Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Ok.. Had to look to find the paper that we received from the Oregon State Hospital that first visit. That day was such a blur of events. This is the protocol that they are recommending.
5 treatments 3 weeks apart of the carboplatin
Possible treatment of the new tyrosine kinase inhibitor drug – Mesatinib
Has anyone heard about this one??
Shilo diagnosed with osteosarcoma 9/4/2009, amputation 9/9/2009. ShiloAnne lost her battle 11/23/2009 where she regained her fourth leg and is patiently waiting for her parents to join her. We will always love you baby girl.
The 5 carbo treatments is standard around here and tends to have minimal side-effects. I think I have only heard about one dog (Cherry) who lost her appetite on that one. I don't think most dogs even need anti-nausea drugs on carbo. My Tazzie did not, but he needed the anti-nausea drugs on a different drug.
IF a dog has a history of kidney trouble, Carbo MIGHT result in kidney issues. Kidney problems do not seem to be a normal side effect, in fact, that is why carbo is used more commonly than its predecessor, Cisplatin.
Carboplatin used to be more expensive than Cisplatin, but it should be relatively inexpensive these days. The oncologist gave me a firm estimate when they discussed the drug for the first time. But everything is MUCH (MUCH!!!) cheaper when admininstered at the regular vet clinic. And I have been very happy with the way it was handled at the vet clinic. I am pretty sure that the vet, who has lots of experience, seemed to do the work herself.
I have not heard about the other drug you mention. I might check into it.
Susan
If Oregon State is close to you and you are comfortable with them, by all means use that resource. However, we pleaded with our local vet to consult with Texas A&M Veterinary School and administer the chemo at his office following their recommendations. This saved us and Trouble a 3 1/2 hr drive one way with her not feeling well. It also put her primary care close to home in case there were complications.
We paid out just under $1000 per treatment by the time everything was included. There was another couple hundred a week after treatment for bloodwork and followup.
We are blessed to have a wonderful vet who has fallen in love with Trouble. I have no doubt he has her best interest at heart and he givea us the guidance and information necessary for us to make the right decisions.
Shanna & Spirit Trouble ~ Trouble gained her wings 3/16/2011, a 27 1/2 month cancer survivor, tail wagging. RIP sweetheart, you are my heart and soul. Run free at Rainbow Bridge.
The November Five - Spirits Max, Cherry, Tika, Trouble & Nova. 11/2008 - 3/2013 An era ends as Queen Nova crossed the Bridge.
Oregon State is about 1 hour away, not too bad.. I did ask my vet locally if she would consider doing the chemo but, she said they really are not equipped and she didn't feel comfortable. I think there is one other place here local that does do the chemo but, they use an alternate of carboplatin and some other chemo drug (I can't recall). I think there price was $600 for the carboplatin and $400 for the other times 3 treatments. I just want something that will work for her and give her some more time with those that love her.
Shilo diagnosed with osteosarcoma 9/4/2009, amputation 9/9/2009. ShiloAnne lost her battle 11/23/2009 where she regained her fourth leg and is patiently waiting for her parents to join her. We will always love you baby girl.
The combined drugs are probably carbo and adriamycin. That is what "my" Tazzie is on (as opposed to Pam's Tazzie). Adriamycin has more potential for side effects and there is no documented advantage, although some vets obviously think it is preferable to combine drugs. I'd prefer to have avoided these side effects (nausea, hair loss, lethargy, damage to leg if the catheter slips, potential heart problems) by using only Carboplatin.
Having said that, my Tazzie might be one of the very few dogs showing a side effect ot Carbo to his kidneys (we cannot be sure that is the cause, but are starting to suspect it). If so, no doubt that is because of his puppyhood history of renal failure.
In any case, you definitely want a vet who is comfortable and experienced in administering chemo.
You all are awsome 
!! I haven't had this much hope since diagnosis, I know our change in attitude will affect her change too. I can not thank all of you enough. For once I feel like I can breathe and have a some hope.
Sorry to hear Tazzie is having trouble with the Carbo he looks like a sweetheart!! My thoughts are with you as well.
Shilo diagnosed with osteosarcoma 9/4/2009, amputation 9/9/2009. ShiloAnne lost her battle 11/23/2009 where she regained her fourth leg and is patiently waiting for her parents to join her. We will always love you baby girl.
Overall I am happier with Carbo than the other drug, and wished my oncologist had recommended the 5 Carbo treatments. However, it is only starting to sink it that Carbo might be the cause of the recent kidney change - of course I am not sure about that. He sure was happier after Carbo than after Adriamycin. No visible change in GI or activity levels following carbo, well maybe a very small decrease in appetite but not enough to merit anti-nausea drugs.
Hi Shilo-Mum,
we also had some severe reactions to painmeds... problem was they started some kind of ulceration very quickly and Hori started refusing eating meat or chicken and had more of a liking to cheese and such. Maybe you could check out with your vet if Shilo has an aching tummy from too much acid production.
Hori always got depressed with an aching tummy and was kind of quick to refuse eating much (although she usually ate like a cow, when she was allowed!)
Good luck and remember that a slow recovery isn't that bad!
Hugs
cecilia
Spirit Horacia, Castaño, Olympia + human family Cecilia, Georg and Julia - - - Hori first diagnosed 8/6/09, ampu 8/12/09, run over the bridge 9/10/09 – We miss you every day dear girl!
shiloanne said:
Possible treatment of the new tyrosine kinase inhibitor drug – Mesatinib
Has anyone heard about this one??
Shiloane, we are just now getting caught up on what's been happening with our Tripawd family. Are they pawesome or what? Thanks everyone, you have such great, helpful and calming information to offer, as always.
Glad to hear that you're doing better Shiloanne.
We just posted some articles we found about Mastinib in your other forum post. Hope it helps.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi Shiilo's Mom,
Sorry I did not read your blog. For some reason I mostly do the forums so I am glad you did both.
I almost fell off the couch when I read what chemo cost for Trouble. Emily had her amputation at the Ohio State University Veterinary Hospital. Her amputation cost $1770 and her chemo was less than $400 per session. Emily was/is on a drug study for a combination of carboplatin and gemcitabine. The drug study covered the cost of the gemcitabine and the blood work as well as her first chest x-ray three months after amputation (no mets!!!!). She did not have any side effects from chemo with the exception of a low white blood cell count around day 7 and again day 21 so her chemo was every 25 days instead of 21. Incidently the cost for chemo included her meds. If you have a teaching hospital near you check it out.
I hope that Shilo starts perking up. Emily is a doberman mix and is a sweet little (actually big) girls. I think dobys and rots have a bad rep and are really good dogs.
Debra & Emily
Debra & Emily, a five year old doberman mix, who was diagnosed with an osteosaecoma. She had a right rear leg amputation on May 19, 2009. On November 10, 2009 she earned her wings and regained her fourth leg.
UPDATE -
Shilo is doing absolutely amazing!!! It was like overnight (couldn't have been the change in her mom & dad's attitude, could it?? hmmmm.. ) Anyway, she ate like a champ today.. Of course Mom made her some roast with broccoli and carrots while mom and dad had potato salad for dinner.. (LOL what is wrong with this picture..) She was much more up and about following mom and dad, and she was much more happier then I have seen her yet!!!
Of course new issues are now being posed, as the princess will not eat big pieces of anything nor off a dish. She now insists that mom and dad make them bite size and feed it to her.
She also has quickly figured out not only will mom and dad be ok with her getting on our bed blankets but, she now is resting her head on our pillows... So she has completely figured out that she runs the house and will never go back to yesterdays again. 🙂
I have also started her on the cottage cheese/flax seed combo. She seems to like it well enough and we are going to make all her food from here on out. I just feel more better knowing what she is eating.
Sorry this wasn't started to be this long but I just wanted to give all an update. Thanks again for all the support, it definately made a HUGE difference.
Shilo diagnosed with osteosarcoma 9/4/2009, amputation 9/9/2009. ShiloAnne lost her battle 11/23/2009 where she regained her fourth leg and is patiently waiting for her parents to join her. We will always love you baby girl.
Doing the happy dance for you guys!
Shanna & Spirit Trouble ~ Trouble gained her wings 3/16/2011, a 27 1/2 month cancer survivor, tail wagging. RIP sweetheart, you are my heart and soul. Run free at Rainbow Bridge.
The November Five - Spirits Max, Cherry, Tika, Trouble & Nova. 11/2008 - 3/2013 An era ends as Queen Nova crossed the Bridge.
Go Shilo go! That's the way it goes... Keep manipulating your pawrents... they love it 
Hoppy to hear you are doing fine!
Cecilia
Spirit Horacia, Castaño, Olympia + human family Cecilia, Georg and Julia - - - Hori first diagnosed 8/6/09, ampu 8/12/09, run over the bridge 9/10/09 – We miss you every day dear girl!
Oh yeay! There's nothing like seeing a new Tripawd chowing down on dinner, especially one like that. Roast, yum!
Keep up the great work Shilo, we are SO hoppy for you. And never feel bad about long updates, we enjoy reading them and it means so much to others who haven't walked in your paws yet.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Sounds like we have another princess! Emily pretty much gets what Emily wants. Sounds like Shilo went to the same School of Manipulation that Emily graduated from. Glad to hear she is doing so much better.
Debra & the Princess Emily
Debra & Emily, a five year old doberman mix, who was diagnosed with an osteosaecoma. She had a right rear leg amputation on May 19, 2009. On November 10, 2009 she earned her wings and regained her fourth leg.
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