilo is young, healthy, and no other medical issues (arthritis, etc). The cancer is in a very early stage, almost not bone loss, but she is limping.
The vet is pushing radiation and Pamidronate and is actually saying a 'better than average' chance at stopping the tumor growth and a 'good' change at actually reducing/killing it. I have a ton of suspicion when cancer, cure and $3k of my money are on the line.
Has anyone had the Radiation/Pamidronte treatment? Results? Long term?
This is shilo:
I'm sorry, I don't have any experience with radiation/pamidronte. For what its worth I did want to chime in that my Jake had a nerve sheath tumor located on/in his shoulder. They removed his leg/shoulder right down to the chest cavity. They were able to do a complete excision using the chest cavity as a barrier. He didn't have any complications and recovered well from it (he passed 9 months later from a completely unrelated 2nd type of cancer). I don't know if it would be different because Shilo's is bone related, but my pup did fine with having his shoulder taken out.
Mom to Tripawd Angels Jake (2001-2014) and Rosco (2012-2015) and Tripawd Tanner. “Whatever happens tomorrow, we had today; and I'll always remember it”
Paul I am just stunned I don't even have the words, I just want to SCREEAAAAAAAM I HATE YOU CANCER!!!! AGGH!
I'm SO sorry. That just bites. Unreal. Shilo looks like such a sweetheart. I'm sorry she's in pain right now.
Well, I do remember that when we got Jerry's diagnosis that the onco was concerned about the tumor on his scapula and it being so close to his body but when they did the CT scan they saw a good chance at getting it all so they went for it, and the rest is history. Have they done a CT scan on Shilo?
As for managing with bisphosphonates , here is a helpful discussion for you:
http://tripawds.....an-option/
Be sure to read through all of the posts, there' a lot of info there. I do believe that bisphosphonates are good choice when amputation isn't a possibility, I would just want to be sure that it really isn't before I proceed.
Geez I'm so sorry.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
The vet's cost breakdown lists Pamidronate at only $65/treament but with all the other costs its a total of $431 per dose administered.
A far cry from the $1000 just for the cost of the Zoledronate Bisphosphonate used in the cited trial.
I did find a lot of clinical reports citing Zoledronte as a 'significantly better' approach, but the numbers were, at best, 10-15% in favor of Zole. over Pam. but the kicker was that WHEN COMPARED TO A PLACEBO(!) the advantage was still only 10-20% better... compared to NOTHING AT ALL!
"proportion of patients who experienced at least one SRE at 15 months compared with placebo (33% versus 44%; p = 0.021"
For a person I guess that 10% is a worthwhile cost... but vets take cash..
I'm on the fence... Shilo is limping and I can see there is pain... tramidol is only going to do so much.
It sounds like radiation is best course for pain management , but not sure about the Pam. being a worthwhile addition.
I'm going to shop around and see if I can't find better prices... at least that will keep me busy.
Those costs sound about right as far as what people pay. You're smart for doing your research.
I still can't believe you're having to deal with this again, it just blows my mind and breaks my heart.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
oh well seriously!? f cancer. This is just not right.
I hope the vaccine trial works out! I emailed with Dr. Mason about seeing if she wanted a kitty in the trial (it's not ready for kitties yet), but she was VERY nice - so I hope it works out!
We do not have experience with this type of chemo - Jill was on carboplatin and doxorubicin.
Sending you all the best,
Erica & Jill
Jill is a 9-year-old tuxedo kitty. She was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma in June 2012 on her toe in her right hind leg. Her leg was amputated on 12/12/12 and she completed four rounds of chemo (2 of Carbo, 2 of Doxy) in April 2013. "Like" Jill's facebook page: https://www.fac.....tty?ref=hl Proud member of the WINTER WARRIORS!!!! Her blog can be read at http://jillsjou.....ipawds.com. xoxo
Dr. Mason replied to my email from today and it looks like Shilo might be a good fit for trials that he mentioned. I don't know how they pick a candidate, but I'll give Shilo a bath if she gets an 'interview'. And you would not believe how hard it is to give that dog a bath... I think I've only ever seen her wet twice in 4 years.
I truly miss TJ, but Shilo needs me now.
Paul,
Sorry to hear of the news about Shilo. Can't believe your going through this with another dog. Hope show qualifies for trial.
Good luck
Esther and her Snoop
Oh that's so cool I hope she gets in the trial!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
#&%%$% this sucks!!
Okay TJ, I kow you wamted to help your Dad through grief and send him s ething else to focuson...but really???
I am soooooo darn sorry Paul!....Oh' and before I forget, aplogies for callng you Tim the other day...it's hard to think straight when typing avout the .oss of TJ! K also me tioned I hoped yo would stay on the site because you were such an asset.....but not THIS way!! Cannot believe it!
Yeah, you have a lotof research to do...and nobody can do that better thanyou! Nobody nows "instinctively" what to do better than you! You made the right decisions for TJ and you'll make the right ones for Shilo.
Shilo is just beautiful! She looks s gentle.
Keep us posted...keep researching...the answers will come to you.
Sending yoh love and support and ask g for TJ to nelp guide you through this! And e will!!
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!
I've been called worse than 'Tim' 
I just got a call back from VCIC (I really have no idea what they are called... every one of the nice people I have spoken to have 8 lines of credentials!!! That must be a good sign 
).
There is a Palladia trial that is for non-amp OS dogs and that's exactly what Shilo is... so tonight I am going to drink a beer and eat pizza to gain the favors of St. Roch and St. Francis that Shilo be accepted and made healthy again. I've already talked to TJ and he said he'll do what he can from his end hahahaha (TJ's on my desk... we talk daily. That's not crazy, is it??)
If anyone knows of someone else I pray to let me know... I'm open to anything.
Shilo has an appointment at UPenn on 4/11 for an exam, and if all goes well amputation and home Wed. Then back to UPenn for the Palladia study. I'm happy that Shilo's pain will be taken away, and I just hope that the chemo drug kills the cancer left behind.
I'm gonna do some serious praying to God, St. Roch and St. Francis for the best.
I may start a blog for her since its going to be something that will be a once a month trip.... get ready for lots of Shilo pics!
yeah yeah! can't wait to hear how it all goes!!! Good luck with it all!!
xoxo,
Erica & Jill
Jill is a 9-year-old tuxedo kitty. She was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma in June 2012 on her toe in her right hind leg. Her leg was amputated on 12/12/12 and she completed four rounds of chemo (2 of Carbo, 2 of Doxy) in April 2013. "Like" Jill's facebook page: https://www.fac.....tty?ref=hl Proud member of the WINTER WARRIORS!!!! Her blog can be read at http://jillsjou.....ipawds.com. xoxo
We'll be here for you all the way Paul, keep us posted on how it's going. Lotsa love to you and Shilo.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Well that's a good sign that you're on the right path. So clearly now the specialists think amputation is an option, along with the chemo.
I still shake my head in disbelief that this is happening. I'm just glad TJ is watching over you and protecting you both. He probably knows St. Francis on a first name basis now, so that's a pretty dynamic duo!
Well, you've certainly been down this path before soyou know what to expect during recoery, that's for sure!
We are all with you and sending love and positive energy you and Shilo!
And yes, PLEASE start a blof on Shilo and sharing TJ's story too!
Hugs and best wishes!
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!
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