Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hi Everyone,
I posted in our blog that Zeus's x-ray today did not give us good news and as a result his oncologist stopped the IV chemo treatment (carboplatin). He received 4 doses, last one being on December 3rd. I thought from the beginning that he should be getting the treatment every 3-4 weeks but this last one stretched a bit longer than previous ones due to holidays?! They assured me that this delay has not influenced or caused the growth in his lungs and that it's "just a nature of this disease".
We were given two different medications today to be taken on alternate days: Palladia 65mg one day and then Chlorambucil 4mg the next day. We are on this for two weeks and then the check up to see how things are progressing. Palladia has some serious side effects so I am wondering if anyone has had any experience - good, bad? I know it differs from dog to dog and specific situations but I am at a point of deciding if we should just let him be a happy dog for however long he has here with us or continue with medication hoping for some improvement. The oncologist told me that with medication he probably has 4-6 months. Without...two.
I am still in a fog from today's news - hit me like a train. I hate this 
disease so so much .....
Just wanted to pop in real quickly and give you a link to doggy Razbeg. Razbeg has had mets for about nine plus months and has used Leukeren (chlorambuccil). The Vet also suggest Palladia but it was not available in her country and cery costly to get elsewhere.
Anyway, you'll see that it appears the treatment t slowed the met growth down. She had to be off the med for about two months and they seemed to grow some during that time. I think she is al ost two uears after amputation.
https://tripawd.....on-razbeg/
Anyway, just wanted to give you this link until others chime in. I did reply in your blog and am pleased that Zeus is still being Zeus!!
(((((((((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!
Oh you guys I'm so sorry. I hate this disease too, it's so unpredictable and mean. 
After all these years mets still happen and it just breaks our heart when they appear. I'm really sorry.
Your vet's plan sounds reasonable at this point, and if Zeus cannot tolerate any side effects that happen (remember, they aren't guaranteed to occur), you can always stop the treatment. You don't have to do it, that's totally optional and even though the prognosis is two months without the Palladia, you still never know how long he will keep thriving and fighting the disease. A prognosis is just a guess, and all dogs are different. We hope with all our heart that Zeus gets way, way more time with you guys.
Here is a link to articles about treating lung metastasis. There's one about Palladia in there.
I'm hopping over to your blog now...
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
thank you so much - I found some posts with palladia but this link is great and was just reading up on Razbeg! Thank you both for this - definitely gave me hope and a spark. We are not going to give up. Zeus is definitely not giving up. We, and by we I mean my husband and I have to get it together emotionally so that we can be the best possible humans for Zeus. I think we are just still processing this day.
Without this community.....I don't know what I would do.
Oh thank dog, you sound so upbeat! WHEW! You are so strong and pawsitive, no matter what, this is the best medicine for sweet Zeus.
We are here for you!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
That's the plan - upbeat and positive for Zeus!! Inside...not so much.
We have decided to start the medication. Will update along the way and hoping for the best. In the meantime, good food and supplements, lots and lots of love, playing in the snow, cuddles and an occasional steak!
Hi there,
My dog Louie has been on Palladia (+ Losartan - I wonder what the difference is, I'll ask my vet) for 5 weeks now. His first 2 week checkup looked at white blood cell count only, and it was fine. Next week (at 6 weeks) he goes in for a full checkup, x-rays (to look at the mets), blood tests (for kidney health, etc...). I'll update when I know those results, but I just wanted to say, the side effects sound really scary and I HATED feeding him all those pills knowing it could make him feel terrible, but his stomach didn't seem to notice. At least, not enough for him to tell me. His appetite is great, and is normal. I've had to get creative re: getting all those pills down his throat so often (although the Losartan is the worst, so maybe it won't be so bad without it). Just thought you might want to hear from someone else who is using Palladia, and didn't see side effects (I was told that most doggos don't see the side effects = ~30% do).
Good luck to you and especially to Zeus.
Thank you - this helps. We are now on day 2 so too early to tell but we are watching him. It is terrifying giving your dog something that you have to handle with such care as it can harm you. They gave us a bag of rubber gloves!
Zeus's appetite has been great since this whole mess started and I usually just mix the pills into his food. That is the ONLY way to get them in. So far he has not figured out they are there. And they say Vizslas are super intelligent 🙂
Louie'sStaff said
Hi there,My dog Louie has been on Palladia (+ Losartan - I wonder what the difference is, I'll ask my vet) for 5 weeks now.
Thank you so so much! This is super helpful for others to hear from folks who have been through the same therapy, and we who haven't learn so much too. That's pawesome Louie is doing well.
Here's an interview with vet oncologist Dr. Sequin who mentions Losartan.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
vizslazeus said
Thank you - this helps. We are now on day 2 so too early to tell but we are watching him. It is terrifying giving your dog something that you have to handle with such care as it can harm you. They gave us a bag of rubber gloves!Zeus's appetite has been great since this whole mess started and I usually just mix the pills into his food. That is the ONLY way to get them in. So far he has not figured out they are there. And they say Vizslas are super intelligent 🙂
Aren't the gloves just like "Whoah!"?? I remember that feeling.
I just want to say be verrrrry careful about mixing his pills into his meals. I wouldn't do it, even if he tolerates it for now. Keep them totally separate. That's because once Zeus catches on, it could be very difficult to get him eating when he associates something unpleasant with food. And that's a whole new heartbreak. Here's our Nutrition blog appetite tips and particularly one about hiding pills is super helpful.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Oooh yikes I did not think about that. I will definitely use other methods from now on!!
Griffin enjoys Velveeta and it has been pretty easy to cut the block into chunks that more than easily engulf the pills. I usually give him a blank cube of Velveeta, followed by as many cubes filled with meds as needed, and end with another blank one. As long as I have more cheese in my hand, he will gobble up whatever I present to him and not pause to inspect it. Good luck with whatever method you choose!
Griffin lived an amazing life for 11 years! Diagnosed with osteosarcoma on March 17, 2020, Griffin's right forelimb was amputated on April 2, 2020. Ten days later he was running and playing fetch! Lung metastasis discovered in July 2020 did not slow down Griffin and he lived joyfully for the next 7 months, passing peacefully at home on February 11, 2021. https://griffin.tripawds.com
Hello,
I read your post and it hit home. I have a 3 year old Lab/Weim/Pointer mix or Viszla. We took Tess in last year at 1 1/2. I have read a lot about Viszlas and she has so many enduring qualities! Tess had a mast cell tumor that rapidly showed up in a weeks time. I had just had surgery and a week later when I was looking at her paws there the growth was! After weekly apointments, and all the fun biopsies etc, we decided to try Palladia to shrink her tumor. I was nervous about giving her chemo but Palladia seemed to be our best choice as our Veterinarian is a little over an hours drive away. Tess had no problems with Palladia, absolutely no side effects at all. She was taking 80 mg. She took 8 weeks worth and unfortunately, it didn't shrink the tumor down enough to remove it safely. Last week she had her left leg amputated and she is doing very well. We're tired, and can't wait to put these past weeks behind us. Please know that you aren't alone! It's a tough journey! As for Tess we are waiting for her biopsy results on both the lymph node and the tumor. Our little lady has been a bright light to us during this pandemic. Our teenage boys have been so wonderful helping to care and love on her over these past months.
mela72 said
Hello,I read your post and it hit home. I have a 3 year old Lab/Weim/Pointer mix or Viszla. We took Tess in last year at 1 1/2. I have read a lot about Viszlas and she has so many enduring qualities!
Thank you so so much for chiming in and sharing Tess' story! She is a WARRIOR! It's always good to hear about how Tripawds react to Palladia. I'm sorry it didn't get rid of the cancer though.
As you go through this journey, if you have any questions or whatever please let us know, we are here for you.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi,
My boy Razbeg has been on leukeran (chlorambucil) for about 7 months now. Unfortunately Palladia is not a realistic option for us although it could be more effective, but i'm interested to hear experiences of others nevertheless. Hope it works for you!
Concerning giving pills with food, are you still giving Zeus both Palladia and Chlorambucil? If so, I hope you have noticed that chlorambucil should be given to an empty stomach, min. 1 hour before or 3 hours after eating.
Best wishes!
Razbeg the rescue borzoi (born in 11.06.2009) became a tripawd in 20.09.2018.
He and his adopted "brother" Myrsky have their own facebook page:Razbeg & Myrsky
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