Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hi all. Just wanted to give an update on the Samdog.
He seems to be declining much faster than we can believe. Very low energy and breathing heavy. We have contacted a hospice vet who is coming to the house this afternoon to give us an assessment and hopefully a few more tools we can use to help him until it is time.
We aren't there yet, but as fast as he went down this week after so much vibrance last week, we aren't sure what might be coming next.
I would love to hear about the things you were able to do for your pups that you are grateful you could do.
Thanks as always for your support.
Samdog's mom
Samdog was a 10 yr old Golden and retired SAR dog. We found a bone mass on 8/17/12, needle biopsy showed sarcoma 8/22/12, amputation on 8/23/12, post-amp biopsy confirmed osteosarcoma on 8/28/12. Sadly, we found lung mets on 11/27/12 and my Spirit Sam earned his wings on 12/2/12.
We didn't know where we were headed and we don't regret a single step along our path. It all happened too fast, but he left a legacy of love that we will always cherish. Good bye my heart.
You can find our story at http://samdog.t.....ipawds.com
I'm really sorry to hear this about Sam. I hope this is not the case, I hope he's just having a day couple of days.
As for things we were able to do with Max, we were actually just grateful that he was our dog, and we were able to have nine of the most wonderful years of our lives with him. My thoughts and prayers will be with Sam and your family.
Thanks, I really prayed it was a couple of bad days too. And they haven't been great days - so I guess that part of the prayer is coming to fruition. 
Dr. C is the hospice vet that just came by the house. Amazing and compassionate woman, who, unfortunately, saw in Samdog what we are seeing. Pleural effusion in his left lung, elevated heart rate to compensate and general stress of not being able to catch a full breath. But she did give us a few things to work with. We are putting him back on the Tramadol to alleviate the stress and calm him down a bit and we are starting him on Predizone (sp? seriously, new drugs to learn how to spell?). She thinks the steriods could help him bounce for a couple of weeks, but she warns a couple of weeks is all we can expect. I figure if it helps him be comfy for those weeks, then it is a no-brainer.
But, he is home and currently sleeping at my feet and was saved another trip to the vet hospital, so that is a good thing. We will get him started on the Pred and report back on his progress.
This morning he ate all his cheesy eggs. Tonight, potroast - he's never eaten carrots before, so we will see if he likes them. 
Samdog was a 10 yr old Golden and retired SAR dog. We found a bone mass on 8/17/12, needle biopsy showed sarcoma 8/22/12, amputation on 8/23/12, post-amp biopsy confirmed osteosarcoma on 8/28/12. Sadly, we found lung mets on 11/27/12 and my Spirit Sam earned his wings on 12/2/12.
We didn't know where we were headed and we don't regret a single step along our path. It all happened too fast, but he left a legacy of love that we will always cherish. Good bye my heart.
You can find our story at http://samdog.t.....ipawds.com
Thinking of all of you and your handsome Samdog. I am so sorry that you are at this point-let's hope the Prednisone helps him bounce back for awhile.
Enjoy your yummy food, Samdog!
Joan and Lily
Our beautiful Lily was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in her front leg on 12/14/11 at age 8 and had amp on 12/16/11. She completed 5 rounds of carbo. She was so brave and kicked cancer's butt daily! She lived life fully for 4 years, 3 months, and 15 days after her amp. My angel is a warrior princess. I miss her so much.
I'm so sorry to be reading this -- I had hoped it was not Samdog when I saw the title "red dog". I have followed your journey from the beginning and you have given your all. No advice here other than what you are already doing which is food and love. Sending hugs and prayers.
Harley is an 8 year old Golden Retriever. Amp surgery for an infiltrative lipoma canceled due to two masses in chest. A rescue, he found his forever home on 3/18/07 and left for his eternal home on 1/09/13. His story and medical history are at http://myharley.....pawds.com/
**Sending positive energy to Samdog and his wonderful human family
I am so very sorry that you are facing this with Samdog. It is such a hard thing to go through. Give as many hugs and ear rubs as you can and spoil him rotten. I can tell you that the Prednisone help Zeus soooo much. I hope that it will do the same for Sam. You are in our thoughts...
Lisa
Zeus was a Husky mix diagnosed with Osteosarcoma at age 11. A visible lung met and suspicious spot on his liver meant a poor prognosis-six weeks was our vet's best guess. We decided to fight for our boy and his right front leg was amputated on 12/1/11. We did six rounds of chemo, changed his diet and spoiled him completely rotten. We were blessed with 10 great months after diagnosis. Against the odds, the lung met remained a single met and grew very little over those months. A wonderful furbaby with the most gentle spirit, he fought with a strength that we never imagined he possessed. We have no regrets...
http://zeuspod......pawds.com/
I am so sorry things have gone downhill so quickly for Samdog. I am impressed at how well you are coping-- you seem so together and so very practical--the hospice vet sounds fantastic. We only had a few days between (seemingly) perfect health and putting Scout down, so I cannot offer any advice other than to let Samdog eat whatever he wants, do whatever he wants, and smother him with love and kisses.
Scout: January 31, 2002 to November 7, 2011
Scout's diagnosis was "poorly differentiated sarcoma"; amputation 1/11/2011. Scout enjoyed 9 fantastic years on 4 legs and 9 glorious months on 3 legs. If love alone could have saved you…
I'm so sorry guys. Yes, the prednisone can work for a while and I hope it gives you guys some quality time together.
I think the best thing you can do right now is just BE. Don't plan any big outings or anything like that, because at this point in the disease you just don't know what's around the corner. Some of the best moments that you can have together are slowing down enough to cherish the most simple things, from eating scrambled eggs to stopping to smell the flowers. Life becomes so very precious.
It was super smart of you to call the hospice nurse. It really helps to prevent all of the second guessing, which only adds to the heartache at such a difficult time.
In the meantime, you can come here to vent or share or just talk. This part of the journey is so hard, please know we are thinking of you and sending all our love.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I'm so sorry. I hope the prednisone gives you more time together. Enjoy every moment. Spoil him rotten, and please give him an extra hug and belly rub from us.
Jackie, angel Abby's mom
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!
What I would add is don't pay attention to the prognosis- days or weeks or whatever. I found that added stress with Mag's first cancer- kind of like the tension that builds waiting for the timer to go off. When we got to this point with Maggie I tried to appreciate each day for what it was, and make it Mag's best day ever. When we were blessed with another we had another best day ever.
Sending strong, peaceful thoughts to Samdog and the whole pack.
Karen and Spirit Maggie
I'm with Karen. The less you focus on "the time you have left", the better quality time you will have. When I knew Trouble had a limited time left, I made sure she got to visit with all the people she loved. It made her happy and warmed my soul. Our friends would come by and we would sit outside (thankfully the weather was nice) on a blanket and visit.
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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