Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
Tripawds is your home to learn how to care for a three legged dog or cat, with answers about dog leg amputation, and cat amputation recovery from many years of member experiences.
Join The Tripawds Community
Learn how to help three legged dogs and cats in the forums below. Browse and search as a guest or register for free and get full member benefits:
Instant post approval.
Private messages to members.
Subscribe to favorite topics.
Live Chat and much more!
Register
Log In
Members
Add Topic
Offline
Hi all,
It's been a long time since my last post. We've had an amazing 17 cancer-free months and been hoping that we've caught it really early.
Titus my 8 year-old (turned 8 on 1st Jan) Rottie had his hind left leg amputated on October 4th 2008 has been doing very well, and 2 weeks ago we suspected lung mets on his scans. They were large but not dense lesions so we were scheduled to return a month later to observe an changes.
This morning Titus coughed up small splatters of blood and I took him to the vet right away for chest scans where we saw three (previously 2 in the same location) denser lumps measuring 7x7cm
and one slightly smaller at 4.5x5cm. the vet had no doubts the mets have formed. I'm really saddened and shock by the aggressive nature as his January scans were clear and everything looked well.
I've been advised against a second round of chemo which has not proven effective for
many dogs and surgery holds too high a risk 
I'm not sure if i'm being oversensitive, but Titus has been coughing every now and then (no blood) and he doesn't normally do that except after drinking. It's so hard getting a grip on such bad news, I feel like im being brought back to the day when he was diagnosed with OSA.
I've read about the metronomic protocol, anyone who can provide advice regarding it please do share. No more surgeries and just living each day to the fullest is what i plan to provide for titus since his amputation.
Lots of love to all of you,
Carol & Titus
"A dog is the only thing in the world that loves you more than he loves himself."
OSA in left hind leg–30 August 2008. Ampuversary–4 October 2008.
Titus earned his wings on 15th July 2010.
He is dearly missed and our love lives on.
Carol & Titus,
I am so very sorry to hear of the latest development with Titus's condition. I have no experience with metronomic protocol, but wanted to voice support. I know how devistating these latest developments can be for all your family. Give that man a big hug from all of us, attempt to keep as positive as you can for his spirits, and you will be in our prayers.
Spirit Cherry's Dad
PS: The following will LINK you to a discussion of metronomic protocol. Hope that it helps your research.
Hi Carol. I'm also very sorry to hear about Titus's lung mets. We did metronomic protocol on Max, but it was prior to his lung mets forming. Once lung mets were discovered, our oncologist took him off the metronomics because it was no longer working. However, I believe Jerry used metronomics after lung mets were discovered, was on them successfully for several months. We also tried a different chemo protocol on Max after the lung mets were discovered, but it didn't work. So, we decided to let the boy live out his days "just being a dog," with no further poking or prodding.
Titus sure is a strong boy! 17 months is absolutely amazing! I wish you luck in whatever you decide for your boy, and remember that whatever you decide to do is the right thing for him. We're sending all our good thoughts your way!
Di & John
Hi Carol and Titus
Wow. 17 months is terrific!! Congratulations!!
But I bet in some ways the news of lung mets is even harder to take when you think your dog has beaten the odds. So I also feel badly for you. From what I have seen, it sounds like your idea of "just living each day to the fullest" is the way to go.
There have been several dogs faced with mets, coughing and spitting up blood periodically but still enjoying life, so you might search out those posts in the archives (including Tika, Yoda, Caira Sue - I only 'know' dogs that arrived since July. They seem to have some days that are kind of down, but then bounced right back for more good times.
Metronomics should not affect him negatively, but whether they can really help is another question. Maybe there is no harm and it is easy to administer and not too expensive (but just try to get lots of fluid into him to flush the Cytoxan out of his bladder to avoid bladder issues).
Power Mushrooms seemed to give my Tazzie a big boost of energy for the last two months of his life, after he was showing serious signs of his mets (sub-cutaneous lump, not lung mets). You can find information on those on this website too.
Keep us posted,
Carol,
Did they start Titus on Prednisone? Our Lab, Paris was put on Prednisone immediately after the lung mets were found and she lived 8 1/2 months after that. It helps with the inflamation, breathing, cough, and may even retard the growth of the tumors. I know that Jerry was also on Prednisone for his lung mets. They did not offer more chemo for Paris because the lung mets was found the week after her last Carboplatin chemo treatment.
I am sorry you are facing this now, 17 months is such a wonderful reason to celebrate. Enjoy every moment you have with him filled with love and special treats. I am sending you support and prayers.
Ginny & Angel Paris
Grateful for every moment we had with Paris…..no regrets!
Honoring her life by opening our hearts & home to Addy!
Dear Carol and Titus,
I have no experience with anything but I, too just want to give you my support. And as sad as you are now with the news of Titus - 17 wonderful months are a blessing. Try to keep pawsitive thoughts and enjoy every moment.
Sending you and Titus lots of hugs.
Comet's mom
Comet - 1999 to 2011
She departed us unexpectedly January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.
She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.
I am so very sorry to hear Titus' news. 17 months is an amazing amount of time to be blessed with, and you still have time, you just don't know how much. This is a difficult time, but there are still choices. Weigh each outcome based on what is best for Titus. You've done an amazing job getting him this far, you'll do an equally fine job with this decision.
Please keep us posted on what you decide. We're at 17 months also, so I am personally interested in how this plays out and what your choices are. Lots and lots of good thoughts for Titus and hugs for you.
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.
cometdog said:
Dear Carol and Titus,
I have no experience with anything
You are far too modest.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Carol said:
Hi all,
It's been a long time since my last post. We've had an amazing 17 cancer-free months and been hoping that we've caught it really early.
Hi Carol. Wow I can't believe it's been so long. I posted links to your last posts just to help newcomers get back in the loop.
It's great to hear from you, but we are so sorry about the circumstances. We understand completely what you are feeling. Yes, when the mets get to be large and symptoms start showing, it is like reliving the early days of the diagnosis all over again. It's hard.
As you may know, I was on the Metronomic Protocol after lung mets were discovered, sixteen months after my diagnosis, in fact. What it did for me was it slightly shrunk the mets and stabilized their growth. I was told about surgery to remove the tumor but it was also ruled out for my situation (we do know of one dog, Lily, who had the met-removal lung surgery and she is going on three years post-diagnosis...amazing!). My pawrents and I decided we did not want more serious medical intervention to get in the way of our fun.
Unfortunately seven months later, the mets were growing again, so we discontinued metronomics . When the mets grew, they got in the way of my breathing. The were pressing against my esophagus when I laid down in different positions, so I coughed like Titus. I also took Prednisone, and tried Albuterol, an asthma drug to help me breathe (but it was awful for me, I had a bad reaction). I manged to live with the condition and have a good life for seven more months but ultimately it got too be too much, and I earned my wings.
It's so hard when the mets appear, I am so very sorry. What I can offer is this: live each day to the fullest, and do your best not to let cancer bring those bad guys, fear and guilt, into the life you share with Titus. Whatever you decide to pursue will be the right decision, because nobody knows your boy better than you.
Please keep us posted. We are here for you.
{{{{hugs}}}}
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
HI Carol and Titus,
First of all... Congratulations on Titus' 17 months ampuversary!! 
That is amazing!!! I'm so sorry to hear about his lung mets now... but as you've already heard, there have been several other tripawds here that lived many more months after their lung mets were diagnosed, even a few that were coughing up blood from time to time.
I have no animal experience with metronomic treatments... only what I know in human cancer (I work in a cancer center). It's a low dose chemo and antiangiogenic treatment, with fewer side effects... and what the heck... it's worth a shot! He may do as well as Jerry did once he had lung mets... or he may not. None of us, not even the vets can tell the future. You will know when your baby has had enough... and whenever you make that final decision, it will be the right one... because you made it out of love for him.
You and Titus are in my thoughts and prayers... In the meantime, just keep loving him for as long as he has left! Keep us posted!
Angel Jake's Mom
Jake, 10yr old golden retriever (fractured his front right leg on 9/1, bone biopsy revealed osteosarcoma on 9/10, amputation on 9/17) and his family Marguerite, Jacques and Wolfie, 5yr old german shepherd and the newest addition to the family, Nala, a 7mth old Bengal mix kittie. Jake lost his battle on 11/9/2009, almost 8 weeks after his surgery. We will never forget our sweet golden angel… http://jakesjou.....ipawds.com ….. CANCER SUCKS!
"A dog is the only thing in the world that loves you more than he loves himself."
First of all I want to say how much I love your quote at the end of your posts. It is so true.
I am so sorry to hear that lung mets have appeared. We have had several dogs that have gone on to live full lives for several months after lung mets were discovered. I know that it not as good as you wanted and after 17 months expected. I, too, would have thought that Titus beat the odds.
I don't know anything about metronomics but I wanted to let you know I am thinking and praying for you and Titus.
Debra & Angel Emily
Debra & Emily, a five year old doberman mix, who was diagnosed with an osteosaecoma. She had a right rear leg amputation on May 19, 2009. On November 10, 2009 she earned her wings and regained her fourth leg.
I had not noticed anyone using Prednisone with OSA until this thread. Then Paris mentioned it. Anyone want to offer more information on this? Paris, Jerry or anyone else: Is Prednisone a suitable drug in management of OSA mets? Is it specific to lung mets? This should be useful to Titus and perhaps to others.
Carol and Titus...prayers for you...I am new to this and I believe from the little I have read that 17 months is an astonishing amount of time....it gives me hope. I will follow your journey and hope that it is many many more months and hopefully years.
Diane, Magic and OJ
Carol, that's so sad about Titus's lung mets. I can only imagine how hard this was for you to hear after seventeen cancer-free months - that's harsh. I'm unfamiliar with metronomics (Catie just had her third chemo treatment a week ago Monday; right front leg amputated on January 13) so I can't offer anything there.
But I can offer lots of warm wishes; Catie and Riley send licks and hugs.
Catie -
Birthday – November 4 2003
Amputation – January 13 2010
Crossed the Bridge – June 2 2011
Carol & Titus:
We are saddend by your news; since I am new to the Tripawds site, it sounds like 17 months is fairly typical of the recurrance of cancer. Rusty had his amputation on January 25th and has completed 2 months of chemo with 4 to go. We know what we are utlimately facing and glad that we have so much support on this site.
Best wishes for you, we will include Titus in our thoughts.
Chuck, Jan & Rusty
1 Guest(s)
