Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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We did four rounds of carbo, and also did not have any major problems with chemo - one explosive diarrhea after round 1 (treated with meds they will give you), some nausea after other rounds (again, treated with the meds they will give you). Otis pretty much slept the day of each chemo. We did start doing white rice and boiled chicken breast day of and two to three days after chemo, gradually mixing the kibble back in. And he ended up on Pepcid A/C after round 2 for indigestion. But, nothing major or serious enough that I ever considered stopping.
Otis - 106 pound lab/Dane mix, lost his right front leg to osteosarcoma on Febuary 9, 2016. Four rounds of carboplatin completed in April, 2016. Lung mets August 25, 2016. Said goodbye too soon on September 4, 2016. Lost his adopted sister, Tess, suddenly on October 9, 2016. likely due to hemangiosarcoma.
Wherever they are, they are together.
I will ask the vet if she suggests a more mild diet around chemo time. That's a good thought.
We were supposed to hear the biopsy results by Friday, and they said to call if we hadn't w/in 8 days, so I called today and I hope they'll call me back. This is the bone tumor biopsy (although it would be a huge surprise if it's not osteosarcoma, this is more of a confirmation) and the lymph node on that leg, which is what I'm more concerned about. It'll be a big indicator in terms of prognosis. Anyway, Trying not to focus too much on that.
The good news is that I finally figured out how to change my picture! So now it's a picture of Mosby - an oldie, but a goodie, showing off one of his best tricks, "high five!"
Love the avatar picture! Our biopsy was kind of the same - I think 5 vets and a radiologist had all said osteo, so I wasn't surprised when it can back osteo.
Otis - 106 pound lab/Dane mix, lost his right front leg to osteosarcoma on Febuary 9, 2016. Four rounds of carboplatin completed in April, 2016. Lung mets August 25, 2016. Said goodbye too soon on September 4, 2016. Lost his adopted sister, Tess, suddenly on October 9, 2016. likely due to hemangiosarcoma.
Wherever they are, they are together.
Sounds like Mosby is definitely on the track to be a ROCKSTAR tripawd! His avatar pic is awesome- we are all high fiving him back!
Our experience with chemo has, overall, been good. Fionn just had round four of carboplatin last Thursday. He sailed through round one, but had one episode of vomiting 2 days after round 2 and was lethargic. I had nausea meds to give him and he did not vomit again, but I did not like how "down" he was and he didn't want to eat. I told his oncologist I did NOT want to lose any good days with him and she suggested we try one more chemo and they would PRE treat him for the nausea and I would give him the same meds (ondansteron) for 4 days. Worked like a charm for rounds 3 and 4! Honestly, I don't see why they didn't just do this from the beginning. I noticed he had a little less stamina yesterday, but he had had a big day before that so who knows? He is scheduled for 2 more rounds, but like you, we will play it by ear. As long as he does well, we'll do it.
On a side note, they do a chest xray at the time of the 4th chemo. While Fionn's was clear of mets (YAY!) he did have a small pneumonia. Either resolving or starting, they couldn't tell. His labs were fine and he had no fever or cough so who knows? The chemo does lower their immune system. He is on antibiotics for it, but wish had thought to order some K9 Immunity before now. I have no idea if it would have helped, but it can't hurt.
Cheers for a continued pawsome recovery!
Nancy and Fionn
Nancy- mom to the FABULOUS Fionn. He rescued me in 2015 when he was 6.
Right front leg amputation at age 7 for osteosarcoma 10/6/16. Taken too soon 6/12/17. Read about our journey here:
http://fionnsjo.....pawds.com/
MOOOOOSSSSSBBBBBBBYYYYYY! At last we get to see you! LOVE the avatar pic. How cool is that. Backatcha Mosby. High five right backacha. No experience to offer re chemo, but just wanted to check in and say we are thinking of you.
Meg, Clare and Elsie Pie xxx
Ruby, Staffy, born June 2022, became a Tripawd, November 2023, adopted January 2024.
Also Angel Tripawd Meg (aka The Megastar), who died in April 2023, aged 14, after seven glorious years on three, and Angel Staffies Elsie Pie and Bille. In the pawprints of giants...
Thank you so much for posting Mosby's journey. I am so glad to read about the return of his energy and personality after just one week! My dog, Luka, goes in for removal of his right hind leg on Tuesday of next week. I am terrified, of course, so it is extremely helpful to see your day-by-day updates!
Lisa
Thanks for joining Lisa! Be sure to start a new topic about Luka so we can follow along with your journey. Oh I'm in the Tripawds Chat room now if you want to talk.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Lisa - I am so sorry about Luka. Mosby is also a right hind leg tripawd. I know how scared you feel right now, but I'm sure you also feel like I did before surgery - I knew that, as scary as it was for me, I was doing the right thing for Mosby. It doesn't make it any easier on us, though, and I'm glad my posts have been helpful - you have absolutely come to the right place, and I hope you post a new thread as Jerry suggested, so we can follow along with you and Luka. Take care!
MOSBY!!! YIU ARE ADORABLE!!! Loooove that happy smile!!!OMD!!! Soooo cute!!! 🙂 HIGH FIVE right bacj atcha'!!! 🙂
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!
Finally got Mosby's biopsy results - while the tumor was unfortunately (but not surprisingly) confirmed as osteosarcoma, the biopsy of his lymph node came back clear. So that is a positive. He is set to get his sutures removed and first chemo on Thursday. While I know it could affect him, I've been reassured by the comments here, and I'm so ready to get this process started and start attacking the microscopic metastasis.
Mosby didn't seem 100% comfortable yesterday, but we are thinking it may have been his tummy. He seems more comfortable so far today. We are starting to pare back on the tramadol, and hopefully that will give him a little more energy. We are now 12 days post-amp.
The lymph nodes came back clear a d this is REALLY something to celebrate!
And remember, as far as Mosby is concerned, pognosis schmognosis!!! That report means NOTHING to him! It doesn't change a thing in Mosby's world!!!
As far as not feeling 100% yet, he's not quite ready for a pawty yet! It's still very, very early! He still needs to take it easy!
Keep an eye on any pain symptoms. Many dogs still need pain meds for three weeks, and a reduced dose even longer.
And, just for the record, not EVERY dog has hidden microscopic cells that develop into mets! A d maybe Mosby will be one of tbose!!! YAY!
Love and high fives to ya Mosby!!
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!
Hey Mos 👋🏽
Me and Eurydice are cheering loudly for you here 🎉🎉😝
Clear lymph node is really good news 👍🏼 and the fact it is osteo isn't the best of possibilities but it is what it is and you were expecting it (just like I did) ...
So, you are turning another page and starting chemo which is pawsitive 👍🏼
Before you know it you and Mos will take a trip together and have some awesome adventures 🚙💨💨💨💨
Lots and lots of hugs and cuddles flying your way 😘😘😘😘💞🐶
Eurydice 77kg/170lb Great Dane limping end of April 2016, amputation (right front leg/osteosarcoma) 4 May 2016 6 courses of carboplatin followed by metronomic therapy, lung mets found 30 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 :-)
Mosby can't wait to go on adventures like Eurydice!
I dropped Mosby off for suture removal and first chemo today. Hoping things go well. He's really been more himself the past couple of days, even lurking about the kitchen to see if he can score some leftovers. 🙂 The oncologist is supposed to call me after she examines him and talk about what they are going to do today. I have many questions to ask, so I'll either ask them at that time, or when I pick him up. Not sure when that will be - I'll just leave work a little early to get him.
As I've mentioned before, Mosby's usually a daycare dog, and he's likely not going to be able to do daycare during chemo (plus of course he's still recovering from the amputation), so we've lined up some good dog sitters, but he is still going to need to be crated for 4 to 4.5 hours at a time, between when I leave and the sitters come hang with him for an hour, and between when they leave and my husband comes home. Interested in anyone's thoughts on this arrangement? We don't love crating him, but 4 to 4.5 hours really isn't a long period of time (we rarely push 5, even though he's fine for much longer - I don't think it's fair to crate him much more than that), plus he's going to be sleeping for a lot of that. To the extent that he's sick at times, I can make my schedule flexible to stay at home with him, but we are hoping that during the times he's feeling good, this sitter arrangement would work. Anyway, I'm interested in hearing if anyone has insight on crating during the chemo period. The way the schedule is set up, he'll get his chemo on a Thursday, and then either I or my husband will be home on Friday with him, and then he'll also have the weekend - so he shouldn't be alone on the three big days after chemo treatments.
Well, just had some bad news. A needle sample from the lump on his remaining hind leg has some spindle cells that could be inflammation, or could be sarcoma. This is a real blow. The samples have been sent to the pathologist, and we will have results either tomorrow or Tuesday (I don't know if I can wait that long). I actually feel sick. I'm trying to remain positive, but it's too easy to start going down the road of what this could mean. At least he's getting his first chemo today, and hopefully we'll get the results back ASAP before I have a mental breakdown. This is the worst.
I'm so sorry to hear you are having to cope with this uncertainty. It must be incredibly upsetting and stressful. We have everything crossed for you here. Praying you get the results tomorrow and that they indicate inflammation. But whatever they show, remember Mosby knows nothing. He's just looking forward to coming home with his sutures removed (YAY!) and one chemo done (YAY!). He's looking forward to cuddles and snuggles and scooting around for leftovers and generally being spoiled rotten.
Sending love and hugs to you both,
Meg, Clare and Elsie Pie xxx
Ruby, Staffy, born June 2022, became a Tripawd, November 2023, adopted January 2024.
Also Angel Tripawd Meg (aka The Megastar), who died in April 2023, aged 14, after seven glorious years on three, and Angel Staffies Elsie Pie and Bille. In the pawprints of giants...
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