Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Awe Three paw has a fella ! Those Pictures are adorable! It doesn't look like you have to slowly adopt him LOL He is home!!
Three paw looks fantatisc and the Fella name will be? Thanks for sharing love seeing Three Paw Melek !
Hugs!
Chin scratches to the furry family & extra treats!!!
Awwww, what an adorable couple!!
Three Paw - You go girl!!!
Kerren and Tripawd Kitty Mona
p.s. you made my day. Thanks for warming my heart.
Hello, I am feeling a bit confused so I thought I would write something here to help myself think. Three Paw had blood tests and an x-ray the other day. All the blood came back fine (hooray) but the vets noticed a shadow in her lung. They said they would need to do a CT scan/ needle biopsy to confirm diagnosis but thought it might be a new primary tumour ( unrelated to her leg), metastasis ( but unlikely because normally that is lots of little tumours) or an inflammation site. They have always warned me that she would face metastasis and that the amputation was palliative not curative. They said they would understand if I didn't want to do the ct scan etc because of the cost and putting Three Paw through it. But they are minimally invasive I think and all I can think is why wouldn't I want to find out exactly what it is so we can find the best plan for her. I feel as if they were gently trying to say ' you know she will die at some point' so do you really want to do this but I can't just sit here and do nothing. I don't think I could forgive myself.
If she wasn't so happy and energetic and spirited right now maybe I would feel differently. But to me she is in the best shape she has been in for over a year.
Am I simply holding on too tight by doing this scan and biopsy? I don't think so but it is so hard to know if I am being rational or not.
Feeling
We will all be glad you posted and you will get advice by all of us, so take in whatever we all say and GO WITH YOUR GUT INSTINCT!
I do not think you are being irrational, You love three paw, she is doing great right now & you feel very strongly toward doing the scan to find out what this is.
Understandably, I would also want to know what I was dealing with to see what I could do or couldn't do! As you have stated you will not forgive yourself if you don't do the scan! ALWAYS follow your intuition your gut instinct! You followed your gut instinct with three paw before and you were right!! If you follow you instinct you will never second guess if you should have etc. I don't have experience with lung mets. I do know from being on the site it can be one or many. I am sure someone will have advice on the biopsy I do not.
I think one question I would have is what can we do if it is A or if it is B and C nothing etc. Either way I am sure there is something you can do to keep on fighting and keep Three paw comfortable if it is mets. We don't know what by a shadow on a X-ray!
Just my opinion but from reading your post I say do the scan because you personally cannot not do the scan ? If you can afford it & feel its best do the scan! Lets see what others advice read them all make your decision based on what you feel is best for Three Paw! No one can make the decision obviously but you but you have Three Paws best interest at heart & that is what always matter, making a decision out of love you can't ever make the wrong one. Just my views!
HUGS and Three Paw Melek you look amazing as always sweet girl & where is your man?
Holly & Purrkins
Okay, deep breaths! You know the drill! B R E A T H E......B R E A T H E......B R E A T H E!
ThreePaw is symptom free right now and that is really good! REALLY GOOD!!! And, of course, none of this medical gobbly gook means nothing to Three Paw!
As usual,Holly has given you great insight.
I'll share my own experience with my Happy Hannah and my thought process. So, as Holly said, this is all basically "for whatever it's worth". You know youself better than anyone and you know your personal situation better than anyone AND you know ThreePaw better than anyone!
After Happy Hannah's amputation and subsequent chemo, I pretty much decided I wouldn't do anymore xrays. I spoke in depth with my regular Vet who knew me well. He said IF symptoms started showing, THEN maybe I would want to do xrays as there were some options that were not invasive, painful, didn't involve poking, prodding, etc., but could still give her extended quality time. Once I did see some sublte signs of tiredness, a bit of change in her breathing, etc I did the xrays. A big met was confirmed. At thst point I did do some Prednisone, did some metronomics (she developed a UTI so I stopped), and a couple of other things. This was a decision that I was comfortable with and had no regrets. I was still DOING SOMETHING, just nothing extreme or with side effects, etc.
And this is just me,but if you proceed with the CT, etc, and IF it turns out to be a met, I would want to know what treatment options are available? What treatment options are you willing to pursue and where do you draw your line in the sand?
Jist loie always, you will make a right decision out of love for ThreePaw! We support you and are here for you every step of the way!!
Lpts and lots of love and 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 darling Mum and sweet Three Paw Malek,
Mum, you have endured so much with this beautiful, strong little girl! And she is Strong! She is amazing and is a little miracle of her own! Holly and Sally have offered up some great advice and through their experiences, I would have to agree with all of you...! Ask the questions as to what will be the outcome if it is A,B or C... I know your heart is going to want everything possible to be done for Three Paw, but your mind needs to look at the realities... If it is one big tumour, can it be minimized if it is a primary? Can it be removed? Can you afford it? I know cost shouldn’t come into it, but it has to... Every question is a good question!
I think for myself, I would go ahead with the CT, that way you know what you are dealing with! if her blood work came back normal, does that mean that there are no cancer cells in her body? Maybe it is just a shadow, X-rays can be very inconclusive....
Paul and I have already decided that we are not going to go for anymore X-rays with our Stewie boy... we have two more chemo sessions left and then we just pray that Stewie will be with us for years more, rather than months. It is easy for me to say this right now, as everything is going so well for Stewie. I’m not sure I will be so brave when Stewie does start to show signs...
Three Paw Malek doesn’t have a clue about tumours and stuff, she just wants to make you happy and to be cuddled. As long as she is a living a happy life and if there is hope for her future, then I say go for it!
Good luck my darling, I’m sorry if I’ve rambled on, but I wanted to get a message to you before I have to run off... I will check in again later and see how you are doing.
all the very best of hugs, love and cuddles
from Petra and Stewie ❤️❤️❤️
Remember...“live in the moment!“ 
One way to look at it is will the outcome of the CT scan change what you are doing or plan to do? I would ask the oncologist what the plan would be if there is a new tumor or mets, what are the options?
If you would not do any further treatment, or there are no options then think about not doing the scan.
That is the approach I took with TriPug Maggie. Right after her amp and for a couple years we did abdominal US and other tests every 3, then 6 months (Mag beat her prognosis of 6 to 9 months!). When she turned 10 I decided that even if there were mets she had been through enough and I wouldn't do any aggressive treatments so I declined further tests.
As with so much on this journey you have to decide what is the best course for you and Three Paw.
Karen and the Spirit Pug Girls
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Hi All
THANK YOU so very much for writing to me and sharing your love, support and ideas. It really helps, even just not to feel alone in this.
I will do the CT scan I think. I know there is anaesthesia but otherwise, it is not invasive. I just feel I need to know what she is dealing with if for no other reason than that we give her the right palliative support. For instance, right now she is on Palladia but if it turns out Palladia has no effect on her new tumour then why would I continue giving her this drug. I don't want to give her unnecessary poisons but I also want to give her anything that might help.
I am afraid that if it is a new primary tumour the best action would be surgery and it will break my heart not to do it because it will lessen her life. But a deep part of me feels she has had enough cut out of her and chopping away at her any more would not be honouring her whole.
The whole situation just hurts, frankly.
But as was wisely said above. Right now she is symptom-free. She is eating, running and having a good life. I think my overriding duty is to ensure this can continue, be it weeks or months, so that the amazing life she has led can be honoured to its end.
THANK YOU, everyone, for all you have said.
xoxoxox
threepaw said
But a deep part of me feels she has had enough cut out of her and chopping away at her any more would not be honouring her whole.But as was wisely said above. Right now she is symptom-free. She is eating, running and having a good life. I think my overriding duty is to ensure this can continue, be it weeks or months, so that the amazing life she has led can be honoured to its end.
EXACTLY! I can't help but believe Three Paw is applauding you for such a well thought out plan that honours his quality of life! It allows Three Paw to be Three Paw, and that has to please him! As hard as it is for us to remember sometimes, Three Paw could care less about days on a calendar, humans are the inly ones who do that!
ThreePaw is symptom free and feeling good! He's by yourr side being spoiled and loved and that's all that matters to him! 🙂 Jist continue to make every day the best day ever, just like you have every single day since he stole your heart......and since you stole his!
Take lots of pictures and videos! We love seeing pictures of that amazing kitty!! 🙂
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!
As you already know you are never alone in this journey even if we are oceans apart!!
Take each day at at time and please let us know when ct is scheduled and what you find out. We don't know what it is exactly yet so hang tight and breathe and we will send more pawsitive thoughts your way!
Ask questions before the CT scan on what options will be if it is A ,B or C . Then you will have a idea on what decision you need to make or what treatment can be started or what can be done to let Three Paw keep hoping on. We are hoping the shadow is Zip but if it is more you will have options to keep her comfortable & there is no set expiration date on Threepaw even if it is mets. We have seen dogs live well past the statistics.
Hugs & chin scratches to Three Paw
Holly & Purrkins
Well, the CT and biopsy confirmed my fears but we learned a lot too and I am so proud of her for taking it all in stride - so to speak. She had a little trouble after the anaesthesia with her core temperature but it resolved itself and when I saw her she was bright-eyed and energetic. Her reaction helped though because it meant she was telling me 'enough of the sleepy stuff mum. My body is too tired.' So they found a primary tumour in her lung ( not even related to the other**) but also a sarcoma at a potential injection site which was probably a metastasis of the one on her leg. The specialist explained that in another story they would cut them out but in her
So they found a primary tumour in her lung ( not even related to the other**) but also a sarcoma at a potential injection site which was probably a metastasis of the one on her leg. The specialist explained that in another story they would cut them out but in her in her case, another tumour would probably appear soon after. Even though I know cutting them out might buy her a little time I have decided I don't want to chop at her anymore and she doesn't want anaesthesia anyway, she has made that very clear.
We are going to try metronomic chemo just to see if we can retain the status quo. At present she is symptom free and happy. you should have seen her scaling the stairs this morning.
I sound very calm. Inside I am heartbroken but I feel very privileged to be on this journey with her. It is over four months since her amputation and they have been some of the best months of her life. No regrets here. No resignation either.
Three Paw and I are just going to continue as we are... she is such a fighter. I believe in her,
thank you, everyone, for your kind and supportive words. They help me immensely when I am feeling alone in this story.
Love to you all and to all your fur babies
There she goes
I’m sorry this is not the news any of wish to get. I know you are heartbroken !
You are handling it the same way Three Paw Melek is and hopping on now with a plan!!
That helps you in the terms of doing something for her and Three Paw let you know which route to go & not go! Also helpful! You know what your dealing with now & can treat her!
We are really hoping the metronomic’s keep her stable. Three Paw Melek is symptom free now and we are hoping this helps her stay that way & continues hopping on !
Of course you don’t have regrets Three Paw is doing so well as a Bipawd Kitty it is really inspirational to see her get around and to be so hoppy!! I would love to hear more about the metronomic’s and how she is handling everything when you know if you wish to share.
I am interested in hearing what she is on & I am sure others who find themselves in the same shoes one day would also be interested. I like yourself like to know what we are dealing with so we can DO something to help them! We fight for them until they raise that flag & let us know when we surrender. Not a day sooner!
Don’t tell Three Paw this news she doesn’t know and we wont tell her! She gets some meds thats all she needs knows! Three Paw will tell you the rest when she needs to!
Keep following her lead your doing a great job! We are always here for you, your never alone in this story!
We Love your Three Paw Melek she is our Bipawd Hero she is teaching us & will continue to teach others a lot of valuable lessons! We are honored to be with you on this journey!
Three Paw Melek that video say’s it all & in NOWAY would I know she only has 2 legs in that video she is simply AMAZING!
Keep enjoying her every minute and keep us updated please !
Hugs!
Holly & Purrkins ❤️
Three Paw and darling Mum! I am heartbroken for you! Please give Three Paw a huge cuddle from me!
I love the video of her flying by the window, what a very sprite and very special girl! No, she has no idea that she is so sick and such a good thing too.... She is going to give you (and has already) so much joy and love in her remaining time, no matter how long...
Try not to hang on too much in the future, we cant change what it holds for us.... but we can live in the moment and hold on to those moments for the rest of our lives. Paul and I lived 3 1/2 months with Death hanging over our house, because we know that we only had a very short time with our darling cat Mojo. Unfortunately we could actually see his tumours growing in his toes, so it was a little harder for us to ignore. But now I wish I could have just lived how he showed me.... to live and love and laugh today, tomorrow will take care of itself!
im sorry my darling these word probably aren’t helping your broken heart, but know that I and all the other Tripawd members are with you in this very difficult time!
Hugs & kisses from Stewie❤️ 🐕 🐾
& all the very best from his adoring pack,
Petra, Paul, & his 🐈 siblings, Mr. Spike, Chester Molester & Miss Lily 🐾🐾 🐾
http://stewie20.....pawds.com/
Can't foolmis! We know you are faking being cal.! We all TRY to do that here, but we can see through it!! Takes ine to know kne, right? But also another adage is true: "fake it til you make it"!
You have done an excellent job of assessing your situation AND focusing on what is best for ThreePaw!!! She communicated to you she doesn't need anymore Vet trips, surgeries, poking, prodding, etc! You jeard her! She knew you would!!
ThreePaw is already a Legend around here!! She is showing the world how happy a twompaw kitty can be!! No one would believe it unless they saw it first hand!! Well, ThreePaw just showed all the doubters!! 🙂
Now is the time to BE MORE CAT and just focus on the bliss of each delightful moment you are sharing with ThreePaw! She feels good and that's all she cares about!! Days on a calendar mean nothing to her! To have to go through a bunch of surgeries and stress to maybe add a few more days on the calendar....nope, that doesn't mean squat
Love and 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 All
AGAIN thank you for all your support and love. And for sharing your own stories, like dear little Mojo; what a brave kitty.
The vets are ordering one of the drugs for the metronomic chemo right now so we haven't started the whole regime yet. Things can be a little frustrating here in Italy because they tend to be reactive than pro-active so you really have to push them to act. As soon as it arrives I will let you know what the regime is ( for future reference) because, as Holly said, it helps to know what different treatments are and how they work.
In the meantime, I can tell you her current treatment plan, again, just in case it is of help to anyone. She takes:
- Palladia -Mon Wed Fri - with a break on weekends. She doesn't seem to be having any tolerance issues at present so it doesn't appear to bother her.
- Enacard - twice a day. this is a heart medicine ( an ACE inhibitor). This is unrelated to the cancer. She has been taking this for about three years.
- Alevica . she has just started on this medicine. She has a quarter of a tablet daily. It is supposed to help with pain but the drug has an accumulative effect so taking each day is important. I am not seeing any evidence of pain from her at present but as this medicine is not toxic I am happy to include it as recommended by the vet.
- Micofive - by Hifa da Terra - she has a capsule a day ( half in the morning and half at night.) It is made of 5 different mushrooms and is supposed to be a fantastic immune support. It also aids in cell renewal. A vet recommended it to me after her diagnosis last February and I have used it ever since. I think it is one of the reasons she has remained so bright and healthy despite the tumours. I would definitely recommend it as a supplement for anyone with a pet who has or had cancer.
- Life Gold Cancer Support - Pet Wellbeing. Two times a day. again I think this natural remedy is really supporting her system.
- Life Gold Thyroid Support - Pet wellbeing. she was diagnosed with a thyroid problem at the time of her cancer diagnosis but thyroid treatments can be quite noxious. I tried this instead and now she doesn't have any problems with her thyroid.
- Epaso paste/ milk thistle - I give her a little of this to support her liver because of the chemo drugs
But what you have all said is correct. right now she is happy and bouncy and that is the best thing to see. I have made a rule not to cry in front of her ( ha - so i have a lot of showers) so we can just be joyful together.
Let's see how we go hey.
And finally here is a video of her taken this morning, just so you can see what a springy little legend she is
https://drive.g.....FkLUlkdTdF
love to all xoxo
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