Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Bear is approaching his 3rd week post amp. Just when everything was back to "normal" his diagnosis was confirmed. Even though the surgeon said she was 95% certain before surgery, I was still hoping for anything else. Well, I am committed to getting Bear as healthy as I can and plan to move forward with Chemo. His first appointment with the Oncologist is on Tuesday. Bear is. 6 year old Rottie who is generally in great health. I know every pups experience is truly individual, but if the members could offer me some advice on what to ask, what "may" I expect (based upon your experience), what to avoid or even helpful tips regarding diet and recovery. I would be forever grateful.
Bear is a 7 year old Rottweiler. He became a Tripawd pup on April 1, 2013.
I've been floored by how easy chemo has been on Kermit. He has a day or 2 when he's a little tired & that's pretty much it. He's getting Adriamycin because it also treats his lymphoma, which Carboplatin does not.
Obviously not everyone has the same result, but it's my understanding that 75% of dogs have little to no side effects from chemo. I'd have to think it's helpful that your baby is young & otherwise healthy, too.
Best of luck with his treatments!
That's encouraging. I want him to have the best quality of life as possible. Have you made any changes to Kermits diet?
Bear is a 7 year old Rottweiler. He became a Tripawd pup on April 1, 2013.
Hi Bear,
I'm sorry about the diagnosis, I know that even though we think we are prepared it's still difficult to get that news.
Here's a list of questions for your oncology visit.
As for diet, be sure to check our Nutrition Blog, there are lots of good diets that cancer heroes have shared with us there. Before making any changes, work with your oncologist first. Many docs will recommend waiting to change food until after chemo is over to avoid any stomach issues that could be made worse by the changed diet in combination with chemo.
Bear, you are a strong boy. You can beat this thing! xoxo
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Yes, I initially switched him to EVO food because the vet recommended it for lymphoma patients, but it was recalled, so now I home-cook most of his food. I mix about 50% braised, food-processor mixed veggies and 50% braised beef or roasted chicken or boiled liver or chicken livers, and sometimes throw in a teensy bit of brown rice or quinoa.
He still gets a small amount (1/4-1/2 cup a day) of Natural Balance kibble (which I'm not wild about, but he likes it & it adds crunch) 
. He was already on a fish oil supplement that the dermatologist put him on last fall (for allergies) and he gets a glucosamine/chondrointin supplement for his arthritis.
We use no corn or wheat, no white potatoes or white rice because a)he gets acne from corn & rice (allergies again!) and b)high carb diets are not advised for cancer patients because tumors are thought to feed on carbs. That said, I do put a few carrots in the veggie mix because they just LOVE the flavor.
I use very, very little processed anything, but that's just how we eat in our house.
He gets that little bit of kibble plus 2 cups of the homemade mix per day, plus loads of freeze-dried liver treats and good-quality (sometimes homemade) cookies while doing his physical therapy exercises every day.
I make a huge quantity of homemade meat/veggie mix every week & freeze it in plastic containers.
Whew! Sounds complicated but it's only labor-intensive for the one day a week that I cook the food. 
Forgot to mention that we've never had issues (so far) with lack of appetite since switching to the homemade food, but the vet also gave us a big bottle of metaclopramide pills so I can give him one if I have the slightest inkling that he may be feeling a little queasy.
Every time I take him for chemo, the form I fill out asks how his appetite has been... this last time I wrote "like a hungry shark"! Losing my fingers while doing his exercises with those liver treats is my biggest fear! 
Hi Bear!
My best advice is to bring a notepad with you.......I forgot half of what the oncologist said at Jill's first appointment, because my head was spinning!!! Jill just finished her chemotherapy treatment last week and did great on it. Let us know what questions you may have. I was going to suggest you read the thread Jerry posted above, but if you have any questions after reading that, let us know!
Erica & Jill
Jill is a 9-year-old tuxedo kitty. She was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma in June 2012 on her toe in her right hind leg. Her leg was amputated on 12/12/12 and she completed four rounds of chemo (2 of Carbo, 2 of Doxy) in April 2013. "Like" Jill's facebook page: https://www.fac.....tty?ref=hl Proud member of the WINTER WARRIORS!!!! Her blog can be read at http://jillsjou.....ipawds.com. xoxo
Kristine, I can't tell you how much I appreciate you. Bear has an appetite, but he is really picky. I'm not sure if he is getting a little spoiled. He no longer has any interest in his dry food. I have tried mixing in chicken, beef, tuna or egg. He will take the good stuff and leave the rest. I know he needs more nutrition. I'm going to try your suggestions and see what happens. He has always liked veggies. He has lost 8lbs in the last couple of weeks. He did need to lose a little. I would like to get him to about 95lbs just to make it easier on his other legs. Thanks again!
Jerry those questions were very helpful. I will definitely check out the nutrition blog too. Thank you!
Erica , good idea! I am definately going to be better prepared for the appointment.
Big thanks to you all!!
Bear is a 7 year old Rottweiler. He became a Tripawd pup on April 1, 2013.
Puppy Bear! I think you inherited just about all the "cute genes" I the world:-) 
What an adorable. mug!!!:-)
Mom' you should pat itself on the back for being so diligent and doing g all our research!!
I do a lot of the same cooking as Chris does for Kermit. I have to laugh:-) I'm a vegetarian but so many of the hoecoo,king recipes o. this site sou d tempting!!
Unfortunately, I do I dulge Happy Hanny with some junk food favorites of here, but I don't overdo (I'm also a junk food vegetarian......hmmmmm..so dear where she gets it from?).
I also mix so e EVO or Castor Pollix organic kibble. Or Halo. Or Merrick....all kibble but high in protein, etc. Especially the EVO. (Obviously after the recall stuff got straight)
Som
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!
Sorry, tablet cuts off any darn tie it wants!
Just wanted to say we are all here with a variety of experiences....there really is no norm...actually "no form". Is the norm:-)
Some dogs do had challenges with the chemo but the great thing is the vet can adjust accordingly.....same sail through.....
Not advocating this at all but I did not of give Happy Hannah the _preventative" meds at first.....just wanted to see if she NAD reaction and knew I could always pop the pills in.....also wanted to keep as many meds out of her system as possible. Again...NOT. suggesting that I. Anyway and had she gotten. nauseous I would have felt guilty.
She has had two chemo (carboplatin) so far and has done really well (knock on wood). May......just may have been a little tired this week a few days and then again he may be because we NAD a few of days ere in Via,
. We all become hyper client to a fault around d here sometimes!!:-)
Recall look forward to all your updates... You are not alone!!
Oh yeah, the weight loss is due I. Part because of the leg! Seriously!
Sending you strength. And did you pat yourself on the back yet for a good job!???Do it again and this time like you mean it:-)
Sally and Happy Hannah
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!
Sandee had her first chemo treatment Monday. So far, so good. No side effects. Great appetite. Looking good, feeling good.
All our dogs have health issues. So we cook the bulk of their food. The girls, including Sandee, get a small amount of kibble (Wellness Ocean Core) and we top it off with a chicken/turkey and veggie stew. Everyone gets their own combinations of herbs and supplements. Hawkeye, the only boy here, has IBD. He gets boiled white fish and sweet potatoes, to which we've just started to add raw frozen rabbit. I swear, sometimes it feels like we're constantly cooking for dogs and the smell of fish is driving me crazy! But then I look around at their beautiful faces and some wonderful memory of a happier time comes to mind and sweeps away the frustration--but not the odor of fish! Ugh! 
I'll be sending prayers and positive energies to you and Bear tomorrow for your appointment.
Bear had his first Chemo on Tuesday. He seems to have tolerated the drug just fine. No changes with behavior, appetite or bowel movements (only one gelatinous one). He is a more selective eater now though. He seems to really like the broccoli and chicken livers. He just wants to play, walk and go for rides. We go to our local vet this Tuesday to have his CBC checked.
Bear is a 7 year old Rottweiler. He became a Tripawd pup on April 1, 2013.
Way to go Puppy Bear (your name fits your face perfectly):-)
Sounds like your gonna sail through your first checmo! As others told me, "Don't freak out if the WBC is low.....that's not complet lay unexpected.....and if low, some vets say that means the chem is working!"
Give us an update when you can and give that ADORABLE Puppy bear a hug from all of us:-) Looks like his thoroughly enjoying the home cooking and the heaps of love he's gettig:-)
Stay strong and keep on relishing in the joy:-) Sally and Happy Hannah
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!
Great update Puppy Bear! It's always so nice to hear about another Tripawd who kicks cancer's butt! Keep on keepin on my friend.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Great update Bear! Let us know how it goes! We JUST finished chemo so can (maybe) answer any questions you have!
Keep up the great work Bear!!
xoxo,
Erica & Jill
Jill is a 9-year-old tuxedo kitty. She was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma in June 2012 on her toe in her right hind leg. Her leg was amputated on 12/12/12 and she completed four rounds of chemo (2 of Carbo, 2 of Doxy) in April 2013. "Like" Jill's facebook page: https://www.fac.....tty?ref=hl Proud member of the WINTER WARRIORS!!!! Her blog can be read at http://jillsjou.....ipawds.com. xoxo
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