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Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat

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Need Advice----when to start chemo?
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Member Since:
26 February 2018
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10 March 2018 - 7:16 am
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Hi !

I'm new to this group. One of my labs Ben( rescued, so approx 10-10,5 years old) had RT front amputation 8 days ago--- histiocystic sarcoma. He is doing  well after surgery ---- resting and sleeping most of the time,  taking quick trips outside , incision heals nicely. Sutures suppose to be removed in 1 week.  My question is --- when most of you start chemo? Surgeon told me we can start as soon as sutures removed, but i think Ben  need more time to recuperate after surgery. I didn't schedule to see oncologist yet, but def will do that in next 2 weeks.Any suggestion? 

Livermore, CA




Member Since:
18 October 2009
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10 March 2018 - 9:42 am
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Hello and welcome, your future posts will not have to wait for approval.

I'm glad to hear Ben is healing well from his surgery!

My pug Maggie had mast cell cancer, she started chemo two weeks after her surgery.  We had seen the oncologist before surgery- it was a vet practice with all disciplines in the same place.  I wasn't thinking we would need chemo but the path report showed lymph node involvement after amputation so we got started right away.

You know Ben best so schedule when you think he is ready.  I would not wait on scheduling the oncologist visit though- I would want their input and plan as soon as possible.

Karen and the Spirit Pug Girls

Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.

1999 to 2010

 

              Maggie's Story                  Amputation and Chemo

Virginia







Member Since:
22 February 2013
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10 March 2018 - 10:36 am
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Awww...aorry Ben is gli g through this, but it sounds like he is dealing with recovery as well as can be expected.  The first couple of weeks it's all abput sloooow and easy.  Short potty breaks and back to reet.

My Happy Hannah had amp due to osteo and did not start her chemo (Carboplatin, four rou ds) u til avout three weeks.  I felt like she needed a little extra recovery time.  As Karen said, you know Ben best a d you'll knkw when his sparkle starts to come back better than anyone.

Once you talk with the Onco you'll have a better idea of how and when to lroceed.

Keep us posted and share more about your sweet Ben when you can.  Labs are such great dogs.

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!

Michigan
Member Since:
2 April 2013
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10 March 2018 - 2:22 pm
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Our Murphy also lost his right front leg due to histiocytic sarcoma.  His surgery (2013) was in April & I think he started chemo in June.  Partly because we had a vacation in May that year.  We were unsure about whether or not we were even going to do chemo or not at that point, but then we decided to go ahead with it.  It also took about 3 weeks just to get the biopsy results back for the final diagnosis (he had had a biopsy prior to surgery, but it came back inconclusive).  Murphy had 6 doses of CCNU, 3 weeks apart.  He had to have a CBC (blood work) the week of his chemo & the week after.  He also took denamarin every day to help protect his liver.  The day of his chemo he seemed a little subdued, maybe a little nauseous, but not too bad.  But we also had a 1.5 hour drive out to Michigan State University and he was there for several hours every time we went, so it was a long day for him.  

In my signature is a link to his story.  We were told that "if we were lucky" we'd get 12-18 months with Murphy.  We actually spent over 4 years with him heart.  He was definitely our Cancer Warrior!

Donna

Donna, Glenn & Murphy 

Murphy had his right front leg amputated due to histiocytic sarcoma at 7 years old. He survived 4 years, 2 months & 1 week, only to be taken by hemangiosarcoma at 11 1/2 years 6/12/17  
Read about Murphy's Life on Three Legs

Donna.png



Member Since:
21 May 2016
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11 March 2018 - 4:17 am
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Hi Ben and family 🌺

My baby girl Eurydice had her from leg amputated due to osteosarcoma and we started chemo the day her stitches were out.

We were told by the oncologist chemo could start later if her blood tests weren't as they should.

Sending you and your boy hugs and cuddles 😘😘🐮✨💫🌟🌹

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 :-) 

Member Since:
14 February 2016
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11 March 2018 - 11:53 am
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Same as Eurydice - we started the day the staples came out.  It was amazing how well Otis was doing at that point.  The day over day improvement in the second week is amazing!

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.

Member Since:
26 January 2017
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13 March 2018 - 9:33 am
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Rocky had his amputation on Feb. 14 of last year. The stitches came out on Feb. 27 and we started chemo on Feb. 28. 

David and Rocky (and Baxter now too!)

Rocky had his right front leg amputated on Valentine's Day 2017 after being diagnosed with osteosarcoma.

He joined the September Saints on September 3, 2017.

He is the toughest, bravest, sweetest and best friend I'll ever know. 

Member Since:
26 February 2018
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16 March 2018 - 7:01 am
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Thank you so much for all your advices!

Ben's sutures was removed yesterday, we saw oncologist the same time and started chemo---- CCNU(lomustine). The bad news--- they found lymph node close to incision spot--took biopsy. I don't think surgeon could miss it because of location, so hoping it's just his body  reaction on  major surgery.Result suppose to be today.....In case of bad result--- radiation recommended.

In the evening( he lives for his short walks in our park) he got so tired and couldn't walk at all, so my husband need to drive in the middle of park to pick him up:(((( On the drive back Ben fall asleep and stayed inside my car for a long time.But this morning he ate and feels better:)))

P.S. It's really helpful to know I'm not the only  one on this boat---- all your stories and advices  make me a little bit less anxious . Thank you.

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
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16 March 2018 - 11:01 am
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Hang in there, hopefully the path report will bring good news. We'll keep our fingers crossed for Ben!

About the walks...we had the same thing happen to us with Jerry when we thought he was ready for his old walks. We found out he wasn't, and felt terrible for pushing him so hard. We learned that even when stitches are out it's pretty soon to start up with that kind of activity again. Start more slowly, say 3 minute walks at a time, and build up. He'll get there!

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

Virginia







Member Since:
22 February 2013
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16 March 2018 - 11:35 am
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Alrighty YAY FOR STITCHES GONE!!

And ditto Jerry about taki g it sloooow and easy.  It is exhausting at first, especially for front leggers.  And chemonitself can make some dogs a little bit more tired for a couple of days.

So follow Ben's lead.  Right now he's monitoring himself very well and rea@izes he's not up for much walking at all right now.  Smart boy!  One thing we always try to remind ourselves, a dog may have nervy going down a path, but then the tiredness sets in on the way back.  Some people use doggy strollers exactly for that reason.  They can hop in and rest anytime they get tired.  And if they sit down on a walk, they are already tired.

And good massages always help before and after gping on walks.

Keep us updated.  Sounds like Ben is doing just fine.

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!

Michigan
Member Since:
2 April 2013
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16 March 2018 - 6:10 pm
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Murphy used to just plop down when he was done.  It's probably a bit too soon for Ben's regular walks, he's using his muscles in different ways than he used to, so he'll get tired much more quickly.  Make sure to massage down his back & his hips for him - Murphy used to groan & stretch backwards when we'd do this, he loved it!

When Murphy had his surgery, they removed a lymph node near the site (I think that's normal) to check to see if it had spread.  His lymph node came back positive, which was not good news.  However, in the long run, it apparently didn't make much difference 🙂

Donna

Donna, Glenn & Murphy 

Murphy had his right front leg amputated due to histiocytic sarcoma at 7 years old. He survived 4 years, 2 months & 1 week, only to be taken by hemangiosarcoma at 11 1/2 years 6/12/17  
Read about Murphy's Life on Three Legs

Donna.png

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