Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hello,
Our little lab mix Sara Belle just had her front right leg amputated after undergoing cyberknife radiation and carboplatin chemo in an effort to save her leg from osteosarcoma; she is 11 1/2 years old and arthritic.
We are starting her on metronomic treatment of cytoxan, piroxicam, and if we can locate a reasonable source, palladia.
What experience has others had in locating vendors?
Sara is doing wonderfully by our human standards and the canine standards of her littermate Tara Belle, and foster son Mozart. Since she is an older pup, we anticipated mobility problems, however, she is independent, spirited, and her old self.
Her canine pack members were just matter of fact about her missing leg and accepting her status quo. However, when she reached their perception of milestones, like the day her stitches came out, and the day she walked the perimeter with us, they were estatic and acted silly and licked and knitted her face and neck - otherwise I would not have realized the depth of their realization of her ordeal.
Anyways, Tripaws.com has been instrumental in educating us - thanks all for sharing.
Lavenia, the Belle Sisters and the Moze
Welcome Lavenia and Sara Belle.
I'm glad you have found the site helpful. If I am understanding, you have chosen to not amputate? I'm not familiar with chemo and no amputation so perhaps someone else can jump in.
As far as getting chemo from other sources other than your vet I would believe it is rather difficult because it is a hazardous material and can't just be mail ordered. I don't know for sure but I would assume it can't just be ordered online...if that is your question.
Sending good wishes to Sara Belle!
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.
Welcome Lavenia and Pack,
The only thing I can suggest is to check the forum we have here called "The Angel Exchange." You'll see lists for items "OFFERED" and "TAKEN". Maybe there is someone on there w/ meds that are still available. I think I might even have some meds listed on there that no one ever needed. I don't remember - I know it's not Palladia, because someone took that, but it's worth checking there.
Other than that, as Cometdog said, I think it's only possible to get it straight from the vet.
All the best to Sara Belle. Sounds like she is doing well and that is so sweet how her pack celebrates her milestones! Love it,
Jackie, Angel Abby'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!
as an update to what jackie says....you can't list prescriptions on the angel exchange, as only a dr can prescribe, and 'sharing' your drugs is a major DEA and USPS no-no...we're talking felony.. so i'd suggest you talk to your vet and see what avenues they suggest.
Life is good, so very, very good!!! Gayle enjoyed each and every moment of each and every wonderful day (naps included). She left this world December 12, 2011 – off on a new adventure.
Love Never Ends
(Good thinking etgayle, thanks for clarifying about the meds)
Hi Lavenia, I'm glad you came here to share Sara Belle's story. Where is she having the radiation therapy done? I'm sure the vet can point you in the right direction for finding affordable medications. Vets understand that financial considerations are a big concern, so I'm sure they can help.
I know that places like Costco (you don't have to be a member to buy prescriptions there), Walmart and Target have really low prices on many drugs that are used on both dogs and humans, so your vet can call in a prescription to those places.
Be sure to check our Nutrition Blog's vendors on this Medications Page, there are often coupons available in these stores.
You can also ask your vet about sending your prescriptions to a compounding pharmacy like Roadrunner, which can make special generic formulas just for Sara Belle. We used a compounding pharmacy when we purchased cytoxan and it was very, very affordable.
I hope this helps.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
cometdog said
As far as getting chemo from other sources other than your vet I would believe it is rather difficult because it is a hazardous material and can't just be mail ordered.
We were actually able to purchase cytoxan from the compounding pharmacy I mentioned above, and it was mail ordered. I'm not sure if all chemo-type drugs can be, but this one can be sent through the mail from a certified pharmacy.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I thought it was OK to list Rx drugs on the angel exchange as long as the person asking for them shows you proof of prescription - no??
If not, i'll find my post and delete it. (Or maybe a moderator already did.) I'm confused.
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!
Thank you everyone - the outpouring of support and information is heart-warming.
Yes, Sara's leg has been amputated after we tried cyberknife radiation therapy Nov 2011 to avoid amputation.She had undergone IV chemo post radiation treatment. The osteo in her leg came back and we had to amputate 3 weeks ago.
At this point, though she does have some apparently age-related nodules (?) in her lungs less than 1 mm, and one nodule on her liver less than 1 mm that has not grown since she was diagnosed, there does not appear to be any measurable lung or liver mets.
We hope the cytoxan/piroxicam/palladia will keep her mets miniscule.
We will try the compounding and Vet-Vipp online pharmacy as well as Costco. I had no realized that Costco offered Vet meds.
Tara and Sara are also therapy dogs or our 22 year old diabetic cat Paisley. In her 9 years of being insulin-dependent, Paise has gone into insulin shock 4 times and each time they have gotten my attention and brought me to Paise.
I have read all your blogs and "met" you on the forums I've read; our collective hearts and howls goes out to all of you as kindred spirits.
Costco doesn't sell vet meds, but they do sell meds that work for both humans and vets. So, a drug like, say cytoxan, that is used for both humans and dogs, will be sold there. But you won't find things like oh, Frontline, know what I mean?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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