Molly's Chemo

[Remolacha]

I thought I would start a new thread, since the surgery is over & done. As I said, I decided to give the chemo a try, even though her cancer is pretty aggressive, but I would stop if the side effects were too bad, since this is all about quality of life.

 

Her initial reaction, or lack of reaction, was good, but it didn't last. She started feeling nausea on Saturday, and wouldn't eat at all on Sunday. I started her on some meds and did get her to eat a little chicken baby food Sunday night. She seemed very weak and disinterested on Sunday. Today she is brighter and has eaten a little, the meds are finally starting to work. She has some diarrhea, no vomiting.

 

So now my dilemma. On the one hand, I feel like I should at least go on with the second chemo treatment and ultra sound to see if it is having any effect. On the other hand, I don't want her to go through anymore days like Sunday. Based on how things have gone so far, I probably won't get a clear yes/no answer after the ultrasound anyway! I had decided yesterday to stop the chemo, but seeing her improvement today, I am back on the fence. I've had some doubts about putting her through a lot more treatments and stuff just to get a few more months (at best). I was wiling to do it if the side effects were minor, but where does "minor" cross the line into "too much"? I know these are questions only I can answer, but it is driving me nuts.

[3DogNite]

tough questions! and the answers~ oh so elusive

I have always said, it's better to let them go on a good day --- a day too early, rather than a day late.

That being said - I have seem miraculous things (Lazer) happen with the will and determination of both animal and human!

So giving them every opportunity to survive and thrive is also my moto.

 

not helpful i'm sure,, you will do what is best for you and your girl!

 

[Tallgreydogmom]

Our greyhound is going for his second chemo treatment on Thursday. I give the meds for nausea the next day. I do not wait for him to be sick. He has had "D" off and on for a couple of week's. I have meds to give for that also.

 

I will continue his chemo treatments, it's the only chance he has. He is enjoying lounging on the couch and being loved.

Edited November 19, 2013 by Tallgreydogmom

[Guest BiancasMom]

I agree with Tallgreydogmom, start the antiemetics the day of treatment and continue them for a few days to prevent the nausea.

[Charlies_Dad]

Definitely need to give her meds for nausea immediately as otherwise she likely will have some stomach upset. Good thoughts for Molly.

[tbhounds]

Your veterinarian should be giving Molly antiemetics. When we administer chemo the pet will receive an injection of either cerenia or ondasatron prior to the chemo infusion and will go home with another 3 days worth of cerenia tablets. We also send home metronidazole to be used in case the pet breaks with diarrhea. Which chemo agent is Molly receiving?? With some chemo agents it also helps to make sure they receive a suffient amount of IV fluids.

[Remolacha]

Well, I wish they had sent us home with some meds, all they said was call us if she gets nauseous and we will prescribe something. Yeah, that's helpful on a Saturday afternoon! She was given doxorubicin on Thursday. If I can get her eating more or less normally, I will go ahead with the second treatment, and I know now to start the stomach meds a soon as she has the treatment.

[tbhounds]

If she's still not eating well call them tomorrow and ask for the cerenia. It's given once a day for 4 days. You can also give Pepcid or Prilosec.

[Remolacha]

I intend to call them tomorrow morning and see what they suggest. I will ask about the cerenia if they don't bring it up. Right now I am giving her metoclopramide, which has helped a bit, but so far I have not been able to get her to eat any dinner

[Tallgreydogmom]

Did you try some chicken and rice for Molly? I use the instant bouillon cubes in hot water to make the instant rice. I mix in some green beans also.

[Fiona3]

I know exactly how you are feeling. I dreaded each of the 6 chemo treatments Fiona received knowing she would be "off" or not hungry for a few days. However, it always turned around and by days 5-6 after the treatment she was usually bouncing back. I would ask for a supply of both nausea and diarrhea medication to get you through the treatments.

 

After consulting with the oncologist, we tried starting her on the nausea medication as soon as we got home from the chemo. We saw a huge difference in that it headed off the discomfort and some of her lack of appetite. She was still not interested in a lot of food and didn't want any kibble at all so I gave her Merrick's Puppy Food several times a day for a couple of days (thanks to Seamie's mom for this hint). When she tired of that, she would eat canned Purina One. I supplemented her diet with scrambled eggs with some boiled ground turkey mixed in.

 

Each time it was a challenge as her appetite and food aversion bounced all over the place. The foods she usually loved became something she turned away from. This website was helpful with ideas. At the end of the article, there are links to advice for feeding dogs receiving cancer treatments. The best advice I got from the oncologist was to feed her anything that appealed to her during the treatments.

 

http://www.dogaware.com/articles/wdjinappetence.html

 

It can be discouraging during those first few days after treatment. Hang in there.

Hugs to you and Molly.

 

I meant to add: This is the link that I read over and over for ideas as it was written by a vet's personal experience:

http://www.susanwynn.com/uploads/Feeding_a_Pet_during_Chemotherapy.pdf

Edited November 19, 2013 by Fiona3

[Remolacha]

Thank you for the links! I have dealt with a old dog who didn't want to eat, but no cancer involved, so I know a lot of those tricks. Never hurts to be reminded, though, and Molly is a quirky eater at the best of times. I went through almost two months this summer of her acting afraid of her dish (some of the time) after one of my other dogs died.

[Fiona3]

How is Molly feeling today? All my good wishes go to you both.

[Remolacha]

She started some new meds last night, ondansetron and metronidazole. Her appetite is much better! Still feeding her mostly canned dog food, but she is eating it up asking for more (which sometimes she eats, sometimes not) I changed her bowl, I think that really helped, she was associating her regular bowl with food she didn't want to eat. Her diarrhea seems better too, which I am sure makes her feel better. So now to try and get some weight back on her. Her first white blood cell count is tomorrow

[Remolacha]

in less than 24 hrs, her poop has gone from colored water to almost normal :pepper :banana :guns :mexi2

[3DogNite]

YEA!!! that's wonderful ----

[Charlies_Dad]

Excellent!!!

[tbhounds]

Meds are a good thing :-)

[Kestrel]

So happy to hear the positive update! Go Molly!

[brandimom]

I know exactly how you are feeling. I dreaded each of the 6 chemo treatments Fiona received knowing she would be "off" or not hungry for a few days. However, it always turned around and by days 5-6 after the treatment she was usually bouncing back. I would ask for a supply of both nausea and diarrhea medication to get you through the treatments.

 

After consulting with the oncologist, we tried starting her on the nausea medication as soon as we got home from the chemo. We saw a huge difference in that it headed off the discomfort and some of her lack of appetite. She was still not interested in a lot of food and didn't want any kibble at all so I gave her Merrick's Puppy Food several times a day for a couple of days (thanks to Seamie's mom for this hint). When she tired of that, she would eat canned Purina One. I supplemented her diet with scrambled eggs with some boiled ground turkey mixed in.

 

Each time it was a challenge as her appetite and food aversion bounced all over the place. The foods she usually loved became something she turned away from. This website was helpful with ideas. At the end of the article, there are links to advice for feeding dogs receiving cancer treatments. The best advice I got from the oncologist was to feed her anything that appealed to her during the treatments.

 

http://www.dogaware.com/articles/wdjinappetence.html

 

It can be discouraging during those first few days after treatment. Hang in there.

Hugs to you and Molly.

 

I meant to add: This is the link that I read over and over for ideas as it was written by a vet's personal experience:

http://www.susanwynn.com/uploads/Feeding_a_Pet_during_Chemotherapy.pdf

Mary, I was hoping you would see this post and give your personal experience with the lovely Fiona. Thanks.

[Fiona3]

Wonderful news. It's such a relief when you see your pup is feeling better. Good girl Molly!

[galgrey]

Glad to see she's feeling better.