February 24, 2011
We arrived at UC Davis at 9:30 and were met by a vet student who took Xan’s history and did an exam to see if he would qualify for the research study that uses both IV and inhaled chemo. She then took our records and xrays to go over everything with the researcher, Carlos Rodriguez. They came back about 30 minutes later. Dr. Rodriguez said that Xan was the “ideal candidate” and then told me more about the study. A lot of information, but the main points were:
- Study is to benefit dogs and kids with OS
- He’d like to enroll 19 dogs and has 6 so far
- IV ifosfamide every three weeks (administered in 15 minutes, but will also give him 5 liters of fluid over 6 hours and some form of protectant)
- Inhaled gemcitabine to be administered by me at home twice a week for 45 min-60 min – this has to be done outdoors, I wear a “bug mask” and Xan wears a clear bag over his head that is hooked to a nebulizer and he breathes it in through the bag.
- This will go on for 6 months!!!
- Average survival rate 8 months (when the inhaled chemo was given alone in an earlier study it only gave the dogs a 75 day survival rate because it still metastisized and no chemo was given to treat the other parts of the body)
- Dogs have tolerated this really well, with very few side effects. Does not appear to harm the lungs.
- I have to pay for the ifosamide every time and xrays every other session
- I can’t stay with him for the 6 hours because of university policy (an owner had an accident and the university stopped the practice of owners staying with their pet…), he will be in a small x- pen in the main room where he can be monitored.
My reservations:
- Putting a plastic bag over Xan’s head (although I put it on him for 10 seconds and he didn’t object) and wearing a bug mask
- Xrays every 3 weeks
- 6 months of chemo
- I was given zero paperwork or details about the study (although I admit that I didn’t think of this until after I left) – not sure if studies are usually so informal?
If I decide to go for it, he is to report on Monday at 8am for his first IV treatment. Does anyone have thoughts about or experience with doing this level of chemo for 6 months? Meaning, is it going to effect Xan’s quality of life so much that the last 6 months of his life will be crappy? I want to do what is best for Xanadu, not what is convenient for me. So if this is his best shot, I am all for it.
