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Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat

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Member Since:
16 February 2016
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24 March 2016 - 8:29 pm
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i have been reluctant to post an update because I don't want to jinx it/tempt fate but now that we are a week past the 2nd round of chemo (and 6 weeks post surgery), I feel safe in reporting on Quincy's progress. He is doing well. Physically he has adjusted, we often forget he is on 3 legs now. The only real visual reminder is that his fur hasn't grown all the way in yet. His under coat is in but is outer longer black fur is not - seems to be going pretty slow. Anyone with a shepherd/shepherd mix/dog with a 2 coats remember how long it took? I can't wait for it it look "normal" again.

His energy and personality are back (and really have been since his staples were removed at weeks 2 and 3). Luckily he didn't have any major side effects from chemo so far. In fact he seemed to do better this 2nd time because we were more prepared and did 2 things 1) give him both anti nausea and anti-diarrhea morning of chemo, before the treatment (1st time we only did anti nausea prophylacticly) and 2) we did 1/2 his "new" reg food (The Honest Kitchen Embark) and 1/2 boiled chicken for his meals to go a little easier on his system while he was on the metronidazole for 7 days.  He takes walks every day and goes about 20-25 min with lots of sniffing so clearly enjoys it (and in fact always wants to go longer but we turn around and go home so he doesn't overdo it). He plays too with his inside toys and/or his outside tennis balls and moves around the house and navigates all the steps on the deck and in the house without issue. 

Only kind of weird is a couple of times since his 2nd round of chemo he has randomly yelped. I have never been in the room to see when he does it but hear it - I am guessing it is something to do with moving slightly weird/possibly phantom limb pain/maybe scar tissue or something related to his incision (which is totally healed and never been an issue. He always let us touch/press it).  It has happened 3 times that I aware of and I come into the room after he does it to see what's wrong and he is acting normal wagging his tail.  It is totally random and he seems completely fine before and after. It is so strange. I actually don't think it has anything to do with the chemo I just only noticed it since this 2nd round. In fact if this cancer and surgery didn't happen I wouldn't think anything off it because he is kind of a big baby and often yelps at weird things/nothing that we can see. Anyone experience anything like this? We do have a bunch of Gabapentin so if it gets worse or seems to impact him beyond the split second of the Yelp we can certainly give him something like that if he needs it. Definitely will mention it at his next chemo in 2 weeks.

Overall very happy with where we are as we have crossed the 1/2 point of major treatment. Very much looking forward to concluding these major procedures by end of April (hopefully everything stays on track). Fingers crossed he continues to do well and the rest of the chemo goes well too (I will be nervous until it is done but need to remind myself where we are now). The results so far help reinforce that we made the right decision for Quincy.

Virginia







Member Since:
22 February 2013
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24 March 2016 - 9:40 pm
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Alrighty! We have a lot to celebrate!! And you know how we lpve celebrations around here!!

HAPPY SIX WEEK AMPUVERSARY QUINCY 🙂

CONGRATULATIONS ON RENEWED ENERGY AND RETURN OF PERSONALITY 🙂

YAY FOR SAILING THROUGH CHEMO 🙂

YAY FOR ENJOYING WALKS 🙂

YAY FOR HANDLING STEPS AND PLAYING WITH YOUR TOUS!

AND YAY FOR MOM FOR BEING SUCH A GREAT ADVOCATE FOR QUINCY AND FOR BEING SO STRONG:-)

As far as the fur, it seemed like it took forever for my Happy Hannah's to grow in, and she had short hair. I can honestly say that I rarely even "noticed" she had three legs once her fur grew in.

As far as the "yelp". Is it possible that Quincy jas learned a quick little "yelp" gets your attention immediately and brings you to him for a quick pet on the head.

Although phantom comes and goes quickly, it usually makes the dog get up and try and run away from the pain. They generally act a little "startled" or scared for maybe a couple of minutes. Doesn't sou d like this is the case with Quincy, but your vet can guide you if he thinks he nedds Gaba. It could just be Quincy "getting back to normal" and "seeing things" you don't!way-cool

It's just wonderful getting such a good update on Quincy! I always love seeing his happy smiling avatar photo...and would love to see more!

A scoop of ice cream on top of that Honest Kitchen tonight! You deserve it!

Love!

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!

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14 February 2016
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25 March 2016 - 3:51 am
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Congratulations to you both!  I was wondering how your 2nd chemo went.  So glad that everything is going so well, and you are taking much longer walks than we are.  Otis lays down at house 6 or 7 - 9 houses is our record.  Hooray for Quincy!

Otis - 106 pound lab/Dane mix, lost his right front leg to osteosarcoma on Febuary 9, 2016.  Four rounds of carboplatin completed in April, 2016.  Lung mets August 25, 2016.  Said goodbye too soon on September 4, 2016.   Lost his adopted sister, Tess, suddenly on October 9, 2016. likely due to hemangiosarcoma.  

Wherever they are, they are together.

Member Since:
16 February 2016
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25 March 2016 - 7:05 am
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Thanks! Quincy is smaller than Otis (~63 lbs) so that's probably why he can go farther. Also, Quincy has always been high energy and needs a lot of mental stimulation so I suspect he would go much farther if we didn't restrict him just because he wants to be out and supervising.

Sally, I think you might be right and I was wondering if he was doing that yelp to get us to come into the room. He has woken up startled occasionally too but not accompanied by a yelp and he used to do that too before all of this when he heard something or thought he heard something. It's hard to know exactly what is going on and like I said I probably wouldn't think anything of it if we weren't in the middle of all this recovery/oncology. Let's hope it amounts to nothing and he keeps progressing. I've got to take some more pictures of him this weekend.

it is good to be more than half way....

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25 March 2016 - 8:58 am
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Hooray for half-way!

Otis - 106 pound lab/Dane mix, lost his right front leg to osteosarcoma on Febuary 9, 2016.  Four rounds of carboplatin completed in April, 2016.  Lung mets August 25, 2016.  Said goodbye too soon on September 4, 2016.   Lost his adopted sister, Tess, suddenly on October 9, 2016. likely due to hemangiosarcoma.  

Wherever they are, they are together.

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
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25 March 2016 - 10:19 am
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Right on! WOOOOHOOO!!!

You won't jinx anything by sharing your great news. In fact, you'll get lots of pawsitivity back by sharing it with the world. The more we cheer you on, the more the Universe responds with all the hoppiness & joy you guys deserve.

I love the way you described his progress, that really shows that although it didn't happen overnight, slow and steady did the trick. Super big congrats!

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

Norene, TN
Member Since:
21 October 2014
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25 March 2016 - 3:01 pm
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Awww . . . this update brings a smile to my face.

EXCELLENT!!

Harmony became a Tripawd on 10/21/14 (MCT). She left us way too soon on 11/1/14.

"We miss you so much; our love, our heart, our Harmony."

- Pam, Ron and Melody, Meesha, Doublestuff and Mariah Carey

Member Since:
16 February 2016
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25 March 2016 - 6:52 pm
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Thanks everyone! Jerry is right, I need to share more to get the enthusiastic responses and good vibes. Have a great weekend! 

Michigan
Member Since:
2 April 2013
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25 March 2016 - 9:35 pm
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Yeah Quincy!!!  clap

Keep hopping on, buddy!

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

Donna.png

Member Since:
14 February 2016
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26 March 2016 - 5:45 pm
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When is Quincy's #3?  Otis' is April 5.  X-rays with that chemo, so I am already a bit nervous (although realistically, the X-rays mean very little other than whether chemo continues).

Otis - 106 pound lab/Dane mix, lost his right front leg to osteosarcoma on Febuary 9, 2016.  Four rounds of carboplatin completed in April, 2016.  Lung mets August 25, 2016.  Said goodbye too soon on September 4, 2016.   Lost his adopted sister, Tess, suddenly on October 9, 2016. likely due to hemangiosarcoma.  

Wherever they are, they are together.

Member Since:
16 February 2016
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27 March 2016 - 12:09 pm
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Quincy's next round is 4/7. No X-rays yet. I think I remember the vet saying we would do it sometime after we finish the 4th and final round. We are torn about the X-rays - the sedation really puts Qujncy out of sorts for almost a full 12 hrs and we kind of don't want to know. That said, we will probably do that one, whenever it is post chemo to screen (yes we are nervous too) and then depending on result not do it again unless major change behavior.  The vet said they typically do them every 3 mos but a lot of people choose not to do that.  Good luck with Otis in about a week or so!

Michigan
Member Since:
2 April 2013
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27 March 2016 - 6:08 pm
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We did the x-rays for awhile, and even an abdominal ultrasound.  We actually recently just stopped going for the x-rays and we're about 3 years out from surgery.  I think I kept thinking that we wanted to keep an eye on things, but then I started thinking, well, I might as well save a few hundred dollars!  lol  Murphy is still acting perfectly fine, he eats, he runs & plays.  I guess if something changes we can get some done, but it's an hour & a half drive out there and it doesn't change anything at this point.

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

Donna.png

Virginia







Member Since:
22 February 2013
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27 March 2016 - 6:41 pm
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With my beloved Happy Hannah, if I recall correctly, had one xray during her four rounds of chemo Carboplatin for osteo. I chose not to do anymore beyond that point. She completed her four rounds and we continued to get on with living, loving and spoiling! Fortunately, she never had to be sedated either.

As you can see....a very, very individual and personal decision. Each case...each dog....different. Absolutely no right kr wrong!!

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!

Member Since:
14 February 2016
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7 April 2016 - 11:18 am
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Hi!   Is today #3 for Quincy? 

Otis - 106 pound lab/Dane mix, lost his right front leg to osteosarcoma on Febuary 9, 2016.  Four rounds of carboplatin completed in April, 2016.  Lung mets August 25, 2016.  Said goodbye too soon on September 4, 2016.   Lost his adopted sister, Tess, suddenly on October 9, 2016. likely due to hemangiosarcoma.  

Wherever they are, they are together.

Member Since:
16 February 2016
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7 April 2016 - 2:07 pm
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Yep. Husband called and they just got home. Vet said Quincy looked good. His white blood cell count is down a bit but she is apparently not concerned. He also gained a few more kilos (way to go Embark food!) and she was happy about that so his chemo dosage did not change. So fingers crossed the next few days go like the last 2 chemos and he is ok without major side effects. I am a little disappointed about the white blood cell count by vet said it was ok so I am thinking it is more I just didn't hear it directly and Quincy seems fine otherwise.

Quincy's 4th and final chemo is end of the month. It is an all day thing with X-rays and blood work first and assuming ok then finish out the chemo. So like Otis just had, I will be nervous until we get the results (and can hopefully finish this out without any spread).

Oh and that weird yelping I mentioned above - the vet gave him a full physical exam of his head/neck/spine and didn't see or find anything. She said because he is high anxiety it is likely just him being nuts (husband's translation not what vet actually said). Bottom line no concern there. 

So onward we go......

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