Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hi, I need some advice please.
Storm had his lung x-Ray today and unfortunately the vet found two small mets, they must have been small because she said that when she first looked at the films she thought they were clear until she looked really close. This is obviously not the news that we wanted to hear but it is what we have to deal with now.
Storm couldn't have any chemo today because his white blood count was high so we have been given some breathing space. The vet wants to swap the chemo drug from Carboplatin to Doxoribicin to see it this will have any effect. I did ask her if she was just trying things for the sake of it and said that I don't want to try the treatment just because I can and that anything we do has got to be for his benefit.
She reassured me that there has been promising research carried out with the Doxoribicin and his kind of cancer and that she is very happy with his health other than the mets. He has good colour and oxygen levels, good kidney function, good liver levels etc and a scan on his heart showed no sign of any heart disease.
So my question to you all is do we swap the chemo drug? It would be for six courses with another lung x-Ray in the middle (this would be when the current treatment schedule should have finished) and the vet said that if the comparison of these and today's x-Ray's wasn't favourable then they would stop treatment, or do we just stop the treatment, let nature take its course. I really don't know what to do. He is still really active, asks for his walks, plays with the other dogs, chases next doors cat and barks at their dogs and is enjoying life on three legs.
I am sorry that Storm's lung X-ray showed 2 small mets...but your vet has given you a very positive assessment of Storm's overall health and the fact that you still see him active and enjoying life to the fullest are big pluses. Also your vet's attitude that, if you did a swap on the chemo drug and do not see positive results by mid-way through that treatment she would stop the treatment, is a plus. It sounds like she is not pushy and is offering you what she believes is a potentially good option. However, you are the only one who can make the decision as to what you feel is fair for your guy...you know him better than anyone.
Best wishes for your Storm as his journey continues...and peace for you in whatever treatment decision you make.
Sketch's Mom
We did switch chemos but we had a different cancer. We had hemangiosarcoma and mets discovered a couple treatments in. Did it help us? I don't know. I'll never know probably but I felt that it was slowing the mets (or hoped that it would ) and it didn't impact Shelby's life or way of living... we ended up with 7 chemo treatments and lost our battle to cancer in the brain.
I know this doesn't answer your question but I wanted to weigh in since we did switch chemos mid-treatment and it didn't seem to hurt.
Shelby Lynne; Jack Russell/Shiba Inu mix. Proud member of the April Angels of 2014.
October 15, 2000 to April 8, 2014
Our story: Broke rear leg in June 2013 - non-conclusive results for cancer so leg was plated and pinned. Enlarged spleen in September 2013 and had it removed and was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma and started chemotherapy. Became a Tripawd January 8th, 2014 and definitive Hemangiosarcoma diagnosis. Three major surgeries in 7 months and Shelby took them all like a champ only to lose her battle to cancer in her brain. We had 8 amazing extra months together and no regrets. #shelbystrong #loveofmylife
Sorry to hear the news...like Sketch's mom said, your vet sounds pretty cool. I chose not to do X-rays throughout chemo and to this day we've still not done them, so I don't know what I'd do with this news. I do know that I never want to look back at the end of this journey and regret not giving it our all; I also don't want to put Nitro through anything that harms him for my own selfishness. It seems to be a very thin line we walk.
As my husband said to me at the beginning of this journey, " are you ready to say goodbye, or are we going to fight this?" Good luck, and whatever you decide will be the right thing for YOU.
Paula and Nitro
Nitro 11 1/2 yr old Doberman; right front amp June 2014. Had 6 doses carboplatin, followed by metronomic therapy. Rocked it on 3 legs for over 3 years! My Warrior beat cancer, but couldn't beat old age. He crossed the Bridge peacefully on July 25, 2017, with dignity and on his terms. Follow his blog entitled "Doberman's journey"
"Be good, mama loves you".....run free my beautiful Warrior
Aww dang I'm sorry. Well, we remember what that news is like and it's not fun but when you have a great vet on your side like you do, anything is pawsible.
Remember, mets don't come with a time stamp. Our Jerry could have had his the entire time he had osteo, we don't know because we didn't do regular x-rays (finally did them 17 months out when we found out he had two small ones). But what I remember when talking to his oncologist, is that she told us, treating cancer is like cooking pasta. You put the pasta in the pot, wait till it's done, throw it up on the wall and see what sticks. If it doesn't stick, you try something else. That is how a lot of vets figure out what works for their patients, so I would agree that if your vet wants to try another route and Storm doesn't mind the treatments, and it won't impact your quality of life, then heck why not? You can always stop if you don't like the way it plays out.
Hugs to both of you and remember, Storm doesn't care what the x-rays said.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Chellie everyone here has given you such good advice I have nothing to add but just wanted to let you know I'm thinking of you and Storm and sending healing thoughts your way. Love and hugs!
Linda & Max
Fricking cancer, I was hoping for better news. On the other hand- sounds like you have some options.
Here is something to think about- since you were committed to doing 6 treatments with carbo, why don't you try the doxy? It is not uncommon to change chemo drugs when it becomes evident that one is not working. Maggie had different meds for a different cancer, but I have read that doxy can be a bit harder on a pup. Doesn't mean Storm will have any issues, just something to keep in mind.
Another question to ask yourself- will you regret if you don't at least try the doxy? You could stop at any time if you don't think it is working or is hard on Storm. There is nothing wrong with stopping treatment when you feel it is the right thing to do- I did it with Maggie.
And there are a couple options to research- I know lots of pups have gone on Metronomic Therapy when there are lung mets, ask your vet about it.
You can also try a more holistic approach with diet and supplements. I don't remember what Storm is on, but there is lots of options.
Jerry's Required Reading List has some links on Metronomic Therapy and various supplements.
The most important thing is quality for Storm. He doesn't know he is sick and he doesn't care. Do some research, ask some questions, and follow your heart.
Karen and the Spirit Pug Girls
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Thanks for your replies. We have decided to give the new chemo a try. Storm is still so active and loving life we feel like we owe it to him to at least give it a try and as was said on here, we had signed up for six treatments so we might as well continue to at least that number, just with a different drug.
Thanks again for your support.
Chellie
Just catching up on handsome Storm's latest update.
Storm doesn't give a rip what a report says. Clearly he is feeling great and sympton free!
I'm glad you've decided on a plan...a plan that you can stop anytime if his quality is compromised...that's a good plan!
Give that sweet boy and hug for us...and save one for yourself too, okay? And more pictures!!!!!!
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!
Glad you've reached a decision, Chellie. Sometimes that's the hardest, MAKING a decision. Nitro had a reaction to his metronomic drug just recently, and we had to make a similar decision...do we stop, or do we try a different drug. I agonized over this, and in the end, decided to try the new drug. If he tolerates it, great; if he doesn't, we stop. I think that's all we can do on this journey. Good luck, and keep us posted.
Paula and Nitro
Nitro 11 1/2 yr old Doberman; right front amp June 2014. Had 6 doses carboplatin, followed by metronomic therapy. Rocked it on 3 legs for over 3 years! My Warrior beat cancer, but couldn't beat old age. He crossed the Bridge peacefully on July 25, 2017, with dignity and on his terms. Follow his blog entitled "Doberman's journey"
"Be good, mama loves you".....run free my beautiful Warrior
Sounds logical to me, keep us posted OK? Hugs to the pack!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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