Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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if you don't wanna sue the dogter, i am available to bite him in the a**. momma won't let me write "ass."
-evelyn
Beauty this good takes a lot of sleep.
We had a medicine dispensed to Rizzo incorrectly before her surgery to prepare her the week before and it was life threatening and when they realized what they had done they acted very professionally and took care of it.
They should be doing more that compensate you with "at cost" for you. Your dog has just been put through hell and you too. Not to be bitchy, but business is business, and they need to do the right thing by you and your dog.
I'm just so glad Duke is going to be ok, I thought about him all day. Poor dude.
All our Best
Suzie and Rizzo
Jack Russell born in 2001. Mast cell cancer found Dec 2009 and right rear amputation. Five rounds of chemo done before all treatment stopped. Living life to the fullest!! Read my story at http://rizzo.tripawds.com
This sure looks like photos I have seen of extravasation of Adriamycin. I wonder if he is more sensitive than other dogs, or maybe he got the entire dose out of the vein. Most of the time if a small amount goes out the person giving the injection would realize it right away. Did they use a catheter and was someone sitting with him the whole time? Accidents can happen but someone should have realized that the drug was not going where it should have.
Is he on pentoxyfilline for vasculitis? I think that Greyhounds are more prone to this so maybe that is complicating things. The most important thing is that he will be okay!!
Pam
I'm feeling so sad right now. It's not bad enough my poor dog, who just turned 7, has osteo and had to have a left rear leg amp 11 weeks ago. Now he's lying there in pain again, and after recovering beautifully from the amp and having fun again and being a dog, he is again unable to have any fun. He gets up to potty and eat and that's it. At least he gets up for that.
Thinking things through here... the average life span is 10-14 months post diagnosis, we are 3 months in already, and now probably 2 or more of the remaining months have been taken away from him while he recovers from this. It makes me wonder if I am doing the right thing trying to help him recover. Maybe time is so short I shouldn't make him suffer for 2 more months. Sadly, apparently we aren't even through the worst of it yet. That will occur as the dead skin falls off and there are open wounds. And yet, multiple x-rays of the chemo leak leg have been taken and none show osteo, a lymph node removed during his amp was clear, and his lungs showed clear prior to him amp. I realize there are no doubt micro-mets but at least nothing showing yet. So, there are some positive signs that he might make it through this recovery and still have some quality time.
In fact, 30% of greyhounds on the protocol we *were* on make it to 2 years. I was optimistic and hoping to be part of that 30%. But, we can't do any more chemo until he recovers. And, yes Pam, I think the entire administration went outside the vein, so we didn't get that dose either. He got screwed every which way. I'm sad they took a big chunk of our fun time away from us. Now all I can do is pet him, give him meds that make him sick, and take care of a leg that hurts like hell. Life can be so unfair.
Pam, yes, he is on pentoxyfilline because they thought earlier on it might possibly be vasculitis, although I think it is clear now it isn't. They are leaving him on it because they said there is some evidence it may help speed healing. As for how it was administered - I think the onco said to the critical care doc that she was going to give it with a catheter from now on. (Or was it via IV from now on? I can't recall.). Anyway, I think the onco was going to change procedure. She doesn't actually administer it, a tech who has apparently being doing this for 20 years does. Will you be one of my experts who agree this is an extravasation? I'm looking for another onco here that I can see to give an opinion. I really think I'm going to have to sue the hospital because they don't appear to be going to make it right. I'm not asking for pain and suffering... yet. So far only for expenses.
Dakota/Evelyn - I'm not even that mad at the dogster or tech. People make mistakes. I'm very sad about it, but feel a little badly for them at the same time. The onco had tears in her eyes yesterday. She's very kind and has a good heart, and feels terrible about it. She can't, however, bring herself to admit this is an extravasation. I am, however, livid with the a** of a hospital administrator/part owner. You can bite him in the a** for me... multiple times! 🙂 He actually called me today... I didn't return his call. Just not up for dealing with him. Don't want to let him hear the tears. (Looked the place up on Yelp and it got mostly rave reviews about the docs. The jerk hospital administrator I spoke with got slammed however. Guess I'm not the only one with a bad opinion of him.)
Thanks for the continued good wishes.
I'm so sad for you too, we all are.
Can't wait for Evelyn to get ahold of that big a**. Mean people suck.
http://tate.tripawds.com/
August 16, 2006 to November 28, 2011
TATE ~ Forever in our hearts.
I can feel your anger and frustration. It's bad enough when the cancer throws us a curve ball but the last thing we expect is the professionals we trust to get it wrong (and then rub salt into the wound by not admitting it). It just seems so unfair. I've been there with misdiagnosis of Magnum's condition (still go there sometimes) and it can twist your gut something awful. I know how hard it is but try to focus on the positive that Duke is likely to recover from this. Now is hard but you will get more quality time with him. Don't let the cancer or the incompetence and rudeness of humans rob you of the precious time you and Duke have together. Are there any other options to help ease the current pain in his leg until it heals?
For what it's worth, my two bits on time.....We got 8 months with Magnum and of that 8 months she had 1 month recuperating from surgery,and the last two months with increasing pain and loss of mobility with bone mets. That means 5 months where she was running around enjoying full freedom of movement. And it was worth it! She packed so much living into those 5 months it was incredible. And even in her last 2 months she adjusted to her reduced mobility and still found things to be happy about. Don't underestimate Duke's ability to adapt and find enjoyment in life even when things aren't perfect.
Wishing you lots of strength.
(And if you are thinking of sueing then I'd agree that a second onco opinion would be well worth getting).
Magnum: 30th May 2002 to 5th May 2012. Lost her back left leg to osteosarcoma on 5th Sep 2011. Lung mets found on 20th Mar 2012 but it was bone mets in the hip that ended her brave battle. Magnum's motto - "Dream as if you'll live for ever, live as if you'll die today" (James Dean). Loyal, loving, courageous and spirited to the end. My beloved heart dog, see her memoirs from Rainbow Bridge ...... http://princess.....pawds.com/
Oh my! I just caught up on all that you and Duke have been through. So many issues to deal with, all could have been avoided. I hope Duke can get through this to happier days. You are in my thoughts.
heather& spirit shadow
I, too am so sorry to hear of Duke's very bad experience. I'll be pulling for him to have happier days.
Comet - 1999 to 2011
She departed us unexpectedly January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.
She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.
OMG Pam. I just realized you said it looked like extravasation of Adriamycin. That's a secret fear of mine... that it wasn't carbo but adriamycin. If so, we are done and I know the answer is to put him out of his pain now as it will only get worse. It was *supposed* to be carbo but carbo isn't *supposed* to cause tissue damage. Oh dear...
I'm so sorry you are having to deal with this. You are so right - it's bad enough to deal with the cancer, but to have mistakes on top of that, and then having to deal with an a$$ on top of *that* - that really is just freaking unfair.
Wish I had some good advice. Thinking of you guys.
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!
I know it's so hard not to keep you mind spinning around and around right now, but try to keep calm for Duke's sake. If the clinic is as professional as it sounds like, the chances of them mixing up chemo drugs is incredibly rare. Not saying it can't happen but we've seen how onco clinics mix and administer drugs, and the chances of this are almost nill. I hope with everything I've got that this wasn't the case, and am sending all my best wishes to you guys.
Please know that we are all on your side and understand completely how you're feeling, but I'd like to ask you a HUGE favor; please don't ask Dr. Pam to be an expert and go on record for your case, should you choose to pursue it in court...she graciously volunteers her time here and helps a lot of folks, which is something many vets won't do out of fear of our litigious society. I hope you understand. Thanks so much.
Many pawsitive thoughts coming your way from all of us tonight!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Ugh, I am so sorry you are going through this. I have been going through the same calculation in my head - survival time might not be that long, so it's harder to justify putting them through a healing process that might take an extended period of time. I'm just trying to think of what so many here have said - statistics aren't a predictor of the future. Maybe Duke will be one of the dogs who lives for years after the osteo diagnosis, and by getting him through this period you give him a chance to do that. I'm saying this, and it's much easier said than done. I feel exactly the same way - Holly healed so well from the amp and was able to be a regular dog again...and now b/c of complications, she's not. IT'S NOT FAIR!! It's a horrible feeling to feel like you're doing well against the cancer but you might lose your dog to something else. I can't imagine being in your situation - a preventable human error causing the problem!! How heartbreaking...you are dealing with it so much better than I would; I'm so impressed with your attitude toward the doctor and the tech!
That admin guy better watch out...he's going to have a herd of tripawds and monkey butts coming after him!
Lots of pawsitive thoughts headed your way.
Alex & Holly
Glad to hear the chance of mixing the drugs is rare. I had no idea about any of that. Either way, however, I am concerned about how deep the damage goes. He is starting to have trouble supporting his weight on his two right legs. He keeps kind of collapsing - and he hates for me to use any type of support. I have a T-shirt on him and use that sometimes... that is also helping to hold up the sock on his leg that is there to prevent licking. E-collars don't work on greyhounds anyway with their skinny heads, but then imagine trying to navigate on 2 legs with a collar. Not happening. Not sure how we will keep him from licking once the skin starts falling off and open sores are there. That's when I will fly my sister in to take care of him while I'm at work. But, I don't know if we will make it that far.
He got up to eat this morning but didn't go out to potty. Just didn't have the energy. Didn't potty in the house, however. I think he will rest up a bit and then go out. Have another vet app't in the morning and am seriously considering releasing my poor Duke from his pain at that time. This is almost unbearable. Will see how he does through the day, however, before I make that decision. But he seems to be moving less and less. Didn't move once during the night. Maybe the pain just isn't being managed well enough. I don't know.
Sorry if I put you in an awkward position Pam. That was not my intent. I am looking for another opinion here in the area. But, I have to have my amazing neighbors help me get him in the car, and he is in so much pain I hate to put him through it. And just for the record... I hate that we are such a litigious society - I have never sued anyone in my life. It's not my style. Yet, I do feel people and corporations should make things right if they make an error that directly results in substantial financial and emotional cost. I'm not wealthy and have put a ton of money into Duke over the past 3 months, and have done so willingly and out of love, but now that may be all for naught due to human error. I just want that made as right as possible. They can't give me back my happy, playful, spinning, dancing dog overnight, but they can reimburse me for the financial part of things. I also think he should receive treatment for free to correct the human error. I just don't think I'm asking too much. Am I? I would think most ethical/professional businesses would do the right thing.
One further thought... for those doing chemo - I'd make sure they do it in one of the two legs on the other end of where the amp was. In other words, if amp was rear I'd insist it be in a front leg. If a front amp, I'd insist on rear legs. Because with Duke being a rear leg amp, if this damage were to have occurred to his remaining rear leg, I would have released him from his pain already. Maybe that is standard procedure? If not, it seems like it should be.
And Hollly and Alex - sorry to read you are going through a setback now too. So unfair for our poor pups. Just wish they could catch a break!
Thanks for listening and for the good wishes.
This breaks my heart to hear what happen to Duke. I am so so sorry. To have come through the amputation and recovery and then have this happen...I cannot even imagine. I know mistakes do happen but that is no consolation I am sure right now as you go through this. Our thoughts are with you and I hope he pulls through.
Cadence's Mom
Cadence Faye: Born 10/30/04, stepped into our hearts 12/23/2004. Rear leg tumor found 7/24/11 by mom and dad, Xray on 7/25/11, Osteosarcoma suspected 7/26/11, amputation 7/29/11, Carboplatin started 8/23. Met free so far!
I think you are right for wanting to recover some of what you have put into this journey with Duke. We sign documents saying we understand the risks and so on, but when the protocols and procedures are not followed (and they couldn't have been in this case), signatures mean nothing. We don't sign off carte blanche on this kind of thing.
This may seem way harsh and unsympathetic to you right now, but you need to be thinking ahead in case you pursue this in small claims court or elsewhere: If you do have to give Duke his wings, you will probably need to preserve his body or at least that leg. Some veternarian somewhere will likely need to look at it to determine exactly what happened. I have no idea what that costs but maybe today you should phone pet cremation services to ask about appropriate cold storage. It may be less expensive to have one of them store Duke's body than to have the leg removed; besides, you may need to determine whether or not there was damage throughout Duke's system. Your vet's office would probably be able to keep his body for some time, but I think the cremation places can do so more reliably and for longer. You have nothing to lose by asking them. If they don't do it, they should be able to tell you who can. In my area, I'd ask my humane society because they're huge and do necropsies on wildlife all the time so I know they're equipped.
Now that I'm done saying that, let me say what's in my heart. I hope Duke turns the corner today. I hope he sends you some signal that he is willing and wanting to tolerate the pain he's in in order to see what the next few days bring. If Duke is up for it, I know you will help him. And if he's just had enough, I hope he tells you that, too. Whatever happens, he knows he's loved and you know you've done amazing things for him. If he could talk, he'd thank you.
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/
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