Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hi there. My name is Sasha and I am 8 years old. It has been 7 weeks today since I had my surgery to amputate my back right leg due to Osteosarcoma. It all started the Monday before my surgery. My mom and dad and I were playing outside in the backyard and my mom was playing tag with me. I was running up and down the deck stairs when the last time I ran up my leg fell through between the stairs. My mom was so upset. After lots of xrays the doctor determined that I had cancer. We found out the next day that my leg was broken but not due to the fall. It broke because it was weak due to the cancer. It was a very hard decision form my mom and dad to make but she tells me all the time she wouldn't change a thing. She thought that because I am such a "drama queen" that I wouldn't bounce back the way that I have. She thought that I would loose my appetite and be depressed all of the time. I showed her. I didn't loose my appetite at all (although, mom now has to heat my meals up for me). Mom has also decided to try chemo with me. My first session should be next week. I am going to see the doctor tonight to make sure that there is no spots in my lungs so I can get the chemo started. My mom and dad have even made me a ramp to go up and down so I don't have to use the stairs now. And when it is time to go in the car you try and stop me from running. Mom says it wasn't my time to go so she was willing to do what she needed to do. I will keep everyone updated on my recovery and I want to thank everyone for their kind thoughts. Mom says that this site has been very helpful in getting through things emotionally and she recommends anyone that is debating about amputation or chemo to do your research.
thanks for sharing your story Sasha! We're happy to hear about your quick recovery, and look forward to learning about your chemo treatments.
Your break is how alot of dogs find out they have cancer. (We don't like to show our pain!) When that happens, life is a whirlwnd with everything happening so quickly. You have wonderful people for making the right decision on such short notice. Good luck with those lung x-rays!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Good luck Sasha! (That's my human's name by the way - she says its a popular name for dogs and she's very proud she's got a doggie name); did you know that Sasha is short for Alexandra, which means "warrior" - so that's exactly what you are.
All love,
Lalla (and Sasha)
Hey Sasha,
Best Wishes & stay strong.... Keep us posted on your treatment. Have you changed your diet yet?... There is so much to learn...Knowledge is power!
KIM&BUSTER
Kim & Angel Buster
"Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened."
–Anatole France
Sasha we wish you all the best with your treatment too. My Remi had her leg amputated 3 years ago now and we didn't opt for chemo. Where there's life there's hope IMO. Good luck XX
Thanks for the hope. I was supposed to start my chemo on Tuesday but my CBC (Complete Blood Count) was low. They are going to try again tomorrow but it doesn't look good. On a good note there were no mats in my lungs so overall it was a good day. My mom cries a lot. She tries not to cry around me but I know when she is sad. She is trying to be strong but I know it is hard for her. I know in my heart that the vets are doing all that they can and that this does give mom closure.
I will keep everyone posted on a play by play over the next few days.
Sasha and Sherry(MOM)
Yeah, no lung mets! Talk about an occasion to celebrate.
Try not to cry, Mamma, just look into Sasha's eyes and feel all the love she feels for YOU. That will definitely make you smile!
Keep us posted, things will be O.K.
-Jerry
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Sasha is not doing well today. Not due to the cancer but we now think that her right front leg is paralyzed due to either the Metacam or Robaxin she was on when she pulled a musle. Over the last 4 days she has gone from a falling down drunk state to not being able to move her front leg. The vet tells me this is a potential side effect but could not tell me if the feeling will return. We have since taken her off the meds and we are just letting her rest over the weekend. Has anyone had to deal with this before and what was the outcome?
She is still eating 100% and that's what is making this so hard.
Please help.
Sasha and Sherry
Sherry,
Does she look like she want to move the leg, but with hesitation (likely because of pain from the leg or somewhere else which triggered by movement of the leg) or the leg just not coordinating?
Let's just hope for the best that Sasha's leg will respond better after taken off meds and a weekend rest.
I am too afraid to speculate, or even to try to suggest.
I will be anxiously waiting Sasha's update from you after the weekend. Please keep us posted.
Love,
Jessie
Sasha and Sherry,
We agree with Jessie too, and don't want to try to speculate. We hope that rest will take care of it, but if it's the same on Monday, I would get to the vet asap. Good luck. You are in our thoughts.
Love,
Jerry
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
No it seemed up until about an hour ago she had no feeling in her right paw (the same side that she had her hind leg amputated) She tried to sit up tonight on her own. We had to help her outside. It was heartbreaking. On a good note she tried to walk up her ramp by herself and did make progress. She only walked a few steps but was more that yesterday. We are still hoping that it is due to the meds but would like to hear a success story. As hard as it is to see her need this much help. I am still hopefull and am not ready to give up. Her apetite is still there and I still see the spirit in her eyes.
I will keep everybody posted over the weekend. Thanks for the support. I don't know what I would do without this site.
Sherry
Well we tried to get her outside again tonight. It was a lot of effort. She went to the washroom and as soon as we said "let's go in the house" it was like someone shot her full of adrenaline and she shot up her ramp. She was moving faster that mom and I combined. It seem when I say "car" or "house" she has all of the energy in the world.
We picked her up from the vet yesterday and the vet couldn't explain the burst of energy one minute and the paralysis the next. Very strange. She does have a call into the local vet college to see if she can get a second opinion because she can't explain it either.
Once again. We will keep everyone posted.
Sasha and Sherry
I always jump to my feet when Mom and Dad say "Jerry, you wanna......" Doesn't matter what they ask, it's that "wanna" word that does it for me!
Well, it's great that your vet is willing to seek others' opinions. It's always a good sign when a professional is willing to admit that they don't know what's going on. Keep us posted, and give her our love.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Well Sasha is not able to get up on her front paws today at all. They both seem to be paralyzed. I have called the vet and am waiting for her to return my call. This is one of the hardest things that I have had to do but I think I am finally going to have to say goodbye.
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