Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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She is doing pretty good. We are nearing the end of the treatment stage and entering into the "wait and hope" stage. She has tolerated the chemo well until two weeks ago when she just kind of pooped out. Tired, no real happy times, just kind of sliding along. I elected to forgo her chemo last Thursday, although her labs were fine, because she had just started feeling more normal. I think it was a good decision, as she has been more herself, and having fun with the other dogs.
She will have the Vinblastine (pred is ongoing) Thursday, labs the following Thursday and then the final chemo the week after. In general, we are really pleased with how well she has tolerated it and we know they kind of drag at the end of treatment, and she has only vomited twice in the whole thing. She is eating well. I was worried about the pred and weight gain, but she has only put on a pound in all this time, and I think a lot of that is because she is less active with three legs, and it has been so hot that the dogs tend to go out and do their business and come right back in.
She sleeps a lot, and goes to bed with my son at 10 PM, and gets up at 11 AM the next day, but she is happy to be with him, snuggled under his arm. That quality of life counts for a lot, and that is what we are hoping for. We have a feeling that this treatment is pretty much warding off the inevitable, but it has given us time to be with her, and her with us. We are hopeful, of course, but realisitic.
Hope you are all doing well.
Alicia
Thanks for the update! Keep enjoying every moment together, and please keep us posted on Pixie's progress.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi Alicia,
I was thinking about you guys, wondering how Pixie was doing. Is she still using the harness?
Mag seemed to drag a bit toward the end of chemo too, it took her a couple of weeks after the last treatment then she was back to her old self.
Overall she sounds like she is doing great!! Every day you postpone the 'inevitable' is a gift. I hope there are many, many, many.....many more gifts for you guys.
Thanks for the update.
Karen and the pugapalooza
It's great to hear that Pixie is doing good! Enjoy every moment with her - quality of life sure does count for a lot! Keep us posted!
Cathy/Jane/Spirit Skyler/Chloe
Can I ask what type of chemo Pixie is getting? And, how far apart are her treatments?
Zack just had his first treatment last week, and we were planning every 3 weeks. But, would like input on how that has worked for others?
Zack, King of Dogs, 1996 to 2010
Zack lived a full 14 years, even to the end.
The joy and memories he provided us will last a lifetime.
Surviving him is his sister, Izzy, a 12-year-old boxer mix quadpawd.
And the latest addition, Zula, an 11-month-old pit bull mix tripawd.
Alicia, that is GREAT news, we are so hoppy to hear from you and Pixie. We send our love and well wishes for many, many hoppy times ahead!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Good news that things are going good for Pixie, treasure every moment together as each day is a blessing.
Jo Ann & Tasha
Tasha 8 years old, First cancer diagnosis 6/26/09, Last cancer diagnosis 9/26/09, Amputation 10/01/09, Loving our girl moment by moment.
Tasha lost her battle and became my Angel on May 4 2011. Forever in my heart….
Hey Zack's pack-
In case Alicia doesn't come back for awhile I wanted to tell you that Pixie has mast cell cancer, which is what my pug Maggie had. The chemo drugs and protocol are a bit different than what seems to be prescribed for OSA.
If you are interested in the protocol you can read about Maggie's chemo HERE. It is a very similar protocol to what Pixie is getting.
Karen and the pugapalooza
Thanks, Karen! She is still wearing her little harness, she looks so cute in it! Thanks again, SO much. I look forward to the cooler weather soon, so we can take Pix to the park for a walk.They said we were getting a cold front in on the weekend. I looked it up for Fresno, that means high 80's. Oh dear. I may melt.
My son is having his amputation revised Oct 11, and he is already stressing about leaving her. He is asking me to make sure not to forget to feed her. WTH? I have five other dogs and I do not believe that any of them have ever went without a meal. Too funny. Jordan gets a bit freaked out in the hospital, scared. I guess if I woke up and I was missing my leg and part of another, I would be scared too, but I told him that I would get a family picture to take with him, so he could have it. He said "no thanks, just get a picture of Pixie framed, that is all I need". Butthead. I worry more about Pixie not having HIM here. Whenever he is out of the house, she lies in front of the door, patiently waiting his return. Whether it is an hour….or two days. Frenchies are BULLHEADED!
grpescp, Pixie did vinblastine once a week, for four weeks, then every other week for a total of 8 treatments, with the prednisone ongoing.
That being said, we made the decision last night to stop the chemo. She was due for 2 more treatments, and last night we got ready to get stuff together for her treatment today, and then went to give her her pred, and she hid under the furniture. She just was terrified. We decided, after talking to the vet office today, that it was time to stop, that her survival did not really hinge on these last two treatments. We are tapering off the pred for a couple weeks, then monitoring her. I took her out to the van with me, let her see me take the harness and leash from the seat and go back in the house and hang it up with the other stuff. She was relieved to be back in the house, and we really feel good about everything. For some reason, tonight I feel even….hopeful for her. She was on the bed last night with the Pug and Dachshund, and they were playing bitey-face and "lets try and eat the other dogs face off" and she was just getting knocked around and each time would leap back up and throw herself back into the game. And so I think we have made a good, informed decision; led by Pixie herself.
Alicia
Pixie sounds like she's doing great. Chemo is a fine line to walk and a very personal decision. No one here is going to argue with your decision. You have to let your heart (and your dog) lead you.
Pixie laying by that door waiting for her master to come home brought a smile to my face. I can picture that in my mind. You keep those humans in line, Miss Pixie. It may be hard work, but you can do it!
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.
Hi Alicia,
Yea! Done with chemo. It sounds like you have made another good decision for Pixie. I am glad to hear she is holding her own playing bitey-face. Thinking of a Pug, a Frenchie, and a Dachshund tussling makes me smile.
Sending good thoughts to your son too-
Karen and the pugapalooza
Any decision you make is the right one because you are doing it for Pixie!
Debra & Angel Emily
Debra & Emily, a five year old doberman mix, who was diagnosed with an osteosaecoma. She had a right rear leg amputation on May 19, 2009. On November 10, 2009 she earned her wings and regained her fourth leg.
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