Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat

Wow Pez. Overall that is all really promising, isn't it? Now you are just like most of us in the OSA boat - rather than the negative judgement bestowed by that other vet. I am relieved.

Often (probably most of the time from what I have heard and read) vets diagnose OSA from the x-ray and don't confirm with a biopsy until they send the offending leg to the pathology lab.

Most of us use the terms "metronomics " and "anti-angiogenesis" as equivalent, although the first refers to the timing and the second to what it tries to achieve. But maybe there is another distinction (Jake's mum can probably clarify since she works in this field). And some people opt to use that treatment early, usually if they decide to skip traditional high-dose chemo. There is lots of information on this website. I just saw a short and nice description of metronomics on a 'soft tissue sarcoma" website I posted in response to Breeze earlier today. Did you see Polo's post this weekend? He has been using a form of metronomics (low-dose chemo) instead of regular chemo and is doing well.

Your estimated costs are like mine. I am amazed to see how much less most of the tripawds paid - did you see Jerry's informative post today on this topic? (My specialist clinic was bought by an American company called Brightheart and apparently their costs went up steeply when it changed owners, which was before our OSA experience.)

So, it sounds as though they think that Pez would handle 3-legged life okay despite her arthritis. Is that right? (If so, YIPPEE!)

Pez and Family

I looked into metronomics a lot around Aug to October so you will find a few good long threads from that era. Just type metronomics into the search and make sure to click "all forums".

I can probably dig up more references, and maybe some academic ones, but unfortunately not tonight. Because we had no oncologist in town, Maximutt helped get us in touch with an oncologist who specializes in this and prescribed Tazzie's pills. Toto sent me an abstract from a scientific paper showing better results for metronomics than for regular chemo for hemangiosarcoma dogs, but that is different, and more aggressive than OSA. But if your vet knew what anti-angiogenesis therapy was, she (or he) was talking about the same thing.

Maybe just focus on the amputation issue now. It is hard to deal with it all at once and you don't need to. I hope things go well this week, or as well as they can in the situation in which we find ourselves.

Good luck with your hearts and heads over the next few days as you figure out what is best for Pez. I'm sure your love for Pez will guide you. These are tough decisions to make, and you know your dog better than anyone. I first learned about metronomics from this site, and read all I could find about it. I'm not sure how much our vet knew about metronomic therapy, but the oncologist he consults with knew about it and said in Holly's case it would be good as an alternative to chemo if she doesn't tolerate chemo well (she just had her first chemo treatment today). She'd also like to pursue it as additional treatment after chemo if Holly does tolerate chemo well. I agree with the advice on your thread - keep asking questions until you're comfortable with the information you have. I found it helps to keep a notebook with my questions and the dr's answers - otherwise I found I was forgetting some when I was at the vet's and remembering them when I got home! We'll keep you in our hearts... big hugs to Pez!
Holly and Holly's mom

Pez and Family,

I've been reading your story—sounds like you’re finally getting good advice. I too have a soft spot for Pit’s. I had “Cassie the Staffie” years ago, who I loved very much—awesome dogs. Polo is a 10-year old Golden Retriever with osteosarcoma, Tripawd 29 Sep 2009. I shared all your concerns and I was scared as hell to amputate his leg (front left) because he’s over 100 lbs, active, etc… Then I found this site while researching and watched a video of Tazziedog, the 185 lbs Mastiff and knew that Polo could do it too (He’s the Big Dog). Many fine folks and dogs on this site!! Upon diagnoses, with biopsy confirmation, our doctor recommended amputation as soon as possible, gave us some time references and started immediately describing treatment options, one of which was Melphalan, brand name Alkeran, a low dose chemo, 2mg pills x 2, every other day (same dose but every day for the first week). It appealed to me because it has few to no side effects and the Doc had treated several other dogs for up to 18 months with excellent quality of life. Polo is almost 4-months post-op, doing great—no side effects.

Before Cancer, Polo was becoming stiff-legged and having trouble getting up after lying down for a while so we put him on a diet (was 123 lbs, lost 20 since last Jan), and started giving him a “veterinary strength” hip and joint supplement with Glucosamine and Chondroitin—you may already use that for Pez’s ACL and Arthritis. I noticed improvement after a few weeks, and he gets it every day, according to the package. Now-days he does everything he used to do like play tug of war with his little brothers (Rottie/G-Shepherd mix and Schnoodle), guard the house, protect his mom, take walks, everything he loves to do (except now he pees like a girl). I don’t hold him back—he can walk up to half a mile at a time, go up and down the stairs, play catch, etc. He gets pooped quicker, but otherwise normal stuff. The doc checks his blood cells monthly—so far so good.

Our surgery costs were lower than I’ve read—our economy is relative to our community I reckon (Fort Walton Beach/Shalimar Florida). Treatment adds up, but it’s amazing what we buy that we don’t need. Overall this situation sucks because we know what is to come, but we have found a lot of joy and a new appreciation for all our dogs. With treatment and luck, Polo will live his life pretty close to the natural order of things. It’s worth it. Good luck—best wishes. Polo and Mike.