Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Others can chime in on Doxorubicin. Obviously this is the chem the Onco thinks is the best treatment for Murphy's situation . Carboplatin is the main one used for osteo.
Now, not saying getting diagnosis "confirmed" is easy to hear. It's a kick in the gut, that's for sure! However, you WILL get back into the BE MORE MURPHY zone and remind yourself Murphy lives fearlessly and fully flowing from one moment to the next!! Murphy didn't "hear" the prognosis . In fact, the Admin Guy always says prognosis schmognosis!!
Sweet Murphy, as gentle and delightful a Soul as he is, is a FIGHTER!!! He's already amazed his Vets by dodging another incision surgery. Oh yeah, he's a fighter alright!!😎😎
So check out the feedback on that particular chemo, check out so alternative therapies too. Not sure if mushroom therapies would be beneficial, but certainly worth checking into. Not techie enough to tell you how to search here, but there are lots of posts and blogs on them.
Let NOTHING rob you of your time together!! All we have is each precious moment and they should not be wasted! You can bet Murphy isn't wasting one second worrying about anything! All he wants is tummy rubs and treats!.
I do have a favor to ask you. Would you give Murphy a scoop of ice cream and post a photo here?? 🍨🍧🍨 Happy Hannah had me convinced a scoop of ice cream was a great nutritional supplement! One scoop for her...two for me...😎
Extra 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!
Here's Murphy (in the background) and his big brother Molson. He didn't have ice cream but he had sushi!
SMOOOOOCHING!!! SMOOOCHING THOSE SMOOCHABLE MUGS 😚😙😚
And then coming over there right now for a pajama pawry to snuggle with Murphy and Molson !! OMD!!! Talk about snuggly cuddly dawgs! Such an adorable picture! Keep em coming !!😎
I keep scrolling back up to kiss the paws! Love those soft paws!!
Yeah, Sushi is a nutritional supplement! I mean, full of omegas right??
Okay, gotta go back my suitcase!
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!
Jet did 5 rounds of Doxorubicin for his hemangiosarcoma. He experienced three side effects: loss of energy, loss of appetite, and loss of fur.
The loss of energy kicked in pretty fast and lasted for three or four days after a treatment.
The loss of appetite kicked in two or three days after treatment, but not until the second or third treatment. He just ate slowly/without enthusiasm, and didn't finish all of his food in one sitting. We treated it successfully with an appetite stimulant.
The hair loss really kicked in after his fourth treatment at the end of July. His skin darkened and he lost a lot of the fine fur around his eyes and snout. He also lost almost all of his whiskers. Then he started losing fur on his legs so rather than just looking ghoulish, he looks like a scraggly ghoul, but, now, 60 days later, the fur on his face is definitely coming back.
So, Doxorubicin had more significant side effects than the Carboplatin that Casey took for his osteo, but it is the preferred drug for Jet's condition and who knows, without it, he may not have made it this far. We'd do it again.
Jet is also on therapeutic doses of Turkey Tail and Maximum Recovery mushroom powders from Canine Matrix and K9 Immunity Plus wafers.
Thanks Tiahaye that helps. We're at day one post Doxorubicin and he vomited and refused his breakfast. He's also very letharrgic.
Hopedully Jet's experience can help reassure, as well as prepare you for the ups and downs.
Keep your Onco in the loop. I know the side effects can be rough. Possibly a dose adjustment may help, as well as supportive meds like Jet took for his appetite . And certainly if the "treatment" takes to heavy a toll on him day in and day out, I guess he could stop it with no lingering side effects??
Stay connected and update when you can. Murphy is gonna get past these rough spots, probably with more ease that us hoomans!!
Cheering for ya Murphy!🤗
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!
valkyle said
Thanks Tiahaye that helps. We're at day one post Doxorubicin and he vomited and refused his breakfast. He's also very letharrgic.
Jet had anti nausea pills also, but I believe we seldom used them. Some were like $15 each and they're just sittin' in the cabinet.
Murphy's rehab has started! Out for a walk on a beautiful fall day with his big brother Molson.
LOOOOOVE THIS PICTURE ❤❤❤
Look at those smiles!😁 Oh happy day!
Thanks! This is why we do what we do😁
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!
What a beautiful picture!! OMD beautiful! I cannot help with any of these medications that you are using, but I just stopped in for support and to let you know I am thinking of you.
They sure look happy, I hope this is the beginning of a turn around for you 
Hugs,
Jackie and Huck
Hugs,
Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry 
Not a good update on Murphy. After 2 rounds of doxorubicin Murphy was scanned and the positive lymph node in his pelvis had grown despite the chemo. On top of that he had a small blister on his incision site. The oncologist needled the site and has come back positive for the sarcoma returning. Lymphangiosarcoma is a very aggressive cancer and we knew that the chemo was a long shot but we had to give him every chance we could.
So now our boy is palliative and we'll make the most of our remaining time together and make his days as fun and happy as possible!
Val
Just hate to hear this. Kinda' sitting here just shaking my head. Piece of s**t disease is so horrid.
You certainly are doing everything possible for handsome Murphy, and all the while being in unchartered waters. And palliative care is a beautiful way to ensure Murphy feels good as long as possible. I wish I could remember the article, but basically it said pallitive care CAN extend lives beyond "statistics" because it is maintaining quality.
Your love for Murphy is so strong!!!! Murphy is here with you now and I know you won't let that piece of crap disease interfere with your sacred time together! This is the time to continue to make new memories and to continue to make every day MURPHY DAY!!. It's the time to let NOTHING rob you of making each and every moment together even ore special than the previous!!
Bucket list? Does Murphy have a bucket list? What would he put in his bucket list.....and can we see pictures??? Maybe you could make a mud puddle for him and hide some treats in there so he can go dig and get filthy!! Does he like carrides and drive -thrus? Maybe he could do get a cheeseburger everyday, topped off by a trip to Starbucks for a Puppacino! Happy Hannah had forbidden M&M's on her bucket list and she got three to five M&M's everyday! Maybe Murphy could get a new bone everyday. Butt rubs and massages for ten minutes non-stop five times a day. And most certainly, lots of time carved out for photos and for walks with Molson.
And, most importantly, remeber than none of this medical stuff means a thing to Murphy. Never has, never will. All that matters to Murphy is your love and being by your side. Time means nothing, days on a calendar mean nothing. Ahhhh, the bliss of being dog!
When you have sone rime, we would looooove to see more pictures of one of our favorite pups!!! He's such a ,photogenic fella'.
Extra hugs...infused with a few M&M's
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
PS....Just throwing this out. Many here have worked with Dr Loops (I also did with one of my dogs ,years ago). He's a Holostic Vet out of North Carolina and does phone consults. He may have some suggestions to help maximize Murphy's chances for extended quality.
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!
So sorry to hear this news. It is heartbreaking. Sally's ideas are just spot on as always. A bucket list is just a great idea to spend special quality time with your boy. Maybe a cheeseburger ride to McDonalds... does he like car rides?
I do not have any experienced help. When I lost my Rose she got sick very quickly and we did not have the opportunity for a bucket list.. we were busy trying to figure out what would fix her and did not succeed. Others in here though did have a list of things to enjoy with their pups and I think it is very therapeutic indeed.
It would also not hurt to try the holistic vet. Maybe you could get some ammunition to help keep Murphy comfortable and focus on the quality of life that he has left with you.
My heart goes out to you. Sending big hugs and hopes of more quality time with your beautiful pup.
Jackie and Huck
Hugs,
Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry
Thanks for the support and suggestions! I think a cheeseburger would be high on his bucket list. His brother, Mo, might get on on the celebrations too!
Val
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