Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Poor Levi and Spencer. These dobermans just aren't having good news right now. Spencer starts his first carboplatin today, we just found out that his cancer has moved to his lungs too. I'm so pissed and heartbroken for you and for us.
Jac and Angel Spencer. Spencer was 5.25 years old. He fought a grade 3 fibrosarcoma, started on his shoulder. Left front leg amputated in August 2011. 15 weeks of chemo finished 12/22/11 (mytox and adria). Lung mets found on x-rays 12/28/11. Started carboplatin 1/6/12. Went to Heaven on 2/27/12. I miss him like crazy every day. See his blog here: http://spencer.tripawds.com/
I have no experience with lung mets, but just wanted to offer my support to you. Please keep us posted!
Sending you lots of golden hugs,
Cathy
I do not have any input on what to expect from mets, but I did want to tell you that I am so sorry. Please keep us updated.
Zeus was a Husky mix diagnosed with Osteosarcoma at age 11. A visible lung met and suspicious spot on his liver meant a poor prognosis-six weeks was our vet's best guess. We decided to fight for our boy and his right front leg was amputated on 12/1/11. We did six rounds of chemo, changed his diet and spoiled him completely rotten. We were blessed with 10 great months after diagnosis. Against the odds, the lung met remained a single met and grew very little over those months. A wonderful furbaby with the most gentle spirit, he fought with a strength that we never imagined he possessed. We have no regrets...
http://zeuspod......pawds.com/
Thanks everyone. I'm feeling a little more optimistic today. We did a round of doxorubicin chemo today with the hopes of slowing things down. I also have made notes of everyone else's experiences and will talk to our vet more about what to do from here....
Levi was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma 7-7-11
Ampuversary 10-14-11
Lung Mets Discovered 1-4-12. Chemo seemed to not be working so we switched to Artemisinin and other supplements. In May, Levi developed a sinus infection and started having seizures. The cancer had moved to his brain. We let him go 6-26-12.
I'm late chiming in, but wanted to say I'm sorry you have reached this place with Levi. Sounds like you have settled with this a little now. There is always room for optimism as long as Levi is feeling OK.
I hope the new chemo kicks some met butt!!!
Karen and the pugapalooza
Now that my initial shock is over we are moving back into our daily routine. Levi had his Chemo last night and I thought for sure he would be exhausted today especially because we ran 4.5 miles yesterday morning. Anyway, just wanted to share-Koa and I tried to sneak out the door without Levi for a run. Levi totally caught us in the act and barked in my face and hopped up and down (this is his sign that he can barely contain his excitment to go running). So, off I went with both of them. Apparently the chemo doesn't bother him in the least. Let's hope it actually does something to those dang mets.
Levi was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma 7-7-11
Ampuversary 10-14-11
Lung Mets Discovered 1-4-12. Chemo seemed to not be working so we switched to Artemisinin and other supplements. In May, Levi developed a sinus infection and started having seizures. The cancer had moved to his brain. We let him go 6-26-12.
Good for Levi! I love it when dogs are such excellent communicators. "You are NOT going running without me!" You tell 'em, Levi!
Just so you know... Abby did great on her chemo until the 5th treatment, and then after the 5th and 6th she got very tired for a couple of days post-treatment. I remember very well after her 5th time, we went out for our usual walk/hop/jog, and not even a 1/4 of the way into our loop, she flopped down in the middle of the street and wouldn't budge! I had to drag her out of the way of a coming car. It scared the hell out of me! But it was just the cumulative effect of the chemo. Just wanted to share that story in case Levi starts to show some tiredness deeper into his treatment. It is normal and nothing to worry about!
Keep it up, Levi!
Jackie, Abby's mom
Abby: Aug 1, 2009 – Jan 10, 2012. Our beautiful rescue pup lived LARGE with osteosarcoma for 15 months – half her way-too-short life. I think our "halflistic" approach (mixing traditional meds + supplements) helped her thrive. (PM me for details. I'm happy to help.) She had lung mets for over a year. They took her from us in the end, but they cannot take her spirit! She will live forever in our hearts. She loved the beach and giving kisses and going to In-N-Out for a Flying Dutchman. Tripawds blog, and a more detailed blog here. Please also check out my novel, What the Dog Ate. Now also in paperback! Purchase it at Amazon via Tripawds and help support Tripawds!
I'm glad Levi is feeling good enough to go running 🙂 Keep it up, Levi!
Jenna & Spirit Chili Dawg
Diagnosed with OSA: 5/2/2011 Ampuversary: 5/11/2011 OSA returned in hip: 8/26/2011
Chili Dawg crossed the Rainbow Bridge on 8/30/2011 & is now pain free. He was my heart dog, and I miss him every day.
We are wishing Levi the best with the chemo treatments! (We had 3 dobes before we went spotted) They are very strong willed, determined and a bit bull headed so live like a dobe- don't give up and live life to the fullest every day!
We are here for you!
Bob and Julie
Samson007, Lady Monkeybutt and Spirit Daisy
Spirit Samson was Spirit Tripawd Daisys four legged "brother" and ruled as the self proclaimed head of the Monkeybutt Federations East Coast Division. Lady Chunky Monkey stayed from Oct 2011 and left for the bridge in Apr 2012. Miss Perdy is left and has some big pawprints to fill.
Do you have what it takes to be a Monkeybutt? Find out more at the Monkeybutt Federation
This sucks! I hate cancer. I can only echo what everyone else is telling you. There will be time later to grieve, right now don't miss what you have with Levi because of the pain of knowing what is down the road. Enjoy and love him now, he will need to feel that positive from you.
There is a song on the radio station that I have been listening to that helps me get the anger out, when I am not around my boy. It is by the Foo Fighters, I think it is called "one of these days". I end up driving along screaming out the lyrics at the top of my lungs and sometimes get teary eyed. The lyrics don't match our case exactly but when people tell me that I shouldn't struggle so hard to pay the bills to save Sammy, you can just rescue another dog… blah blah, it matches my mood. I HATE CANCER. I feel like cancer is breaking my heart, stealing my dog away.
This is always a great place to vent, with good advice. So many of us know how it feels. I wish I could take away cancer, make it go away, save all of our loved ones. But, since I can't, I can recommend good ways of venting, of putting your grief out there for some help.
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.
Levi I'm sorry you have those awful mets. Good luck with your new treatment. Hope you have many many many more running outings. I can't believe you can run that far on three legs. What a tripawd hero!
Marla and Daisy
My Two Tripawds...Biscuit 
and Spirit Daisy 
I really understand your anger. We got zapped the other way. After 6 chemo treatments and a year free from mets, we got blindsided with a diagnosis of osteosarcoma in the other front leg. While my heart was breaking, my mind was screaming, "No fair, no fair!" I really, really hate cancer.
Keep your chin up. I suspect that Levi will fight with all his might, and he needs his mom alongside. Time may be the enemy, but every moment with your baby is precious!
Smilin' Sammy, March 16, 2004 – Dec. 5, 2011
Golden retriever, diagnosed with osteosarcoma in September 2010 — right front leg amputated November 2010. He fought valiantly to stay with us; but a second diagnosis of osteosarcoma, this time in his left front leg, was more than our golden warrior could overcome. He loved his pack — and everyone else he met.
We loved him even more.
Thanks for the pennies, Sammy. They helped.
I also wanted to add that Spencer had minimal side effects from his mitox and vincristine doses that he had once per week for 15 weeks. There was one week where he was more tired than normal; but that was about it. I'm hopeful that he will react the same to his new chemo for the mets! And I have decided with these mets here, I'm going to hope for the best, prepare for the worst and enjoy every day!!!
Jac and Angel Spencer. Spencer was 5.25 years old. He fought a grade 3 fibrosarcoma, started on his shoulder. Left front leg amputated in August 2011. 15 weeks of chemo finished 12/22/11 (mytox and adria). Lung mets found on x-rays 12/28/11. Started carboplatin 1/6/12. Went to Heaven on 2/27/12. I miss him like crazy every day. See his blog here: http://spencer.tripawds.com/
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