Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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We went this morning for Zeus' fourth Carbo treatment. Unfortunately, his WBC count was a bit low and Dr. R wants to wait an extra week. Not too low, just not quite in the "normal range" and Dr. R says better safe than sorry. This is the same thing that happened when we went for treatment three and waiting that extra week really seemed to make all the difference b/c he did really well after that treatment. So, fingers crossed we can go forward next week as planned. I do worry a bit about having two of the treatments delayed by a week and whether that will decrease the effectiveness.
On another note, I am thrilled to report that Zeus is doing INCREDIBLY well! He still goes to work at the law firm with me every day and the clients just LOVE it that the bosses let him come. It's actually been pretty good for business! Although I have replied to many posts on here, I have intentionally avoided posting about how well Zeus is doing - partly because I don't want to jinx us and partly because my heart hurts for those who have lost their pups and I know it must be hard for them to read.
I took the day off to spend with Zeus at the vet, but we came home after only an hour. Now I have the hard task of cuddling with and entertaining him for the rest of the day, so now I shall go and begin the spoiling. 
Zeus was a Husky mix diagnosed with Osteosarcoma at age 11. A visible lung met and suspicious spot on his liver meant a poor prognosis-six weeks was our vet's best guess. We decided to fight for our boy and his right front leg was amputated on 12/1/11. We did six rounds of chemo, changed his diet and spoiled him completely rotten. We were blessed with 10 great months after diagnosis. Against the odds, the lung met remained a single met and grew very little over those months. A wonderful furbaby with the most gentle spirit, he fought with a strength that we never imagined he possessed. We have no regrets...
http://zeuspod......pawds.com/
The increased time between treatments should not matter much. You can only do what the body can handle and as long as the treatments are every 4 weeks or so you should be fine.
Pam
Hey Zeus-- those of us who have lost our dogs LOVE hearing about handsome boys like you who are doing so well, so keep these happy-update posts coming! Sorry about the low WBC, but hey, waiting worked well for you last time, so why not wait (and Dr Pam said it's ok)? Enjoy your day with mom, what will you do?
Scout: January 31, 2002 to November 7, 2011
Scout's diagnosis was "poorly differentiated sarcoma"; amputation 1/11/2011. Scout enjoyed 9 fantastic years on 4 legs and 9 glorious months on 3 legs. If love alone could have saved you…
Glad to hear that Zeus is doing so well, low WBC aside. A day of cuddling and spoiling sounds great. Give him some extra ear scritches and treats from me and a nose poke from Rita.
Jackie, Angel Abby & MBBunny Rita's mom
Abby: Aug 1, 2009 – Jan 10, 2012. Our beautiful rescue pup lived LARGE with osteosarcoma for 15 months – half her way-too-short life. I think our "halflistic" approach (mixing traditional meds + supplements) helped her thrive. (PM me for details. I'm happy to help.) She had lung mets for over a year. They took her from us in the end, but they cannot take her spirit! She will live forever in our hearts. She loved the beach and giving kisses and going to In-N-Out for a Flying Dutchman. Tripawds blog, and a more detailed blog here. Please also check out my novel, What the Dog Ate. Now also in paperback! Purchase it at Amazon via Tripawds and help support Tripawds!
Great to hear that he is mostly doing really well.
Enjoy all that spoilling Zeus!!!!!
Sarah, Kayla and Sarge
Zeus
I'm glad to hear you are doing so well. Waiting an extra week in between treatments is no biggie. I had a low white blood cell count a couple of times too but made it through all 6 rounds of carbo.
You are a law dog too!!! How exciting. I don't get to go to the law office every day with Daddy - usually only on the weekends.
I hope you got extra special attention from your mommy on her day off!
Happy Zeus is doing so well! It sounds like your vet is really careful.. we like that.
So jealous that Zeus gets to go to work with you! Of course, considering I'm a band director and Baby hates loud sounds, guess it wouldn't work very well for us anyhow.
So if lawyers are nicknamed sharks, what would a law dog be? ; )
Wags and Slobbers
Judy and Baby
I'm glad to read that it is OK to go that extra week between. So far Spencer hasn't had any issues with his WBC (at least not enough to delay a treatment); but I have wondered the effect if it does happen.
I'm also so happy to hear that Zeus is doing so great! I think that we all love to read the good stories!!
Jac and Angel Spencer. Spencer was 5.25 years old. He fought a grade 3 fibrosarcoma, started on his shoulder. Left front leg amputated in August 2011. 15 weeks of chemo finished 12/22/11 (mytox and adria). Lung mets found on x-rays 12/28/11. Started carboplatin 1/6/12. Went to Heaven on 2/27/12. I miss him like crazy every day. See his blog here: http://spencer.tripawds.com/
Great job Zeus! We're getting ready to start carbo next week, so the information is great for me (not knowing what to expect) - we are on a 21 day cycle too, so it's good to hear that it's ok to wait an extra week if needed! And what a lucky boy that gets to go to work with Mom!!
Sandy & Porter
Maggie was on a different chemo regimen for mast cell cancer, but we ended up postponing treatment once or twice due to a low WBC. No harm done in our case by waiting, except it just took longer to get done!
And as far as posting good news... it is very thoughtful of you to worry about others. But I always contend that we are family here, we mourn together and we celebrate together. Having been on all sides- a long term survivor, then a short, not survived 3 month battle with the second cancer, and now having my Tri-pug with me in Sprirt form I can say that I would encourage you to share your successes and let those who want to celebrate with you. You never know how long a time you will walk this path- don't miss out on the good times! I feel it is honoring Maggie in a way to encourage those coming after us, and getting to participate in each celebration makes me feel good. But that is just me.
Now the jinx thing I TOTALLY relate to! I am really careful what I say out loud about pug health. Seems every time I even think 'gee, we haven't been to the vet in awhile' I find myself on the phone making an emergency appointment 
.
Karen and the pugapalooza
We are definitely in favor of hearing that our friends are doing well -- please don't hold back the good news. It helps the sad days not be so sad if we know someone is beating the odds against cancer.
Rio's momma, Micki
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~ ~ Rio ~ ~ |
It's wonderful to hear good news!! I know how you feel as I have second thoughts about sharing any of Lylee's good stuff - but I feel this is all part the journey. This is truly a rollercoaster ride.
Lylee and I are sending extra good vibes so Zeus's WBC have a pawty to increase the numbers.
hugs and wags
joanne & Lylee
http://lyleegir.....ipawds.com
I really love hearing good news too about other Tripawds! Loving all Dogs so much makes me want to hear all the good news I can about each and every one of them. I am so happy everytime I hear good news for a Tripawd because I know how special each Dog is and how important they are to their families. However I too have been worried about others feelings. But I realized that whatever feelings I may be having at the time there are surely others that are sharing those same feelings. I feel it is ok to display any and all feelings in this community because that is what it is here for. Everyone is here to cheer the Tripawds on with their successes and to support and comfort those during time of struggles and losses. We will all eventually go through all of the stages that come with having a Tripawd so all of us completely understand the highs and lows. So keep telling us all of the wonderful accomplishments that your Tripawd has made because it makes us happy!! So very happy to hear that Zeus is doing so well. Hoping that the WBC gets back to normal soon so he can continue on with his treatments and get back to his normal happy life!!! Good Luck!! 
Well, I say this cause for a celebration! Outside a little low white blood count, I think it sounds great, great, great!
Zeus,
Tell your mommy - that she better always celebrate the good and never be hesitate in writing it! I loved hearing happy times when I was sad!
Misery does NOT love company around her!
Comet - 1999 to 2011
She departed us unexpectedly January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.
She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.
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