Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Oh no I am so sorry! We will stay positive and hope for better blood work on Friday! 🙏
Can they send you home with Buprenorphine in a liquid you could admin at home or even see if you can do the injection at home? I don't like the fact of injecting meds on cats anyway. I would want something oral or a pain patch Fentanyl?
It is scary & I would ask what you can do at home for Tom for less stress of going to the Vet ! Thats nuts to have to keep going in for pain meds! That stress isn't going to help Tom & that will also alter his bloodwork
There are pain meds you can give at home & that is what I would be asking for!
I would see about getting him out of pain & staying out of pain at HOME that is what you concentrate on, take one day at a time for now ! That is the worst feeling helpless & our animals in pain! I am sorry call the Vet and see what they can do before having to go back in.
Keeping everything crossed this changes & most importantly Tom is pain free & really hoping you can proceed as planned. Please keep us updated we are here even if we are a ocean apart!!❤️
(((((((HUGS))))))
Holly & Purrkins
Hey there, just now catching up on news about Tom. OK, as Sally would say, breathe. It's great that your vet discovered the issues with his blood work, Tom is getting GREAT care! Better to be cautious right now. In the meantime, just stay on the pain killer schedule to help him through the wait. If you need to set an alarm to keep the meds continuous during the middle of the night, it's worth the effort.
Remember that eventually Tom will feel relief and joy at getting rid of the bad leg. It's a process and I'm sorry it's taking longer than anyone would like, but you guys will get there. You are most definitely not helpless. Look at all that you've achieved this week! You got Tom to use litter, you are doing your research and becoming aware of what he needs right now. That is GREAT! Give yourself more credit, you sure deserve it.
I had no idea you are in Kenya. Wow! I think you are our first active member in that part of the world. It's an honor to have you and Tom become part of the community!
Keep us posted and listen closely, you'll hear us cheering you on from across the sea.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Okay, by getting the results of the bloodwork (even though it wasn't good), you now have a chance to treat whatever is going on before surgery.
As Holly strongly suggested, see what can be done at home to treat Tom's pain! And at home, it can be done in a more consistent basis so no break through pain gets a head start. Certainly worth discussing with your Vet. Obviously, that would be far better than what you and Tom have to endure now! Assuming the antibiotic is in pill form, certainly that can be done at home too.
Did they give you any indication what was the specific cause of the fever and loodwork results?
And hes, as Jerry said, now is the time to really take some deep breaths and keep things chunked down. Right now let's get the pain managed and the fever down.
We are here with you and you are not alone!!! In fact, letsw do some DEEP BREATHS TOGETHER!!! REALLH!!! Are you ready??? Here we go TOGETHER: BR E A T H E..........B R E A T H E........INHALE SLOOOOOWLY.....EXHALE S@OOOOOOWLY........INHALE SLOOOOOWLY.....EXHALE SLOOOOOWLY........B R E A T HH E......B R E A T H E........B R E A T H E.....
Now....go grab some CHOCOLATE!!! Repeat the breathing exercise...followed by eating chocolate!!! We're eating some too!!
Update when you can.
Hugs
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!
I'm sorry to hear this news. As the others have said, the vet is doing a great job and so are you.
Just to let you know that some pain medications can be applied to the ear (transdermal) but generally is prepared at a compounding pharmacy. I do realize there might not be one in your community.
I learned to give injections to myself, which I think is worse than giving it to someone else. That may be a good route to go if the vet or vet technician is willing to show you.
I hope Tom is healthy enough to go ahead with his surgery. Heck, he knows how to use a litter box! He's so smart...
By the way I was putting a warm, damp facecloth on Mona's lump before the surgery and she really liked that.
Lots of hugs and positive thoughts for you and Tom
Kerren and Tripawd Kitty Mona
Thank you all. Many deep breaths and virtual hugs later, I'm feeling a lot more accepting of the situation.
I spoke to the vet, he agreed to give me painkiller pills to administer. I should have them by today so he will be home and comfortable until Friday. He had a long-acting antibiotic given to him yesterday, and it seems to be working - his ears and armpits aren't burning up like yesterday.
They have no idea why his red blood cell count is so low - he doesn't exhibit any other signs of anemia. The low count means that surgery could be a threat - the anesthesia they use slows down heart rate a little, so there's a chance his tissues might not receive enough oxygen as a result of both of those, and he won't make it. There's an option to use an oxygen mask during surgery, but the vet is unsure how well that will counter this. He's being given an iron supplement now to see if the count boosts up by Friday, we're all crossing fingers.
The fever was caused by an infection. It's very difficult to determine whether it was part of the growth on his leg or secondary. The diagnosis is also getting trickier.. both the vets say it's osteosarcoma (there is an increase in the thickness of his humerus and tissue swelling, but no eating away at the bone yet), but it turns out it might even be something called a fibroma. The vet strongly cautioned against a biopsy to determine which it is, because that aggravates cancer rapidly, but in both cases amputation is the way forward. Also Tom has currently been given a 50/50 chance to make through the op.. Really difficult to come to terms with that, but maybe the odds will improve after Friday's tests. And we have to try our best to make our baby's life better.
Sending big hugs and cuddles across the oceans and seas to all of you. Thank you for lending me your selfless ears through this. It really helps to hear from people who and understand the situation and uncertainty .
Glad to hear the Vet agreed, YAAAAAA& & to you for advocating or Tom!! Yaaay for the Vet saying YES!!!! 
Are you getting them in him ok? Tom eating ok still? Here is a link on giving meds with some tips!
Administering Medications to your Cat
I am really hoping Tom is more comfortable today!! We know he is more comfortable at home!!
So glad the antibiotic is helping already that is a GREAT sign!!
We are crossing our fingers the iron helps on the red blood count too!!
Ask your Vet if this could be vaccine or injection site related Kerren Mom to Mona started this thread. As fast as it is spreading or growing as you are describing it I would be asking if it is a VAS .
Vaccine Associated Sarcoma - Fibrosarcoma, Osteosarcoma, Chondrosarcoma
Vaccine-Associated Fibrosarcoma in Cats
As you & your vet have said yes either way amputation is the way forward. They can send the leg off for testing to determine what it is afterwards. It it is VAS you can get some reimbursement on his medical costs, why I am bringing it up!
Lets get thru 2 more days! Take one day at a time, Breathe together and as Sally always recommends EAT Chocolate🍫 ;)! Keep Tom comfortable and work on this healing !! Tom needs some extra special treats too;)🐟
We are all cheering you & Tom on & really hoping things improve by Friday. We do have to try for our fur children & you absolutely are doing everything you can!!!!
Keep us posted have any questions you know where to find us;) I keep thinking Tom was 10 sorry for making him 2 years younger 😉Tom is still not a old kitty either way!!😻
HUGS & chin & ear scratches to Tom!
Holly & Purrkins
Well Tom, you just don't like doing anything "easy"! Leave it to you to add as many "complicated issues" into the mix as you possibly can!
Really glad you are avle to keep Tom home and treat his pain there.
Your Vet really seems to have a good handle on things. And he clearly understands what a great advocate you are for Tom and how much he means to you!
At this point, ax Holly says, let's just take one day at a time and see what Friday brings. If the supplement works a d is showing some improvement and kf the pain meds are keeping him comfortable, then maybe you can put surgery off even a little further out to give the vlood a chance to recover..
We are all sending positive energy and ccheering madly for Tom!! Stay focused on the now and continue to.love and spoil! We would love to see pictures. adding images
Hugs
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!
Tom is getting such thorough veterinary care. I totally respect and admire that they are being so cautious and looking into things carefully before proceeding.
50/50 is a tough figure to deal with, I know I would be a mess if docs threw that number at me. But in two days so much can change for the better. Stay strong as you are doing and we will keep sending lots of love and hopes for healthier, stronger red blood cells!
Keep us posted.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Darling Tom and family,
It sounds like you have all had a roller coaster of a week! I'm sorry to hear that! Dear Tom, we're all keeping our fingers crossed for you sweetheart and hope for the best come on Friday! You may be far away in miles (my Uncle lives in Kenya too!) but you have the support of the Tripawds community surrounding you with love and prayers!
Sloppy kisses from Stewie👅🐾
& all the very best from his adoring pack,
Petra, Paul, Mr. Spike, Chester Molester & Miss Lily 🐾🐾🐾❤️
http://stewie20.....pawds.com/
p.s. the only words I know in Kenyan are: Asante sana (thankyou ?) , Karibu sana: (You're welcome ?) , Kuku (Chicken? My uncle was making Kuku Curry!) Kiswahili: this stands for the Kenyan language right?) My uncle didn't explain what Mashujaa Day was? What is Cat in Kenyan? How about you teach us a few more words in Kenyan, I love language. Take care.❤️
Remember...“live in the moment!“
I asked the vet previously whether it could be a VAS - he said it's very rare, especially given that Tom's the only cat he's seen with osteosarcoma in 12 years. I've read through the links, I cannot for the life of me remember where on his body they gave him his vaccines, but I will send the info to the vet and see if that's a possibility. Thank you so much for pointing me in that direction 🙂 I had no idea something like this was out there, and I'm going to do a lot more research to prevent it for Leo and educate others.
I know, Tom is quite the complex being! I keep reminding myself 'one day at a time'.. He's had his painkiller and has decided to sit in the garden now, we are indoors letting him do his thing, but he's been sleeping and his appetite is amazing, he seems really content as of now.
Here is our handsome baby.
Stewie and pack, your Kiswahili (yes it's the language) is impressive! Mashujaa day is heroes' day, a public holiday to commemorate all the heroes in Kenyan history. Tom is obviously part of the list
as well as your Uncle!. Cat in Kiswahili is 'paka', and dog is 'mbwa' 
Hugs to you all will update as soon as anything changes
ASANTE SANA for the great pictures! He is a very, very handsome boy! Glad the meds are keeping him comfy.....thatsw encouraging to know his pain can be managed for now, and even konger if need be.
Mucho thanko for the language lessons!! (That's typo language for much thanks. 
)
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 look at Tom He is such a handsome guy!!! 😻😻Great job on posting pictures !! He is covering up his bad arm isn't he. Purrkins did the same thing! Watch he doesn't try chewing at it !
I am so glad to hear he is comfortable today! That is huge & will help him and his stress levels for Fridays recheck! Appetite is another GREAT sign!
Yep one day at time and follow Tom ’s lead!!
Yes do some looking into VAS for Tom & Leo & the future for both kitties.
Do titers & go by lifestyle we did titers before Purrkins got cancer and now skip the vaccines all together!
It is not as rare as the pharmaceutical companies would like us to believe we have had many members join with VAS!!
We get to learn Kenyan too;)
Sending hugs & chin scratches to both kitties
Holly & Purrkins
Paka Tom you are sooooooo adorable! I wish I could just give you a big 
right now! Sweet boy.
Yes teach us more Kenyan! What a beautiful language.
I agree with Holly, we've seen many VAS cases here. In fact the majority of our feline members are here for that reason. Thanks for learning more about it and spreading the word.
Here's to more content, relaxed days!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Paka Tom! I think this could be your new 'handle'! 😉 😂 You are such a handsome fella! We are so rooting for you. So please stay strong and keep resting well and eating lots! 🐟 🍗 (kuku) 🐮 🐟
Asante sana Mum for the language lessons! Next request is the meaning for Beautiful or Handsome?
Sloppy kisses from Stewie mbwa👅🐾
& all the very best from his adoring pack,
Petra, Paul & his Paka siblings, Mr. Spike, Chester Molester & Miss Lily 🐾🐾🐾❤️
http://stewie20.....pawds.com/
p.s. I must say, I love how the 'T' team jumps on board with the Kiswahili lessons!
Yes, we are told that VAS is rare. However, the numbers are only based on what is reported. I believe it's more common in North America and less common in the UK, for example, where rabies shots may not be required. Perhaps that is based on the pharmaceutical company and their formulation (I don't know if that's the correct term) and the adjuvant used.
I think Paka Tom's vet is very wise not to disturb the tumour by doing a biopsy. Whether it's a fibroma or osteosarcoma, it doesn't matter at the moment be an amputation is what is needed. No sense in making the cancer angry 
By the way, the vet should have records on all vaccine injections (type, make, lot number) and injection site.
I will send blood red thoughts across the lands and oceans to your darling paka.
Kerren and Tripawd Paka Mona
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