Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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I know I said I was going to stop the chemo, but...
We're going to try a different chemo drug tomorrow, ifosfamide, it's a nitrogen mustard alkylating agent. I honestly don't know if I'm doing the right thing. I think if we don't see any improvement in the size of the sublumbar lymph node after one treatment, that I'm not going to continue with it.
I know the chances of this helping are quite small, but I feel like I have to try. It's so hard for me to be objective about my own dog. I hope I'll know when to say "enough is enough".
Right hind limb amputated 7/3/12 for OSA, started on alternating cycles of Carboplatin and Doxorubicin and oral Palladia. Single lung met 9/1. Met in the neck muscle removed 9/30. Large mass in sublumbar lymph node 10/2. Rescue chemo with ifosfamide 10/6. Mets to the rib and axillary lymph node 10/21. Started Leukeran and Pred 10/25. Wookie left this Earth for a far better place on 12/4/12. I miss you, Boo, you were my heart.
I don't blame you one bit, you're just trying something different and who knows it might work. Wookie is very young and deserves any and every opportunity you can find. And you will know when it's time to stop, but as long as he is healthy and you are not subjecting him to something you know is bad for him I'd do the same thing. Is this an IV chemo or a metronomic protocol? I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you guys.
Harley is an 8 year old Golden Retriever. Amp surgery for an infiltrative lipoma canceled due to two masses in chest. A rescue, he found his forever home on 3/18/07 and left for his eternal home on 1/09/13. His story and medical history are at http://myharley.....pawds.com/
Thanks, Kathy
It's an IV drug and he has to be given IV fluids before and after the treatment because it is toxic to the kidneys, so the treatment will take 6-7 hours. I'll be able to stay with him though so that he stays still and doesn't disrupt the IV catheter. I'm looking for books to download to my iPad now to have lots to read, lol.
Right hind limb amputated 7/3/12 for OSA, started on alternating cycles of Carboplatin and Doxorubicin and oral Palladia. Single lung met 9/1. Met in the neck muscle removed 9/30. Large mass in sublumbar lymph node 10/2. Rescue chemo with ifosfamide 10/6. Mets to the rib and axillary lymph node 10/21. Started Leukeran and Pred 10/25. Wookie left this Earth for a far better place on 12/4/12. I miss you, Boo, you were my heart.
You'll never know if you don't follow your gut feeling, we are with you on that decision and hope with all our Tripawd might that this does the trick. We would love to find out more info about this protocol when you can, I've never heard of that drug before. How did you come across it?
How is he doing tonight? How are YOU doing?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I think you answered your own question about doing the right thing- you said you feel like you have to try. Then you are doing the right thing- because it would be really bad to not try and forever wonder what would have happened.
I don't know if any of us can be objective about our own pups. You love Wookie and you will do what is best for him- don't doubt yourself about that. By day you are a Vet, but behind that you are like all of us- a dog parent doing the best we can for our kids.
Isn't that line in your signature still true? "So far, he is the happiest dog on earth!!!"
Good luck with the new treatment.
Karen and the pugapalooza
p.s. sorry the Giants knocked your Dodgers out of the playoffs.
p.p.s not really!
krun15 said
p.s. sorry the Giants knocked your Dodgers out of the playoffs.
p.p.s not really!
Isn't this a new topic? 
Just joking - it actually made me giggle this morning.
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.
jerry said
We would love to find out more info about this protocol when you can, I've never heard of that drug before. How did you come across it?
My oncologist pow wowed with some other oncologists and this is what they came up with, the ifosfamide. Apparently it's used in human oncology for osteosarcoma along with carboplatin and doxorubicin. He said it's not used as much in dogs because it's more expensive and the additional time/costs associated with the necessary diuresis when giving the drug.
I sat with Wookie ~7.5 hrs today while he was getting the chemo (actually the chemo only took 30 mins, the rest of the time was just IV fluids to protect the kidneys). They also gave 3 doses of mesna, which is used to prevent hemorrhagic cystitis, which ifosfamide can also cause. Wookie was as good as gold, as long I was there with him he was perfectly content and showed exemplary behavior for a 2 yr old!
So another U/S in ~3 wks to see if the sublumbar mass has shrunk in size. If not, the oncologist wants to try a different drug. I asked if Wookie's case was hopeless. He said, no, because he was so young. He's hoping if we're able to stumble across the right chemo drug for him, that it may make all the difference.
Hope springs eternal!
Right hind limb amputated 7/3/12 for OSA, started on alternating cycles of Carboplatin and Doxorubicin and oral Palladia. Single lung met 9/1. Met in the neck muscle removed 9/30. Large mass in sublumbar lymph node 10/2. Rescue chemo with ifosfamide 10/6. Mets to the rib and axillary lymph node 10/21. Started Leukeran and Pred 10/25. Wookie left this Earth for a far better place on 12/4/12. I miss you, Boo, you were my heart.
You and Wookie are both fighters, I see how it runs in the family! I'm so happy to hear that today's session went perfectly, he is so lucky to have you for a Mom.
You have such a great, forward-thinking oncologist. Just by the fact that he was open-minded enough to consider other options, he and you and Wookie, are giving this nasty cancer an awesome fight while helping others by sharing that information with members. Somewhere along the line, when someone is looking for hope, they will find it here. Thank you. Please give him a big thanks from us, and lots of scratches from us for Wookie.
Paws crossed that the new drug does the trick!
P.S. At some point I would like to blog about this drug and how it's given. I hope it's OK if I ask you questions about it?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
jerry said
P.S. At some point I would like to blog about this drug and how it's given. I hope it's OK if I ask you questions about it?
Of course!!!
Right hind limb amputated 7/3/12 for OSA, started on alternating cycles of Carboplatin and Doxorubicin and oral Palladia. Single lung met 9/1. Met in the neck muscle removed 9/30. Large mass in sublumbar lymph node 10/2. Rescue chemo with ifosfamide 10/6. Mets to the rib and axillary lymph node 10/21. Started Leukeran and Pred 10/25. Wookie left this Earth for a far better place on 12/4/12. I miss you, Boo, you were my heart.
We are keeping everything crossed for Wookie.
Karen and Spirit Magnum
Magnum: 30th May 2002 to 5th May 2012. Lost her back left leg to osteosarcoma on 5th Sep 2011. Lung mets found on 20th Mar 2012 but it was bone mets in the hip that ended her brave battle. Magnum's motto - "Dream as if you'll live for ever, live as if you'll die today" (James Dean). Loyal, loving, courageous and spirited to the end. My beloved heart dog, see her memoirs from Rainbow Bridge ...... http://princess.....pawds.com/
I think you are doing, what in your gut, you feel is the right thing to do. My fingers are crossed that this new drug reduces the mass in her sublumbar lymph node. Best of luck to her and what a great mom you are giving her such a great fighting chance to kick this cancer's butt!!
Our tripawd is Meeko. Four and a half year old male Leonberger. Certified therapy dog with his CGC. Diagnosed with grade 1 chondrosarcoma 9-16-12. Right rear leg amputated 10-1-12. We also had Casper who was an 8 year old Great Pyrenees diagnosed with osteosarcoma. We sent him to the Rainbow Bridge 10-29-11.
Hope all goes well, wookie is so lucky to have great parents.... im like yourselfs i would never give up. Well done and im sure Wookie is so proud of you... 
ann and frankie
wookie524 said
I know the chances of this helping are quite small, but I feel like I have to try. It's so hard for me to be objective about my own dog. I hope I'll know when to say "enough is enough".
There is nothing wrong with trying. With a lung and liver met at the time of diagnosis, all of the statistics told us that chemo would do no good and that Zeus would not live very long at all. We tried anyway and we got ten fabulous months - WAY more than anyone guessed. It is hard to think about stopping the fight. I struggled with the same thing when the cancer finally spread, but you will know. And the folks on here are right, when the time does come to put down the guns and just love Wookie, there is a small sense of relief to know that you are finished with all the treatments and all the second-guessing.
Many good thoughts to you and Wookie.
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/
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