Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Sorry to keep posting topics but I just need to get these out,
I am sure that everyone had their own 'what ifs' on their journeys
I am probably going to also discuss many with the oncologist Thursday
what if charlie doesn't want to drink after surgery? he already is not drinking a lot and lost weight. We add a lot of water to his food and he only drinks sometimes when we offer water
What if he continues to lose weight after? Does that mean there is cancer elsewhere? He has so many other lumps that could be cancerous
what if his hips cant handle the strain? he has weakness in his rear muscles already, what if they just give out and he can't get up at all?
what if we do the surgery and his recovery is complicated? infections and other unforseen problems. Should we not have done the surgery if its going to cause these things no one can see in the future?
what if charlie gets side effects from all the pain medicine? these are hard on the liver and kidneys but in reality would a kidney or liver problem really be his end before a new cancer or this would spread
what if we don't do chemo? how much would this reduce his life
what if we do herbal support instead of chemo?
what if we do do chemo and its really hard on him physically?
what if he get pancreatitis again ? he got this from prednisone just in march?
what if he can beat this like his thyroid tumor and mast cell tumor?
what if he can't?
what if Charlie can't get up when hes at my moms and she can't lift him?
what if charlie tries to jump off the bed and face plants or hurts his only remaining front leg?
what if we remove the large fatty tumor near his bad shoulder with the leg surgery? will this cause him more pain because he will lay on it more?
what if all i hear after surgery from mom was i told you he should have got his wings instead?
what if he doesn't get his spark back?
What if this surgery makes it horrible for two weeks but then a herbal protocol helps him live a happy other year?
What if we decide its just the time for him to earn his wings instead?
thank goodness i have a great stock of tissues here
What if he falls when no one is home?
What if we can't stay home with him for two solid weeks after a surgery?
what if we feel so guilty for causing him more struggle? as he looks at us crying in pain
his bout of pancreatitis was bad, he was in the hospital for 4 days and then it took a good week to recover from it.
Can we handle that in threefold or will it just devastate us?
Of course you can get these worries out, that's why we are here. And anyone who has ever been through the decision process knows exactly how you are feeling.
The reality is, nobody can predict the future. All those what ifs....they haven't happened yet, and there's no guarantee that they will. If we lived our lives by all the what ifs we worry about, we would never grow as people, challenge ourselves and be happy, right? With or without cancer we cannot control the future. Ever. Sure, we can prepare for it, but the fact is, all we have is right here, right now. And right now, you can decide on a path for him, knowing that you are making the best decision with the information you have in your hands.
Yes you will worry, but if you follow his lead you will see that he isn't worried about tomorrow. All he wants is to feel good again, and for his people to be happy.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
jerry said
Yes you will worry, but if you follow his lead you will see that he isn't worried about tomorrow. All he wants is to feel good again, and for his people to be happy.
( i figured out the quote part)
How can we follow his lead? how do we know? Tomorrow in general or meaning when we see the specialist?
We are getting more worried about his rear legs if he has this surgery because he just shakes a lot when he tries to poop.
He is getting a chiro visit tomorrow, the first one since charlie has been really limping. So we will see how much he's hurting so far.
I've forfotten, has Charlie been evaluated by an Orthopedic Specialist/Surgeon? Generally they can give you a really good idea about how well his remaining legs will handle things.
Jerry gave you some good advice. As she said, we can all understand your worries and the "what ifs". We've ALL been there...done that!
Please know, there is no right or wrong decision when faced with these "options" no one should ever have to deal with.
As Jerry said, Charlie isn't worried about all the tomorrows ahead, or even the next hour. He just flows effortlessly from one happy moment to the next. We humans are the only ones who worry about the future. And, as humans, we like to run every possible scenario in our heads as though that gives us some sort of "control" over the future...over the situation. Sure, it helps to be prepared for things as they arise. But THE vest way to "prepare" is to just KNOW WITHIN THE DEPTH OF YOUR SOUL, YOU WILL HANDLE WHATEVER COMES YOUR WAY.... .,just like you have already your entire life. You've already survived every "what if" scenario that has come your way!
Write down ALL your questions/what ifs and go over them with the Surgeon, the Onco, your regular Vet. Keep on until you get everything answered as best they can. Write down their answers. Don't trust your memory to retain the information at the time.
Amputation is NOT for every case. It may be that Charlie's situation does not lend itself to surgery. Other avenues may have to be pursued. As far as not eating, he may need an appetite stimulant. Discuss his weight loss with your Vet. My Happy Hannah had osteo, so that's different from what your Charlie has. I have no insight into his Pancreatitis and how anything related to surgery and follow up meds would impact that, if at all.
Keep things chunked down for now, You can decide on chemo, holostic, etc down the road.
Drinking....we jave lots of tips on that. A scoop of ixe cream swirled imto the water does wonders. Make sure he tastes the ice cream first on the spoon and then have him follow the spoon as you dunk it into the water.
Most people only take avpit five days or less to stay home with their dogs. Obviously not everyone can do that. Keeping them confined and having someone check on them several times a day works during that time..
A face plant to two is not unusual . Just keep nonslip scatter rugs for traction if you have hardwoods . Block off access to your bed the first couple of weeks. A lot of people use doggy stairs.
Infections sometimes happen and are usually cleared up with a good dose of antibiotics.
No one could stop ypur Mom from saying "I told you so" if things didn't go well for some unforseen. IF you pursue the surgery it is because it was a TEAM decision with the professionals who know their craft! reason. IF she did say something like that, just grab a pint of ice cream and eat it all out of the box!
DEEP BREATHS....B R E A T H E.......now go hug Charlie and watch his tail wag and give him a good tummy rub!
Hugs
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too
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!
Yep, lots of "what if's"
Murphy was 7 when he had his surgery and he was healthy, so he had a lot going in his favor. I'm a nurse, so I probably had a little bit different view of things, maybe less questions, or maybe different ones, hard to say, sometimes hard to remember once you're past it. But we got through it, and Murphy healed, not without us having tons of doubts during that healing period! ugh, that couple of weeks is so hard!! And we had a vacation that was planned just 3 weeks after his surgery, out of the country, so our son stayed here to take care of him...no cell service...
So Murphy got better, and we figured things out. One of his favorite things to do was to run the fence when another dog was in the park behind us. Eventually later that summer, that's what he did - he started running along the fence, and he'd run into our other dogs, and yep, he'd face-plant! But he'd get right back up and keep running. Because he didn't care. Because he lived in the moment. He just wanted to run the fence.
Did he fall when no one was home? No idea. Maybe, but probably not. He really didn't fall very much. Dogs are amazing! They really do just figure this thing out.
You don't have to do chemo. A lot of people don't. It's ok, it's your decision, do what you have to do, what you're ok living with.
I wouldn't worry about the pain medications hurting his liver - they're really just short-term use, so it should be fine.
There's no guarantees - no matter which way you go. Just hopes, wishes & dreams!
Donna
Donna, Glenn & Murphy
Murphy had his right front leg amputated due to histiocytic sarcoma at 7 years old. He survived 4 years, 2 months & 1 week, only to be taken by hemangiosarcoma at 11 1/2 years 6/12/17
Read about Murphy's Life on Three Legs
You have been given some great advice. The only thing I can say is we can continue to say what if about a zillion things. We get that and understand it. Our dogs live in the moment.
jerry said
Of course you can get these worries out, that's why we are here. And anyone who has ever been through the decision process knows exactly how you are feeling.The reality is, nobody can predict the future. All those what ifs....they haven't happened yet, and there's no guarantee that they will. If we lived our lives by all the what ifs we worry about, we would never grow as people, challenge ourselves and be happy, right? With or without cancer we cannot control the future. Ever. Sure, we can prepare for it, but the fact is, all we have is right here, right now. And right now, you can decide on a path for him, knowing that you are making the best decision with the information you have in your hands.
Yes you will worry, but if you follow his lead you will see that he isn't worried about tomorrow. All he wants is to feel good again, and for his people to be happy.
The part I just quoted is a great thing to remember. We can't control this journey and that is the part that is the scariest and unknown. How our dogs handle it. They live in the moment and go on. Will it take time to adjust yes for you and him.
Keep us informed
hugs
Michelle & Angel Sassy
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."
benny55 said
I've forfotten, has Charlie been evaluated by an Orthopedic Specialist/Surgeon? Generally they can give you a really good idea about how well his remaining legs will handle things.Jerry gave you some good advice. As she said, we can all understand your worries and the "what ifs". We've ALL been there...done that!
Please know, there is no right or wrong decision when faced with these "options" no one should ever have to deal with.
As Jerry said, Charlie isn't worried about all the tomorrows ahead, or even the next hour. He just flows effortlessly from one happy moment to the next. We humans are the only ones who worry about the future. And, as humans, we like to run every possible scenario in our heads as though that gives us some sort of "control" over the future...over the situation. Sure, it helps to be prepared for things as they arise. But THE vest way to "prepare" is to just KNOW WITHIN THE DEPTH OF YOUR SOUL, YOU WILL HANDLE WHATEVER COMES YOUR WAY.... .,just like you have already your entire life. You've already survived every "what if" scenario that has come your way!
My soul just is so broken right now. Funny thing is , we were never supposed to get Charlie. We got the "wrong one" from the adoption. But it's obvious he was meant to be ours and no one else would do all we do for him.
He has not seen anyone. His appt is thurs morning. We are trying to hold it together. My husbands greatest fear is what if he can't walk after the surgery if we do it?
FWIW, Casey was able to get lie down, roll around in the snow, get up on his own, and walk/trot over to his mom 36 hours after his surgery (left arm amp). Now, he did not have other limb issues, but dogs are incredibly resilient.
tlahaye said
FWIW, Casey was able to get lie down, roll around in the snow, get up on his own, and walk/trot over to his mom 36 hours after his surgery (left arm amp). Now, he did not have other limb issues, but dogs are incredibly resilient.
Thanks for sharing
Can you bring mom to the vet appt?.. she would quickly join your team,, I suspect and would be honored to attend? I didnt do the amp.. I did cyberknife radiation as my dog has hip dysplasia on the rt rear and osteo is in the left rear.. It is more expensive... after consulting with the onco vet,. we agreed that even though he recommended the amputation, my choice,, the cyberknife radiation.. was ALMOST equal in doing the best for my dog. and he was fine with that choice. ( I do have pet insurance which makes this easier on the pocket.) I wish you the best.. so much seems to be changing with the osteo vaccine.... now many can get it off trial without having to amputate.. ... though be sure to get a firm diagnosis of osteo.
luke4275 though be sure to get a firm diagnosis of osteo.
How did you get that diagnosis for Sure? Did they do a biopsy of the bone?
She has to work tomorrow can't go.
There has to be a certain quality of bone left for the cyberknife right?
The closest place to us that does it is 10 hrs away by philly.
10 hrs is far,,, but it is 3 consec days, a few hours each day,,, . I had no biopsy done.. just x rays that are clearly suggestive... cyberknife doesn't cut, its just targeted strong radiation,,that zooms in on one targeted area and spares healthy areas ,, I am unsure of the needed quality of bone needed,,, your onco vet should know,,, all the best.... give yourself a pat on the back for working so hard on this.
We are going to talk to her about it, I did read more about it. It sounds like a CT scan is needed to know how the bone is for sure.
We will have to see how it goes and what time frames things are since it is a distance from us if it is an option.
one benefit to a surgery would be that we could get his large fatty tumor potentially removed also. Since this would be more irritating if we kept it and removed the leg.
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