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
Online
I apologize for not being able to contain myself but I'm so mad I'm shaking and almost puking!
Gonna post a celebratory post as soon as I get picture to Jerry
Call to tel Onco SL e good news and still want to proceed with something
keep in mind she's only person I. world suggest I g four carboplatin.
IShe says I can still do five and six (eve. I do 't see the benefit to that after six seven wks). I said I could find d o o e. ...said it. nicely..that K was UST co fixed...who recommends UST four. She Said. CORNELL U NIVERSITY does and that's all she did for a year and saw no difference? GREAT I said, that makes. e feel better
THEN.....THEN.... OMD ...THEN SHE SAID, QUITE FRANKLY SHE DIDN'T TINK NANNAH WOULD STILL BE WITH US THIS LONG!!! I am just in shock...absolute sickening shock. I said I not surprised at all. OMD.
I can barely type her response.....I don't want it to have any eergy
I said, did that color your protocol at all.....is that why she just got four?
"m sick. I'. sorry.... I know I'm backslid I g big time. Thanks goodness I have to pull myself together to go to work
Just typing that statement above makes me want to vomit!! I'm so shocked and literally trembling.
HAPPY HANNAH OU ROCK! I WILL NEVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER IVE UP ON YOU. YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES. AND I THANK THIS COMMUNITY FOR GIVING ME MHCOURAGE, MY STENGTH M GUTS AND FOR LOVING US BOTH SO MUCH.
I'm sorry to use a three for this. I'm just in such shock....nd. not....that the whole to e Hannah's been there the onco had that kind d of give up attitude.
Oh yeah, she said because I took so long to decide that's why she thought that. How bout because you think four is good when. o o e else in the world thinks so.
I'll be embarrassed later for this post but of now.
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!
Offline
Sally,
BREATHE, In & out. I know its hard and you are terribly upset. Hannah is beating the odds just like Sassy. Keep it together for her. I totally understand you being upset with this Oncologist. Can you possibly talk with her regular vet about consulting a different oncologist maybe at a teaching hospital for the metronomics ?
NO need for embarassment. We are here for you. I would have gone off. I am sorry she said those things to you.
Rock on Happy Hannah & Sally
Hugs
Michelle & 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."
Salt,
First of all - take a deep breath, just like you are always telling all of us to do.
Second - that is a nasty nasty thing your onco said to you. There is no excuse for it and I feel terrible that you have to deal with something like that, but you know, I'm not going to waste my energy on her, nor should you. Focus on Hannah and how ALIVE she is.
Third - NO ONE has said that four isn't good!!! That is what we have all been discussing remember?? There is no proof. 4, 5, 6??? Carbo, Doxy??? who the heck knows!? There is NO PROOF. It sucks, yes. But no one has said that four isn't good. Do not focus on that, because there are PLENTY of oncologists who recommend that as the treatment. Maybe giving Hannah ice cream is the answer?? Not four carbos. Not five. Not six. GIVE THE GIRL SOME ICE CREAM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I SAID NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
That is all.
Jill is a 9-year-old tuxedo kitty. She was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma in June 2012 on her toe in her right hind leg. Her leg was amputated on 12/12/12 and she completed four rounds of chemo (2 of Carbo, 2 of Doxy) in April 2013. "Like" Jill's facebook page: https://www.fac.....tty?ref=hl Proud member of the WINTER WARRIORS!!!! Her blog can be read at http://jillsjou.....ipawds.com. xoxo
I'm so sorry that you have to deal with this. What a horrible thing to say to a client with a dog dealing with cancer. Hannah is doing so amazing right now! Really what reasons are there that after a few weeks delay you can't start up her chemo again and finish with 6 treatments? Are there any other oncologists in the Richmond area? Maybe you could find another towards northern VA.... or even my oncologist in Chesapeake. It would be about a 2 hour drive for you, though. I am sending big hugs to you!!!
04/09/13- OSA Diagnosis ~ 04/23/13- Left Forelimb Amputation ~ Carboplatin Chemo (6 total)
July 2006-November 18, 2013
I will always love you, Athena.
Jill is a 9-year-old tuxedo kitty. She was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma in June 2012 on her toe in her right hind leg. Her leg was amputated on 12/12/12 and she completed four rounds of chemo (2 of Carbo, 2 of Doxy) in April 2013. "Like" Jill's facebook page: https://www.fac.....tty?ref=hl Proud member of the WINTER WARRIORS!!!! Her blog can be read at http://jillsjou.....ipawds.com. xoxo
Sally I'm so sorry you had to go through that today! XOXO from me and all the furry babies!
Now JJ and I don't know anything about all the cancer stuff...but we both know that emotion is a normal thing. I probably would have flipped if the vet told me something like that. I also probably would have told her where she could shove it too, but I digress...
You have a lot of love and support here! You and Happy Hannah just keep on doing what you're doing...it seems to be working out for both of you 
Love,
Julianne and JJ
Sally im really sorry you had that experience. And you have every right to vent and absolutely no reason to be embarrassed. I know I'm newer to this site but you and Hannah are one of the members know best because of how suppotive and inspirational you and Hannah are. I know you know better than anyone that what that vet said are just words and the ultimate outcome is to be determined by your will as well as hannahs and from the short time I've been here your will and determination is something to be admired. Hang in there and prove em wrong 
Wow, some people have no tact. I'm sorry you had to hear her say that. Focus on Hannah and how happy she is to be here and that you've been fighting for her every step of the way. You continue to be an inspiration to all of us.
Stay strong and maybe throw a flaming bag of Hannah poop on her doorstep?
Barret was diagnosed with Hemangiopericytoma May 16, 2013. Front left leg/scapula/pectoral muscle was amputated on June 11, 2013 and we've never looked back. Follow our story on http://barret.t.....pawds.com/ and read my column on That Pet Blog
That's a terrible thing for your vet to say. Shame on her. She doesn't know your Happy Hannah like you do.
Try to focus on the positive and don't let the meanie vet drag you down. I am going to ask our vet when we speak tomorrow about the number of treatments, and I will let you know what she says about 4 v. 6. We're currently scheduled for 5, but given how Lili's handling it, I am dreading #4 and may very well stop at 3. The fact is, no one knows the magic number, and I bet that each dog's magic number is different and colored by like a zillion different variables over which we have zero control. As long as Hannah is feeling good today, that's all that matters.
Maybe try a different vet if you want to go forward with 5 and 6? For what it's worth, we don't go to an oncologist, but a specialist in internal medicine, for a number of reasons. In fact, our regular vet could have administered the chemo -- we just felt better with a specialist and they were a good deal closer which works well for the number of visits we have to make. My regular vet thought an internist was a good choice, given that many of the side effects of chemo are, well, internal. I have no doubt she's qualified and has done a great job thus far. Just food for thought if finding another oncologist is a challenge.
I'm going to play devil's advocate here, but maybe the vet wasn't trying to be offensive. I only say this in hopes that it may help to ease your anger. Veterinarians deal with a lot clients who struggle greatly with when it is time to let their pet go (not that Hannah is at that point right now) and part of their job becomes helping people know when medicine has done the most it can do. Yes, the way your vet spoke to you was inappropriate and insensitive, but maybe she was just trying to be what she feels from her experience is realistic. I am not 100% sure of the situation, but it may be possible that what your vet was trying to get across is that her preferred method is four treatments, and though she is not opposed to doing two more if you would like, in her opinion she feels that with Hannah's prognosis it may not be worth it to put her through them. They do not teach "bedside manner" in vet school, which is unfortunate because some vets really could use a lesson. A good vet will give a client all the possible choices of treatments for their pet, along with their best professional recommendation, and then leave the final decision up to the pet owner. I'm sorry for your experience, and I wish you and Hannah the best.
Sally,
I'm so sorry, I know what she said was hurtful.
I have to say that Heather is right: bedside manners aren't taught in school. I can't say for sure if your onco meant any offense but since she works with dogs and obviously loves them I'm betting that she didn't mean to be so insensitive.mLots of times oncologists only look at the statistics, and according to hers, dogs like Hannah don't thrive as well as others. But you have to remember, those statistics don't take into account Hannah's resiliency, she is one very special dog. You know her better than anyone else,so don't let anyone try to convince you that she will fall into any statistics. Those numbers have never met Hannah, who is one very special pup.
Hang in there and Be Pawsitive!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
My Dear Tripawd Family! I could not wait to get home tonight because I knew the kindest, most caring people in the world would impart their wisdom and support like no others can! And I KNEW the "backslide" would be over and I'd be back in true tripawd power form because of you!
I spent about three seconds trying to settle my own self down and knew I had already spiraled out of control. It was "lifeline time". Just make it easier on yourself (I said to me) ....call on the power of the tripawd community! So I '"dialed you all up" and I thank you so much for answering!
Won't say her completely inappropriate comment didn't show me to the core....won't say it didn't rattle my confidence in my "optimism", won't say I wasn't disappointed in myself that I let her negativity impact my whole outlook....won't say any of that because that would be untrue.
What I can say is the tripawd infusion of love, strength, common sense and kitty humor put me right back in the "zone" of being dog!
My Happy Hannah is doing sooooo great and is so happy and that's all that matters! Don't know why I lost my focus. Maybe the lesson is to show me how to be even more empathetic and supportive to others on this goofy journeu. Being able to bring my focus back to a state of empowerment was a lot easier with your help than trying to domiton myown:-)
MICHELLE AND SASSY. Your journey is inspiring to all and I always value your input! Happy Hannah is, indeed "rocking"....and will continue to do so!
PEPPER AND JILL. Never has one single cat brought more smiles to so many with those wonderful photos! I. lOVE having Jill sit on the porch with Hannah! Love it!
And yes ma'am! We are eating ice cream and that is a proven therapy for gleeful happy tummies!
JESSICA AMD ATHENA. You betcha' Happy Hannah is doing amazing and so is that sweet Athena! Chesspeake's not that far and we just may have to have Virginia's tripawd party. I still sleep with Happy Hannah's picture by my bed and always send good wishes to you and Athena every night
JULIANNE AND JJ. Bess your hea
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
Sorry that you had an exchange like that. It's upsetting for sure but I think some doctors are not equipped with the best bedside manners. I don't think it's indicative of lack of caring just presentation. Oncos are number oriented and as we all say dogs don't count numbers. Hannah's doing great so count that. You'll decide what you know is best for her. Your a strong and wonderful mom for your girl.
Dear, dear Sally - I don't know why some people seem to think they look better with their foot in their mouth!!!! So many in the medical profession (animal & human) just have no common sense when it comes to communicating.
Like everyone said - Hannah is not a number, but one happy girl with a great fighting spirit. In the end, all that matters is how she feels and not what someone else says she should be like. Their call is to give you the best advice they can in and leave you to make the decisions. Only you know Hannah!!!
Sendingyou lots of hugs. Now go ahead and jump up and down, scream, cuss and throw something non-destructive at the wall! Feel better? Now you can breath
.
Love-
Luanne and Shooter
Spirit Shooter was a Miniature Australian Shepherd who was diagnosed with a MCT and had a LF amp 1/28/13 at 13-1/2 years old.
Shooter crossed the Bridge on 8/28/13, his 7 month ampuversary and two weeks from his 14th birthday.
sorry JJ...computer cut off! Just wanted to say bless your heart for your words of encouragement! love the "shove it" concept! How is your spunky JJ dog? We haven't seen pictures for awhile...HINT!
BARRET AND HEATHER. You're great and I'm saving some of Hannah's poop right now for the flaming bag throw!! And oy, you should see the size of Hannah's poop!
Great idea! Thanks for making me laugh!
HE ATHER HHackett. Always appreciate your do tributions you make to all of us! Your viewpoint was insightful. I feel very fortunate that Happy Hannah is feeling great and step g and vibrant and no sign of any issues....locking o. wood over here!! How is that Bertram doing? He has just about the cuter picture I. the world on your avatasrThanksgain for always willing to share your kknowledge.....we all appreciate you greatly!
SWEET LITTLE LIL Very kind of you to reach out. Here you are dealing wth your own issues and still focus I g n helping others! called my regular vet after her disturbing comment and he actually suggested a Vet he knows who is n Internal Specialist who has oncology skills.....so your note is valadtion that,s a route should follow! Yeah, I canunderstand your oconcern with doing more chemo if she co to use to be such side effects. I k ow it doesn't sound like it...I'm not as obsessed with number of treatmentsas I am frustrated with such seemingly all srou d iI competence! You hang in there and we are all pulling for Lil!
MY DEAR LORI AND CNUCK. Your kind d words of support touched me deeply. You won't believe this, it when I "tried" to refrain from submitting my tirade that served no purpose, I thouht---I can't let Lori see this.... I'm not practicing what I'm preaching and that's embarrassing"! Thank YOU for reminding me to step back I to my determination and strong will! You should be so proud of how far you've dome! Look forward to more updates on Chuck!
SNOOP You are so right! Dogs c
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!
1 Guest(s)
