Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hello Yoda's Mom
I've been out of contact for only two days so it was a surprise and shock to see your news about Yoda! It sounds like the world can change so quickly, horribly quickly. Crap.
Is there still a chance that metronomics can slow things down to give you more quality time???
Regardless of what treatment is or is not there, I guess we all need to learn to enjoy our dogs now for as long or short as they are with us. Glad to hear he is feeling good.
Thinking of you,
Susan & Tazzie 2
Well some good news and not so good news for this update…
I'll start with the not so good – I asked Yoda's oncologist about the possibility of doing the metronomic protocol and they have had patients try it in the past, but not any with lung mets. She said they didn't have any data that it could help after lung mets, but she was open to the possibility that it could be worth a try. However, the estimate she gave me from looking back at those previous patients is still out of my ability (about the same cost as the chemo would have been per month). Oh well. I'll be looking into K-9 Immunity now and/or a holistic vet in the area and figure out what I can try in the way of supplements. Meanwhile, Yoda will be starting on Piroxicam.
The good news is tha Yoda is still feeling great. In fact, on our last trip to the dog park he decided to play chase with two Great Danes. Yeah, so maybe he's a little crazy, but he feels well. It came as such a surprise. Yoda usually gets pretty sulky when other dogs are bigger than him, but he liked those Great Danes! They were really sweet dogs, but I was still pretty terrified as I watched (though proud too), because the Danes would stop to wrestle with each other every now and then too. So I was planning, as I cringed, how I was going to convince Yoda to come away from them (if only I hadn't forgotten his tennis ball!), but Yoda kept some distance from the wrestling and the whole thing didn't last too long before Yoda caught a scent that he wanted to go investigate instead.
Oh yeah, and he would have caught a rabbit in the yard last night, (seriously) if I hadn't intervened. Good news for me and the rabbit, not as good news for Yoda, but he still had a lot of fun in the chase.
Yoda&Mom united: 9/5/06 …….… Yoda&Leg separated: 6/5/09……… Yoda&Leg reunited: 10/14/09 ……… ……………….………….………….……. Yoda&Mom NEVER separated! …………………….….……....….…… Though Spirit Yoda currently free-lances as a rabbit hunting instructor for tripawds nationwide
metronomics and finances:
Go Yoda Go! It is terrific (for him, not the rabbit) that he feels so energetic. We love to hear that.
(1) From what I have heard (yes, a "self-proclaimed expert based on our recent threads, hah), metronomics is done to cut off the blood supply to those growing lesions, and not used to kill individual cells. So it should slow the growth of lesions. And I believe Jerry started to use it once he developeds mets, which grew pretty slowly for him. But part of the metronomics drugs (NSAID) are probably better than none.
At least when posting, I can be sure that I will be corrected if giving out incorrect info - that is just fine and what this website is for.
(2) I saw the threat about raising funds for the retired K9 dog, which is great. But we also know that many of our tripawd friends are facing the same financial issues. Cancer treatment is EXPENSIVE (10 K or more) and many people don't have that money and have to make hard decisions, as Jackers and Zoda are facing. We do not want these decisions to be based on finances but what can we do? (In fact, one friend in Calgary says most people don't pursue treatment because of the cost - she says it with this tone as though only rich people would amputate and use chemo, and I definitely know that is not the case).
Anyway - my point or question is whether we can start to raise money for some of the dogs who are really needy. I guess this would just be too complicated, wouldn't it? Somewhere, I saw an organization offering subsidies for K9 cancer care, and I think the vet had such a brochure. Is that readily accessible by people having dogs like Jackers and Zoda
Susan & Tazzie 2
YodasMom said:
I asked Yoda's oncologist about the possibility of doing the metronomic protocol and they have had patients try it in the past, but not any with lung mets. She said they didn't have any data that it could help after lung mets, but she was open to the possibility that it could be worth a try.
That's interesting. I went on it after my lung mets were discovered, and my tumors shrank for a while. Sounds like she's a good, open-minded vet though, that's great.
It's so wonderful to hear how Yoda is just getting out there and loving life. I know we say it a lot here, but try to remember, dogs don't know that they have cancer or lung mets. It's all about the moment. So keep on following his lead and let him show you the way, that's the best way to get through this journey.
If you don't have a hollistic doc yet, check our Resources Page for some information about how to find one in your area.
Mmmmmmm, rabbit......
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Tazzie said:
Anyway – my point or question is whether we can start to raise money for some of the dogs who are really needy.
Susan,
Great question!
The good news is, there are some excellent groups who are doing this. In our Tips and Resources Forum, we have a thread called "Resources to Help Pay for Canine Cancer Care."
We have considered doing a fundraising group like this for Tripawds, but with only two humans running the site on a volunteer basis, we just don't know how we could find the time to do it. We also thought that rather than dilute funds by starting another fundraising group, it would be more productive to focus our efforts on raising funds for the ones who are already out there. In today's hard times, they can use all the help they can get.
Someday perhaps we might do a project like this, but for now, we recommend checking out these other groups.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Anyway – my point or question is whether we can start to raise money for some of the dogs who are really needy. I guess this would just be too complicated, wouldn't it?
Way too complicated and overwhelming, I'm sure, given how much everyone on this forum has to deal with already, but I really appreciated the thought, Susan. 
Yoda&Mom united: 9/5/06 …….… Yoda&Leg separated: 6/5/09……… Yoda&Leg reunited: 10/14/09 ……… ……………….………….………….……. Yoda&Mom NEVER separated! …………………….….……....….…… Though Spirit Yoda currently free-lances as a rabbit hunting instructor for tripawds nationwide
I agree, thanks for the thought 🙂 I believe you may be thinking of Care Credit, but with me as a full-time student and the bf not taking out any credit cards, that wasn't even an option. We just do what we can, and hope for the best! And to Jim and Renee...if you need any volunteers to help get the word out here in Michigan, let me know! We're signing up for a doggie dash in October and I'm thinking of contacting them to see if they want to do a little fundraiser for canine cancer. It would be great to eventually have a fund where you could give applicants a certain amount to help cover some of the cost of surgery.
ldillon81 said:
And to Jim and Renee…if you need any volunteers to help get the word out here in Michigan, let me know!
One thing we have done for those who wish to help spread the word, is prepare these Tripawds fliers and cards for download. You can simply print them out and give them to people who feel sorry for your amazing pup. Or better yet, leave a supply at your local vet offices and/or pet stores.
Thanks so much for the thought!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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