Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hi,
I'm the owner of a 7,5 y/o Saint Bernard that has osteosarcoma in his right hind leg. Unfortunately he has lung metastasis as well.
Diagnosis came in february of this year and we started with an experimental treatment involving Holmium-166 inserted in small holes drilled in the bone. No long mets were visible at this time. We wanted to try and save his leg since he is such a large dog. This site explains it quite well: http://www.gabr.....itute.org/
For a short while this seemed to work and the tumor was decreasing in size. Fast forward a few weeks and we have a tumor increasing in size and lung metastasis. During this time he had also received radiation and chemotherapy in the form of carboplatin. It seems the carboplatin has had zero effect in slowing down metastasis.
On X-ray we can see spots in his lungs, combined with the panting, metastasis seems like a sure thing.
Ofcourse I am looking for other options now and I am curious to know what else is out there to try. My dog (Yoda) is still happy, playfull but pants a lot, he doesn't cough though..
I have read about metronomic therapy but local oncologists don't seem to be very enthusiastic about this.. Are there any other therapies/options I should know about?
He is getting artemisinin daily and Metacam.
I'm looking forward to any input I can get.
Thanks and greetings from the Netherlands,
Yoda and Pascal
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Hi Yoda and Pascal, thank you for joining us here. We are so sorry to hear about your current state of health, but we're glad that you're still kickin' butt and giving life your all.
We know about the Gabriel Institute, very interesting work. I wish that had worked for you.
I'm curious why the oncologists aren't optimistic about metronomic therapy. Are the mets too advanced?
We've had quite a few dogs here, including myself, experience a reduction/stabilization in lung mets once we went on metronomics . While it doesn't usually make the mets go away, it does keep them stabilized for a while, which is the goal. Here are some success stories you may want to share with your vet:
Reno, 3 Years and Thriving with Mets
Metronomic Chemotherapy: Jerry's Experience (and additional info/resources about it)
Something you may want to consider pursuing for pain relief are bisphosphonates . They are a huge help and may decrease his panting. Here is a blog post about it:
Bisphosphonates: When Amputation isn't an Option
I hope this helps.
Post some pics when you can, we'd love to see what you look like!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi Jerry,
We're currently talking about doing a CT scan to get some clarity as to how big and how many mets there are.
The leg is something we have to consider as lost. But at least it gave him some time to adapt to walking on 3 legs, which is no problem at all now.
I had already seen the site about Reno, very interesting! Gives us some hope as well 🙂
The oncologist I spoke with this afternoon said his experiences with metronomic therapy wasn't very good.. He also said that because the previous chemo did not work there was little chance that metronomics would.
Luckily there is room for debate and they're willing to work with me if I have viable theories/therapies, etc. I suggested the nuclear therapy to them as well. I emailed vetcancercare.org yesterday, I believe they are the ones that are trialling this.
For pain relief we have Metacam and Tramadol. We like to keep the Tramadol to a minimum, most times he just gets a very low dose at night that helps him sleep. He does not appear to be in pain at this moment.
Thanks and greets,
Yoda and Pascal
Pascal said:
Are there any other therapies/options I should know about?
Thanks for posting, please consider registering to take full advantage of these forums.
Many members have found immune system supplements like K9 Immunity and Power Mushrooms to be beneficial in the fight against cancer with their dogs. Jerry started taking K9 Immunity after we discovered his lung mets, and we believe they helped contribute to his longevity.
Best wishes, please keep us posted.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi,
I already tried ordering K9 immunity but they won't ship to the Netherlands.. They told me they have a distributor somewhere in Servia but I'm doubtfull that will work.
I'm open to suggestions though 😉
Thanks and greets!
Thanks for registering! You posts will no longer require moderation, and you can now upload a user avatar by following the link in your forums Profile (see button at top).
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi Pascal and Yoda, Welcome to this group of such loving caring people who helped Benji and Myself get through this.
Try emailing or calling Aloha Medicinals. I live in Switzerland and they did ship everything to me. Had to pay 70 dollars on shipping and 35 dollars on taxes though. I made sure I ordered for a couple of months. Wish you both all the luck. Your baby is gorgeous. I love St. Bernads.
7
Aloha medicinals are the ones I tried and they said they are currently unable to ship to the Netherlands. Unfortunately. But I will keep looking.
neysha said:
Try emailing or calling Aloha Medicinals...
Aloha has a toll-free Canine Cancer Hotline (877-835-6060) staffed by very well informed veterinary support technicians. Please be sure to provide Promo Code: 353429 when placing your call so they know Tripawds sent you. Thanks!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Regarding the shipping problem, perhaps someone in the US could take shipment and then mail the products to you?
I tried but this is what I got:
"Because we are unable to ship our products into the Netherlands at this time, we are going to cancel your order.
Sorry for the inconvenience.
Thank you.
Jackie Brown
Customer Support
Aloha Medicinals Inc."
I am trying to contact the distributor they referred me to in Servia..
romanrizzle said:
Regarding the shipping problem, perhaps someone in the US could take shipment and then mail the products to you?
I agree... If you need anything let me know. I get my dog Champ's K9 Immunity Plus from them.
Joy
If that could be arranged it would be very nice!
I'm currently trying to decide if we should opt for metronomic therapy or not.. I'll be having a conversation with our oncologist later today.
Yoda is a big beautiful puppy 🙂 I love the photo, and I wish you the very best of luck with him. Are you or did you end up doing amputation? I am a little confused on that.
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.
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