Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Please don't get mad, I know this is a repeated subject, but Marc and I are just having a ruff time trying to decide so once again we turn to our Tripawds community.
We have read all the posts and and Dr. Biller's interview and still our heads are spinning. Sally, I know you just went through this and decided to go ahead with it and that helps to know. Also, didn't Queen Nova have chemo and metronomics
and she survived four long years!
On one hand, we want to do anything that might help prolong Atlas' life by starving the cancer cells with drugs. And Katy gave such great info on that Lukeran it made it seem less scary. And he handled the chemo with minimal side effects. Then there is the holistic route that we are researching with Dr, Xie's herbs and acupuncture. Atlas responded so well to the acupuncture that makes us lean towards trying the eastern protocol in its entirety with the herbs. His onco was really nice and suggested metronomics , but did not push it and was surprisingly open to us trying eastern protocol now that we finished the western protocol. They said we could do the herbs, acupuncture, laser therapy etc... And then revisit metronomics in a few months.
I know we can try and stop or start these treatments at any time. I just would feel better getting feedback from you all. Thanks so much for being here!
Patricia & Mighty Atlas
Hi Patricia,
Why would we ever get mad!? thats just silly...trust me I know and we all do, exactly what you are going through.
Jill has been on Leukeran for 7 weeks now. It was a particularly hard decision for me because there is literally ZERO info on metronomics in cats, specifically for OSA. What made me decide to give it a try is the same thing that made me give IV chemo a try - you can always stop. Which is where I find myself now. She's not feeling so great on the leukeran, having some GI issues and just feeling a little "blah", and that is not at all to say Atlas wouldnt do well on it at ALL, but my point is, we gave it a shot and now I know I can stop if we want to. Thats the good thing about this part of the journey.
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
Oh my gosh Patricia never apologize, it helps to continue the dialogue because we have so many different perspectives here.
You've read our story so you know by now that we went with metronomics and are glad we did. Our only regret is we didn't know about it sooner, before the mets started. Would we do it again? Yes, absolutely. Compared to IV chemo, for most dogs it's pretty benign stuff.
However we have seen dogs like Eisen and Maggie do great using holistic approaches. So unfortunately, like everything when it comes to this disease, there just aren't any guarantees.
So what about doing a combination of both? As Dr. Dressler says, there are benefits to using both and taking a full spectrum approach. Why not utilize a combo, especially if you have a supportive onco doc?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Ha! have to laugh....not the isane really crazy ysterical kind.......just a chuckle! Happy Hannah started Cytoxan snd Piroxicam one week ago Tues. Ner fist bloodwork is after the second week.
I'm STILL UNDECIDED!! At least I'm decisive about being i decisive! I have a couple of cncerns....one was what you and K already talked avout....big dogs== big bladder==long holding time in the tank! Does that equate to higher risk for uti? Dunno'.
Now this may be a little crazy in such a short time, but she seems to tire sooooo quicky. Out to pee, wants to co e right back in to go t sleep. It' s a"happy" tired if that makes sense...not a "lethargic, depressed bodu posture" kind of tired. Don't k ow if it's a side effect or not..
She's been off K9 Immunity Plus about two weeks....is that the reason? Dunno'. (Almost have the funds together to get her some more s I'll see if that elps)
I "joke" about her weight vut really am tryi g to slim that chunk of love down some! Even if continue the metro. path, will her legs remain strong enough in the long term? Don't want her to have constant blood tests.....and if one of her biggest joys in life is eatng...and it is...REALLY....I have to balance that with.wantkng her to have the happiest possible time ever!!
So Patricia and Marc, K haven't fond the majic wand that gives us the right answer either like everyone here I donn't ever want the treatment, even if it did give exteneded time, I dn' t EVER want to compromise er quaility as Napph Hannan defnes t for nerself:-) Her dednition ma differ from others, but it's ner life, her way!
So yeah, even though I'm going forward, I'm still j decided:-) 
So muc love to you and Marc,
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 don't have any experience with the eastern or western approaches. Libby went right to metronomics (no IV chemo) and, knock on wood, has had no ill effects from the protocol. She also gets additional supplements (liquid fish oil, probiotics, milk thistle, MUSH and BSST drops) along with plenty of fruits and veggies on her kibble.
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
I tried the metronomic treatment with meloxicam and Cytoxan but I did have to stop the Cytoxan after a few months due to bladder side effects. I continued the meloxicam but added Power Mushrooms and artemisinin all of which were well tolerated.
Pam
Thanks so much for all your input. After long discussions with Dr. Williams we have decided to go the holistic route for now. Atlas has responded extremely well with acupuncture and Dr. Xie's protocol calls for the herbal regiment in conjunction with the acupuncture. Dr. Williams is currently researching the best way to dose the big Mighty Atlas without turning him off his food as his size is going to require LOTS of herbs. So we completed the western chemo protocol and now we are including a trusted eastern protocol. Neither vet wants to administer at the same time, so we are going to try this for 90 days and reevaluate. If we want to do metronomic, it will be there in the future. We can always change at any time but we feel good about our decision and action plan for now. August 15 marks 30 days after his last chemo so we plan on starting around then. We will continue with his meloxicam (metacam) and I gave Dr. Williams the Power Mushroom info to research.
Patricia,
That sounds like a great plan of action for Atlas. You can always start Metronomics at a later time.
I wanna see some more wonderful pictures of Atlas (begging before Sally this time LOL).
Hugs
Michelle & Sassy
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."
I think that sounds like a terrific plan! We are always interested in hearing more about folks who choose the holistic route so feel free to keep us posted. And of course give Atlas a big hug from us.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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