Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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We had Lexie's follow up oncology visit today. Her mornings have been pretty tough and it's been harder for her to get around, and her arthritis seems to be kicking in more than before. I definitely felt like she hit a post-op wall after having several really good days after she got home.
Today I carried her into the vet's office since the floors there are very hard and slippery.
Turns out that the pathology results were delayed because the initial findings were contradictory, and the complex case pathologist they use is pretty backed up.
The good news is that her blood work came back with no issues...all counts in normal ranges, and she was able to get about 2/3 of her sutures and staples out.
Given the lung mets, we decided to start her back on a short course of Metronomic chemo (Cytoxan) which we can discontinue or change if needed depending on the final pathology results.
By the time we left the office she seemed to feel more comfortable, and she walked better on our way out than she has in days. When I opened the car door for the ride home she surprised me by doing a two-part hop into the back seat and then up into her dog bed before I even had a chance to pick her up.
Loved her expression: "Hey, it's okay -- I got this! I can do it!" so I got a pic.
She was really worn out after that because she hasn't been up and around much since we got home. But to be fair, there was a lot of standing on pretty hard surfaces while at the vet.
We'll start her on the oral chemo again over the weekend, and go back late next week for final staple/suture removal and by then the pathology report will be back.
Btw, if anyone happens to reading this and is on the fence about amputation or radiation for a soft tissue sarcoma and tumors, I would do the amp and skip the radiation if I had a do-over. My hope is that the past few days have been a somewhat typical post op wall, and that she'll continue to get stronger from here.
I'm just happy that she seems to be having some better days. Hopefully she'll feel up to taking a real walk this weekend. Thanks to all for the encouragement!
Deb and Angel Lexie* Diagnosed at age 13. Tried radiation first; wish we had amputated upon diagnosis (even with lung mets). Joined Club Tripawd April 2014 & Lexie loved life on 3 legs! Advice: Start physical therapy as soon as your vet clears it, especially hydrotherapy if available :-) See Lexie pics here.
I want to jump the car and sniggle with her! That face is adorable...AND...dedinitely full of confidence and contentmemt!!
Nothing like a vet visit and some staples out to perk 'em up.....and wear the out!!
Our sweet little Lexi has beenthough a lot these last several weeks...ot "just" the amputation! She cleary appears r be pain free and know that makes al this worth it! Remember, yoj went through the radiatin, etc. firt because all the vets had concerns aout her ha dling the operation...age, arthritis, etc., sl please don't beat youtself up n tjat. It actualy may have given her an "advamtage" because she was using just three legs ore and more.
Oh...and I saw on e of your other posts that, basically, if Lexi went to the bridge in April she would be in good copany...somethinglike that.
Well' I asked HAPPY HANNAH to check the arrival list for April.....I'm pleased to announce she said there were NO MORE arrivals duein April!! YAAAAAAY!
Se ding lots of love!
Saly 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!
What a beautiful face!
Sounds like you had a great appointment at the vet's office. Love that she got some of her stitches and staples removed...that is a major victory.
My guess (and I'm not a vet) is that Lexie has "hit the wall" for now. She is recuperating from not only major surgery but the earlier radiation treatment too. Lexie's blood work indicated that everything was "normal" and that is a real bonus.
Tuck has arthritis in his left hip (opposite side to his amp) and some mornings he has to stretch a little bit extra before he can get going - and he is 7 months post amp.
Hope you can have a lovely walk this weekend....just take your time and smell the roses....
Hurray for this wonderful update
Many hugs
Linda and Tucker
Lexi you are just a doll, adorable! So glad you are doing well, those first few weeks are always up and down. Learning how to "hop" can be exhausting, but you did it! You hopped right up into the car! Woo Hooo! 
Mom to Tripawd Angels Jake (2001-2014) and Rosco (2012-2015) and Tripawd Tanner. “Whatever happens tomorrow, we had today; and I'll always remember it”
Oh I love those eyes! They're saying "Mom, chill out, I got it, see?!"
Well even though you didn't get all the answers at least you have a game plan in place, that's a real relief. How often will she be getting the cytoxan?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
oh oh she is SO SWEET!!! I know it can be a little frustrating when there are conflicting pathology reports but thats great that they have a special pathologist on it! Jill's case was a little confusing so there was a team of pathologists on it and it was very frustrating the amount of time I had to wait for answers - BUT just know you will get the RIGHT answers this way, I know it does suck to have to wait though.
Best of luck with the continued treatment - sounds like she is doing great!!
Jill is a 9-year-old tuxedo kitty. She was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma in June 2012 on her toe in her right hind leg. Her leg was amputated on 12/12/12 and she completed four rounds of chemo (2 of Carbo, 2 of Doxy) in April 2013. "Like" Jill's facebook page: https://www.fac.....tty?ref=hl Proud member of the WINTER WARRIORS!!!! Her blog can be read at http://jillsjou.....ipawds.com. xoxo
She looks good. Those eyes are beautiful.glad to heat she's doing well. Getting the hang of it all in the beginning can be exhausting for sure. That first month is a recoup period for them all.
Esther and her Snoop
What a great expression!! It looks like a teenager saying "mom, you're embarrassing me in front of my friends, I can do this!"
Sounds like a normal energy dip. And you know how weak you feel after a few days sick in bed, a trip to the vet is a lot of activity after being pretty sedentary.
Are you guys using adequan for her arthritis? It's pretty expensive, and doesn't work for every dog. My quad pug Tani has terrible arthritis and has been on it for over a year now- a year we may not have had without it.
Karen
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
She is precious! And jumping in the car all by herself. It seems to take a bit for them to get their strength and energy back. It is a pretty big surgery. So glad she is pain free. Lori and Angel-dog Ty
TY GUY, Best Black Lab ever! Diagnosed and had amp in January, 2014. Kicked MRSA's butt. Earned his angel wings on April 16, 2014. Run Free my boy and don't forget a shoe. Ty is a proud member of the " April Angels". Ty sent us Daryl, a Tripawd rescue in Sept. of 2016. Daryl is 5 +or -. We are also Pawrents to Chandler, a Border Collie mix who is 15 and 1/2, Lucy, a Corgi who is 7, 2 minis, 2 horses, and a feisty cat named Zoe. Zoe had a non skeletal Osteosarcoma removed in July 2015. No Chemo, she was at least 16. She is going strong although she is now completely blind. She is now close to 20 and her hobbies are eating and sleeping in front of her personal heater.
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