Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
Tripawds is your home to learn how to care for a three legged dog or cat, with answers about dog leg amputation, and cat amputation recovery from many years of member experiences.
Join The Tripawds Community
Learn how to help three legged dogs and cats in the forums below. Browse and search as a guest or register for free and get full member benefits:
Instant post approval.
Private messages to members.
Subscribe to favorite topics.
Live Chat and much more!
Register
Log In
Members
Add Topic
Offline
I have to feel that I can trust that her observations and decisions are solid. At the same time, I am also being diligent in observing the effects of the medications and whether they are having the desired effect, if Jolie's body is handling them alright.
Agreed. If you feel something is not working or is adversely affecting Jolie then discuss it with her. Take things as they come. Jolie is doing well on her treatment plan; that's what it all comes down to.
I was really hoping to end the IVs because l'm always afraid I'll make a mistake and cause an infection. Case in point, this morning was worrisome because when I finished the IV and took the needle out there was some blood on it and a little blood in the IV line. The vet thinks that the additional moisture that the IV brings is beneficial so | will continue it) All in all, it seems like we are in a very good place in treatment right now.
As long as you are using brand-new needles, no worries about infections. I saw that happens to many a Quick google search says
"You may also see some blood or blood tinged fluid leak out. This is also normal as you may have nicked a tiny vessel in the skin. This too will heal up quickly on its own and there is no reason to be alarmed. Put a fresh, new, sterile needle every time"
The fluids are keeping Jolie stable and helping him. Your vet has the full picture of Jolie's health; no one else does. Your vet is there for Jolie; all the information given is just that they will not be there when something goes awry; your vet will be.
All in all, it seems like we are in a very good place in treatment right now.
EXACTLY! ALL that matters!!! That is the focus, and you can reevaluate after each lab work and ask further questions as they arise. Communication is always a good thing. Never worry about asking questions and sharing your concerns that is what makes you a team.
I have an ongoing health issues with our Purrkins, so I will pop in when able.
Hugs and love to the boys
💝💝💝
Hello All
Sometimes it's easy to forget that advice on here comes from people who also have their own busy lives and may also have beloved pets they have to worry about and take care of. This makes me doubly appreciative of the time taken to give most appreciated advice and feedback, especially this last one;I feel seen, listened to.
Things are well today Chez- Mignon.Jolie.
♡♡♡♡♡♡♡
That is so nice of you Edward! Yes, we are all busy and we all understand what it's like to be in the kind of situation you've been in (even tougher than most, really!).
Glad to hear things are well with the boys. Update anytime!
Hello All♡
It is coming up on the one month mark since the last vet visit. Sunday is the one-month check-up. Jolie had a couple days when he seemed a little nauseous and i think it might have been a side-effect of the Kremezin meds. But it was only a couple of days and aside from that he has been doing very well. He has been eating well. I have 4 different dry foods set out for them and Jolie actually went from bowl to bowl eating the different foods like he was at a buffet. Mignon hurt one of his back legs somehow and could hardly walk for a couple of days, but he is almost back to walking normally, but eating and drinking well. All in all it has been a very good month.
One worry is that the vet will be doing xray and ultrasound to check on cancer progression this time. Jolie is doing so well now and I am hoping for good results...
♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡
Wow where did that month go? Thankfully it was a GOOD ONE for all of you! 
Really nice to know that the boys are handling life challenges so well, and you are too.
I know those follow-up diagnostics are worrisome! Try to stay present, and know the boys can show you how to embrace all the goodness that is right in front of you at this moment. We are also sending lots of pawsitivity for hoppy news on Sunday!
Just remember you can decide to forgo more diagnostics. Guess it depends on whether the results would change anything one way or another.
Bummer about Mignon 's leg, bit soooo glad he jas recovered.
So cute that Jolie is aring off the "buffet". Jole has come sooooo far!!! He is doing well and that's 2orth celebrating every day.
Hugs
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
PS...Got your pictures and will get them posted soon......having computer glitches.
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!
Hello All♡
It's Saturday night here and just thinking about Jolie on the eve of his 1 month check-up. It's been 3 months now since his surgery and after the first 2 very hard months we have had the miracle of the 3rd month where he has seemed to be getting stronger with each passing day. Recently he has started using the scratching poste again with his one front paw and leg. He has started covering up his poop again. When he goes I can see he uses the muscles in his amputated side (I can see him moving his shoulder) first thende he uses his good side and successfully covers his poo.
His eating habits have returned to just like he was before he got sick. He seems to get a little stronger with each passing day.
So I am wondering if I should even bother letting the vet do the follow-up diagnostic exam. If the xrays show the cancer has spread what would be my next step? He does not exhibit any negative symptoms at this time. He just seems pain-free and content so i hate to put him anything that would disturb that...
♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡
It's always a good question to ask yourself in situations like this. What difference would it make if the Diagnostics showed something. Would you put Jolie through more tests more poking more prodding more therapies more treatment etc etc etc. Or would you just know that Jolie is doing really well with all that you have done to this point and that's all that matters. I know sometimes my vet will even say to me that maybe an additional test could be done or whatever, but what difference would it make if it did show something. Knowing that nothing could probably be done or knowing that I wouldn't want to put my pet through any more stuff.
So you have to ask yourself. What difference would it make if you did more Diagnostics and it showed progression. Were there even be any further a Treatment available and would you be willing to go through all that if it was. Of course, there's always peace of mind if the X-ray show no progression.
Just throwing some random thoughts out there.
♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️
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!
Sally’s input is exactly what i would say. Those follow up x-rays are totally optional, and you have to do what makes you comfortable. We opted out of follow ups and didn’t know the cancer had returned until it was too late. If we had learned sooner would we have done anything different? Nope.
If you are the type of pet parent who wants to pursue more cancer therapy that is totally ok. If that is not something you or Jolie would want, then the x-rays would serve no real purpose because you won’t be doing anything with the results anyways if there was metastasis. Make a decision you can live with.
So nice to hear he’s being a cat again! Congrats!
Hello All
Jolie had his follow up vet check yesterday. I decided to forgo any xray or ultrasound. I can't afford any more extreme measures such as any more surgeries or chemotherapy and I don't see putting Jolie through any more painful things. So, the vet tested for only kidney function and anemia. Most tests came back with good results.Unfortunately there has been a spike in creatinine levels, with the test coming back at 30.4. I was shocked because for the past month I had started Kremezin doses which I hadn't been doing before because of Jolie's condition. His behaviour has been so good with him eating and drinking well, having normal bm's and being playful and active. So I feel demoralized and crestfallen. The vet told me to increase IV to 60cc twice a day and gave us a list of products to help lower the toxin levels and I picked two: Renal Aid Cat (made in Korea, I believe) and RotiBac. I am going to reduce the snacks by half. We see the vet again in one month and I am hoping that the creatinine level will come back down. Has anyone had any experience with the level coming back down after a similar spike? Please let me know. Thank you.
Hi Edward,
You made some hard decisions yesterday and with all the love in your heart for Jolie, so that's great you were able to draw that line. Be proud of that!
Try not to be too down about the lab reports. Labs fluctuate all the time, and as long as you are managing as best you can, following your vet's advice, and Jolie is doing well, that's what counts. You can only do so much and you are doing more than that for your sweet boy.
I wish I could help you with the creatinine issue but I have no experience there. You may want to post it as a new question, in our Ask a Vet Forum topic.
As Jerry said, you made some difficult decisions about whether to do further Diagnostics or not. You drew the Line in the Sand of just how far you were willing to go and how much more you were willing to put Jolie through when the result would not have made a difference anyway. . For whatever it's worth, I would have made the exact same decision at this point. So yes, be proud of yourself that you were able to proceed in a way that you know Julie would want.
I don't have any insight into the kidney issues but I think Jerry suggestion to go over to the ap"Ask The Vet" forum was a good idea.
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!
Get ready for some more citeness from two very, very adorable kitties!!! Both Mignon and Jolie are looking good and are clearly very happy.♥️♥️♥️. Love how gently Jolie is tapping your leg.....or is it Mignon ???
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!
Thanks for uploading:)
Sometimes even the best of brothers need alone time. So, here are alone time photos with Jolie regally sitting on the sofa while Mignon chose to snuggle into a book shelf. It is Jolie in the pic with his front paw on my leg. I don't what it means but he does it often these days. Mignon has both his front paws on my knees which does sometimes when I come home.
♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡
Hello All
Thanks for the moral support regarding my decisions about treatment.It's a somewhat uneasy decision when those little 'what if's start to visit my mind.You know, what if the cancer is spreading and I somehow scraped the money together to do that chemotherapy and it miraculously worked....or other options that might present themselves.But I think I have enough experience at this point to know I'd just be fooling myself. My only option at this point is to try to give him those medications that reduce the accumulation of toxins in his system while at the same time not overwhelming his system or causing some kind of adverse reaction. (I did get the Hills dry food for CKD cats and Jolie seems to really like it.... so does Mignon) An example is the vet saying to increase the IV to 60cc twice a day. Administering 60cc is causing him discomfort, so I reduced it to 50cc twice a day. Is 10 cc really going to make that much difference? Another worry I have is that I have to be away from home this Saturday, so I won't be able to give him his meds that day. I don't know anyone who could do it in my place.I pray a lapse of just one day will still be ok and won't cause any major trauma.Thanks always for your prayers and support.
3 Guest(s)
