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Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat

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my tripod ruptured CCL-vet recommends surgery
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Member Since:
2 November 2008
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16
24 November 2008 - 4:18 pm
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Update on Ivan:  Ivan visited the physical therapy rehab center, and now has an exercise routine.  He allso had 2 laser laser treatments and one chropractic adjustment so far--with two more scheduled. 

Ivan's exercises to start are "Cookie stretches" and "Sit to Stand."  As his recovery progresses, he will be adding in more exercises.  The exercises are demonstrated on a DVD entitle "Building the Canine Athlete: Strength, Stretch, Endurance and Body Awareness Exercises," by M. Christine Zink DVM, PhD and Laurie McCauley DVM, produced by Canine Sports Productions, http://www.cani.....sports.com

No hydrotherapy yet, his incision is still not healed completely, and we have to budget this treatment in, both financilally and time-wise, as the rehab center is 40 minutes away.  We are committed to the in-home exercises, though, and Ivan doesn't mind as he is motivated by tasty treats!

Chemo was delayed again, as the TPLO incision site is still not healed completely, he will visit his surgeon tomorrow, and if she signs off on it, he'll get his second chemo treatment day after tomorrow (Wednesday).  He did very well with the first, no side effects at all!

Ivan is happy, loves the extra attention he's been getting, and we love to give him lots of hugs, ear and neck scratches and belly rubs. 

We'll keep you posted!

Ivan and Ivan's mom


Member Since:
22 August 2008
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24 November 2008 - 11:03 pm
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I am glad to hear that Ivan is recovering.  Tazzie had physical therapy after both of her knee surgeries.  She was okay with the stretching and flexing stuff, but she was just too big for me to do the exercise ball!  She did the underwater treadmill both times about 10 sessions per knee.  She did not like that much and learned that she was big enough to be able to step off the treadmill belt to avoid moving too fast.  I was glad when she was finished, but I think it helped her recovery quite a bit.

It is impressive that Ivan will be able to do it all with only 3 legs.  

Pam and Tazzie

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2 November 2008
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1 December 2008 - 8:29 pm
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Ivan is doing well after his second chemo last Wednesday, again with no side effects.  He went back to the chiropractor Saturday and was adjusted.  He will go this week for hydrotherapy, as we do notice his back legs are weakening, and we want to give him the best chance possible to keep strong while recovering from the TPLO.  We are now four weeks into that recovery period, and continue to do the prescribed at home exercises as well.   

We'll keep you posted on his progress.

 

Ivan and Ivan's mom

Member Since:
30 March 2008
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1 December 2008 - 8:40 pm
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Hello Ivan, so good to hear that you are doing well.  Make sure to take it easy and keep an eye on those rear legs.  I started having problems with mine and the acupuncture really helped me relax.  My mom also did exercises with me at home using her exercise ball.   We did lots of stretchies and also the sit and stand kind of deal.  It made me feel soooo much better as some days I woke up stiffer than a board and my arthritis surely did not help.  I wish I had the chance to do the chiropractor but man it sure is hard to find one in GA and that is in the office more than once a month.  My mom thinks it is very interesting how acupuncture and adjustments can be of such help to us.  She knows that it is great for humans as she has had them done herself (at least the chiropractor part)....Me, I was the lucky one to have the nice acupuncture...some nice relaxing music and a little bit of scratching behind my ear and I was in heaven.....well am in heaven.  Keep up the good work and take one day at a time...keep us posted.  Best wishes on your road to recovery.  Love, Kellie

Kellie

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
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2 December 2008 - 12:57 am
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Hey Ivan, great news. What a lucky boy you are!

Can I ask, where do you do hydrotherapy? Those places are hard to find, we wish there were more of them. 

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

Member Since:
2 November 2008
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3 December 2008 - 8:16 pm
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Today Ivan had his first hydrotherapy treatment at the Canine Rehabilitation Center in Walnut Creek, California.  The website is http://www.thek.....center.com.  A little anxious at first, can't say as he was thrilled, but he hung in there for two 3-minute sessions, a short break in between so he could rest.  Dr. Troy says he'll be tired tonight and probably sore tomorrow. But so good for our boy Ivan!  Ideally he would go two times a week, but we can only do one time a week. 

We'll keep you all posted on Ivan's progress.

Ivan and Ivan's mom

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
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4 December 2008 - 7:33 pm
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Oh Ivan you are such a lucky boy! That place is RAD!

We're happy you had a good session overall. The water thing is weird if you're not used to it, but trust me, you'll dig it after a few times. Remember to take it easy and ask your Mom for lots of massages while you recuperate. We'd love to hear more about how the therapy goes. Good luck!

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

Member Since:
2 November 2008
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2 January 2009 - 8:11 pm
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An update on Ivan.  After good progress on recovering from his TPLO surgery, Ivan ruptured his right rear cruciate ligament, despite the physical therapy routine we were using to avoid that event  At the same time, his chest xray came back showing lung mets.  So, we are keeping him comfortable, will start acupuncture, and see how he is after a 21-day round of oral cemo to slow the lung mets down.  We're taking it a day at a time.  Had the lungs been clear, we were going to do another TPLO, since Ivan did so well with the first recovery, was a happy dog even on restricted activity. 

We keep the faith, thanks everyone for your support.

Ivan and Ivan's mom

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
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3 January 2009 - 10:31 am
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Oh Ivan, we are so sorry to hear this news. We hope you aren't in too much pain from that rupture. Take it easy OK?

Your Mom's plan sounds very good. Many hugs going out to you my friend. We love you.

 

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

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2 November 2008
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6 January 2009 - 4:18 pm
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Ivan's ortho surgeon just called, and is recommending we proceed with a less invasive repair of Ivan's knee--tomorrow.  The oncologist suggested waiting until we see how the first round of oral chemo goes, at the end of three weeks, to see if the mets slow down, saying that the literature says a prognosis of 8 weeks, even though she has patients Money at this point is an issue, but . .  .  The surgeon sees Ivan's pain releif from the surgery as immediate, and why wait another 2-1/2 weeks.  I guess the issue for part of our family is how much time is left.  For me, it is seeing Ivan in pain from the knee, not from the cancer.  Don't know what we will do, but wanted to put it out there.   

Ivan and Ivan's mom

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
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6 January 2009 - 5:54 pm
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ivanmom said:

The oncologist suggested waiting ... says a prognosis of 8 weeks, even though ...


W'd agree with the surgeon about doing it now, but not about the "less invasive" issue. We always hat to see people put their pet through multiple surgeries then regret having done a full amputation in the first place.

And pardon the French, but screw the literature! All dogs are different. Plenty of dogs on this site – including myself – were given three minths max and lasted nearly two years. Others didn't make it a day.

Please try to focus on quality of life and not quantity ... best wishes with whatever decision you do make.

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

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2 November 2008
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6 January 2009 - 9:45 pm
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Thanks, Jerry. After further discussions with the surgeon, who talked to our oncologist, we are going ahead with the surgery tomorrow morning.  The surgeon sees this as a way to alleviate Ivan's knee pain for however long he has left, and improving the quality of his life.  That is the determining factor for us.  Ivan has so much joy in him now, even with the knee, that improving his knee pain is best for us.  We don't regret one decision we have made, knowing that the amputation, then the TPLO, was the right choice, and now, this surgery.  Ivan is in good hands with Dr. Carlson at Berkeley Dog and Cat, she has been the most wonderful, caring and compassionate health professional.

Thanks for the encouragement.  We'll keep you posted. Ivan has a lot of prayers embracing him! 

Ivan and Ivan's mom

On The Road


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24 September 2009
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6 January 2009 - 10:08 pm
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ivanmom said:

... way to alleviate Ivan's knee pain for however long he has left...


The best way ... bless you for taking such good care of your furry buddy. Best wishes for a speedy recovery!

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

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2 November 2008
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18 January 2009 - 6:19 pm
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An update on Ivan:  He had his right rear knee repaired January 7, is at home recovering.  The recovery from this procedure is going more slowly than the recovery from his TPLS surgery, which the doctor says is to be expected.  We do have a new concern which has developed, he now has pain at his amputation site, and this seems to be causing him more distress thatn the knee repair, as he isometimes whimpers and cries a bit when he lays on the amputation side . . .

I don't want to speculate what this is, he goes in Wednesday for a chemo recheck and chest xray to see if the current chemo meds are working to slow the lung mets down, we can get a picture of his amputation side then.  If we can, we sill start back with hydrotherapy on Thursday, unless there is a pain issue that would be worsened by that . . .

Ivan had his first acupuncture yesterday, and the holistic vet prescribed some herbal remedies for the joint pain and Hoxsey Boneset formula for the cancer, and recommended a Moxa stick to stimulate his acupuncture points with heat.   He's already on Metacam, Dasequin, Ligalex, Tramadol, and the Leukeran chemo regimen, so this is a bit more . . .Phew, it seems like a lot.

Keeping the faith, as we see what the next day brings.  Thanks for all the continuing support.

Ivan and Ivan's mom

MarleyFlynn
30
20 January 2009 - 1:30 pm
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Ivan - we wish you the best. We see our 12 yr old chocolate lab, Marley, in a similar situation if we choose to go through with an amputation. Our vet has found a tumor in her left hip - we don't know what kind of cancer yet. Will most likely do a biopsy... the next step would be amputation of her left leg (and possibly part of her pelvis to fully remove the tumor), but the problem is a surgeon examined her last night and found that she has some damage in her right knee, as well as some arthritis. He thinks her right knee would eventually blow out if her left leg is gone... 

We are so torn on what to do!!! any thoughts?? we feel that an amputation would only be an option if it is not OSA, only if it something that could be cured... but even then, do we put her through possibly 2 surgeries and recovery periods??? 

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