Post Canine ACL and New Doggie Chemo, All in the Same Week

So, Solomon's knee needed a little more than a doggie massage, after all.  Tuesday was two weeks post ACL repair surgery for him.  Honestly, I thought he was walking better last week.  But we got the staples out Monday, and the incision has healed beautifully.

During the same surgery, they removed three new mast cell tumors  on that same thigh.  It's the third time in three months that new mast cell tumors have appeared and been removed.  Surgery #3, and even though everything's tested out to grade 1 or 2, it's time to pursue chemo drugs to try to prevent them vs. additional surgeries under anesthesia to removed them.

We already had the appointment with the oncology specialist vet when a new mast cell tumor popped up.  It's been not even two weeks since the last ones were removed.  Yes, the decision to pursue chemo was necessary.

As of today, it's been 2 days since we started the chemo drug, Kinavet.  First night, diarrhea within the first hour and a half, requiring urgent bathroom outings every 30 minutes.  Slept a few hours, had an appetite, ate breakfast, and the explosive diarrhea set back in shortly thereafter.  Fed him a "bland diet" of rice & boiled chicken for dinner.  Still diarrhea, but only one outing 2 hours after dinner and a vomiting episode at 4 am.

Today, picked up three new medications to tame the diarrhea, which is still present.  More rice & chicken for lunch, first dose of two of the new medications.  An urgent rush for the door within 20 minutes and explosive, bloody diarrhea.  My poor Dood.

So, we're not even close to being able to take walks.  He steps 10 feet outside the front gate and parks himself to watch the goings-on in the neighborhood.  He walks if he has to "go" and seems a little obsessed with the view from across the street.  If it will cause him to exercise the post-surgical knee, I'll walk anywhere with him.

I had really hoped for the knee to be better healed before hitting my boy with one more devastating treatment, but here we are, facing it all at once.

I have several days to hire a pet-sitter for mid-day potty breaks and hope we have the side effects controlled enough for that to be enough.  I have no idea how the millions of other dog owners balance this type of situation....but I need to figure it out....quickly....