Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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It has been 6 months since Ella was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma and had her surgery. Since she is 11 we opted out of Chemo. She has been great until this last week. She stopped eating her dog food and then has been throwing up the last few days, in addition to being very tired. We have been able to get her to eat chicken and rice yesterday and today, but she does not keep much down.
We went to the vet this morning. They were not happy to hear about the vomiting, especially after only water. They did some xrays. The good news, no mets in her lungs. The bad news, a large mass on her pancreas. They said it could be pancreatitis, or more likely a growth from the Osteosarcoma. At this point there really is nothing more to do. They sent us home with Flagyl in hopes that she can keep some food and water down. She had some more chicken and rice when we got back this morning with a does of meds and so far so good.
They vet recommended Euthanasia at this point. I am having such a hard time deciding when is right. I do not want to see her suffer and I certainly don't want to see her starve but when I look at her sweet face all I see if my baby. I thought she would give me a look to tell me it was time. Maybe she has and selfishly I don't want to see it. I even feel like she has more energy since our vet visit this morning. Of course that could be from the fluids they gave her.
Sorry for such a rambling post, I am just a mess and trying to make the right decision.
Oh, no, no, no! I am SO sorry to hear this. I was hoping that Ella was just having a dip and would pull through. I think the title of your post says a lot, Ella has had a great six months, thanks to the love and care you have shown her, making the decision to amputate and thinking always what would be best for her quality of life and wellbeing. Everything you have done for Ella, you have done out of love. And now, as you face this most agonising and difficult decision of all, your love for her will guide you once again. I have heard others say that it's always better to say goodbye a day too soon than a day too late, but whether now is the time for Ella, I obviously cannot say. What I do know is that if you listen to your heart and act, once again, out of love for Ella, whatever you decide will be the right decision.
Sending love and strength to you and Ella,
Meg and Clare (and Elsie Pie) xxx
Ruby, Staffy, born June 2022, became a Tripawd, November 2023, adopted January 2024.
Also Angel Tripawd Meg (aka The Megastar), who died in April 2023, aged 14, after seven glorious years on three, and Angel Staffies Elsie Pie and Bille. In the pawprints of giants...
Just one other thought: is there any non-intrusive way of confirming if the mass is pancreatitis or osteosarcoma? It might be very helpful to know for sure.
Ruby, Staffy, born June 2022, became a Tripawd, November 2023, adopted January 2024.
Also Angel Tripawd Meg (aka The Megastar), who died in April 2023, aged 14, after seven glorious years on three, and Angel Staffies Elsie Pie and Bille. In the pawprints of giants...
You areNOT ra.bli g at all!!!' Of course you are a mess, as anyone of us here would be! We understand all too well this part of the journey...all too well.
Your love, your Soul deep love for Ella comes shining through with every word and every action.
Today is not the day. This is where the "one day at a time" approach is our guide.
Ella has some fluids, some meds, and, hopefully this will help. Ella is not in pain and is not suffering. Sje maybe uncomfortable, but that is very different from pain. There is certainly a possibility that this could be pancreatitis and the fluids and bland food should help. It may be that you'll have to redo fluids as that seems to be a treatment that heps with pancreatitis the most.
I guess her blood work showed kidneys, etc all good? Being a "mature" girl, kidneys are often an issue when it comes to vomit and not eating.
IF...IF...you find that this is a result of a tumor, and IF...IF... each day could be worse than the day before, then you'll know what to do. With my beloved Happy Hannah, there was never a "look" that is often talked about. In fact, she NEVER missed a meal. She happily wagged her tail. She had a met the size of a baseball. She was becoming more and more tired, going to potty was pretty darn exhausting. Her breathing pattern was interrupting her sleep. At that point in her journey I knew that each day would only be a little worse than the day before. I also knew her quality could go from "uncomfortable" to crisis in a matter of minutes.
Ella is with you right NOW and feeling comfortable. So no, today is not the day! And tomorrow is probably not either. To project beyond that takes you away from being in the present with your sweet girl.
And BTW...we do have a celebration of HAPPY SIX MONTH AMPUVERSARY!! And in human years that's HAPPY THREE YEARS PLUS AMPUVERSARY!! Maybe must o e teeny weeny spoon of ice cream to celebrate won't upset her bland diet!
Lots and lots of hugs and love
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
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!
Thank you Meg and Sally. She had blood work a few weeks ago and her kidney functions were great (she had bladder infection, which cleared up after a round of antibiotics).
We will take it a day at a time at this point. We had a lovely walk a bit ago and she enjoyed rolling in the grass. Hopefully it is more good days than bad in the next few.
Oh, I'm so pleased. Rolling in the grass is a VERY good sign, I think. Sounds like the fluids are really helping.
Love to you both.
M, C & EP xxx
Ruby, Staffy, born June 2022, became a Tripawd, November 2023, adopted January 2024.
Also Angel Tripawd Meg (aka The Megastar), who died in April 2023, aged 14, after seven glorious years on three, and Angel Staffies Elsie Pie and Bille. In the pawprints of giants...
Good! A good roll in the grass is always a good sign!!
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!
jennfb said
I am having such a hard time deciding when is right. I do not want to see her suffer...
So sorry to hear about Ella! Here are a couple posts that may be able to help you determine quality of life, and "when it is time"...
Penny Jars Measure a Dog’s Quality of Life
Saying Goodbye: How We Knew (part 1)
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
So sorry to hear Ella is struggling. But glad to hear she's still having good days.
The emotions are so thick, it's natural to doubt yourself every day. I know I did. Even when we decided it was time and made an appt - Milo had spiked a 105 fever and struggled to breathe all night - I spent most of the day waivering. I still find myself questioning if "maybe it was just an infection that caused the fever, and the fever caused the breathing problems, and if I had just gotten him antibiotics..... " And that's with knowing the x-rays the week before weren't good, and the off-and-on eating preceded the fever.
My point is point is that there's not likely to be a giant sign. You'll make the best choice you can out of love, just as you'very been doing all along, and then your emotions will make you question yourself no matter what choices you make. Wrongly. Stupid emotions!
Hug her. Pet her. Snuggle her. Enjoy whatever time you have. It is never enough.
Peace,
Jenifer & Milo
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