Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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A few months ago, I found this site the day I heard the word "tumor" and "cancer". My dog (Nellie 13 yr old chocolate lab) had beaten it once before (she had a toe removed that was cancerous- andenocarcinoma). She was cancer free until October 1st of this year, when I found a lump on the same leg as her missing toe. Took her in the next day and after an x-ray, was told it was osteosarcoma and the prognosis wasn't good (1-2 months). After weighing many options (including amputation- which we decided against because of arthritis in her other front leg). My vet and I (he's been her vet since she was a pup) decided on a low dose of Predsione (15 mg/ twice a day) and Tramadol (10 mg/ 3 times a day). Until yesterday, that combination had worked well. She was a healthy weight (58 lbs) and was up/down the steps (slowly) up/off the couch and she just had a checkup one week ago where he gave her clearance to travel with us (long drive) for the holidays. Yesterday, tragedy struck. She was fine in the morning, gave her the meds, she ate/drank, and laid on the couch. Suddenly, she had an accident (poop) on the couch and struggled to get down, we got her outside to finish and she just laid in the snow unable to get up, I got her inside and she just laid there, pretty out of it and then diarrhea started. She tried to get into her favorite chair (a move I now recognize as her last wish) but I called the emergency vet (it was Sunday) and got her there right away. She was gasping for air at this point and the vet on call listened to everything, told me that most likely she had a tumor near her heart or stomach that ruptured and she was going fast. I held her in my arms as she passed. I'm still in shock. I know she was 13 and had a tumor, but this quickly, and doing great on the morning she dies? Has anyone heard of this? I was an emotional mess (still am) but I had her do an xray after the fact, and the only thing she saw was some discoloration near the spleen/abdomen that could have been a ruptured tumor. She couldn't state for sure, but based on what happened and how quickly she went downhill, that's most likely what happened. Any help/advice would be great from this group? She was a GREAT DOG and I knew this would come, but not like this. Thank you in advance for any replies.
I'm so sorry. I personally have no experience to share, just wanted to send my heart to you.
Lori and her angel chuck
We are so sorry to hear this news, and have moved your topic here to the Coping With Loss forum where more members can offer condolences ad support for your grief.
Such a sudden passing must be incredibly tragic. It definitely sounds like a burst tumor, perhaps hemangiosarcoma being near the spleen. That always tends to lay low without symptoms and take pups pretty fast. But we are not vets. Anyone interested might consider watching this video of Dr. Pam diagnosing hemangio in the spleen via ultrasound.
Dr. Pam Finds Dog Spleen Tumor with Ultrasound
Best wishes during this difficult time.
Peace.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I am so very sorry to hear of your loss 
Sending you tons of hugs and strength.
Erica
Jill is a 9-year-old tuxedo kitty. She was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma in June 2012 on her toe in her right hind leg. Her leg was amputated on 12/12/12 and she completed four rounds of chemo (2 of Carbo, 2 of Doxy) in April 2013. "Like" Jill's facebook page: https://www.fac.....tty?ref=hl Proud member of the WINTER WARRIORS!!!! Her blog can be read at http://jillsjou.....ipawds.com. xoxo
I'm so sorry you've lost your Nellie, especially so suddenly. I can't offer any ideas on what happened, but I'm sure your vet was right. I'm so sorry. What a wonderful life Nellie must have had with you. Thank you for sharing her with us.
I too didn't have this same experience, but I wanted to pass along my sympathy. I am very sorry that you have lost your girl. My thoughts will be with you.
Adelaide is a young tripawd Husky, from an injury. Her amp was on 10/1/12. She has 4 sisters, Aissa (a senior border collie/chow), Maggie May (a puppy Great Pyrenees), Mathilde and Morrigan and 1 baby brother, Bagheera. We are all watched over by our angel Brendol, who was dx with OSA 1/30/13, amp on 2/6/13, and left us on 8/20/13.
You can read their stories at http://adelaide.tripawds.com and http://brendol.tripawds.com
We were so sorry to hear about Nellie. You definitely gave her a wonderful life. From what you describe, she had almost exactly the same symptoms that my daughter's Rottie had. It was hemangiosarcoma. He went down that quickly, too. They didn't even make it all the way to the vet with him. It is so hard to have to let them go with no warning. You will be in our thoughts.
Kathi and Murphy
Murphy is a five year old Lab/Chessie cross. He was hit by a car on 10/29/12 and became a Tripawd on 11/24/12. On 2/5/13, he had a total hip replacement on his remaining back leg. He has absolutely no idea that he has only three legs!
UPDATE: Murphy lived his life to the fullest, right up until an aggressive bone lesion took him across the Rainbow Bridge on April 9, 2015 and he gained his membership in the April Angels. Run free, my love. You deserve it!
I am so sorry about your loss. I do not have experience with that kind of tumor but sounds like it could have been Hemangioscaroma. Another type of cancer that affects liver etc. I am so sorry about Nellie. RIP
Hugs
Michelle & Angel Sassy
Sassy is a proud member of the Winter Warriors. Live long, & strong Winter Warriors.
sassysugarbear.tripawds.com
07/26/2006 - Sassy earned her wings 08/20/2013
05/04/2006 - Bosch, Sassy's pal, earned his wings 03/29/19 fought cancer for 4 months.
"You aren't doing it TO her, you are doing it FOR her. Give her a chance at life."
Online
Although you and sweet Nellie were here just a hort time, you cdrtainly touched our earts and we were all cheerngnyoun.
This is a nasty, rotten disease that makes up its own rule and often robs us of the "why" something happened. The fact is, most of the time we don't realy kow, it's just the way that awful, horrid disease does. It had alreadystarted its course with Nelie
I was owned by a dog named Bernie, and at thirteen h also was taken fiarly quickly with the same type of situation....a bleedng tumor apparently on/in spleen.....weakness turned to collapsing,turned to heavy breathing, etc.. I dn't know if this helps at all, but my vet told me although he may have been u cmfortable, it wasn't necessarily a painful situatin...and that was a huge distinctiin for me. Just the fact that Nellie "thought" she felt good enough to get into her favorite chair, her body wasn't able.
Nellie did win though! She lived a long happy life right up to the end and was spared weeks of sufferig that this journey can often take some on.
Know that Nellie knew how loved she was and knew you did eveything possible for her! She loved every secnd of her life with you and NOTHING can ever break the bondyou two have! It IS eternal! I know you felt so privileged to have her in your life. Know this to be true...she felt just as privileged to have you in hers. She has left her love for you right there in your heart. I think she tucked it in the left corner..bottom half...can you feel her love there? It's in there always! And make no mistake about it, she tucked your lovely safely in her heart and took it with her!
Nelie made treasured memories for you to draw on when the pain starts allowing them to come in. Nellie knows you will be sad...she would expect that. But she would want you to start remembering all the wonderful good times as son as you can.
The avatar pictuire shows a smilimg Nellie. Can't see her tail, but pretty sure it's wagging! Can you go back to when you took that photo? Remember how funny she acted when you took her picture....and how you laughed and told her "good girl" once you got her to hold still long enough to snap the ohoto?
Well, her tail is wagging right now because she nows that memory made yo smile, even if it was brief.
Please know we cry with you. Also please know we are all here for you and we understand your loss like no others can. When yoj are up to it, we would love to hear more about your sweet Nellie. I know the two of you have tons of great stories to share!
Nellie's life mattered. She lived a life of meaning that will cntinue on through all of us who had the privilege of gettint to now her throughyou. Thankyou for sharingher with us. She's such a magnificent soul!.......her lights eternal!
Surroundng you with Nellie's loving grace,
Sally and Happy Hannah
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!
So very , very sorry. What wonderful love and care you gave Nellie during her last months and she loved you back. You will have happy memories to help you through the hard times.
Thinking of you-
Luanne and Spirit Shooter
Spirit Shooter was a Miniature Australian Shepherd who was diagnosed with a MCT and had a LF amp 1/28/13 at 13-1/2 years old.
Shooter crossed the Bridge on 8/28/13, his 7 month ampuversary and two weeks from his 14th birthday.
I'm so sorry for your loss.
Liberty (Libby) was diagnosed with OSA on 1-22-13. Right front amputation on 1-31-13. No IV Chemo. Metronomic Therapy started 2-19-13 along with supplements and some home cooking. Lungs clear until 1-06-14. She's still her happy, hoppy, bossy self. Living the dog life to the fullest and a proud Winter Warrior. :) RIP my Libby 4-21-03 to 3-19-14
I'm so sorry you lost Nellie and so suddenly, it must have been a terrible shock. You are in our thoughts.
Penny
My heart breaks for you, please accept my condolences. I can't imagine the terrible shock of going through this, I'm so sorry.
I was thinking that yes it could be hemangiosarcoma too, it's a brutal condition when it occurs suddenly like this.
You are in our hearts today and always, please know we are here for you.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thank you all for the replies and kind words! It is a major shock, but I'm trying to focus on the good life she had (13 long years is a good life for a lab). Reading your words does help. I am meeting with the vet tomorrow to try and get some closure and an explanation to what happened. I am guessing from how she acted and how quickly she was taken, it was a hemangiosarcoma.
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