Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Well today was supposed to be Wrigley's 3rd round of Chemo, but it didn't happen because her xrays indicated it has spread to the lungs. Her oncologist says ( with confirmation from the radiologist) that there appears to be 2 nodules in the lungs.
So as mom and the oncolgist shared a tear , Wrigley smiled and wagged her tail cause she got out of chemo today and finally gets to go back home.
We were left with a few options to think about.
1. Do nothing and let things run the course- treating symptoms as needed.
2. She is going to see if UC Davis is still conducting a study on a type of chemo that is inhaled. The study was run in one round and she is hoping they are doing it again- it is for dogs with osteosarcoma that have failed chemo treatments and now have lung mets. She said she thought it was fairly successful and the dogs had little side effects. She felt comfortable with this if it is an option because she did not feel Wrigley's quality of life would be affected by this- she said she would not recommend it if Wrigley was the type of dog that was completely miserable going to a vet treatment. ( she said this is what she would do if it were her decision and her dog- and it was available)
3. Or, lastly we could do the metronomic therapy- She did caution us on this because she said she has seen dogs that have gotten bladder irritation from this treatment and end up with symptoms that mimic bladder infections and they end up peeing all over the house because they strain to urinate so much. She said they can be quite incomfortable.I asked if it mattered male/female and she wasn't sure. She thought it was only 5% of dogs, but she wanted to make sure I was aware of this, because in her mind this is a significant quality of life issue - and she is very much a proponent of the dogs having a high quality of life.
So I am going to spend the weekend enjoying our time- we're going to try and take a drive to the snow- Wrigley has not been yet this year - and then of course continue doing our favorite of swimming in the river.
I just am hoping I could get some opinions of those who have been at this point- I don't remember anyone having the bladder problems with the metronomic- That does worry me because Wrigley is a pleaser and it would devistate her to have an accident.
So tripawd friends- your advice is greatly appreciated.
Thanks so much
Seanne and Wrigley
Seanne and Angel Wrigley
We love you and Wrigley, you know what we say
We are here for you, anytime, go have FUN and play!! 
Love you guys!!
Paula and Max
Paula and Spirit Max
Thanks Max and Paula- I don't know what I'd do if I didn't have my tripawd friends- we're off as we speak for a swim in the river.
love you to both too.
Seanne and Wrigley
Seanne and Angel Wrigley
I am so sad to hear your news, it is the day that we all dread.......good to hear you will take the time to have fun this weekend and give you a couple days to consider your options. None of us know what we would do unless we have gotten to that point yet.
Take care, love Wrigley one day at a time and know that your Tripawd friends are with you.
Gineej & Paris
Grateful for every moment we had with Paris…..no regrets!
Honoring her life by opening our hearts & home to Addy!
I am so sorry to hear your news. It is, of course, what we all dread, but all must face at some point in time. Good thoughts coming your way as you weigh your options. Hugs to you and scratches to Wrigley. Live it up! Make each day count to the fullest. These are precious days for you to share.
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.
Wrigley,
I am so sorry about the lung mets. Tazzie has her xrays scheduled for next Thursday and I am already nervous.
I have seen the bladder reaction only twice myself, when dogs are getting the high-dose IV treatment. The dogs will strain and bleed from the bladder but it is reversible when you stop the drug. Barney B on this site was getting Cytoxan once weekly as part of metronomics and his vet caught a UTI on a routine visit and he was just put on antibiotics. This is a good case for checking urines every 3 months or so to catch problems early.
I would do the inhaled treatment if it is available.
Pam and Tazzie
OH.. Wrigley... I'm so sadden to hear this news.
I haven't had any experience with MP yet so I can't help there. I know many people have used it though & don't recall reading anyone mentioning bladder infections but I'm not that familiar with it.
Please know that we are thinking of you guys!
Jenna & Zak
Seanne,
We are so, so sorry to hear that the mets have appeared so quickly That's not what anyone ever wants to hear so soon after amputation. But at least your vet caught it early, you know what's going on now, and actually have some choices to consider. Choices a good thing.
I didn't have any bladder issues with the Metronomic Protocoll, and in fact my oncologist Dr. Mullins said that the risk of it is very low, because the amount of chemo we are receiving is so low. We haven't heard of any other dogs here having this kind of issue. But, girl dogs are different with all that stuff, so maybe in females the incident is higher?
Wrigley is going to one of the best schools in the country for OS treatment. I went there, and I did pretty good dontcha think?
Honestly, if it were my Mom and Dad, they would go with the recommendation of the oncologist. The staff there is honest and full of integrity, and we know for a fact that they only want what's best for Wrigley. They are also really, really smart and are pretty up on the best treatments and trial meds available.
We hope you have a lot of fun in the snow. That was one of my favorite places to romp. If you get a chance, post some pictures here of your adventures. Good luck! Keep us posted.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
We too were terribly troubled when we discovered Jerry's lung mets. And we were presented with various options for his cancer care.
But now I know it was not the end of the world. In fact it was the beginning of a new outlook on life Jerry had been teaching us all along. That every day is a great day, and we must make the most of each and every one.
Hope this helps.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
So sorry to hear the news about Wrigley's lung mets. I know what a blow that can be. Hang in there.
Heidi
Hi Seanne
I can't say I've been there yet, and I dread the day. But I can send good thoughts and prayers to you for strength and clarity of mind to make choices. Radzi (whose job it is to make sure everybody plays some every day) says Life is about playing and having fun. He keeps us balanced when the weight of decisions is too much. Enjoy the snow, and we're here for you when you get back.
Mary and Cemil
and Radzi too
Cemil and mom Mary, Mujde and Radzi….appreciating and enjoying Today
Hi Wrigley,
I can fully understand what your going through. Hearing this news about the lung mets can be as devastating as when first diagnosed with the cancer. As pawrents, we try everything to keep it at bay ... with all the options out there. However, we all know that our fur babies will eventually succumb to something, since this is the nature of things. For me after dealing with the emotional aspect, I think I had an epiphany . I realized this is the way it is, and accepted the course handed to me. All I could do is appreciate everyday I wake and my boy Buster ,and he is still here. I then thank the heavens above, for this blessing.
Why stop fighting now and do nothing? I would go with the course that yields the best results for Wrigley...
at this point, what do you have to lose? Don't ask why? Ask, why not
Kim & Buster
Kim & Angel Buster
"Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened."
–Anatole France
Lung mets? What lung mets!?!?!?!?!
This picture reminds us so much of Jerry and the spirit he embodied every day, even after the cancer came back in his lungs too ... that every day is a great day! Especially if it's a snow day ...
See any resemblance?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
OKim1 said:
Hi Wrigley,
I can fully understand what your going through. Hearing this news about the lung mets can be as devastating as when first diagnosed with the cancer. As pawrents, we try everything to keep it at bay … with all the options out there. However, we all know that our fur babies will eventually succumb to something, since this is the nature of things. For me after dealing with the emotional aspect, I think I had an epiphany . I realized this is the way it is, and accepted the course handed to me. All I could do is appreciate everyday I wake and my boy Buster ,and he is still here. I then thank the heavens above, for this blessing.
Why stop fighting now and do nothing? I would go with the course that yields the best results for Wrigley…
at this point, what do you have to lose? Don't ask why? Ask, why not
Kim & Buster
Kim,
What inspiring words. Thank you for all of us who will one day face this fate. I'm going to bookmark this so I can come back to it when my time comes.
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.
Beautiful pictures of Wrigley! He clearly knows how to enjoy life.
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.
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