Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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So when Shelby and I started chemo, we got all the warning paperwork, especially about no vaccinations, which was fine since we started chemo late September and should have been finished by early Feb (she's due early March). But since we decided to do MORE chemo to fight this cancer, I assume that means vaccinations are still on hold. I did do a search on the archives and saw many articles that Jerry had posted about this coming to the same conclusion. Shelby's still been getting her monthly flea meds since one of my neighbor has about 15 - 20 cats and the flea problem here is insane (another story - but she's a hoarder for sure - the smell is horrific). Shelby is on Comfortis for that and thankfully, that seems to be a non-issue right now.
I don't know how many more chemo treatments we will do OR what the maintenance meds will entail. I don't mind holding off on the vaccinations (but she's due for a TON, rabies, parvo, distemper, etc.). I guess rabies is only done once every 3 years? Lucky us!
So does that mean that I should keep her away from other people/animals (she doesn't really have any dog friends but we see them outside on our walks, etc). And we don't go to dog parks anymore (haven't for years really). And it's not like she's going to get bit or anything under my watch. Will she ever have to have them again? Any guidance since I really did figure we would be done with chemo and on to our shots. Shelby will be happy - she hates shots!
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
My vet would not do any vaccinations on Sassy. Run a titer on her. She may not need them other than the Rabies and you can see if you can get an exclusion for that. Sassy's rabies would have been due in December but she never made it that long to have that discussion. My vet said the rabies vaccination is a dead vaccination & all others are live so she didn't want Sassy's immune system to be building immunity to those when it needed to be fighting cancer. So we didn't do the ones that were due when she was diagnosed with cancer. I wouldn't do them. I was going to see if we could get out of the rabies one. Just talk to your vet & run titers on all them and see if you can get that exclusion
Hugs
Michelle & Angel Sassy
Sassy is a proud member of the Winter Warriors. Live long, & strong Winter Warriors.
sassysugarbear.tripawds.com
07/26/2006 - Sassy earned her wings 08/20/2013
05/04/2006 - Bosch, Sassy's pal, earned his wings 03/29/19 fought cancer for 4 months.
"You aren't doing it TO her, you are doing it FOR her. Give her a chance at life."
From what I understand, more and more vets are going to a three year rotation on most, if not all, of the formerly annual vaccinations. You might check that out, too.
Kathi and Murphy
Murphy is a five year old Lab/Chessie cross. He was hit by a car on 10/29/12 and became a Tripawd on 11/24/12. On 2/5/13, he had a total hip replacement on his remaining back leg. He has absolutely no idea that he has only three legs!
UPDATE: Murphy lived his life to the fullest, right up until an aggressive bone lesion took him across the Rainbow Bridge on April 9, 2015 and he gained his membership in the April Angels. Run free, my love. You deserve it!
Hmmm.... good points! I will call her vet on Monday.
BTW - she is also slightly anemic (probably due to her blood cancer). So *someone* got a special dinner tonight! She loved her protein style/no sauce burger and her mama has red wine. It's been a long day!!!
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
Well you've seen our links here about vaccines and dogs with cancer. I personally would not give my animal vaccines if s/he had cancer. I would titer instead. There's no need to knock more out of an animal's immune system by vaccinating on the off chance that they may run into a rabid skunk or something like that. Shelby is such a homebody, sounds like she rarely gets into those types of circumstances.
Oh my DOG we love IN N Out! Has she ever had a Flying Dutchman?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I'll look into this 'titer' thing you all keep mentioning. I've never heard of that but I agree - Shelby is pretty much a homebody (like her mama has become) so she's pretty safe. She doesn't interact with the dozens of cats my crazy cat lady neighbor hoards.
It was Shelby's first In 'n Out experience (only my second). I had the double-double protein style and she had a single patty. She will definitely try a 'flying dutchman' next time!!! 
Yummy~
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
Our vet did not recommend vaccinations for Jake. I did not like the idea of piling chemicals into his body either. I did buy a product called Cedarcide (domestic animal spray), not sure if any one here has used it or not (unfortunately we didn't get a chance to try it yet) but its an all natural flea repellant you spray on. It has a lot of good reviews. Not sure if it'll be strong enough if you are inundated with flea ridden cats nearby but worth a shot? They also have a product you can spray on your yard if need be.
We have an old scroungy tom cat we feed (he won't let us near him) and he brought us fleas as well. We used the natural defense flea powder on our carpet inside and actually had really good results with it. I hate chemicals so I try to go natural if possible.
Mom to Tripawd Angels Jake (2001-2014) and Rosco (2012-2015) and Tripawd Tanner. “Whatever happens tomorrow, we had today; and I'll always remember it”
Hey Alison, most of us hadn't heard of titering either until we were faced with the vaccination and cancer question.
Titering is controversial, no doubt about it. Here are few articles to get familiar with how it works in lieu of vaccines:
Vaccine Titer Tests, What they Can and Can't Do
As for In N Out's Flying Dutchman, you need to get acquainted with the Secret Menu!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
The other thing to keep in mind is that if Shelby has had regular vaccinations all her life, pretty much all of her titers should come back at acceptable levels. From what I know, the rabies titer is extremely expensive and is not accepted by any states as an alternative to vaccination at this point, my vet said not to do the rabies titer, since ultimately Boomer would need to have the vaccination regardless. However, you are in luck because you live in California and it is one of 18 states that does allow medical exemption for rabies vaccination - http://www.rabi.....ination.
Boomer was due for vaccines a few months ago and I had titers done for him on all but rabies, everything was at an acceptable level, so the only thing he had done was a three-year rabies - he's not fighting cancer, though. He is about 8 years old and I have no idea whether he had regular vaccinations for the first four years of his life but with the last four years of consistent vaccinations (either one-year or three-year cycles) his titer levels were all good. From what I understand, the ones that really don't last very long are bordatella and lepto but those are both kind of optional.
WOW... this is great information. I would have never thought of any of this but exactly, my dog is already getting chemo, fighting cancer, I don't want to put anything else into her weakened immune system. The comfortis for fleas is actually perfect - we have NO issues w/fleas upstairs! Thank GOD!!! Since we started Comfortis, we've been great (except for one or two here and there).
I'll call her vets tomorrow about the titers and exemptions. And your're right - since Shelby has been under my care, she's gotten her shots as needed. I'll ask about the medical exemption for the rabies shot. I didn't realize it was unlawful to 'ignore' the shots - even for a dog that never leaves her own home.
Thank you all for the great insight onto yet another thing that we have to deal w/when facing this beast - cancer.
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
Easy peasy - all her vets are on the same page so no shots for Shelby! Not sure how the county or anyone would really ever find out that Shelby didn't get her shots but that's not my issue! Thankfully - we're in great hands here in LA~ 
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
That's pawesome, so many vets are are not so forward-thinking.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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