Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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We are 4 weeks post surgery, and Ranger had his first chemo treatment on Tuesday. He was given carboplatin. We are told that carboplatin can cause severe bone marrow suppression, therefore we will re-check his blood cell count in two weeks (next treatment in 3 weeks).
Ranger (72 pounds, 11 years old) was sent home with cerenia for nausea (he takes 80 mg every morning with breakfast) and metronidazole (500 mg) for diarrhea.
We were told to start him on the cerenia the next morning (he had something the day of chemo at the hospital). Yesterday, he ate fine, although I had to augment a bit with a good-smelling canned food. (Ranger's regular diet is Science Diet Light, we augmented with Royal Canin Gastro Intestinal High Energy given to us by the vet.) Today, Ranger is not eating as well, but I can tell he doesn't feel so well today. As long as I can get something in his belly, I'm happy.
As for the metronidazole, we were told not to give that unless his stool seemed to be getting soft. I did not give him any yesterday, but did give him one this morning. I'll continue to monitor the stool to see if I need to continue.
So, all of this just to let anyone interested what it's been like for Ranger. I'll continue with this thread for his remaining treatments.
Hey Ranger (and ranger's family). Thanks for the news. Eva has just completed her first dose of carboplatin as well. We also gave her cerenia for several days. We had about three very up and down eating days with Eva. She wouldn't eat much at meal time, but if we mixed up the food (added some ground chicken and rice) and did lots of small meals it seemed to help. She would sometimes eat if we put it on a plate and not a bowl. Other times I could get her to eat it out of my hand. We could tell she was hungry, but it took a while to find the right food for her to eat. Then about day 3 1/2 she started eating like normal. I am sure that you will find something to keep Ranger eating. Eva says to tell Ranger to keep on wagging it gets better (and more tasty soon).
Well Ranger, you did it! Congrats on getting through that first chemo round. Was it as hard as you thought it would be?
Sounds like your vet team is keeping you well-prepared and informed. I hope that your belly is happy today!
Thanks for sharing your experience, it's so helpful for others to know what chemo is like.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi all, thanks for your replies. Ranger is getting some blood work done today and will have chemo round 2 next week. He seems to be feeling really well.
Here's another question, though. Sometimes Ranger manages to lay down on his amputated side (front left), but he has a hard time getting up. We help him, but he really doesn't like it and becomes fearful. If he's on a towel, I've figured out how to use it to roll him on his haunches, but if he's on the carpet it seems using just my hands causes him stress. Is this something you all think he would figure out eventually?
I'm so glad he's doing well!
Yay you on learning how to roll him over with the towel. Over time he will get stronger and learn to get up on that side. A harness with a top handle will help, that's one reason why we love the Ruffwear Webmaster and Flagline harnesses so much. If you don't have one, have you tried bribing him with treats or a toy to get him to stand up when he's in that awkward spot?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
If I recall it took my Happh Hannah almost five weeks before she would lay comfortably on her incision aire. So it could be that Ranger still has a little bit of soreness and he stiffens up and gets tense "anticipating" it may hurt.
Before trying to help him, you might spend some time massaging him sll over his neck...his shoulder...his hips... and up and down his spine. Kind of give him some good scratches all over. Once he starts to relax he'll probably stretch himself out which will be good for his legs to loosen them up
At eleven years young he may have a .ittle arthritis. You can check with the Vet and see if he needs any Rimadyl or something like that.
And yes, try lots pf special treats, upbeat and fun attitude, lots of confident energy lots of praise, etc.
Also, has Ranger been evaluated by a Certified Rehabilitation Specialist? They can do wonders in assessing if there is any underlying issue. They can show you exercises to help build core muscles, etc. And the Tripawds Foundation will pay for rhe first consult.
He'll figure it out. It takes a while to get all the mobility issues figured out.
Hugs
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
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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!
Here's an update for Ranger:
His 2nd chemo treatment was last Tuesday. The treatment itself was fine, but the doctor is concerned about his continued high level of ALKP (Alkaline Phosphate). Normal is 23 - 212. Before surgery it was 611 and now is reading 1072. He gets his next chemo on the 24th and we'll decide where to go from that reading.
Aside from that, Ranger was very tired yesterday (day after chemo), and ate all of his food in the morning, but I had to coax him to eat about 3/4 of it last night. However, this morning he is not eating at all, even though I've given him the prescribed nausea med. I've tried to augment with a canned food, but still not interested. Any tips? I will be searching online for what to feed a dog going through chemo.
Maybe you can have your regular Vet go over the blood work and tell you what, if any, additional testing needs to be done now to determine cause so it can be resolved.
While the not eating and lethargy could be the chemo, it may also be from whatever the blood work may, or may not be indicating.
If it is from the chemo, just keep enticing him with yummy foods...warm chickedn, scrambled eggs and bacon, stinky liverwurst, cheese burgers, pizza....whatever Ranger will eat. He should get his appetite back in another day for two. Keep your Onco in the loop.
Gums looking good? Poop color ,look good? Eating, drinking okay? No fever?
Oh, and did Ranger start laying on his amp side okay now?
So yeah, keep your Vet and Onco jn the loop so they can give you suggestions. Sometimes dogs need fluids to,perk up their appetite and make them feel better.
Alright, keep us posted. Let us know how giving him chicken, etc works.
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!
Aww Ranger, feel better! Maybe these appetite tips from our Tripawds Nutrition blog will help!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Eva just got her second chemo and ate last night fine and this am she didn’t want to eat but we hand fed very small amounts and it helped it seemed that in small amounts she would eat but was overpowered by smell/sight/thought of eating that much food. She would also eat small bits on a plate. Hope that helps
eva and family
Thanks all for the support. I did get Ranger to eat some steamed rice last night, and his usual treats still seem to smell good. This morning, he ate about 1/2 of his food augmented with canned food, so I am going to pick up some more of that today. No fever, gums look good, poop looks good, drinking water as normal. I am in constant contact with my vet & oncologist - everything I ask here I am also asking them. I have the best in that regard and am so grateful.
He can lay on his amputated side without pain, but is still figuring out how to get up from there. Will continue to work on that, and thanks for asking!
Will keep you posted on the eating. He gets blood work on the 24th and next chemo on the 31st.
Alrighty, he's eating better and that's a really good sign!!
As Eva suggested, small amounts at a time and hand feeding seems to be extra motivation 😎
Thanks for letting us know that, overall, Ranger is doing well. As I understand it, the chemo is cumulative and maybe hit him a little harder this time. Great that you have such a good Onco/Vet team watching out for your boy😊
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!
Well that is super good news! Yeah, whatever works with the meal plans. The more novel the better, so don't shy away from the crazy choices out there like canned kangaroo or venison. And try feeding on paper plates so that he's not smelling residue from foods that he doesn't like.
Keep us posted!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Good tip on the paper plates, thanks! This morning, he ate about 3/4 or his food and finished up at lunch. I hope we're rounding the corner and he has a good next two weeks.
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