Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Max is my 3-year-old Golden Retriever and the love of my life. His rear-leg amputation was April 23 (osteosarcoma), and after only two rounds of carboplatin, lung mets showed up on his x -ray. So devastating. They were small and had taken five percent of his lung capacity. We switched to doxorubicin, which stabilized the spread for all of six weeks. Now he has lost another five percent. The oncologist suggested Palladia. I am in this fight heart and soul, so I agreed, though something in me had qualms about it. No idea why, and I almost delayed his first dose to do more research, but you can't help but feel the urgency to act now.
Max had his first dose of Palladia on Friday. Two days later he has had diarrhea, vomiting, and malaise. He is truly not feeling well. Of course he won't be getting another dose tomorrow. The doc says treat with Cerenia and metronidazole, let him recover, then start a lower dosage.
I've looked at these forums and am not particularly thrilled with what I've found about Palladia. The side effects are awfully harsh. In the three-and-a-half months since his amputation, Max has made a triumphant return to full activity. We hike six miles a day (would be back to 8 but it's too hot this summer), he swims, sprints after balls, soars off the dock, plays with other dogs, even chases balls down stairs like a maniac. He eats life up. My house is untidy, I'm behind on work deadlines, I've declined invitations here and there--just want to hang out with my sweet, happy tripawd.
One dose of Palladia and he's miserable. This can't be good, right? I mean, it's sort of our last resort, and calling it off has a sense of...finality to it. But I'm starting to think that may be the right choice.
I don't know what I'm asking for here. Just venting, I guess. I keep going to the oncologist thinking I'm going to get good news--so absolutely sure of it--because Max is so alive. He's the most alive thing I've ever known. I'm not ready to concede that this is a battle I may lose, but Palladia could be forcing my hand.
God, i hate this.
Hey Susanna and the Adorable Max!!
And btw, HAPPY THREE AND A HALF MONTH AMPUVERSARY AND CHEERING YOU ON FOR MANY MORE!!
It is just wonderful to hear how well Max is doing and how he really is living life to the fullest!! The boy is not worrying about a thing and couod care less about what any ole' xrays show!
I do not have experience with Palladia. My knowledge is based only on what Ive read here...and it's not very positive.
This is in the "for whatever it's worth" category. Max is NOT showing any symptoms whatsoever! The only thing making him feel badly eight now ks that Palladia. My Happy Hannah developed a met the vet said was the size of a baseball before she began showing any "symltons". And even then, the symptoms didn't interfere with her quality. She did s@lw down markedly eventually and a few other things, but even then she thoroughly enjoyed spoiling and loving and ice cream and snuggles and being a comfy couch potato.
By not pursuing Palladia you are in no way, shape or form conceding anything! It is NOT "finality"! You are merely changing directions. NOT treating with Palladia (if that's what you decide) is STILL a treatment! There are still options to try...metronomics ...holostic approaches...nutritional...supplements, etc. Mushroom therapy has gotten good reviews.
I've read your post several times. What stands out over and over and over is how well Max is doing!! MAX HAS ALOT OF LIVING TO DO!! MAX IS HAVING A BLAST!!
Read what you wrote...it's right here...your answer may be right here...it's as though Max is voicing his own opinion....here's yiur quote...
....", he swims, sprints after balls, soars off the dock, plays with other dogs, even chases balls down stairs like a maniac. He eats life up. My house is untidy, I'm behind on work deadlines, I've declined invitations here and there--just want to hang out with my sweet, happy tripawd...."
I didn't do anymore xrays with Happy Hannah...did some metronomics briefly (she had a uti so Istopped), some holistic stuff...AND ICE CREAM AND STEAKS!! SPOILED ROTTEN! We had THE best time! We just loved in the moment and refused...REFUSED...to let anything rob us of our time together
You know Max better than anyone! .ax does NOT have a time frame stamped on his butt! Check I. With Max...see what he wants!
AND YOU VENT HERE ANYTIME, OKAY? It helps to "talk it out" sometimes. I think you already have a "gut nstinct" of how you want to preoceed. Any decision out of love is a right decision!!
We are all cheering for Max and woukd LOVE, LOVE, LOVE to see video and pictures of this vibrant pup!!!
Sending lots of love and hugs!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle 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!
You said you are just venting, so consider this unsolicited advice.....We all know once we get the OSA diagnosis that we aren't going to have our pups with us as long as we wanted to. What is most important in my mind is that any time we do have is high quality time. We do that by first removing the source of the pain. The next step---whether (and how) to continue treatment is something that only you can decide. That decision will not be judged by anyone here.
Do not feel pressured by your vet or by the idea that it means you are 'giving up'. Giving up what? And even if you are giving up something, what are you gaining instead? You've already given Max 5 months of pain free, living-in-the moment doggie joy.
If deep inside you know what is right for Max, then do it and don't look back. Don't question your decision because the decision will be made out of love.
Denise, Bill and Angel Ellie.
Active 10+ Pyr mix suddenly came up lame with ACL tear in left rear leg. Scheduled for a TPLO but final pre-op x-rays indicated a small suspicious area, possibly OSA, which could have caused the ACL tear. Surgeon opened the knee for TPLO but found soft bone. Biopsy came back positive for OSA. Became a Tripawd 9/18/14. Carbo6 with Cerenia and Fluids. Pain free and living in the moment. Crossed the Bridge on 7/12/15 after probable spread of cancer to her cervical spine. A whole lifetime of memories squeezed into 10 months. Here's her story: Eloise
Susanna,
I'm sorry to hear he's having side effects. Yes, it happens and from what we've experienced with members, it seems that more dogs have side effects than don't. I'm not a vet, but it's what I recall among our members who have tried it, not something I can say is scientifically proven. Like chemo, it seems like the right dosage can be a matter of trial and error and the question is how much time do you want to spend figuring it out?
When you're dealing with cancer, every moment is so precious. But he does sound like a strong, healthy pup who has the ooomph to overcome the hurdles. Are you 'giving up' the fight if you stop? Not at all. Cancer is a matter of balancing quality of life with managing the spread. Everybody does it differently and there are no right or wrong choices. You have to do what is right for Max.
If you haven't explored the holistic route for managing lung mets, it might be something to consider. This forum discussion has some ideas for holistic and other conventional remedies.
I hope he's feeling better today. Keep us posted.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi Susanna and Max,
I'm sorry I can't give an opinion on Palladia. I just wanted to say that you are a fine example of truly living in the moment and loving Max for who he is right now. An untidy house?! I'm sure Max never understood why you would ever tidy it anyway when you could go for a hike.
You are doing great. Trust your instincts and you won't go wrong.
Kerren and Tripawd Kitty Mona
A great big thanks to all of you for your kind words and encouragement! They were exactly what i needed.
Max has bounced back completely from his Palladia reaction, but I don't even want to try a revised dosage. We are switching him to a metronomic chlorambucil instead. There isn't much literature on how that particular option works with OSA, but it's worth a shot and no side effects so we can keep living it up and having fun.
So grateful for the Tripawds community!
Thanks for the update, and the kind words!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Alrighty Mr. Max...hop right back on the fun train of living life to the fullest!!! Full steam ahead!!!
Deciding what to do..or not do..can be daunting sometimes. When you KNOW you are making a decision based on QUALITY, that's THE best treatment plan in the world!! And metronomics do seem to jave a positive effect in some cases, so rock on!
We are all cheering for you Max! Can't wait to see more pictures of you enjoying life!!
Lots of love!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle 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!
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