Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hello from Abbydog,
I first posted almost three years ago with our female German Shepherd who had been diagnosed with a fibrosarcoma tumor on her front left leg. We had initially scheduled immediate amputation after surgery was not able to remove all of the tumor. At this time I discovered tripawds and posted about Abby. Her tumor was low grade and after some research and getting more professional advise we decided to delay amputation until the tumor began to cause pain or limping problems. Low grade fibrosarcomas like Abby's metastasize a low percentage of the time. We decided to run the risk to give her as much time as possible on all four legs. I would not advise anyone else to make this choice. Why run the risk of mets when amputation offers the excellent prognosis of a full and happy life span? We definitely struggled with this issue.
It is almost 3 years later and Abby is still running and playing on all four legs with no problems at all.The tumor has continued to grow slowly and is now a small bump on her leg about the size of a small marble. We have done everything we can find out about. Homeopathy, Diet and supplements, Artemisinin . Metronomic Therapy with an oncologist for the past 18 months.
I have no doubt that at some point in time Abby will have to have her leg removed, and I am now hopeful she will adjust well. I was not so sure at the time because she was a rescue dog from an abusive situation. This was also an issue in delaying amputation. She is now totally at home, loved and has overcome all of the psychological issues she had at the time from her abuse. That is another long story of recovery to being a happy, loving, trusting and well balanced dog.
The questions we are dealing with now are how long can a dog be on metronomic therapy, cyclophosphamide and metacam. 18 months is a long time, and we don't know if we should continue or take a break from it. Our vet says there is no clear statistical data on this question. I am wondering if anyone else might have some insight on this question and alternative chemo drugs for metronomic therapy. Abby continues to have excellent blood tests and shows no signs of bladder problems with the drug at this time.
Abby was 7 years old when diagnosed, and she is 10 now. Thanks for any information you can share.
Abby is beautiful! I'm happy to read she is doing so well. Our Libby has osteosarcoma. She had her right front leg amputated about 5 weeks ago. We skipped the IV chemo and went straight to metronomics . I asked the vet how long she would be on this therapy and her answer was "Forever". Libby is on cytoxan + Rimadyl.
Liberty (Libby) was diagnosed with OSA on 1-22-13. Right front amputation on 1-31-13. No IV Chemo. Metronomic Therapy started 2-19-13 along with supplements and some home cooking. Lungs clear until 1-06-14. She's still her happy, hoppy, bossy self. Living the dog life to the fullest and a proud Winter Warrior. :) RIP my Libby 4-21-03 to 3-19-14
Abby is a beautiful girl. Thank you for updating us on her status. It is helpful for anyone who deals with the same type cancer to know what has worked for you.
Sending good thoughts for continued success with Abby's treatment.
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.
Wow! Way to go! But, I agree, that's a tough call: amp vs no amp in a low-risk met cancer. Clearly, she's doing OK and has got some deep-thinking pawrents. Thanks for coming back and telling us about her and your future needs. Best of luck. Keep up the fight, Abby! You're a cutie!
Jackson is on metronomic therapy and has been for only a week. I'd be THRILLED if he is going to be on for the next 18+ months! The only concerns I'm aware of with this drug protocol is tummy issues (from the NSAID) and bladder issues (from the cytoxan). Maybe have a thorough stool analysis done to confirm there's no blood in there? Also, do the same for her urine? Jackson got his urine checked before going on metronomics and will continue to be screened - it's to check for blood. To help keep his bladder safe, he gets his cytoxan in the AM (to maximize pee times during the day) and 400mg MSM in the AM (it's in his joint supplement). MSM is supposed to help keep the bladder healthy, among other things. So long as Jackson's tummy and bladder and bloodwork remain solid, he'll be on metronomics for as long as he wants! Again, 18+ months, and we'd be thrilled.
~ Katy
ACL tear in right hind leg 12/5/12 and scheduled ACL repair surgery 12/21/12. Pre-op xrays revealed osteosarcoma. Amputation 12/28/12. Chemo (carboplatin) started Jan 10, 2013 and ended on April 5, for a total of 5 doses. He handled carbo like a champ! No side effects. We started metronomic therapy at his third chemo and have been also doing some holistic treatments. He's a lively, playful 10 year old huskie-boarder collie and a very proud member of the Winter Warriors! Our love. Our funny little guy!
Welcome back! I saw your other post in the forums yesterday and went "hey, I know that name!" Thanks for letting us know how things are going. We would love to hear more specifics on her treatment you've had her on over the last couple of years if you have time. Obviously it's worked well, that's wonderful!
Ok, so about metronomics . This Tripawd Talk Radio show interview with Dr. Barbara Biller, one of the world's leading researchers on it, might give you some insight. As far as I know your vet is right: there is no hard data showing how long a dog can be on it. However, one dog that we know of, Bart the Vizsla, was on it for two years when his onco declared him officially in permanent remission from osteosarcoma, and took him off the meds.
What is Abby's metronomics regimen? Just curious.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
HI Jerry,
I replied to your post on the other site I had left a note regarding Farabloc for phantom pain .
Abby gets cyclophosphamide every other day and metcam every day . Cycolphosphamide is the same thing as Cytoxan which is a brand name. she is also on a raw food diet. The suppliments we use are salmon oil, linseed oil, curcumin, sulforaphane and frozen blueberries mixed with her food. She also gets artemisinin am/pm on an empty stomach with a bit of iron free cottage cheese to trick her into eating the capsule.
I have also used IP-6 and some mushroom supplimentation, but not on a regular basis. We also use the farabloc wrap to lower inflammation in the tumor area, the concept being that cancer cells will spread faster in inflamed tissue. Maybe that is the concept? I am not sure.... but it is just a trial to see if Farabloc has any affect on the tumor progress. It is hard to know if anything is actually helping or not. She has done well so far, and it may or may not have anything to do with anything we have done. I do think the metronomic therapy is effective to slow the progress of the tumor growth.
Our oncologist has the cyclophosphamide capsules made up at a local hospital compounding pharmacy for Abby's body mass/area/ weight. It is a complex formula for dosage. The cost for the cyclophosphamide is $49 for 30 caps. That is a 2 month supply. The Metacam is more expensive from the Vet. We probably pay what every one does which is about $100 for 100ml bottle.
Gary thanks for sharing this information. Her diet and supplements are fantastic!
The price for the cyclo is really great. Yeah, Metacam is pricey but see if your vet can get you a generic, it's cheaper.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
How is Abby doing now?
We got the option of radiation or amputation yesterday. Ours has a spindle cell sarcoma.
Hi Kate, welcome. Tell us more about your pup, we'll do what we can to help. You may want to start a new topic all about your situation so we can help better, and please consider registering as a member so your posts won't require moderation.
Thanks for joining, your future posts won't require moderation.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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