Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hi everyone, I'm new here and very excited to have found this group. My 11 year old, 80lb Catahoula, Nola, has osteosarcoma on her right front leg, diagnosed March 2013. I am pretty sure that she has had her cancer since January or February though as I did not take her to the vet right away when she was first limping. It was so slight that my husband didn't agree that she was even limping and we kept checking her paws for debris or scratches and then just thought either that I was crazy or that she was just showing signs of old age and was just stiff. Cut to today, we have done very extensive research on holistic supplements as well as a very strict cancer fighting diet and I feel that we have successfully kept the cancer from spreading (we are due for x-rays to confirm that is still the case) because of our holistic approach. So now we have decided to move forward with the amp surgery and I am reluctant to use chemo after the surgery. Am I making a huge mistake? Cost is definitely one factor, but not at all what I am basing my decision from. I have worked so hard buiding her immune system and her natural killer cells and I am afraid that chemo will come in and wipe out what we have done. Her body, other than her leg, seems so strong and healthy right now and I hate to rock that boat.
I am seeking people in the group that have had success with survival for an extended period (over a year) that did not use chemo post amp so that I can learn what their protocol is and see if it differs much from mine.
Thanks so much in advance!
Heather (Nola's Mommy)
Welcome and best wishes for Nola! You future forum posts will not require moderation.
Dr Demian Dressler recommends a "full spectrum approach" in his comprehensive Dog Cancer Kit. Search these forums and the blogs and you'll find plenty of discussions from members who chose chemo, the holistic approach, neither, or both.
Every dog is different. We did not do IV chemo for Jerry, but we did put him on metronomics when his lung mets appeared and he survived two years. Eisen survived five years with osteosarcoma with only holistic treatment.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Chemo is such a personal decision. In many cases it seems like a crap shoot, and I think it is hugely dependent on how aggressive the cancer is and how far it has spread (microscopically) before the initial treatment.
I've made different choices for different reasons. My pug Maggie lost a leg to mast cell cancer. At the time of the amp I was thinking it was curative- pre-op tests showed no spread. When the path report came back on the lymph node in the removed leg it had tons of cancerous mast cells (lymph system is one of the places mast cell goes to). Her prognosis with chemo was 6 to 9 months. She was only 7.5 at the time, one of the reasons I chose to go ahead. The chemo was meant to be palliative and there were minimal side effects. Mag lived almost 4 years actually, long enough to develop a second cancer, oral melanoma. For lots of reasons I chose not to do any treatment- I tried to keep her on a good diet with supplements but she was also facing kidney failure so was reluctant to eat. My main goal then was to keep the time we had quality time which included being free of vet visits to the extent possible.
Mag's little sis Tani also developed mast cell cancer. She had a couple surgeries to remove tumors but they keep coming back. Tani is now 13 with a host of medical issues. One vet suggested palladia to treat the recurring tumors but I went somewhat holistic this time.
So my point is that you have to factor everything in and make the best decision you can for you and Nola. There is no right or wrong. My local pal Cemil is almost 5 years past his amp for OSA and had no chemo. Others here have hit the cancer with every drug possible and only made a few months, some only get a few months going holistically. It is about quality, not quantity. Hopefully Nola beats the odds no matter what path you chose.
My only advice would be to write down you thought process and how you came to your decision. We humans are subject to the 'what ifs'. I had my moments after Maggie passed only 3 months after the oral melanoma diagnosis. But when I reflected on all the factors I knew I had made the right decision.
Karen
What is the best way to search for other dogs on this site that successfully beat the odds with holistic methods other than Eisen? Is he the only one?
Thanks Karen! I will look at Cemil's story too. I think you make a good point that neither option is a guarantee and I need to follow my heart and make it all quality and not quantity. My heart keeps leaning toward holistic - I'm just more comfortable with the approach and that is how I tend to live my own life as well.
Hi Heather and the BEAUTIFUL NOLA! Such a fine looking dog!
I applaud your commitment to doing what's best for Nola.. There really are no "right" answers and that's what's so darn hard to deal with. Karen said it well...it's such a crap shoot...with....without....both....none!
Do your research and I knlw you are, and then do what feels right in your gut in your heart. Be open to all options as you go forwsrd though so you can make as informed a decision as possible.
The "gift" of this joirney is the lesson of living in the mome!nt...living in the now....and being more dog! Dogs don't worry about time frames, statistics or diagnosis. They don't know they have a "disease" and could care less:-) We, as humans, have to let go of "how much time' and focus on making every second we are givem be about joy, love and being vlissfully happy with whatever time we have. It takes a second to crossover"---the rest of the time is spent living!
Are you working with a spcific holistic vet? Several people here use Dr. Charles Loops out of North Carolina....also Dr. Xie....a Professor at.....?? Can't remember!...
Sorry, my tablet keyboard keeps disappearing so gonna have to get off.
Just kow there is no judgement here! Lots of different appraoches...some work sometimes, some don't work sometimes....it just depends on how each individual dei es "works"!
We are all here for you. You are ot alo e! You jave a wo derful positive attitude and I'm sure Nola benefits from that! She is just beautiful!
Keep us posted please and we would love to see more ootos of your lovely Nola!
Sally and Happy Hannah
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!
I do have a local holistic vet that I confide in and we also go to her for acupuncture, but Nola's diet is a combination of what I've learned from her, my (human) friend who is fighting cancer mostly holistically, and my hundreds of hours of research online and in books. I have referred to Dr. Loops, but have not called him for a consult, which I think I might do soon. We are following his protocol for the most part other than a couple things I just learned today on your website via Eisen's story. His protocol had a couple key things on it that I need to talk to Dr. Loops about. I would like to read others' protocols on here who have gone the holistic route to compare what they have done as well.
The one thing I've learned from all of my research is that you can't put all your eggs in one vet's basket, whether eastern or western medicine. There is no way that one doctor can research everything so I am doing my best to fill in the gaps because I know that I have Nola's needs set as a much higher priority than they do, and I totally understand that. She is only one of their hundreds of patients so it is up to me to do the research. Sometimes I get frustrated because I feel like I am teaching my vets (I have two on Nola's team, one eastern and one western) something new every day and I feel like all doctors of medicine (for humans and animals) should be making research a regular thing in their practice, much more than they do, but I'm not judging the vets. I think that the work that they do is so special and humbling and I know that they work very long hours and I really do love and value Nola's vets.
Thanks for your responses! I will continue to try to navigate this site and figure out how to find more forums on the topic.
And I just realized that everyone's "names" are their dogs' names, lol. I guess mine should just read Nola396...oh well.
After amputation treatment (and even the decision to amputate) is a personal choice. You have to do what you believe in your heart is right for your dog and you. At the end of the day you have to be confident you did everything within your power to give NOLA a fighting chance.
Fighting cancer by traditional means is expensive. It isn't an option for everyone. Also there are no guarantees with the treatment. Most tolerate it well, but there are some that do not. It extends the life of some, but not all. I agree with Karen, a lot depends on the structure of the cancer, how far it has progressed, if you will before diagnosis.
You are doing great research. Be comfortable with your choice and everyone here will respect and support your decision.
Sending good thoughts for a long and happy life for NOLA. And by the way - thank you for fostering her, loving her, and giving her a chance. She is in good hands.
Shanna & Spirit Trouble ~ Trouble gained her wings 3/16/2011, a 27 1/2 month cancer survivor, tail wagging. RIP sweetheart, you are my heart and soul. Run free at Rainbow Bridge.
The November Five - Spirits Max, Cherry, Tika, Trouble & Nova. 11/2008 - 3/2013 An era ends as Queen Nova crossed the Bridge.
Well----almost everyone's names are their dogs! Actually Benny (Spirit) is one of my beloved dogs who was diagnosed with bone cancer several years ago. At the time, amputation wasn't even mentio ed as an option...just pain meds and loving! I shamefully didn't kow any better and this was before google was sround and I didn't even have a computer anyway......but, telepho es were arou d and I had ne of those!! So I contacted Dr. Loops and also a name given me through Natural Pet Store---whose name I've forgotten.......anyway, I trated him holistically and with Piroxicam and had many great quality mo ths with him....actually, it was realy more that the crap dksease went to his bladder that kinda' brought his journey to an end.
Sorry' din't mean to ramble....but I use his name to honor him and, I guess, to ease my guilt that didn't kw amputation was an option. Without access to this site probal wouldn't have gone that route anyway!
There is a poi t here------and that is I felt holist treatment is what gave us the quality t e we had!
Boy oh boy! We can all relate to wat you are saying about the relatio ships with vets! I use this site and The Dog Cancer Survival Guide as my back-up Invisible Vet!
Also, another blog to check out by Tracy and Maggie.....I think it's u der Maggie My Agile Cow Dog??? Se's doing a lot of holistic treatment too!
Alrighty Heather and Nola, I'll quite bugging you for the night......Also..o e ore blog.....Brave Dog Quinta and lives in Japan....going Eastern route!
Best to you!
Sally and Happy Hannah
(And a shout-out to Benny:-) )
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!
Thanks so much Sally! You guys are really making me feel much better and confident about making this decision. I will check out those blogs right now. Thanks again!
Heather (Nola's Mommy)
Hi Heather and Nola; welcome from Princess Roxie and her loyal servant, Liz. As usual, Sally and Karen and others have so eloquently shared their wisdom and compassion, so I just wanted to add our good thoughts and support. You've really taken charge of Nola's care, and that's a huge advantage for her. Roxie, who will be 12 on 9/1, was also diagnosed with osteosarcoma in March after several months of intermittent limping. Hers was a left-rear leg amp and we went the chemo route. 6 treatments that are now behind us and since our onco doesn't have any alternative med experience, I'm working with a great local holistic vet, our primary care vet, and as much info as I can find. Sometimes too much!! But I've found Tripawds to be the most help in sorting it all out. We've got a chest x-ray tomorrow morning and we'll learn if a couple of "areas of interest" have done anything in the last month since chemo ended. She's full of energy, opinions, and is loving life, so we're hoping for continued good news. I'm using Apocaps , K9 Immunity Plus, probiotics, burdock, fish oil, and Springtime's Longevity that's got a bunch of good stuff in it. Biggest challenge is hiding everything in her food - she's got a nose like a bloodhound.
I loved Karen's advice about writing this all down; wish I'd slowed down enough when this all started to do that, but it's not too late.
So best wishes for you and your beautiful girl and know that many hearts are with you on this journey.
-Liz
Hi Heather!
I know I already responded to you on the arte and BCD board, but I just wanted to say hi!
Speaking of names of dogs, does Nola's name have anything to do with New Orleans, LA or "NOLA"?
My user name is Charleysmom so great minds must think alike! 
Hugs and chocolate Labby kisses,
Ellen and Charley xoxo
Charley's Blog: CHOCOLATE KISSES
DOB: 3-29-08, male chocolate lab
Dx: OSA L proximal humerus 10-19-10
Amputation: L front leg & scapula 10-28-10
Chemo: 5 rounds of Carboplatin
Video (12 weeks post amp):Tripaw Charley Playing
♥♥♥ Lots of supplements and love!!! ♥♥♥
Hi Ellen! Yes, her name does stand for New Orleans, LA. She is a Louisianna Catahoula Leopard Hound and a friend had the idea to name her Nola and it just stuck. So glad to see you on here too! As you already know, your little Charley has been my inspiration throughout this whole journey!!! Give him hugs and kisses from me and Nola!
Heather
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