Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hello.
My doggy Monty had his front leg amputated mid December, had one round of chemo, and now is dying. At least that is the feeling I get when I look at his big sad gentle eyes. He is a rescue dog, who I've had for 5 years now, and we have had the best times, long all day walks and swims in the countryside with doggy friends. But all of a sudden he's gone really downhill. There's goopy stuff coming out of his eyes (which the vet gave me cream for yesterday, but no effect so far), he's barely eating and just looks really tired and beaten by it all. I'm absolutely heartbroken. He is also coughing. I've got antibiotics and Onsior (anti-inflammatory drugs from the vets) but I can't get him to take them, and is there any point now? Please could you advise me about when to have our babies euthanized? Could he get better? He still perks up a little for a short walk but his health is declining so very rapidly: only three days ago we could still go for hour long walks. I can't believe how much he has changed.
Hi Monty and family, welcome.
I'm so sorry to hear that it appears Monty is on the decline. I almost moved your post to our "Coping with Loss" Forum, but I got to thinking that maybe he's just not there yet. I have some questions:
Why did he have his leg amputated? It sounds like osteosarcoma? And why only one round of chemo? When was it and what happened that made you stop?
The only way to know for certain that he has metastasis (I'm assuming this, because you say he coughs) is to have x-rays taken. Have you had any done?
What was the vet's diagnosis/recommendation when you got the eye cream? Did the vet suggest any diagnostics for Monty's other symptoms? I'm not a vet but it seems like one day is not a long time for medication like this to work.
If Monty was walking for an hour three days ago, it does seem odd that he would decline so rapidly. Rehab vets tell us that an hour is too long for a Tripawd to walk, most should only do short walks a few times a day of 15-20 minutes each. So I'm thinking that perhaps he's just worn out from all the activity? At least I sure hope so.
The question as to when to say goodbye is different for everyone and every animal. But before making such an irreversible decision I would absolutely want diagnostics to know that it is indeed time because of advanced disease and lack of quality of life.
My goal isn't to give you false hope, but rather to let you know that we've seen situations like this here before. Oftentimes the symptoms were totally unrelated to cancer and yes, treatable. So I hope with all my heart this is the case for you and Monty.
I
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Online
Oh gosh, sitto everything Jerry said....ESPECIALLY since he was doing so well just recently!!!
PLEASE get Monty checked out more thoroughly from a second opinion Vet!
Something as simple as a good dose of fluids could get him eating better and drinking more while you're getting him better diagnosed!
Also, in addition to anything else he may (or may not) have going on, is that possibility he may have tweaked his back, a disc issue, etc. It sounds like there is a huge possibility he may have overdone things. Discs, sprains, sore muscles can all cause a dog to feel miserable! Right now, just short potty breaks and then rest til you get things sorted out. Does he show any signs of pain a ywhere? Does he have a fever??
PLEASE gather some more insght. As Jerry said, these symptoms could be from a number of thi gs that are treatable!
Will look forward to your update.
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!
Thank you so much for your replies. I just assumed Monty could walk for as long as he's happy, but now I feel a bit ignorant for thinking that. No one really gave me any advice, the vet just said live life to the full for as long as you have together. And sorry I forgot to say, he does have osteosarcoma. He had one lot of chemo, but had neutropenia when his next lot was due (last week) and then this week his white cell count was within normal range but then he took a dramatic turn for the worse and is too poorly now for chemo, and I've kind of decided I don't want to stress him anymore, just want to live peacefully together for as long as we've got: but I thought it would be longer than this. He does have a fever (for which he's got antibiotics) but doesn't seem to be in pain: just looks completely broken and his spark is gone. I'll phone the vets again tomorrow for advice and to make another appointment. It's very difficult to juggle a demanding job with a very sick dog isn't it! I wish i could just take the rest of his life off to be with him. I don't know how I am going to concentrate on work when my heart is broken and my head is just full of Monty.
Thank you for being there for me and Monty.
xx
joolz I'm in the Tripawds Chat room right now if you want to talk.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
OK, so then wow, this could definitely be something that is not related to end-of-life symptoms. The chemo may have just put him in a total funk and then too much activity was the topper. Again I'm not a vet but this is just my guess. Your vet can confirm what's going on with an exam.
Don't feel ignorant, you didn't know about a Tripawd's physical needs because your vet didn't know either. Many do not since canine rehab therapy is a relatively new science (only about 10 years old!). My best advice is to seek the opinion of a certified veterinary rehab therapist. The Tripawds Foundation will even pay for your first visit. A canine rehab practitioner can tell you if Monty is in pain and how to help him feel better. They'll tell you how to give him the activity and stimulation he needs without putting his body in jeopardy. Where are you located? We can help you find one.
Give Monty plenty of time to rest and heal. I see you have a second dog? If so, walk your other dog separately so Monty doesn't have to feel like he's got to keep up.
Let us know what your vet says OK?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi. We live in crummy England, in an even crummier village called Hixon, in Staffordshire. Thank you, you've given me hope and for the first time I do not have an overwhelming sense of anxiety and dread in my stomach. I'll do some research and try to find a canine rehab practitioner.
I'll keep you posted. Again, thank you so much. I'm going to cuddle my doggy doos now. 🙂 Thank you so so so much!!
xxx
oh crikey I've found one!
http://starclin.....hab.co.uk/
I don't want Tripawds to pay, bless you for offering. I think Monty's insurance should pay for it.
Hope....hope....hopeeeee!!!!
Hi, Joolz - just want to say how glad I am you have found a rehab practitioner and I really hope a visit there plus antibiotics kicking in can really get your Monty back to some sort of even keel! Sending very best thoughts!
Lisa, Minneapolis
On October 27, 2016, nearly 6 months after amputation, and 18 months since his cancer likely started, we lost Pofi to a recurrence of Soft Tissue Sarcoma in his spine quite suddenly. His canine sister also succumbed to cancer on March 1, 2019 - we lavished her with our love in the interim, but life was never quite the same without her only real canine friend. Cliff kitty had to leave us, too, suddenly, in August 2019. Lucia kitty grieved all these losses, but helped us welcome two new Lurchers into our home and our lives, Shae and Barley.
SOOOOOO GLAD YOU FEEL A BIT MORE OPTIMISTIC NOW!!!!
I know we've already said it a couple of times, but sooooo many TREATABLE tings coukd be at play!
The fever could certainly make him feel miserable and blah. What did the Vet say was the cause of the fever? I know you'll have a lot of questions for your Vet, but see if he thinks fluids would help overall. And maybe he could give him an appetite stimulant.
And you have NO reason to feel badly for not knowing...what you don't know!!! Many Vets are not up to date about counseling people not to let tripawd pets overdo it.
Try any yummy food...chicken, steak, cheeseburgers, scrambled eggs and bacon...whatever it takes!
I think we all feel a sigh of relief knowing you aren't going to make any "end of life decisions"!! Very relieved!!
Hang in there and let's get your sweet pup feeling better! 🙂 🙂 PLEASE keep us posted!
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!
Hi guys.
Monty has been on antibiotics now for 2 days but is actually getting worse. He doesn't even want to come for a walk now and has difficulty just standing up. I'm having to hand feed him (burgers) and is hard to encourage him to drink. I thought he might be starting to get a bit better. I've made an appointment with the vet for the end of the week to allow time for the antibiotics to work, but I don't feel positive at all. My baby is just slowly disappearing. I just don't understand what's happening. Does it take longer for the antibiotics to work? I feel so hopeless.
Yes antibiotics generally do take more than two days to kick in.
Can you take Monty's fever?? How high was it at the Vet?? What did Vet think was cause of the fever, goopy eyes and cough??? Did he give you any cough medicine?
But since the Vet didn't seem to do any thorough check up when he gave him the antibiotics, I would try and get him in asap and not wait til the end of the week. I certainly understand trying to fit Vet appointments in while working and being the only human in the house.
And maybe I'm making an incorrect assumption on what tests the Vet ran. In my unprofessional opinion, Monty needs bloodwork and xrays!! It may also help to get some fluids if Monty isn't eating or drinking much.
Don't mean to be asking so many questions. Just want to make sure the Vet has thoroughly checked Monty out to make sure it is "just" an infection you are dealing with. If there are more issues going on, they need to be identified properly and treated accordingly so Monty can start feeling better!!
Update when you can. Hopefully, you can get him in sooner. Maybe it's a matter of going to another Vet sooner and get a second opinion.
Paws crossed that Monty is feeling better soon!!
Lots of 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!
My first thought in reading this thread was that it sounds like an infection, which would make sense given the chemo. But something about the eye goop reminded me of Milo (and so sorry to be a downer here). His mom (goodmilo) posted a thread, "Lots of mets..... palliative experience and recommendation?" You might want to read some of the comments and posts made on that thread. And absolutely, get into a vet for bloodwork and x-rays.
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.
Hi there
thank you for your advice. I took Monty to the vets today, i had to carry him in because he can't walk. He was crying all the time. The stuff coming out his eyes has got worse, despite eye drops. He looks absolutely terrible and the vet said he thinks it's time. I asked about xrays and blood tests, but the vet thinks that Monty is far too weak for any further treatment, and I admit i agree. I feel that it's time also. He's given me Prednisolone, Clinacin, Garbapentin and Synulox as a last attempt, but i have an appointment for him on Friday for euthanasia if he isn't better. I know he's dying. I know, by definition, there's no recovery from dying. I know this is it. I just don't know how I am going to cope with it. How do you carry on at work etc?
I am so sorry to hear Monty isn't doing well. Hopefully he will feel better from the meds.
I can only imagine how hard it is going to be to work and go about our days when we lose one of our best friends.
Otis - 121 lbs pre amp - 114 lbs post amp and now 118 lb Great Dane - English Mastiff X. Started limping on 12/24/16. Diagnosed with Osteosarcoma 12/28/16 - amputation of front left leg on 1/6/17. Stitches out and 1st round of Chemo on 1/19/17. 2nd round of Carboplatin on 2/10/17 - 3rd round on 3/2/2017. 4th round was scheduled for 3/22/17 - however due to low WBC postponed - 4th Chemo completed on 3/28/17. Had breathing difficulties, stayed in Tufts ICU overnight. Due for 2 more rounds of Chemo but we are opting to go with homeopathy with Dr. Loops instead.
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