Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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So my Freddy is doing fantastic two weeks post surgery. Has been entirely weaned off all meds and is getting around like a champ. He got his sutures out on Tuesday, and at that time we were still awaiting the pathology report from the vet. He called me today while I was at work and said that it looks like it might be myeloma and not osteosarcoma. I am bringing him into the vet in the morning (it's midnight here in Dublin). In the phone call, the vet outlined that myeloma was a better scenario for him in terms of survival than the osteosarcoma.
Does anyone have experience with myeloma and can they provide me insight? I could seriously use a little good news this year.
In other random news, he used to be quite a barker (we bought a Furbo to monitor the boys while we are out, and it sends text alerts when they bark). Since the amputation, he hasn't really barked at all. I wonder if it has something to do with the fact that he would typically jump off his front paws when he barked. His new trick is sort of crying/talking when we get home.
Anyone else notice vocal behaviour changes post-amputation?
Otis also did not bark for a month or so post-amp. Otis and Tess barked when someone approached the house (intruders like dog walkers, mailman, UPS, random car turning around in the cul de sac). I thought it was because he was feeling vulnerable and did not want to call the intruder's attention to himself. Eventually he returned to his normal behavior and I once again felt protected from the UPS guy.
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.
Clyde didn't bark either for about a month. I figured it was some sort of survival instinct. However, he now barks like he always did, and like Otis' mom, I am quite protected from the mailman, gardeners and Fed Ex man. 
Maybe his throat hurts from being intubated during surgery?
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
Back from the vet and have even better news. So it's definitely not osteosarcoma. Now it's just a question of whether it is multiple myeloma or plasmacytoma. We're keeping our fingers and paws crossed that it's plasmacytoma, since that means it hasn't metastasised and he would't need chemotherapy (which would be challenging for me as I'm five months pregnant).
We will know next week. Hoping for a Christmas miracle for my little trooper.
Well, overall that sounds like "good" news, relatively speaking! I'm not familiar with either of those so have no input.
Just glad to hear that handsome Fred is recovering so nicely!
Christmas miracles do happen!
Update when you can...And extra treats for Fred tonight!! 🙂
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!
Hey Freddie and Mom 
YAY for the good news, it isn't osteo 
And your gorgeous boy is doing great after surgery
And a little baby is on his way
Wow, it seems like 2017 will be a great year for you and your family !
Sending you lots of love and lots of ear scratches to your cutie pie
Eurydice 77kg/170lb Great Dane limping end of April 2016, amputation (right front leg/osteosarcoma) 4 May 2016 6 courses of carboplatin followed by metronomic therapy, lung mets found 30 Nov 2016. 3 courses of doxorubicin, PET scan 26 Jan 2017 showed more mets so stopped chemo. Holistic route April 2017. Lung X-ray 5 May 2017 showed several tennis ball size mets, started cortisone and diuretics. Miss Cow earned her XXL silver wings 12 June 2017, 13 months and 1 week after amputation and 6 1/2 months after lung mets, she was the goofiest dawg ever and is now happily flying from cloud to cloud woof woofing away :-)
Yay for Fredding being on the mend, and congrats on the baby! You've had quite a year!
Those are two types of cancers I don't recall any members being diagnosed with, but I could be wrong. We're always interested in learning so keep us posted so we can follow along.
Meanwhile as far as vocal changes after amputation...nope, haven't noticed any with either Spirit Jerry or Wyatt Ray . Maybe it was just Freddy's way of vocalizing his discomfort before surgery? Glad he's better now.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Today the vet gave us the all clear! There is no sign of cancer or traces of multiple myeloma, so it appears that it was a localized plasmacytoma and Freddy is cancer free! No chemo or additional surgery required.
Tomorrow marks 3 weeks since his amputation. He is getting around like a champ! On the bed and couch like he always has.
Thanks for all your concern and thoughts. The future looks bright for my little trooper!
Great news! I cannot tell you how good it is to hear this outcome! And great that he is doing so well post-amp. Definitely gives you something extra to celebrate this holiday season!
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.
WE LOOOOVE CHRISTMAS MIRACLES AROUND HERE!!!!
WAY TO GO FREDDY!!!
A d way to rock that couch and bed!!
I'm grinning here to here over here!!! Soooooooo happy!!!
Thanks for sharing this GRRRRREAT news! We look forward to hearing how Freddy continues ro live life to the fullest as a HEALTHY tripawd!!!! YAY!!!! 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
The Merriest of Christmas to you!!
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!
how did they determine that? i'll post Alibi's backstory below but we just had xrays on her lower back after months of not being able to find the cancer but knowing something was there. the vet said based on the little holes she was seeing in Ali's spine that it's likely multiple myeloma. they've given me zero plans as far was treatment aside from keeping her on the Prednisone that's started having negative effects 🙁
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my 70lb Boxer was started on Prednisone mid-January. she'd had issues with high calcium levels starting back in November. we tested for EVERYTHING and kept striking out. she was getting bloat almost daily then she started having issues with coordination and had zero appetite; dropped a lil over 10lbs. so we redid her bloodwork, the calcium was off the charts high and she was showing signs of organ failure.
i got in with the oncologist and after running more ridiculously expensive tests we still couldn't pinpoint if/where there was cancer. instead of doing more tests and scans i made the decision to treat what know and she was started on 40mg of Prednisone for 5 days then cut back to 20mg, it worked immediately. she was back to almost normal BUT they really didn't give any treatment plan beyond that...
so fast forward to last week. Alibi had started having a tough time crouching to poop and when she would she wasn't really pushing or conscience she was going, it just kind of plops out. she has gained back 10lbs but it's all fat/water weight her muscle tone is almost gone.
took her to the vet yesterday to do xrays and finally found the cancer 🙁 there's massive deterioration in her lower back which our vet thinks is due to multiple myeloma. she thinks that's why she's so achy and having issues squatting but i'm wondering if the Prednisone side effects are more to blame? again though, they didn't give any sort of treatment plan other than to start her on Gabapentin to manage any pain and keep on with the Prednisone at the current 20mg dose.
my Dog Mom senses are telling me it might be best to knock the dosage back or ween her off completely.
Hi and welcome to you and Alibi. Your posts won't need approval so post away.
I'm sorry about the tough time Alibi's been having. Prednisone is both a miracle and a curse at times, it's a battle many of us have faced and you can find yourself constantly questioning how to give a good quality of life while alleviating symptoms with this drug.
If your instinct is telling you that something is amiss, please let your oncologist know. Prednisone isn't a drug to mess around with. The wrong withdrawal schedule and dosages can wreak havoc on the adrenal system and make matters worse. You may also want to visit a pain management specialist who understands the unique pain management needs of a dog with cancer. This IVAPM directory can help you find one near you.
I hope things get easier for Alibi and she has many more good days ahead. Bless you for doing so much to help her enjoy her time with you.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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