After our fall last week, things have continued to improve. We are taking small walks, learning to eat busy bones one-handed, and the incision looks amazing. Chemotherapy is scheduled for Thursday. I’ve been told many times that dogs tolerate carboplatin well, but I’ve also run into a couple whose doberman did poorly with it. I’m nervous. What sorts of experiences have people on this site had with osteosarcoma chemo? I know there are some long term survivors here, and I know that it’s a small minority, but my main concern is Romulus and his quality of life, with a hope but not a demand of survival. I’m just trying to figure out what to expect!
We did 4 rounds of carboplatin. Otis slept all day after a treatment. Round 1 we had one explosion (outside) of diarrhea, treated with the metrodiazonal that they gave us. Later rounds I started the meds after squishy poo, and never got the diarrhea. Rounds 2 – 4 had some nausea (evidenced by excessive drooling and lip licking) which was treated with Cerenia – they will give you that too. Both meds work great. At Round 2, oncologist also put Otis on daily Pepcid A/C. Overall, you could tell he wasn’t feeling 100%, and he would start to perk up the Friday before his next round. I’m glad we are done, but for us, no symptoms so bad that I felt we had to stop. Which, by the way, is always your option if Romulus doesn’t tolerate it well.
Romulus mastering the art of one-handed bone chewing and feeling good! YAY! 🙂
My Happy Hannah (125 lb Bull Mastiff) sailed through four rounds of Carboplatin with no side effects, not even the somewhat “expected” bit of nausea or lethargy.
Many do, like Otis, experience some nausea and some tiredness, for maybe a couple of days.
Now, that said, sometimes the side effects really take a toll on a dog and a decision is made.not to pursue further treatment. And not to scare you at all, on rare.occasions it.can cause a lofe threatening issue. I just wanted to try and throw every possible scenario.out there. We are not vets, so please discuss everything with your Oncologist.
A Vet Tech will sit with Romulus the whole time the IV is given to make sure he doesn’t get frisky and try and play with it or eat it!
I was able to have a scheduled appointment every three weeks for Happy Hannah, and we were in and out in 30- 45 minutes, and that included brief talks with Vet Tech and, if I was lucky, her Onco would actually come out and speak!! It was not a very “client friendly place” at all!
Romulus will have blood work done inbetween treatments to check his white blood cell count checked. If it’s low, and that certainly happens sometimes…no biggie…they just delay the treatment a week.
And good for you for staying focused on QUALITY!! I think you’ll find that Romulus will do just fine with his chemo. IF he has issues, you can always stop and he will recover. That was one.p of the main reasons I proceeded with it for Happy Hannah.
Now go give Romulus a big hug and a treat! It will do you both good! 🙂
Hugs!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
Week one with Emma Rose. So far so good- now into day three post chemo , we were told if side effects normally 3-5 days. So far none. besides her smoking 2 cigars, she usually does 4. Finger crossed. Its all about quality of life.
For what it’s worth, days 3 – 5 were always fine for Otis. The diarrhea/squishy poo started about day 5 and the nausea was more days 7 – 14, which is also when the white blood cell count is generally lowest and you might see some lethargy.
Every dog is different. And – it’s random. Buddy was a chemo fail after 2 rounds BUT – after that we focused on quality. In my humble opinion if you keep quality of life as your top priority – you will make the right decision. It’s really just a day at a time. That’s easy for Rom – hard for you.
I’ve seen some great long terms survival stories on the website and others (Buddy) shorter – again, that said – I’m glad we gave it a try and Buddy’s quality never suffered.
Hang in there, keep us posted and let us know how it’s going
Xoxoxox,
Julie and Sweet Angel Buddy
Oh yes. Agree with Christine (Otisandtess).
Also, anticipate low energy and maybe low white count. If Rom has any indicators of fever (unexplained panting) post chemo, check a temp because if he has a neutropenic (low white count) he may need antibiotics. No one told me that by I’m a Nurse Practitioner so I knew what to do. Please reach out to us if you need ANYTHING!!!!
Orinoco has had 11 rounds of carboplatin, 12th due in 10 days. Apart from being tired for a couple of days he’s tolerated it fairly well with no sickness. We’re due a scan in 4 weeks time and then make a decision on any future treatment. He’s part greyhound who naturally have low white count but the vets have got used to what’s normal for him. Hope it all goes well for you.