Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hi. Continuing the story of Uschi, recently written about under the topic “severe back pain in my tripawd” in Hopping Around Forum, I now grasp at straws here. Uschi had trouble with her back and seemed to be in acute pain a few weeks back, but switching from Rimadyl + Tramadol to Prednisone + Tramadol really worked. She was great for about 8 days. Now, for about 2 1/2 days, she has become less willing to move her rear legs at all. She is obviously in pain again…somewhere. We are guessing it is her back.
for about 24 hrs now we have carried her up the stairs, carried her outside, carried her back in, etc. once in her bed she props herself up on her remaining front leg and watches everybody with as much life and spunk as she ever had. she tried to catch a fly. her eyes are clear and bright, she eats voraciously, as usual, and drinks…if you bring it to her. she did get up for food at 6am, and again at 6pm-ish, but otherwise did not move voluntarily all day. she pants now and then, but only some. when I stand her up, she can get her balance, but will only stand as long as necessary to pee or poop outside. she does not want to walk, but did take a few hops when raw steak was offered. Lifting and carrying her causes her to whine and cry out.
She is still on Pred(every 12 hrs) + Tram(every 4 hrs), both back up to the max dose. but it is not having any effect this time. I talked to the veterinary neurologist today…before he said try Gabapentin if Prednisone didn't work. Now he is doubtful Gaba would help her so I didn't get the prescription. The assumption we are making is that the chemo she received from Sept. to Dec. did not work, and the osteosarcoma has recurred in her spine, but without an MRI we can't be sure; it was too expensive. We are only sure that something is terribly wrong with her back and we are unable to control her pain.
So we have scheduled her to be euthanized tomorrow eve. at home. (Fri) she is too painful to be moved. have I overlooked anything? should we try the gabapentin? she is quite arthritic in her lower spine, could it be inflamed? thank you for any words of advice.
I am so sorry. What about Metacam? Did she do anything to her hips? Maybe arthritis??
I am thinking......I know the chemo didn't work for Titan but we didn't experience anything like that. What did they do for chemo?
So Sorry
Heidi
We are truly sorry this is happening, we know how hard you and Uschi are trying. Yes, MRIs are so expensive. Are you able to get her to an acupuncturist? We know of dogs who couldn't walk, and once they saw an acupuncturist, things got better quickly and they were able to get around once more. We met a Doxie who was paralyzed and after acupuncture, she walked, and is now running and herself again.
An acupuncture session is a lot less expensive if you can do it (less than $100 usually). But if not, you have done everything you possibly can for Uschi, and we're sure she is aware of that. Remember, it's about quality of life, and that is exactly what you have been giving her. Please try to take comfort in knowing this.
You are in our thoughts, we hope we've helped somehow. Keep us posted OK?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Uschi had 4 doses of Carboplatin for chemotherapy. she handled it well. I declined the metronomic therapy, and will never know how that might have helped. I don't know about Metacam. I have some on hand, but don't know at this late hour if it can be mixed with Prednisone and Tramadol. I'm fully present to the quality of life issue. it seems even during the 8 days when she was feeling great, she still couldn't make the short loop of our walk.
If she didn't keep wagging her tail and looking so darn bright-eyed at the same time as being immobile, it would be so clear. You know I had an acupunture appt. scheduled, but cancelled it when she responded to the Prednisone. There is only one person who handles the whole region, my chances are slim of reaching her tomorrow.
Did they take a spinal film? Sometimes the OSA will show up as bone destruction. The Pred works because it takes the swelling off of the spinal cord but it is unfortunately temporary. If you had been decreasing it and just recently upped it again then you might still see a response within 48 hours.
Metacam is an NSAID like Rimadyl and Pred is stronger than both of these. Gabapentin may help but probably temporary. Spinal OSA is often more painful to the dog than the primary bone tumor because not only is there bone pain but also spinalcord/nerve root pain. I wish I could be more optimistic but we are able to surgically remove a leg but not the spinal cord. I am afraid that your neurologist is right about spinal mets but you can't tell for sure without an MRI or at least an Xray.
I am so sorry to hear bad news about your dog! It is often hard to make the call on when to consider euthanasia but we all know that quality of life is the main goal. If the pain is not managed by any meds you could consider radiation as a last resort but this might not be readily availabe. Acupuncture also might buy some more time.
Pam and Tazzie
I just wanted to tell you how sorry I am that Uschi is going through so much pain and you as well.
Thinking of you,
Ginny
Grateful for every moment we had with Paris…..no regrets!
Honoring her life by opening our hearts & home to Addy!
Thank you for helping me think this through. We had just decreased her Pred. to 20mg once every other day. that lasted 3 days. Now she has been back up to 20 mg every 12 hrs for 3 days. today is the 4th day (Fri). She only gets herself up for one thing: food. She came to the bowl and ate. She stood there and gulped down her food (like usual, maybe even more ravenously) but stands in a posture that shows pain: slightly hunched, shaking all over, tail tucked tightly under. She had to be carried outside to pee. Her stomach feels bloated as I see she is not pooping as often as normal. I think she's holding it.
Maybe an acupucturist could help her. Getting her there would be a problem at this point. If I could get a call back. she can be moved, it just seems to hurt a lot. I am at a loss as to what to do. We are thinking (worried) that if she did respond, then it would only be until the next downturn. would she be happy for those days she felt good? you bet. she loves life. but my husband says that it is kinder to release her in this particular valley, because she isn't really really bad. why let her keep getting worse and worse? that's what he says and I can see his point. It's just that I am the one researching her treatment options, so the burden of wondering if I've thought of everything falls on me.
uschmonster said:
also, I tried to share a photo or two. just can't figure out how.
Go ahead and send them to jerry@tripawds.com and we'll be happy to post it.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
uschmonster said:
I am at a loss as to what to do. We are thinking (worried) that if she did respond, then it would only be until the next downturn. would she be happy for those days she felt good? you bet. she loves life. but my husband says that it is kinder to release her in this particular valley, because she isn't really really bad
You two are definitely giving this so much thought. Only you know your baby well enough to be able to tell if continuing medical care is something that will help her situation improve, or continue lessen her quality of life. That's just what you have to keep asking yourself; is she thriving, living and fighting to live enough to justify more intervention?
It's such a hard thing to consider, we know, and we are truly sorry that you are at this point. You are in our thoughts.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I, too, am so sorry your beloved friend is suffering so. It is very difficult to do all the research, and make all those tough decisions. My heart is with you as you struggle through this. Trust your judgement. You KNOW in your heart when it is time. You WILL make the right decision. And we will all be here for you.
Shanna & Spirit Trouble ~ Trouble gained her wings 3/16/2011, a 27 1/2 month cancer survivor, tail wagging. RIP sweetheart, you are my heart and soul. Run free at Rainbow Bridge.
The November Five - Spirits Max, Cherry, Tika, Trouble & Nova. 11/2008 - 3/2013 An era ends as Queen Nova crossed the Bridge.
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