JesseesJourney

Just wanted to add another post after some feedback from Jerry that it might be of interest.

After Jessee was diagnosed with osteosarcoma we were referred to Puget Sound Veterinary Specialists by our primary vet.  the oncologist, Dr. Rizzo suggested we might want to consider a nutritionist consult for Jessee to get the best diet for her.  A special diet was prepared for Jessee based on a review of her medical records.

The daily diet consists of the following:

311.85 grams of chicken breast (boneless/skinless)

351 grams of cooked oats (after being cooked in water)

300 grams of sweet potatoes, baked in skin without salt

117 grams of broccoli, boiled without salt

39 grams of carrots, boiled without salt

37 grams of blueberries or strawberries or apples/melon  She likes blueberries

6.8 grams of flaxseed oil, cold pressed

8.05 grams of Nordic Naturals Omega 3 Pet Liquid

4 teaspoons of Balance it Carnivore Blend

1/8  mL of pure encapsulated Liquid B12

The diet provides 1350.8 calories per day.

I supplement this with ElleVet (another blog post with more detail) and 5 Mushrooms supplment (capsule)

Jessee has had no hesitation eating this,  Bowels have been good even after chemo (hope that continues)

Anyway, just wanted to share.  It is alot of work but as with everyone who reads this or is a part of Tripawds, Jessee means the world to mean and I will continue making this every four days to keep her happy and healthy for as long as possible!  PS, I make four to five days ahead.  Each day goes into one container to make sure she has everything she needs.  I feed her three times a day, so she gets 3/4 lb at each meal.  Each recipe makes 2.25 lbs.

Well it’s been a couple of busy weeks.  Jessee continues to do really well.  She had her second chemo treatment this past Sunday January  .  She seems to be handling the chemo ok so far.  A very small reaction on Sunday night, panting but that only lasted about 45 minutes then all good.  She is now on an oncology nutrition recommended diet.  Takes alot of time to prepare ahead but she is worth it and she loves it.  She is continuing with her 5 mushroom supplement and after a recent consult with a CBD certified vet ech she has started on a product called ellevet.  Combination of cbd and glucosamine.  Her rehabilitation vet has her swimming in a beach entry pool and she did really well but she was exhausted for a day and a half.  Yesterday she was fitted with a orthopedic device to assist her right front remaining leg.  Hope is to get her better traction, protect the leg and help with rear hamstrings.  She is getting used to it today.  She is now my bionic tripawd diva.  The first picture is her new orthopedic device.  The second is Jessee with her rehab vet Dr. Finn in the pool.  The last picture is Jessee sitting in her favorite chair watching the world go by and barking at everything.

Jessee is just adapting so well and doing excellent.  Our oncologist said she is cautiously optimistic.  I’m a realist but what I do know is that Jessee has a very good quality of life.  She is doing everything she was doing prior to the amputation.  Her appetitie is good and she really loves the diet the nutritionist recommended for us.  There are some supplements if anyone is interested in knowing more about it just let me know.   In the meantime we are getting ready to take our first airstream trip of the year with both danes and looking forward to a beach getaway.  Safe distancing of course

Jessee update.  Tuesday we were back at the oncologist for bloodwork.  One week post chemo.  Results came back fine.  Jessee was down 4 lbs but oncologist said not to be too concerned as her body mass is good and a little less weight would benefit her joints and remaining front leg.  And I have to admit I fed her a little less being concerned she was not burning off the calories and would be putting weight on.  She has the appetitie of a small horse (had to add that).

But today after we got back home from a short errand I let the kids outside, thats her pretend brother Jaymee in the blue, and all of a sudden we see birds so of course we have to run.  Because nobody told her she only has three legs now and can’t do that.   She was so happy just being Jessee and barking and running after the birds.  Could not have asked for a better afternoon potty break with her.

Living in the moment and enjoying her day to day.  Her front paw has a bit of swelling that we are treating with massage and hot/cold compresses.  She is going to be starting laser therapy but not until mid February due to availability and her chemo scheduling.

But for the time being, all is well with Jessee.  She’s loving life and is a very happy girl.

Happy New Years Eve!  This is two days after the first chemo treatment.  Feeling very happy today as last night Jessee had slightly soft stools so was getting concerned.  Added a bit of natural pumpkin to her dinner and firmed it right up, YAY.

Incision is healing really well and fur is growing back.  She is so alert and happy and just wants to be a part of everything.  It really is a totally different atmosphere in the house and in my heart than it’s been the past three weeks.

I love this group, the support and the knowledge that you can get here is amazing.  The oncologist praised us for making the decision to amputate so quickly, but without researching here and previsouly having a tripawd it might have been harder to do.  It certainly was the right decision for Jessee without a doubt.  She is such a happy girl again.  Stay safe everyone

Happy Wednesday!  Yesterday was a long day meeting the oncologist for the first time.  Jessee had her first treatment with carboplatin and had her stitches removed.  She left a happy girl with a new chemo bandana and a suckie baby toy.  So far so good!  She ate dinner last night and breakfast and lunch today.  Fingers crossed.  Bowels are a bit soft today so will need to watch that.  Oncologist also recommended she get started on 5 Defenders Real Mushroom capsules.  So we started those today.  We are also pursuing a oncologist nutrition consultant for a optimal diet for her.  We already make her an organic chicken stew (actually both the danes) so a bit more cooking is no big deal.  The next two weeks will be bloodwork each Tuesday and then the next carboplatin treatment.  The oncologist told me the vaccine that will be produced from her cancer cells is not a proven treatment so they will do the full course of the carboplatin first and then she will receive the targeted vaccine after.  She was a little bit lethargic last night but I guess that’s to be expected.  Her seromas are all gone from the surgery, all the discoloration on her stomach is gone and her front right foot has reduced swelling.  I guess overall she’s in pretty darn good shape considering.  Just wanted to share.  I’m so so so glad we amputated when we did.  It was only 8 days from diagnosis to amputation and its just so good not to see her in pain.