Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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This evening as Greg and I sat in the floor with Zeus I expressed a concern I have had for a couple of weeks. We have an appointment next Thursday to take baseline x-rays and begin MP treatment. I told Greg I'm concerned because Zeus just seems so tired lately and I'm afraid that he's just not up to the strain of more treatments. I pointed out that he lays around a lot and doesn't seem interested in walking or going out sniffing much. He goes out far enough to go to the bathroom and then wants to come back in. Greg reminded me that Zeus just finished six rounds of chemo a month ago and came down with pneumonia two weeks ago and he's probably still recovering. I gave him the 'yeah, I guess' half-hearted answer.
Zeus has always been a very observant dog and as always he sat in the floor watching and listening to us. It was cute but I had no delusions that he understood anything that we were saying. Thirty minutes later we took him out and he proceeded to trot all the way out to the road and then pulled us down the road on the second longest walk he's had since his amputation. We finally coaxed him back home were he proceeded to, literally, bounce into the house, plop down on his pillow and grin at us.
I swear the timing could not be more ironic. I guess we will keep that vet appointment after all... 
Zeus was a Husky mix diagnosed with Osteosarcoma at age 11. A visible lung met and suspicious spot on his liver meant a poor prognosis-six weeks was our vet's best guess. We decided to fight for our boy and his right front leg was amputated on 12/1/11. We did six rounds of chemo, changed his diet and spoiled him completely rotten. We were blessed with 10 great months after diagnosis. Against the odds, the lung met remained a single met and grew very little over those months. A wonderful furbaby with the most gentle spirit, he fought with a strength that we never imagined he possessed. We have no regrets...
http://zeuspod......pawds.com/
How wonderful!! Good for Zeus-he sounds like he's making a nice recovery from the chemo and pneumonia. What perfect timing
I know that when I've has pneumonia, the weakness lasts for quite awhile. Maybe our dogs are the same.So happy to hear such positive news. Our babies are following a very similiar timelime. My warrior princess, Lily, underwent her amputation about 2 weeks after Zeus. Lily did 5 rounds of carbo and was exhausted for a couple weeks. We decided not to do the 6th. Wishing you a positive vet appointment.
Our beautiful Lily was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in her front leg on 12/14/11 at age 8 and had amp on 12/16/11. She completed 5 rounds of carbo. She was so brave and kicked cancer's butt daily! She lived life fully for 4 years, 3 months, and 15 days after her amp. My angel is a warrior princess. I miss her so much.
Sweet Zeus is amazing and I think he knew what was worrying you. I used to think dogs could understand our moods and emotions, but not many of our words. After Sammy and Sosa, I know better! A recent 10-year study showed that dogs — not our closest relatives the great apes or chimps — are the only animals to understand pointing. Even puppies understood when a researcher pointed to one cup, among three, that contained a treat. They understand many more words than we originally thought and may know us better than we know them.
Give Zeus a hug and tell him to keep getting better!
Beth, Spirit Smilin' Sammy and MB Wiggly Wrigley
Smilin' Sammy, March 16, 2004 – Dec. 5, 2011
Golden retriever, diagnosed with osteosarcoma in September 2010 — right front leg amputated November 2010. He fought valiantly to stay with us; but a second diagnosis of osteosarcoma, this time in his left front leg, was more than our golden warrior could overcome. He loved his pack — and everyone else he met.
We loved him even more.
Thanks for the pennies, Sammy. They helped.
Lisa, can you and Greg talk about Dakota in front of him? Maybe it would inspire him to do more than pee and hightail it back inside.
Zeus has been through a lot lately so I'm really not surprised that he's still a bit slow. I guess he showed you, though! But you know, this stuff's cumulative effect (chemo, illness) could be really high. The fact that he's bouncing back at all is pretty amazing. He could just turn into a complete couch potato like Dakota has. For goodness' sake, Zeus is 12! Going for a hope down the road after pneumonia and chemo? If I were the patient, I think I'd smack you if you even suggested it to me. Good for Zeus!
Shari
From abandoned puppy to Tripawd Warrior Dude, Dakota became one of the 2011 February Furballs due to STS. Our incredibly sweet friend lived with grace and dignity till he impulsively raced over the Bridge on 12-15-12.
Dakota's thoughtful and erudite blog is at http://shari.tr.....pawds.com/
Great story. Zeus is such a sweet, smart, handsome boy! Glad to hear he is bouncy and happy.
Abby was very tired for a while after her 6th treatment - and that was without pneumonia, AND she was under 2 yrs old, so he's earned some down time! Sounds like he's starting to come around though.
Rita sends nose-pokes,
Jackie, Angel Abby's mom
Abby: Aug 1, 2009 – Jan 10, 2012. Our beautiful rescue pup lived LARGE with osteosarcoma for 15 months – half her way-too-short life. I think our "halflistic" approach (mixing traditional meds + supplements) helped her thrive. (PM me for details. I'm happy to help.) She had lung mets for over a year. They took her from us in the end, but they cannot take her spirit! She will live forever in our hearts. She loved the beach and giving kisses and going to In-N-Out for a Flying Dutchman. Tripawds blog, and a more detailed blog here. Please also check out my novel, What the Dog Ate. Now also in paperback! Purchase it at Amazon via Tripawds and help support Tripawds!
He was definitely listening!!! I can hear him now..."Oh alllllllright....if it'll make ya feel better....let's go!"
I worry all the time and get over sensitive to the slightest thing. Comparing activity levels to what she did yesterday...or last week...or last month. I drive myself crazy. I have to remind myself that she might just get tired because she is old and has been through a lot! I GET TIRED BECAUSE I AM OLD!
Big hugs to Sweet Zeus!
Pegz and Karen
oh zeus, you are just amazing!!! having taken care of both pups and people, it's easy to forget how much we ask of our pups, and how well they do actually recover. having been through cancer surgery and radiation myself, i was humbled at how well gayle did, her lack of complaining and her ability to just 'get back in the saddle' so quickly.
keep up the good work, zeus...and keep smiling!!
charon & spirit gayle
Life is good, so very, very good!!! Gayle enjoyed each and every moment of each and every wonderful day (naps included). She left this world December 12, 2011 – off on a new adventure.
Love Never Ends
Shoot, I said Zeus went for a "hope down the road" and of course meant a "hop." I thought I could edit it but can't figure that out. Can we edit our posts if we didn't start the topic? Anyone got their moderator hat on who could tell me? Thanks.
Shari
From abandoned puppy to Tripawd Warrior Dude, Dakota became one of the 2011 February Furballs due to STS. Our incredibly sweet friend lived with grace and dignity till he impulsively raced over the Bridge on 12-15-12.
Dakota's thoughtful and erudite blog is at http://shari.tr.....pawds.com/
Shari, I edit my posts all the time because, despite being an editor for many years, I obviously cannot edit my own posts. I will post this and then tell you how to do it — because, frankly I can't remember how to do it without looking at the screen. I misspelled screen on purpose so if you see this before I correct it, wait to see if it changes.
Beth
Shari, once you have posted your reply you will see an orangish box to the right that says "edit." Click on it and just move your curser to the part you want to correct and retype the word or sentence, then hit "Save Edited Post." The feature has saved me many embarrassing moments — although I am sure I have missed many other mistakes. I never could edit my own work. My brain substitutes what should be there for what it. I hate that!
You know, now that I am looking at my post further up the page, I don't see the feature. Perhaps it is only available right after you've posted? Anybody?
Smilin' Sammy, March 16, 2004 – Dec. 5, 2011
Golden retriever, diagnosed with osteosarcoma in September 2010 — right front leg amputated November 2010. He fought valiantly to stay with us; but a second diagnosis of osteosarcoma, this time in his left front leg, was more than our golden warrior could overcome. He loved his pack — and everyone else he met.
We loved him even more.
Thanks for the pennies, Sammy. They helped.
Okay Beth!
From abandoned puppy to Tripawd Warrior Dude, Dakota became one of the 2011 February Furballs due to STS. Our incredibly sweet friend lived with grace and dignity till he impulsively raced over the Bridge on 12-15-12.
Dakota's thoughtful and erudite blog is at http://shari.tr.....pawds.com/
Hmmm. This last post has a button — top, second from the left — that says, "View Edit History." It tells when you edited, but doesn't allow you to make changes. However, I know I have edited a post more than once. Maybe you lose the ability after someone posts behind you?
Admin guy???
Smilin' Sammy, March 16, 2004 – Dec. 5, 2011
Golden retriever, diagnosed with osteosarcoma in September 2010 — right front leg amputated November 2010. He fought valiantly to stay with us; but a second diagnosis of osteosarcoma, this time in his left front leg, was more than our golden warrior could overcome. He loved his pack — and everyone else he met.
We loved him even more.
Thanks for the pennies, Sammy. They helped.
Atta boy, Zeus!
Gerry has been a tripawd since 12/16/2009.
He was a shelter dog with a mysterious past and an irrepairable knee injury.
Videos and pics of Gerry's pawesomeness can be found at: http://gerry.tripawds.com
Hahaha! Dogs KNOW when humans are talking about them. Silly people! Of course Zeus knew.
Don't be too worried about MP treatments being a big deal. Really, it's just a couple of pills and in most dogs, there are zero complications. It's a very low key way to manage cancer. We were so grateful when we discovered it, MP was much, much easier than we could have imagined (and a huge $$ savings too).
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Zeus- you just make me smile!
Shari- I don't think I can help you with your edit question. As a moderator I get an edit button on every post.
Karen and the pugapalooza
Zeus looks like a pretty smart cookie to me, so I am sure he knew he had to show you he's up to it. And, good luck with your appt. on Thursday.
Kathy & Harley
Harley is an 8 year old Golden Retriever. Amp surgery for an infiltrative lipoma canceled due to two masses in chest. A rescue, he found his forever home on 3/18/07 and left for his eternal home on 1/09/13. His story and medical history are at http://myharley.....pawds.com/
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