Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Blumi (age 3) is about to start metronomic chemo (daily cyclophosphamide and metacam), and even though my head tells me this may prolong her life, my heart is screaming at the thought of subjecting my never-stop-wagging puppydog (who has so far, 4 months post-amputation for osteosarcoma, shown no metastasis, and might, for all I know, be cancer-free) to carcinogenic drugs she is to take until ... I suppose she develops cystitis or develops cancer somewhere else.
So, even as I start this uncomfortable journey, I'm already thinking of when to stop. When is a good time to stop? My vet mentioned that some dogs are on it for a year or longer, but I guess the risk of side effects increases with every extra month and every extra day, so when will it be enough? How do I know?
Sorry for the grim email.
ilse
It's my understanding our pups are on it indefinitely. My Libby has been on metronomic therapy for almost 9 months (she had no IV chemo treatment). We haven't had to change any medication. It's possible for the dogs to develop UTI's on cyclophosphamide(sp) but then they are usually switched to a different type of chemo pill.
I have a bit of a different attitude towards metronomics
. I feel I'm actually doing something to fight this ugly disease by giving Libby this protocol. She has tolerated it so very well and if it's keeping those nasty mets away, I'll do it until she tells me it's not working any more. It's a personal choice so you need to do what you feel is right for you and your sweet Blumi. Good luck with your decision and you will be supported here no matter what you choose. 
Liberty (Libby) was diagnosed with OSA on 1-22-13. Right front amputation on 1-31-13. No IV Chemo. Metronomic Therapy started 2-19-13 along with supplements and some home cooking. Lungs clear until 1-06-14. She's still her happy, hoppy, bossy self. Living the dog life to the fullest and a proud Winter Warrior. :) RIP my Libby 4-21-03 to 3-19-14
The longest we've heard of a dog being on metronomics is two years. That was Bart the Vizsla. After two years, his vet declared his osteosarcoma officially in remission for good (they will rarely, if ever say "cancer-free" when it comes to osteo). His vet was of the opinion that if two years later nothing had returned, there was no need to keep him on the drugs.
Maybe I haven't had enough caffeine but I haven't heard anything about longevity on this protocol being linked to increase side effects. Usually they appear pretty quickly, within weeks. Can you point me to that info just for my own knowledge?
For your own sanity, you may want to stop looking at it as "carcinogenic" because really, it's all about fighting the cancer with the least toxic protocol available. Like Amy, do your best to see it as giving her a fighting chance at winning this thing, and hopefully she will be just as fortunate as Bart, who, at five years post-diagnosis, is the longest living osteosarcoma survivor that I personally know of.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
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Thanks Jerry and Amya, I appreciate your advice. No, I don't have specifics re longevity on protocol being linked to increased side effects. It just seems that the likelihood of a dog developing cystitis would increase with time, as liver and bladder are subjected to the drugs for longer.
Saw a post last night about a clinical trial for an osteosarcoma vaccine, got info today. Blumi might actually qualify, but they need dogs to travel to Penn U two or three times, which I am not able to do. So will start metronomics ... soon.
ilse
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