Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hi- I'm new to the forum. I only discovered Tripawds about a week ago. Sallie is 7 weeks post op. we found out she has lung mets last week. We opted to not do chemo, but she is going down hill really fast. Her pain has increased over the last week. In last 36 hours, she has stopped standing/walking and cries out loudly when we help her into a standing position. The vet has upped her pain meds over the last week. The break down is this: 2 weeks of Gabapentin, 1 week of Rimadyl, 2 days of Tramadol and Amantadine. The vet told me the meds would take several days to work. She is responsive to food, drink and affection. We're in crisis mode because her pain has left her with a poor quality of life. We're at the point of make the decision to euthanize. I was hoping someone has had this experience and can provide some guidance. I don't want my baby to suffer, but if there is any hope, I would love to know about it.
Sallies family, welcome. I'm so sorry you're in this rough place right now and really hope that things get better soon.
How bad were her lung mets? And did you get scans anywhere else on her body? Unfortunately tests like a MRI are the only way to know for sure if the mets have gone beyond the lungs and impeding her mobility.
What is your vets plan should the pain meds not work?
Before you make any end of life decisions, what about getting a second opinion? That is what I would do next. Realizing that she has lung mets, she could still have a decent quality of life if you know more about what's going on and how to treat it. Many Tripawds have had these symptoms only to find out they were caused by a muscle pull and unrelated to the mets. I really hope this is what's going on with Sallie.
Her responsiveness to all other aspects of her life sound positive, and I'll bet that things can improve if you can pinpoint this cause.
Hang in there! I'll be home from work in about an hour and will be in the Chat room this evening if you want to stop by, although there may be other people in there now who you can talk to.
We are here for you, please keep us posted.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi salliesfam. Can you give us a bit more info? How advanced were the lung mets (ie, how big, how many). Are her other legs swollen? Is she coughing and/or struggling to breathe?
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/
Her lungs were clear by X-ray at the time of diagnosis. Her X-ray showed 4 - 5 lung lesions last weekend. No coughing or swelling. The vet's plan was to wait and see. The issue is, she won't go to the bathroom because of the pain. I feel helpless to help her.
I am so sorry to hear about Sallie.
It is possible for mets to turn up in other bones and the spine. I'd be looking at getting xrays done to see if this is the problem (I will be praying for you that it isn't). BUT it could also be something as simple as a pulled muscle or pinched nerve. So please don't give up hope. If your vet is suggesting to give her a bit of time to see if it is a pulled muscle (or something like that) then maybe he could give her a shot of some nice strong pain killers like morphine so that she can at least get up (with your help) and do her business without it being too unbearable?
I know how heart wrenching it is when they don't want to get up because of the pain. Magnum was in this situation. If Sallie responds to massage that could be another thing to at least make her a bit more comfortable (very gentle massage on either side of the spine). I know that Magnum favoured lieing on her sore side (where she had mets to her hip) and when she wasn't she liked me to hold it quite firmly.
Please let us know how you go.
Karen and Spirit Magnum
Magnum: 30th May 2002 to 5th May 2012. Lost her back left leg to osteosarcoma on 5th Sep 2011. Lung mets found on 20th Mar 2012 but it was bone mets in the hip that ended her brave battle. Magnum's motto - "Dream as if you'll live for ever, live as if you'll die today" (James Dean). Loyal, loving, courageous and spirited to the end. My beloved heart dog, see her memoirs from Rainbow Bridge ...... http://princess.....pawds.com/
Gosh Sallie....it,s hard but hang tough as this may indeed something g NOT related to lung mets at all.
Very well could be related to paid full pulled muscle or pi chef nerve. They are very hurtful and dogs will practically freeze so stones because it,s such a stab big sharp pain.
The fact that overall attitude towards eating, drinking and lots of loving is REALLY good I dictator that it may not be something related to mets at all.
It seems highly unlikely that any of this would be mets related as stays were good seven weeks ago and clear.
Ditto all of the above.
Has vet done blood work....ruled out any kidney infections (can cause painful urination to point don't want to go)......how 'bout pooping? Just throw I g everything out there.
Unclear now long she's been on pain meds. And is vet doing inner at a time? Has he tried any anti-inflammtory??
It's so hard seeing your pet in pain but if you can, just stay calm, keep breathing slowly and go for a second opinion ion as soon as you can. Responding to your hugs and kisses and lots of treats are such a good sign.
PLEASE update us as soon as you can. We are all here for you. You are step g and committed to doing what's best for your pup. 'Just seems you can make better decision. Once you get more info.
Just o e more this g. It seems to me....and I could be wrote g and I'm no vet........that tramadol has a more immediate effect than gabapentin and maybe your vet would suggest you use that right now.
Sending you supportive energy, strength and calm,
Sally and Happy Hannan
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!
Although I am certainly not a vet, most dogs who have had complications from the lung mets have begun coughing and/or sneezing sometimes with bloody discharge and have shown breathing changes, so I question whether the pain you describe is directly related to the lung mets. As others have mentioned, the cancer can spread to other bones which can certainly cause pain, but it also could be just a sprain of some sort. Our Zeus was having trouble moving a couple of weeks after amputation and he would also whimper/whine when we would pick him up and try to help him around. A thorough physical exam by our vet found a tender spot in his back. Dr. R explained that the new way of walking/hopping can cause problems because they are moving in new ways and using muscles they did not use before. Extra pain meds and rest for a couple of weeks did the trick and he recovered fine. At only seven weeks post-amp, Sallie is still in that stage of getting used to the new way of moving, so it's possible that this could be something totally treatable. Might be worth a visit to the vet to see if they can pinpoint the source of the pain...
Good Luck!
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/
Thanks everyone. I have a call into the vet. I am hoping the mets haven't gone any further, but I know it is a strong possibility.
Hi All,
My sweet Sallie girl went to the bridge tonight. Metastatic disease had found its way to her spine. Unfortunately, there is no treatment for that. The best thing we could give her was freedom from the pain. Tonight, she is running on all four legs, pain free and happy. We will miss her awesome spirit in our daily lives, but she is in our hearts forever. Blessings to each of you on the journey you are on. Your advice was very much appreciated.
I'm so sorry to hear that it was Sallie's time. It is never long enough. You did the kindest and most courageous thing you could do for her... let her go. Her body may be gone, but her spirit will live on forever.
My sincere condolences to you and your family.
Right hind limb amputated 7/3/12 for OSA, started on alternating cycles of Carboplatin and Doxorubicin and oral Palladia. Single lung met 9/1. Met in the neck muscle removed 9/30. Large mass in sublumbar lymph node 10/2. Rescue chemo with ifosfamide 10/6. Mets to the rib and axillary lymph node 10/21. Started Leukeran and Pred 10/25. Wookie left this Earth for a far better place on 12/4/12. I miss you, Boo, you were my heart.
I'm so sorry it turned out to be spinal mets. There is nothing you can do about that except what you did. You will be in our thoughts and our prayers. Many condolescences. Run free beautiful Sallie.
Karen and Spirit Magnum
Magnum: 30th May 2002 to 5th May 2012. Lost her back left leg to osteosarcoma on 5th Sep 2011. Lung mets found on 20th Mar 2012 but it was bone mets in the hip that ended her brave battle. Magnum's motto - "Dream as if you'll live for ever, live as if you'll die today" (James Dean). Loyal, loving, courageous and spirited to the end. My beloved heart dog, see her memoirs from Rainbow Bridge ...... http://princess.....pawds.com/
Oh I, m so sorry, so very sorry. We were hoping it wouldn't be anything bad. This stupid disease makes its own rules.
You did everything yo could. Every decision was made out of love. I know she felt so loved and so spoiled and so appreciated and valued every single day she was with you.
You had the courage and the depth of love to listen to her when she was ready to go.
As you eventually adjust to this deep pain, the memories that made yo smile will come back. She will be glad she left smiles on your heart.
We are here form you and we understand like o others can.
Maybe sometime min the future you will post a photo of mayor sweet Sallie. It would be an honor.
I'm s very sorry. You did everything out of love, especially tonight.
Is there something she did that made you smile? Was it the way she wagged her tail when you came home...and you were only gone five minutes. Was it when you gave her a treat? Hold that memory in your set right now and feel her happiness.
Much love, 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!
Oh boy. I really feel for you, my eyes are prickly with tears.
What a brave and humane thing you did, to let her go. I hope that when we are forced to make the same decision (please universe, not for a long while yet) we can do it in the gracious way that you did. Best of luck to you for the sad days ahead, take comfort in knowing that you did everything right at the right time and that Sallie was the worthy recipient of so much love.
Thank you for your blessings, we are all in the same boat, but on different seas. Please accept our blessings to you as you mourn your precious doggy.
Victoria
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