Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Shelby went full on psychotic on tramadol. We had to put her on trazadone (like valium) to chill her out. Sounds like you're experiencing the same symptoms (pacing, restless, whining)... Shelby literally paced for HOURS. Finally (before the Trazadone) I put on some calming music (Enya) and shut my bedroom door so I could get some rest. She wasn't in danger of hurting herself and her anxiety combined with my anxiety for her made it worse ... Good luck!
Shelby Lynne; Jack Russell/Shiba Inu mix. Proud member of the April Angels of 2014.
October 15, 2000 to April 8, 2014
Our story: Broke rear leg in June 2013 - non-conclusive results for cancer so leg was plated and pinned. Enlarged spleen in September 2013 and had it removed and was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma and started chemotherapy. Became a Tripawd January 8th, 2014 and definitive Hemangiosarcoma diagnosis. Three major surgeries in 7 months and Shelby took them all like a champ only to lose her battle to cancer in her brain. We had 8 amazing extra months together and no regrets. #shelbystrong #loveofmylife
Well, we slept a lot today. She wouldn't try to lie down unless she thought I was taking a nap. So I "pretended" myself into some pretty long naps!
She went down about 3pm and slept till about 8pm. Got up, ate and went right back down -- no hesitation!! I'll crate her and go to work tomorrow now that I know she's ok.
I spoke with her dr and we agreed it was the tramadol since she's been "normal" without it. He said to keep her on the anti-inflammatory and she can have a xanax if I think she needs it. Right now I don't think she does. She isn't crying when she moved around, so it's hard to tell if she has pain. I mean, I think I'd still be in pain...
I think I will take her in on Saturday and have them change the bandages. They said to try and keep them on five days, but then a professional can decide if she needs more time or not. Plus, if the tissue has started to regrow I don't want to be the one ripping that bandage off.
Thank you all so much for being here!
Ohhhh those naps sound delicious. I'm glad you're both getting some rest.
Isn't it amazing how a pain reliever can do a number like that? I think that dogs who have issue with tramadol would rather feel a little pain than go through that experience, I know I would.
Good luck this week, keep us posted OK?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Well, for better or for worse, I took Cocoa's bandage off. That leg was swollen, almost a golf ball size bump at her knee. We have an appointment on Saturday for the vet to change the dressing, but I was worried it might do damage if the circulation was being cut off. I bandaged it back as best I could and she just keeps licking me, "Thank you, thank you, thank you."
Wow Cocoa...just catching up on your journey!
I bet it did feel good to have that bamdage off for a bit!!
How 'bout some ore pictures of that sweet Cocoa! We .love pictures around here and that avatar is just a tease! And the crowd roars....."More pictures of the beautiful Cocoa!"
Take care ad keep us posted! We're all cheering for you!
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!
Even if you don't have a Facebook account, you should be able to see pictures of "my girls" here: https://www.fac.....f4e10f96ce
We had an appointment for today to have the bandages checked, but with the swelling I took her in yesterday. They agreed it was the tightness that caused the swelling. The knot on her "knee" is mostly gone and her leg is still slightly swollen. They left the bandages off and said to keep the t-shirt/collar on to keep her from licking/scratching. I think I may go to Goodwill later to find a long-sleeve shirt.
She wants to go for a walk so bad I can taste it. They'd initially told me to keep her pretty immobile for five days because of the location of the wound. I'm debating taking her out. She is a run-walker, so I'm not sure. Tomorrow is five days...
I'm thinking after this that I am going to change vets. I've not been pleased with the direction/feedback I've been getting. Normally, we're a healthy lot, so this has been hard. I don't *think* they really are, but it almost feels like they keep hustling me/Cocoa out of there. I keep getting in the car thinking I had one more question...
This has been as stressful a week as when she first came into my life. I remember having such a hard time with her, never having a larger dog before - let alone one with her injuries. I remember questioning if I was the right person for her. But I am so glad I toughed it out. She has brought such joy to my life. I know we're not supposed to have favorites of our children, but I have to confess, Cocoa is mine.
I know it's hard to be patient, but I wouldn't take her out yet. In my experience it is closer to 10 days before an incision is healed (lots of surgeries between me and the pugs!). If the incision pulls open or gets infected it will be a longer time of inactivity. It's odd to me how some vets wrap incisions and some don't, you hear both ways here. My vets have never wrapped an incision on my dogs.
You have to have trust in your vet! If you are not comfortable you should shop around. We've had a variety of serious issues over the years and having someone I trust is invaluable.
I hope the path report comes soon and has some good news, I know how anxious you must be.
Karen
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
GREAT NEWS!! The vet called a little while ago. They got all of the tumor and her margins are clean!! No additional treatment necessary!! Whoo-Hoo!!
Now, she gets her stitches out on Saturday. Are there any other questions I should ask?
Thank you all so much for helping me keep my cool!!
Yay for clean margins. So happy for your great news!
Deb and Angel Lexie* Diagnosed at age 13. Tried radiation first; wish we had amputated upon diagnosis (even with lung mets). Joined Club Tripawd April 2014 & Lexie loved life on 3 legs! Advice: Start physical therapy as soon as your vet clears it, especially hydrotherapy if available :-) See Lexie pics here.
That is the best news possible! I'm so relieved for you and Cocoa.
I would ask what the grade of the tumor was, and the mitotic index. Those give you info on how agressive the cancer would tend to be. Grade 1 tumor with an index < 5 would be really great.
You need to be vigilant about checking her for lumps and bumps, and get every one checked out. Mast cell can pop up again, totally unrelated to the first tumor. Of course it doesn't always happen but it's best to be aware.
I vote for this being Cocoa's only brush with mast cell cancer!
Big smile here tonight.
Karen
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Well, I don't feel as happy as I did Thursday. I got a copy of the histopathology report while Cocoa got her stitches out. The vet didn't speak with me and I think she probably should have told me this was a Grade II tumor. Argh! The mysterious Grade II!
The report says that the borders were clean with greater than 1 cm unaffected and deep lateral tissue. That no mitotic activity is observed at 0/10HPF. It also says her prognosis is "Fair"!!?
I'm disappointed the vet didn't tell me herself this is a Grade II. What if I hadn't asked for a copy of the report?
So, it looks like we are not free from the mast cell devil.
Karen - You recommended Blood's Palace. Do you get that from your vet? How did you find your vet? For big city San Antonio, we don't have a lot of holistic options. I'm going to do some searching on the now...
Cocoa, on the other hand, is thrilled to be t-shirt and inner tube free!
Sorry it took so long to reply- I'm working two jobs right now so I'm not online as much as usual.
I would focus on the mitotic index. From what I have read and in discussions with our oncologist a grade II with a < 5 MI has a very low chance of metastasizing. And you have clean margins. In grade II tumors the MI seems to be a much better predictor of outcome since a grade II could act like a I or a III (so is kind of meaningless in my way of thinking).
I don't mean to say you take any of this lightly or ever allow yourself to get complacent. One of the worst things about mast cell cancer is how unpredictable it can be. But all things considered I would be pretty comfortable (as comfortable as you can get with any cancer) with a 0 MI.
As I said before- you have to be vigilant in looking for new MCTs. And if she does get another MCT it does not necessarily mean it is a met from the first one, they can be unrelated. Maggie had 6 or 7 cutaneous MCTs other than the one in her knee, and Quad pug Tani has/had 11 MCTs.
I do get the Blood's Palace from a Eastern Medicine vet who also does chiropractic. In fact I started Tani with that vet for the chiro, and we started the Blood's Palace to try and address a blood platelet problem. After we started it the vet said it being used more now for cutaneous MCTs, and since we have been using it I have not seen Tani's very reactive tumors.
You should talk with your vet about giving you all information. Some parents don't seem to want the details- but I always ask lots of questions and ask for numbers. I've been with my vet for 15 years and she knows me really well. She knows I always want the details, good or bad.
Karen
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Hi, just signing on. Ajax had a mast cell near his nether regions in 2011 (1.5 years post amp for a chondrosarcoma). We were in the clean margins/Grade II territory as well. Maggie's mom is giving all the same input I would. We opted for chemo, really I think because this was his second type of cancer. But the oncologist said at the time that if it never came back, it might be because of her, or it might just as likely be because of the surgery and clean margins. The chemo wasn't horrible and it didn't really make him sick - the accompanying prednisone made him a starving maniac though. In any event: he is happy, healthy and cancer free with a similar diagnosis so I thought I'd share.
Thanks so much for sharing Ajax's experience! Glad to hear he's kickin butt, he's definitely the definition of "Hope"!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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