Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hello, my German Shorthair Pointer is 5 years old and fractured her leg a week ago and we found out she has osteosarcoma. We amputated her leg last Wed. and just got the results today that it was that. She is the best dog you could ever ask her, I rescued her when she was about a year and she is my baby. I want to do chemo but am worried about the side effects and if it will really prolong her life that long. Also, I changed her diet to Natures Variety Raw food and Spots Stew by Halo. Does anyone have any advice for me on food? Also, are there any good supplements out there I can give her. I want to do everything I possibly can, but I also do not want her to be in a alot of pain. She is doing great and runs around like she has always had 3 legs 🙂
Thank you!!!
Jessie (and Sammy)
Welcome and thanks for joining. Sorry to hear about Sammy. Have you searched the blogs and forums?
You'll find lots of recommendations for canine cancer diet and supplements in the Tripawds Nutrition blog . You will also find many forum topics about chemotherapy. There is one in particular titled Regrets About Chemotherapy which may be a good place to start.
You'll find lots more recovery and care tips in Jerry's Required Reading List, and for immediate answers to the most common dog amputation questions download the new Tripawds e-book Three Legs and A Spare.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi Jessie and Sammy,
Welcome to Tripawds.
Chemo is a personal decision- some here do it, some do not. Some who have not done chemo have had a very long run- some not. Some who did chemo still had a short run. There are lots of considerations- quality of life, beliefs in traditional vs holistic treatments, availability, and unfortunately sometimes cost is a factor.
My pug Maggie had mast cell cancer- so the chemo regimen was different than that for OSA. I chose to do chemo with Mag- partly because when we did the amputation I expected it to be curative on its own as it appeared from pre-surgery tests that the cancer was confined to the tumor in her knee. Only after the amp surgery and the lymph node removed with the leg was dissected did I find out that the cancer was in the lymph system. Maggie was given 6 to 9 months WITH chemo- she lived 3 years and 9 months and passed from a second, unrelated cancer.
It's really hard to tell what your outcome will be- so you need to do your research and decide what is best for you and Sammy. Most dogs do not have really bad reactions to chemo. You can always try it- and if Sammy doesn't tolerate it you can stop.
It's good to hear that Sammy is getting around so well already- but don't be surprised if she has some down time. Lots of our pups had ups and downs during the first two or three weeks after surgery. Hopefully Sammy is one that sails through the recovery period.
Karen and the pugapalooza
Hi,
I'm sorry to about Sammy's diagnosis, but am happy she is doing well.
In feeding raw & canned you are choosing opposing philosophies.
Raw food is very low in carbohydrates (commercial, has some vegetables), is grain free and digests rapidly, which may be a factor in pathogen elimination.
Halo is a quality product, but Spots Stew has a significant carbohydrate content. The beef has oats, the chicken, wheat (pasta). Both have higher carb vegetables, (peas & carrots) and it's cooked. It digests at a much slower rate.
At a minimum, you wouldn't want to feed them at the same meal.
There was a lengthy discussion on the forums recently, you might find helpful, search under EATING HEALTHY:
What do you feed your other dogs that are not tripawds or that don't have the big "C"?
As for chemo, it's a personal decision, based on individual beliefs, finances, and what works for you & your dog. There are dogs here, on both ends of the treatment spectrum, some survive a long time, others sadly don't. I chose a holistic treatment plan. It was right for us, but maybe not for others. To the best of my knowledge, with the exception of some vague conclusions regarding long bone tumors, there isn't a reliable pathologic predictor of OSA growth rate. Find peace in the decision you make for Sammy, because you will do so out of love.
Best of Luck,
Cynthia
Hi Jessie,
We did chemo (carboplatin) with minimal side effects. Also, my Sammy is on Power Mushrooms and fish oil. They are supposedly great in helping fight cancer.
We are wishing you all the best,
Elizabeth and Sammy
Diagnosed with osteosarcoma in the right front leg 8/23/10,
leg fractured 8/27/10,
leg amputated 8/30/10
http://sammyand.....pawds.com/
I couldn't begin to say how special Sammy is to us. Living and laughing with and loving this wonderful boy is priceless.
Thank you!!! Our vet recommends four rounds of Carboplatin (spelling?) 3 to 4 weeks apart. We
are doing a consult next week and lining up everything right away.
I decided to stick with Natures Variety, the raw form for now. I also have 2 Boston Terriers, both about 10 years old. One
with Cushings Disease and the other has had 2 Mass Cell Tumors removed on his leg. I think I am bad luck for dogs 🙁
All the three dogs love the new food and go crazy for it.
For those of you that do supplements, do you start them after chemo or before. I was going to order those power mushrooms and
start her on fish oil.
Thanks again for the advice!!
Be sure to review our video interviews with board certified oncologist Dr. Mona Rosenberg regarding the recommended carboplatin treatment protocol and concerns about taking immunity supplements during chemotherapy…
Canine Bone Cancer Treatment News with Dr. Mona Rosenberg
Dr. Rosenberg’s Thoughts on Metronomics and Supplements
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Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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