Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Sadly we found out today that Pebbles cancer has spread to her lungs. Over the last couple of weeks we have noticed that she has been slowing down. Our vet is gone for the day and after a walk up the hill to handle her business, she seems to be having a very hard time catching her breath. She is agitated, trying to find a position to be in that helps her catch her breath.
This is a new one for us - any advice would be very welcome.
Thanks,
Lennie (Pebbles Dad)
I'm sorry I can't offer any advice, but I just wanted to offer my sympathy for this sad turn of events.
Jan
http://tate.tripawds.com/
August 16, 2006 to November 28, 2011
TATE ~ Forever in our hearts.
Hi Lennie,
I don't have any direct experience with lung mets, but I know several pups here who have had good life quality for months and sometimes years after lung met diagnosis.
Here are a few links to look at:
Canine Osteosarcoma: Lung Metastasis Treatments
Reno: 3-Years Thriving with Canine Osteosarcoma and Lung Mets just posted yesterday- there are some links to the treatment Reno is using.
And these are Jerry's experiences posted by Admin in another forum the other day:
Jerry's lung met treatment plan
You could also try searching the blogs or forums for more information.
Karen and the pugapalooza
We had a prior dog (Bonnie) diagnosed with lymphosarcoma (underwent chemo for months) and in the end it spread to her lungs. She was just OK for a couple weeks, not really herself though and in the end we had to let her go especially when she stopped eating. I don't know what to tell you at this time, but enjoy the time you do have right now because you just never know.
-Chloe's mom
Chloe became a rear amp tripawd on 7-29-10. Another tumor was removed on front leg 2-20-14. Found 3rd tumor on neck 2-2015, but she's still kicking cancer's butt at age 14. Chloe's blog
I'm sorry too! So sorry to hear about this with Pebbles!
I only have experience from everyone's experience here. The mets do affect the breathing. They have excerise intolerance. The agitation and not getting comfortable would concern me a bit. I'm not trying to scare you! That would concern me because there could be pain somewhere. Plus, labored breathing is not a good sign.
My signs of everything is okay is....check gums and tongue and make sure they are pink. If they are grey, then there is cause for concern. Check the pulse. You can find a good pulse inside the hind leg. Count the beat for 15 seconds and multiply by 4. Here's an article on how to do it http://www.pete.....8;aid=1077
Is Pebbles on prednisone for the lung mets? You may want to jingle the vet's office to see if there is someone taking your vet's place just to ask if you should be concerned.
I'm really not trying to scare you. I overreact to everything!
Keep us posted, okay?
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.
Our dog Max had lung mets. About 3 months after we discovered them, one day he started breathing a little shallow and had a hard time getting comfortable. We took him to the vet and it was discovered the mets were causing fluid to build up around the lungs, further compressing them and making it slightly difficult to breathe. I don't know if these are Pebbles' symptoms, but you may want to have that checked out.
How many lung mets does Pebbles have? Size? Depending on location and percent of lung capacity involved many dogs do quite well with lung mets for several months or longer. Difficulty catching the breath could be a sign of the mets but is also common with lots of tripawds without mets just because of the extra energy expended when hopping.
Pred is a drug that may help shrink the mets or at least make breathing easier.
Pam
Lennie,
I am so sorry to here that Pebbles cancer has spread to the lungs. The first sign for us with Fortis was a slight infrequent cough. We knew this could be a symptom of the cancer moving to the lungs. After an x-ray to confirm, our vet put Forits on Prednisone. Although there were some side effects we experienced, it stopped the cough quickly and a blessing was given to us to have Forits for another wonderful 5 months. For a little over 4 months you would have never known he had lung mets but eventually he began to slow down and on the very last day his cough was frequent along with other signs that let us know it was time to let him go.
As Pam said, depending on the amount and size of lung mets our pups can do well for a long time. I hope this is the case for your Pebbles! The only advice I can give is to do what you feel is best and love your pup every single moment! You both will be in my prayers and I send you the very best of luck.
Pattie (Spirit Fortis' Mom)
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