Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Ted hurt his front paw this weekend and I took him in for a look at it and we also took X-rays.... three large tumors with several smaller ones in the lungs. The end of July there was nothing, so this took only 4 months. I had hoped for something different but knew deep down that it wasn't to be. He is still bouncing and smiling. I'm going to hang onto that for now....
w
1. He deserves a cheeseburger, or two. Otis' rules.
2. You can obviously consider something like palladia, or you can just love him as much as possible for however long you have. There are quite a few dogs who continued to have a good quality of life for a significant period of time after mets were discovered. And if he is still happy, bouncing and smiling, that is what you need to hold on to, for however long it lasts. He doesn't care what the x-ray says. He would care a lot about a cheeseburger, see rule #1.
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.
mysweetted said
He is still bouncing and smiling. I'm going to hang onto that for now....w
He is still bouncing and smiling. I'm going to hang onto that for now....
w
The fact that TED feels sooo good and the fact that TED doesn't give a rat's a*s abput any ole' xrays is all that matters!!
NOTHING HAS CHANGED IN TED's WORLD!!! And as hard as it is, as very hard as it is, you have to make sure this changes nothing in your world!! No one knows how much time any of us have. What we DO know is that we must make everyday cou t (which you and Ted are already doing BRILLIANTLY), and let NOTHING interfere with your time together now!!
My Happy Hannah and I got some really magical spectacular exteneded time after her "baseball size" was discovered! And this was even AFTER symptoms were showing!!
Yeah, you can check into Metronomics as well as Paladia. The Metro is daily doses of a couple of pills and not invasive at all. It seems to keep those nasty mets in check pretty darn good. It did for Jerry!
OTIS' RULE! Yes indeedy!! TED GETS CHEESEBURGERS! In fact, I think Otis would suggest several! So take that you iece of disease!
Lots of pictures, lots of loving and spoiling, lots of junk food and tummy rubs!! Especially ice cream and cheese pizza crust!!
Now go do something to make Sweet Ted's tail wag!! See how happy he is? See how NOTHING has changed in Ted's world? Yeah, he's a very, very special boy and we just adore him!!
Lots of 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!
So sorry to hear about the mets.
Tungsten Blue, diagnosed with osteosarcoma August 2016, rear leg removed 28 October 2016, left us on 12/13/16, he will be greatly missed.
Wow Wanda, i definitely wasn't expecting to see this post today. I know we became a part of this family at about the same time and i know we're both not ready to get this kind of news. I'm glad to hear that Ted is feeling pretty good and is his normal happy self, and yes, he has no idea what's going on. He's still enjoying life and the love that you give him. I will be saying extra prayers for Ted and hope he continues to stay strong and keeps fighting the fight. Please keep us updated, prayers and hugs from me and Bentley. <3
Bentley is our eight year old Doberman, diagnosed 7/13/16 with osteosarcoma tumor on right front leg, became a tripawd on 8/1/2016. His recovery was amazing, he was rockin it on 3! Bentley lost his fight to this nasty cancer when it metastisized into his spine, we had to let him go 11/13/16 exactly 4 months after first diagnosis. He was the perfect best friend, i'll miss him forever. :(
Wanda,
I am so sorry to hear about Ted and his mets. Its numbers and guess what Sassy got mets sometime between chemo 4 & 5. So that was 3 or 4 months. But she survived almost 8 months with those mets before I had to let her go. She got fluid on her chest. We did metronomic therapy. Sassy was a big girl so the Padallia wasn't affordable for us.
I would do it all over again. Lots of pictures with you & Ted. Put it out of your mind now and just enjoy him and love on him.
My thoughts are with you
xoxoxoxo
Michelle & Angel Sassy
Sassy is a proud member of the Winter Warriors. Live long, & strong Winter Warriors.
sassysugarbear.tripawds.com
07/26/2006 - Sassy earned her wings 08/20/2013
05/04/2006 - Bosch, Sassy's pal, earned his wings 03/29/19 fought cancer for 4 months.
"You aren't doing it TO her, you are doing it FOR her. Give her a chance at life."
I'm so sorry to read this. Do hang on to the fact that he's still happy and bouncy. Live just as he is doing one day at a time with gusto and relish. No one knows what tomorrow will bring. That's probably why dogs live for each of their today's. You and sweet Ted go and live all your today's! Make each and every one special and full of memories. If ever in doubt refer to Otis' rule number 1. Hugs and praying for many today's for you and that special Ted and many cheeseburger to come.
I'm so sorry to read this. I hope he keeps on being happy and bouncy for a long time to come.
Oh Wanda ....
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
Stupid cancer.
Important to follow rule #1- Otis' rules.
I will have a cheeseburger for Ted tomorrow and think strong positive thoughts for lots of quality time.
Karen and Spirit Maggie
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Oh Wanda....so sorry to hear this news! I don't even know what to say, other than I'm so sorry. I know it's not easy, to listen to the advice the others have given.....I can't even imagine myself in your shoes. But others HAVE gotten several months after hearing this news, and stats really ARE just numbers. Small consolation, I know. I was stunned when Michelle shared the news with me - my heart dropped to my stomach, like it's been doing way too much lately. Now, more than ever, is the time to Be More Dog . (Do as I say, not as I do, as I'm still working on this daily). You can be sure I will add you and Ted to my prayers; you both have a special place in my heart. Take care, try to stay positive.
Paula and Nitro
Nitro 11 1/2 yr old Doberman; right front amp June 2014. Had 6 doses carboplatin, followed by metronomic therapy. Rocked it on 3 legs for over 3 years! My Warrior beat cancer, but couldn't beat old age. He crossed the Bridge peacefully on July 25, 2017, with dignity and on his terms. Follow his blog entitled "Doberman's journey"
"Be good, mama loves you".....run free my beautiful Warrior
I am reeling to hear this news, Wanda, and I cannot imagine how much you are reeling from it as well. I wish Ted many, many, many bouncy days yet - sending very best thoughts.
And cheeseburgers. He should definitely be enjoying some cheeseburgers.
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.
Dang, I'm so sorry Wanda. I know that heartbreak well and it just hurts us so much. But like others have said, Ted is still Ted, and you are wise to hang onto that and follow his lead. He can't read reports or care about what's ahead, just what's here and now. And who knows, he may have many many more hoppy days ahead, especially if he isn't showing any signs. There is still no expiration date on him, never forget that.
Did the vet recommend anything for managing the mets? Do you want to try anything? It's OK if not, I understand there's a real sense of relief when you decide to let go of the crazy routines of medication schedules.
How is his paw? Everything OK?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I hate hear that Wanda!! Bandit first showed mets in Mid-August and he is still a happy boy. A little less active but content. Eating, drinking, peeing and pooing. The basic necessities. Ted is a strong guy. He'll fight to have more time to love you! Deb and Bandit
Dang! Cancer sucks! Most of us here are "fixers", and it hurts to not be able to fix our babies.
I remember the video of Ted running in the backyard not many days after surgery. He's a strong, active boy and hopefully that helps keep him bouncing around for a good long while. When he starts slowing down, you opt for snuggles. Love that boy!
Peace,
Jenifer & Milo
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