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Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat

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Help with decision about older dog
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On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
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10 April 2013 - 10:13 pm
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Ahhh, OK, understood how the meds are working, thanks for the clarification. I've heard lots of people having good results with amantadine ("Adamantium"!).

I know that surgery would pose a big dilemma in our pack too if we were in the same situation. As long is Beamer is happy and you know she has a good quality of life for however long that is, that's all that matters.  Hopefully a very, very long time.

Keep us posted!

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

Member Since:
11 March 2013
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6 October 2013 - 8:25 pm
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For anyone still following this thread, I have some updates. I know it's been a loooooong time, and it's probably bad form to be posting this reply to such an old thread, but I wanted to make sure that anyone who helped us before and was curious about our plight sees this. So I apologize for being so distant, but life often gets in the way with stuff like that.

On the bright side, the amantadine did help immensely with Beamer's crying out in pain episodes, and they did eventually disappear entirely. We then tapered off each of the pain meds one by one until he was totally off them with no signs of pain. That was probably back in April or maybe early May. Then we did four rounds of chemo at CSU, finishing up in late July.

Our lives changed in a big way in the first week of August, as my wife landed a big job promotion that required us to move from Colorado to Pennsylvania. Over the course of the following two months, Beamer's health started to decline.

Two weeks ago, Beamer started having episodes where she would like pass out and fall over, so I took her to the vet and they said she was quite anemic and was passing out due to the lack of oxygen in her bloodstream. They scanned her lungs but found no mets big enough to see on the scan. Her white blood cells were elevated, so they gave her some amoxicillin to see if that would help. It did, for a few days, and she was mostly back to normal without the anemia or the hypoxia.

On Friday (two days ago), my wife told me when I got home from work that Beamer had been very resistant to standing up and walking all day, and when she did walk, she was very wobbly. I looked and her gums and they were very pale, so I knew the anemia was back and things were not looking good. In addition, she was developing masses about 2 inches in diameter at different spots on her rib cage, some of which popped up in just a day or two. I made an appointment with my vet for Friday night and my wife and son kissed Beamer goodbye when I loaded her up in the car.

The vet said exactly what I thought she would-- that it was probably time to say goodbye. She would need a full blood transfusion to last more than 24 hours, and even then, they wouldn't be actually fixing the root cause of her problem. Essentially, the cancer was destroying her red blood cells and this was causing her anemia and thus hypoxia.

I was rubbing her head and scratching her ears when she fell asleep for the last time. She was a good dog and she will be missed, but she's finally at rest and without pain. Thanks for listening, and for offering your help.

Regards,
Jon Heese





Member Since:
16 October 2012
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6 October 2013 - 8:45 pm
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RIP Beamer.  I am so sorry for your loss

 

Hugs

Michelle & Angel Sassy

sassymichelle-sm.jpg

Sassy is a proud member of the Winter Warriors. Live long, & strong Winter Warriors.
sassysugarbear.tripawds.com
07/26/2006 - Sassy earned her wings 08/20/2013

05/04/2006 -  Bosch, Sassy's pal, earned his wings 03/29/19  fought cancer for 4 months.

"You aren't doing it TO her, you are doing it FOR her. Give her a chance at life."

Montana
Member Since:
1 February 2013
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6 October 2013 - 10:04 pm
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Run free Beamer - you will meet lots of new friends over the Bridge.

 

Condolences-

Luanne & Spirit Shooter

Spirit Shooter was a Miniature Australian Shepherd who was diagnosed with a MCT and had a LF amp 1/28/13 at 13-1/2 years old. 

Shooter crossed the Bridge on 8/28/13, his 7 month ampuversary and two weeks from his 14th birthday.

http://shooter......ipawds.com

New Haven, CT
Member Since:
27 December 2012
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7 October 2013 - 6:33 am
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Oh, Beamer!  You guys did so much for her.  What a beaming soul she was, huh?  Thanks for caring for her so well and giving her the peaceful, dignified end she deserved.  Run free and fast, Beamer!

~ Katy & Jackson

ACL tear in right hind leg 12/5/12 and scheduled ACL repair surgery 12/21/12. Pre-op xrays revealed osteosarcoma. Amputation 12/28/12.  Chemo (carboplatin) started Jan 10, 2013 and ended on April 5, for a total of 5 doses. He handled carbo like a champ!  No side effects.  We started metronomic therapy at his third chemo and have been also doing some holistic treatments.  He's a lively, playful 10 year old huskie-boarder collie and a very proud member of the Winter Warriors!  Our love. Our funny little guy!

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
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7 October 2013 - 9:18 am
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Jon and family, please accept our condolences, we are so sorry to read about Beamer. No apologies needed for posting here at this time, it's helpful for folks to know and we appreciate it.

You did so much for her throughout her life and you were there for her in amazing, loving ways during the cancer journey. What a pawesome advocate you are, and I'm sure she knew that with all her heart.

It's never easy to say goodbye but I hope that all of the happy memories you had together will bring you comfort as you cope with losing your beautiful girl. Many hugs & much love are coming your way.

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

Southwestern Ontario, Canada
Member Since:
22 November 2012
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8 October 2013 - 10:14 am
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The bridge just became more beautiful with Beamers arrival...

My goodness.. can you imagine the rukus and shenan-a-kins going on up there with all our fur kids having a great time together!!!

Run Free pretty girl... you deserve it!!!

Christine..... with Franklin in her heart♥

 

Franklin, he was the Happiest Dog on Three Legs! Diagnosed 09/26/2012 with Osteosarcoma, amputated 12/4/2012.  Had a wonderful 5 1/2 months painfree until he ran for the Bridge on 5/15/2013.  Always in my heart, and always a guardian angel of my pack...   You can follow his Tripawd Adventures, before and after, in my blog, Frank'n'Farter!

Virginia







Member Since:
22 February 2013
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10 October 2013 - 10:59 pm
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Oh, I'm so very sorry.  I cannot tell you how many, many times I wonereed how Beamer was doing.  Quite franky as saddened as I was to see this post, it was also quite heartwarming  to ow Beamer had :good quality time with you.  You were always her best frend and biggest advocate,  And when the tme came to give her the greatest gift of love, yu gave selflessly.  Everythi g you ever did n this jojrney was always in her best interest.

 

When I reflect back on all the challenges you faced whike trying to make this decision, you never lost site of what was best for Beamer.  You extended her life and gave her more spoiling and more loving than most dogs have in a lifetime.  And yoj surronded her with love as she exited this life.  And she surrounded you with her love to stay safely tucked in your heart forever.

 

May the wonderful bond you two shared and the happy memories you created stay with you forever. She was very lucky to have you as her partner for so long, and you were very lucky to have  Beamer by your side   

 

Thank you for sharingyour beautiful girl with us.  Everytime I look at her avatar picture I have to smile.  She jjst looks so content and secure.....a very happy Beamer.   We will never forget her!  She touched our lives snd lived a life that mattered!

 

 

Love to you and your family,,,

 

Sally and Happy Hannah

Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!

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