Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat

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Tripawds Three Legged Dog and Cat Forums Three Legged Cats Georgie Has Osteosarcoma: Need Ampu…

Georgie Has Osteosarcoma: Need Amputation Advice

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mariav211

Member Since:
16 July 2019

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22 July 2019 - 9:28 am

Hi everybody,

I’m brand-new to the TriPawds web site. I’m so glad the vet recommended the site to me.

My dear cat Georgie was diagnosed in April 2019 with osteosarcoma on her front left foreleg. I tried two tumor debulking surgeries by they didn’t help and the radiation oncologist said is palliative not curative. Right now, she is on Buprinorphine and Gabapentin and resting most of the day though a few times over the weekend she was up and about and more lively. She’s been favoring her leg, and can’t bear weight on it. She is adapting already to being on three legs. Last night I noticed she was really hurting.

I’ve scheduled Georgie to have her leg amputated tomorrow July 23rd. I’m relieved in a way that this will take the cancer away and the pain and discomfort she is feeling so she can go back to living a healthy and productive life again.

I know I’m doing the right thing for her but I’m personally struggling so much. Yesterday, I was crying so much wondering did I wait too long by trying the debulking surgeries (April 30 and Jul 2) to save her leg? And all sorts of other scary thoughts.

My family said I need to keep it together for Georgie and I’m taking their advice I’ve been reaching out to family and friends, the vet hospital social worker. Sally from TriPawds Helpline was wonderful, too. I’ve been praying a lot, too.

Georgie’s surgeon called me last week to answer some of my questions and I’m waiting to hear from the surgery team today with information on what tomorrow is going to be like and Georgie’s recovery after.

Could you share some advice on post-surgical care or suggest some forums or threads to read? I want to help my Georgie the best I can!

Thank you so much! I am so grateful to be part of this new family of fellow owners of pet amputees.

Tripawds

On The Road

Member Since:
24 September 2009

Offline

22 July 2019 - 2:15 pm

Hi Maria and Georgie, welcome. I'm sorry you had to join our club but super happy your vet recommended us. Who is your vet? Please thank them for us, it's such a compliment. And I love that your vet hospital has a social worker too. That is the sign of a very pawgressive practice! Sounds like Georgie is in good hands.

I just noticed that you posted in our Hopping Around topic with a different member name. Did you see our response?

https://tripawd.....e/#p223115

If you're having trouble with registration please let me know, I'm happy to help figure it out for you.

So, I moved your post here because you'll see that you are definitely not alone. As rare as osteosarcoma in cats can be, we've had other members join us who had the same diagnosis. See:

https://tripawd.....a-in-cats/

Also, our e-book, Cool Tips for Tripawd Cats is a must-read when you're in this situation. Hope you'll give it a go.

And yes, your family is right: Georgie needs you to be strong! Animals mirror our emotions so the more pawsitive you are, the more she will feel that energy and give it back to you. It makes for a much easier recovery!

I'm at work and have to run now but I'll be back in a bit with some more feedback. Stay tuned for input from others.

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

mariav211

Member Since:
16 July 2019

Offline

14 August 2019 - 3:35 pm

Hi Jerry and TriPawds community,

I’m sorry I haven’t written in a while. I wanted to update you on Georgie to let you all know that her surgery was successfully done three weeks ago. The day after her surgery, I brought her home and she managed to get up and into the litter box but she was groggy from the medicines and flopped over. She continued trying to get on her feet and she was doing better each time. The pain was difficult to deal with and I had to take her back to the vet quite a few times and get her pain medications adjusted. She seemed to be sore a lot and I didn’t know just what to do to help her get comfortable. Georgie turned the corner and last week we got her bandage off. She couldn’t wait to go outside, supervised, of course!

The last few days have been worrisome and right now I’m writing from the vet’s bc Georgie has been very uncomfortable, lethargic, and licking her paws a lot. She is eating and drinking well and is her old self still. My vet doctor discovered a small cyst at the incision site which they are going. To aspirate as well as take an ultrasound to see why she is so uncomfortable and what the cyst is. In just a few days it’s grown and is hard. I’m so worried and praying that all will be well. I would be so appreciative to hear if any of you have had similar experiences. Thank you so much!

kazann

Member Since:
27 July 2014

Offline

14 August 2019 - 4:08 pm

I'm sorry to hear Georgie is still uncomfortable. Perhaps the vet will find the answer investigating the cyst. My cat Mona didn't have any such challenges but I do recall some cats did end up having an infection. I think one had a yeast infection which took awhile to diagnose. Sometimes a stitch is left under the skin.

Let us know what the vet finds. I hope you find a solution.

Kerren and Tripawd Kitty Mona

Tripawds

On The Road

Member Since:
24 September 2009

Offline

14 August 2019 - 4:18 pm

Oh I'm so glad things went well, thank you for letting us know. I'm sorry you found yourself at the vet's again. Please keep us posted and let us know what they say.

It's hard to tell what a lump or bump is just by looking at it. Good job taking her in to have it examined and tested.

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

benny55

Virginia

Member Since:
22 February 2013

Offline

14 August 2019 - 5:52 pm

We are all here cheering for sweet Georgie! The fact that, for the most part, she is her old self is a really good sign!

As Mona said, an infection from a left in stitch is not unheard of at all. And that can certainly make her feel yucky. And yeah, her observation about the licking could certainly be a yeast infection of sorts. The other thing,it is allergy season and paw licking seems to be a aign pf thst too.

Hang in there and update when you can!

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!

mariav211

Member Since:
16 July 2019

Offline

15 August 2019 - 7:39 am

Thank you so much for sharing this information, Kazann!

mariav211

Member Since:
16 July 2019

Offline

15 August 2019 - 7:40 am

Thank you so much, Sally! And thanks for your advice. I will keep you all posted as soon as I hear.

mariav211

Member Since:
16 July 2019

Offline

15 August 2019 - 7:42 am

Thank you so much for your advice, Jerry! I will let you know how everything goes.

Also, it was Dr Lyndsay Kubicek from Angell Memorial Hospital in Boston, MA who told me about TriPawds. She is a wonderful doctor!

Tripawds

On The Road

Member Since:
24 September 2009

Offline

15 August 2019 - 8:38 am

Wow thank you for letting me know about Dr. Kubicek, that's so neat! Angell is world-famous, what an honor for us.

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

mariav211

Member Since:
16 July 2019

Offline

16 August 2019 - 1:44 pm

Hi TriPawds Family,

I have some bad news to share about my dearest Georgie. The tests came back yesterday for the “cyst” at the incision site showing the cancer has come back. The tumor has grown so fast even in a couple of days. She is in pain and mostly lethargic. Georgie is on pain medication but I can’t lift her up bc it hurts her too much. She is able to get up and move around but I can’t move her myself. She is eating and drinking which is good but I don’t know how much longer.I’m just so upset by the terrible news.

So now I need to make the decision for what’s best for her. I wanted to let you know and also ask you to keep me in your prayers as this is one of the hardest things I’ve had to do in a long time. I will be sure to keep you all updated.

I would be so appreciative of any advice you could share from your own experiences. Thank you so much! 💖

kazann

Member Since:
27 July 2014

Offline

16 August 2019 - 2:25 pm

I'm so sorry to hear this news. It's absolutely devastating. We all hope that an amputation can rid our pet of cancer or at the very least give our pet a number of pain-free months. My heart breaks for you.

I know with my cat Mona that the vet did not know that she had cancer for sure and that if it was cancer he did not know if it had spread. It was a gamble so I proceeded with the intent to relieve her of any pain.

The only suggestion I could offer is a consultation with an oncologist who may be able to offer chemo or radiation and/or palliative care to relieve Georgie of any pain and give you a bit more time together. Frankly, I don't really have any advice but want to give you some ideas to consider. In the meantime enjoy lots of outside time with Georgie.

You and Georgie are in my thoughts.

Hugs to both of you,

Kerren and Tripawd Kitty Mona

benny55

Virginia

Member Since:
22 February 2013

Offline

16 August 2019 - 8:51 pm

Our Dear Maria, this is just so hard to hear. Completely unexpected. This disease is so vicious, so brutal, so cunning. It makes it's own rules and our best medical efforts sometimes are just not enough to combat this savage disease. And do know this to be true Maria, trying the debylking, the radiation is a course of action many would try first. So the couple of weeks spent on those options made NO difference in this outcome. Yes, some it works, sometimes the amputation artery trying thise steps first works. YOU DID, AND STILL ARE DOING, EVERYTHING RIGHT FOR GEORGIE!!! But in this case, the script was already written by this sneaky piece of crap disease.

Okay, deep breaths and let's ove forwa4d woth hooe snd follow up with Kerren's suggestions to speak with the Oncologist. There may, indeed, be some steps that can be taken to slow this thing down. And maybe a change up in her pai. meds can help too. Some of the lethargy you are seeing could ve rhe meds. The fact that she is eating and drinking is good!!! REALLY!!! It is good news!!

Ask about Metronomics. Ask about Piroxicam. Maybe even Prednisone could help control the inflammation sirrounding that piece of crap.

I know we first spoke on the Tripawds Helpline . As fate would have it, I'm "on duty" part of the day tomorrow up until 2:00 Eastern time. Another member will be taking over after thsat. Just know that we are still here by your side, okau?

Now go give that alert Georgie a good ear scratch fot us. Stay in the moment with her. She is with you now and that is all that matters. Don't waste one second of your time together worrying about the tomorrows. Your love is so strong for Georgie it will sustain you and you will always do the right thing for Georgie, and she knows it. ❤❤

We are surrounding uou woth peace, clarity and massive amounts of pawsit energy,

Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too

Tripawds

On The Road

Member Since:
24 September 2009

Offline

18 August 2019 - 12:27 pm

Hi Maria

I was so sad to hear this news when we spoke on the Helpline. Please know we are here for you and thinking of you and Georgie. When you feel up to it, post an update if you are able. Lots of love coming your way. xoxo

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet