Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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My whirlwind of a short couple of days is coming to a frightening and maddening end..... My Pearl has cancer, my just turned 3 year old sweet Lab has f-ing cancer. I can't help but think I am doing something terribly wrong, but I am trying to do everything right. I feed all my girls better dog food, better treats, removed as much grain from their diets as possible, give supplements, and I am still dealing with cancer in my young pup. She was diagnosed with mast cell cancer earlier, and is now taking 50mg of anti-histamine till her surgery on April 6. All I was doing was scratching her around her neck and shoulder on her left side this past Weds night, when I felt that icky bump. I thought it was a tick at first, but then looked and my heart just got sucked out of me along with my mind and breath.... It was that instantaneous thing, you just know......My vet saw me on Thurs, and we aspirated it, he just called about 3 hours ago....
I know I can't blame myself, ugly cancer will ALWAYS be ugly cancer and doesn't discriminate whether human or pet, but I have to say, I don't know if I am strong enough to get through this again so G-damn soon.....
Much love to all,
Bonnie, Angel Polly, sweet Pearl, and Zuzu 
Bonnie! No!!! I'm speechless and sickened!!! Unfrigginbelieveable!!!
Good ess knows you are doing everything right !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This effing disease akes up it's own rules and no one ever knows from day to day what they are. NO ONE COULD BE A BETTER ADVOC FOR THEIR DOGS THAN YOU!!!!!! NO ONE!!!!!!
I'm pretty sure you have my home nuber, ut I'm emailing it to you again.. actually I'm on Helpline duty right now too, but going off in about thirty mknutes so call me at home.
One thi g I wa t to stress...."this does not ewual that"! Pearl is Pearl. Every dog is different. NO dog fits statistics around here. She may react far more positive to treatment than your beloved Polly, or even Maggie. This is a differe t dog, a different immune system, znd maybe even more updated treatment than even a year ago.
And Bonnie, you and John and Pearl and Zuzu WILL get through whatever it is you have to do! I KNOW you know that. I know it just doesn't feel like it right now. You are far stronger than you ever give yourself credit for. We see the strength and courage in you even when you don't!
And the other thing that you have right now from day one is the love and strength and suplort and more love from your e tire Tripawd Family. And together we will fight this and togw we shall be victorious!!! So take that you piece of s**t disease!!!!!
Comi g back later tonight after work. For ow sending you love
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!
Oh Bonnie...I'm so sorry! Please let us know if there's anything we can do.
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
I'm sorry Bonnie.
#1. I agree that cancer sucks in all ways, shapes and forms.
#2. You know you are not doing anything wrong.
#3. I KNOW you will find whatever strength you need, and we will help you.
So to be clear, Pearl has two MCTs now? One on her neck and one...?
Tri-pug Maggie had recurring MCTs, one before her amp on her side, the one in her knee, and then several after her amp. The cutaneous MCTs tend to be easier to remove and get good margins. Maggie lived 4.5 years after the first MCT and did not pass from that cancer.
Quad pug Tani had recurring MCTs as well. I found her first one when she was 7 years old and about a week before Maggie was finished with her chemo (see #1 above). It was on her belly, when the shaved her for surgery they found two more so removed them all. She was tumor free as far as I know until about 6 months after Maggie passed (#1 above) then a couple tumors appeared. In all she probably had 11 or 12 MCTs, some I removed and some I just left alone. Tani passed a year ago February at almost 15 years old as the result of a stroke.
When the tumors are removed be sure you get the grade and the mitotic index (MI) the MI will give you and idea of how aggressive the cancer is and you can plan from there.
I'm sorry you are going down this road again, one cancer journey in our lives is one too many.
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
Sally, thank you for everything, and I would call you, but I am not much good in the way of keeping my emotions in check right now..... All your words comfort me in a huge way and I am so thankful for your loving friendship, hopefully we can talk soon....
Donna, thank you so much as well, I appreciate your kindness.
Karen, thank you for all your support and the info..... I remember your Maggie's story well, she was a little trooper for sure, and also little Tani...... My angel Polly's first cancer battle was also with mast cell, she got past it and did very well till hemangiosarcoma got her. Polly's was a grade 2, so I will definitely find out what we are dealing with after Pearl's surgery and biopsy. And you are right, this is my 4th cancer journey with 3 Labs in less than 5 years, and one is absolutely way too many......
Oh Bonnie! My heart is breaking for you. You will get through this! Sounds like you got it early. The c word strikes us with fear. Ihad an aspirate on my Chandler. My vet seems pretty low keyed about it. He explained that if it is in fact mast cell, there is a lot that can be done. He seemed to lean toward medication. Keep us posted. By the way, you are doing nothing wrong. I questioned myself when my cat got cancer last year. I really think some of it is just this environment we live in. Thinking of you, Lori, Ty and gang
TY GUY, Best Black Lab ever! Diagnosed and had amp in January, 2014. Kicked MRSA's butt. Earned his angel wings on April 16, 2014. Run Free my boy and don't forget a shoe. Ty is a proud member of the " April Angels". Ty sent us Daryl, a Tripawd rescue in Sept. of 2016. Daryl is 5 +or -. We are also Pawrents to Chandler, a Border Collie mix who is 15 and 1/2, Lucy, a Corgi who is 7, 2 minis, 2 horses, and a feisty cat named Zoe. Zoe had a non skeletal Osteosarcoma removed in July 2015. No Chemo, she was at least 16. She is going strong although she is now completely blind. She is now close to 20 and her hobbies are eating and sleeping in front of her personal heater.
Bonnie,
Sally is used to us crying on her shoulder. I know she loves to help people and sometimes it helps just to vent to us who know you. I am so sorry that she was diagnosed with this stupid disease again. Karen and everyone have given some wonderful ideas.
xoxoxo
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."
Much love and Prayers Bonnie...Im starting a healing novena tonite for you and your pack; for Pearls healing and your well being. We love you and are here....
Deb, Belle and Angel Zeus
Thank you Lori, Michelle, and Deb....... Your kindness and friendship is so very important to me, and knowing I have so many loving friends in this great community means the world to me. You all understand like no others for sure.....
Today I am an empty shell, trying to re-fuel and save all my energy for my upcoming battle again. I am glad there are so many resources here to check into, but I surely would never have believed it would be so soon.
Love to all of you,
Bonnie, Angel Polly, Pearl, and Zuzu 🐾❤️
Bonnie, I'm stunned, this is a crazy, crazy thing. Nobody should have to deal with cancer once, much less twice in the same lifetime. I'm really, really sorry.
Ditto what everyone else said. It's nothing you are doing wrong, no way no how. It just is. Remember, only you can give cancer the power to invoke fear and worry....don't let it happen, don't give in. You've been there before and if there is any blessing now it's that you've dealt with this before and you have a great vet team in place to help you get through the planning stage. You know it already, but MCT can be managed like any health issue. It's not the end of the line.
I am at a vet conference this week and next Sunday will be sitting in on a session all about MCT. I'll share whatever information I learn with everyone here, you'll be the first to know.
Love, hugs & more hugs coming your way. Keep us posted.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I'm having a real big problem just trying to wrap my head around this. I keep looking for the "why's" and the "what for's".
Harmony became a Tripawd on 10/21/14 (MCT). She left us way too soon on 11/1/14.
"We miss you so much; our love, our heart, our Harmony."
- Pam, Ron and Melody, Meesha, Doublestuff and Mariah Carey
Your topic heading says it all! This so sucks Bonnie! NOT FAIR! I'm MAD! Let us know how we can help! Much love and many hugs (((())))
Linda, Ollie, Riley & Spirit Mighty Max
Bonnie ... as I told you on your FB, I am here for you and will always pray for you all and Pearl. It's so unfair. I was telling my mom, it's just not right. But it's not your fault. Not at all. Those pooches couldn't ask for a better mom!!! You treat your dogs so well .... like princesses!!!!
Hang in there and keep us posted. you know our entire community is standing strong for you!
LOVE!!!
alison with spirit shelby in her heart (and little jasper too)
Shelby Lynne; Jack Russell/Shiba Inu mix. Proud member of the April Angels of 2014.
October 15, 2000 to April 8, 2014
Our story: Broke rear leg in June 2013 - non-conclusive results for cancer so leg was plated and pinned. Enlarged spleen in September 2013 and had it removed and was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma and started chemotherapy. Became a Tripawd January 8th, 2014 and definitive Hemangiosarcoma diagnosis. Three major surgeries in 7 months and Shelby took them all like a champ only to lose her battle to cancer in her brain. We had 8 amazing extra months together and no regrets. #shelbystrong #loveofmylife
Bonnie, How did Pearl's surgery go today? You have been on my mind a lot. Just was wondering how things are going. Hugs, Lori, Ty and Gang
TY GUY, Best Black Lab ever! Diagnosed and had amp in January, 2014. Kicked MRSA's butt. Earned his angel wings on April 16, 2014. Run Free my boy and don't forget a shoe. Ty is a proud member of the " April Angels". Ty sent us Daryl, a Tripawd rescue in Sept. of 2016. Daryl is 5 +or -. We are also Pawrents to Chandler, a Border Collie mix who is 15 and 1/2, Lucy, a Corgi who is 7, 2 minis, 2 horses, and a feisty cat named Zoe. Zoe had a non skeletal Osteosarcoma removed in July 2015. No Chemo, she was at least 16. She is going strong although she is now completely blind. She is now close to 20 and her hobbies are eating and sleeping in front of her personal heater.
Lori...Do you know if Pearl has even had surgery? Did Bonnie post something on facebooger that she didn't lost here? We love her so.
A d love you so 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!
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