Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hi - I'm Jess, and the beautiful big guy in my avatar is our baby, Bo. Bo came to live with us as a foster in December, and immediately stole our hearts; he's ours forever. We knew he was old when we picked him up, but found out that he's a full year older than we'd thought - he's due to be 10 in November.
Last week Bo developed a pretty awful limp, and seemingly overnight he had a HUGE lump on his leg; after quite a struggle I got him in to a vet that confirmed what the internet was suggesting, and he has osteosarcoma. They were fairly sure that it had metastasized in his lungs at the very least already, as well. The first vet I talked with didn't believe that he would be a good candidate for amputation, due to his age and his size (at just over 200 pounds), and the second agreed he probably was not a good candidate at the very least because of his age.
We live in the middle of nowhere, so the nearest place we could get him chemo would be 450 miles away. Our options, actually, are very limited (I'm in Southeastern Montana) but I want the best for our baby and to make him as comfortable as possible. They currently have him on aspirin, with a prescription for tramadol I can't fill until tomorrow. Yesterday he barely ate (some food with chicken broth on it, and a slice of sharp cheddar because he rejected my other cheese options - which is how I've been giving him his aspirin) and today he wouldn't eat at all. We managed to force the aspirin (between two of us, with great struggle) and got him to eat a little bit of tuna and some veggies; pretty much if it's not bad for him and he's willing to eat it we're giving it to him at this point.
We have an appointment Wednesday, though if I can't get him to eat more tonight, I will probably insist they get us in tomorrow morning. I'd love suggestions on what specifically to ask, request, etc., and what has worked well for your old guys when you're in the middle of nowhere. Really, I'd love suggestions in general. Thank you!
Hi Jess, I'm glady you posted. It was good chatting with you last night. What a shock to find out there's not a single board-certified oncologist living in your beautiful state, I had no idea.
I hope that you can get the stronger meds we discussed, and potentially find a way to manage his pain if amputation isn't an option. I forgot to ask, what is the appointment on Wednesday for? A follow up to Friday's? I would want to know their plan for managing pain so my big questions would be what type of drugs they would offer and how long they expect them to be effective. Also, I know that driving to Helena is a lonnnnnng trip but maybe the surgeon there would be willing to offer a third opinion via phone consult after reviewing Bo's case? I'm sure the vets in MT are used to that kind of situation so I would ask the vets on Wednesday if they can arrange that. You might also want to discuss the possibility of consulting with Colorado State University's vet school to help manage his pain. They have a program called The Argus Institute that does this long distance for folks, all on a donation basis.
As you've seen here, being a giant breed dog doesn't instantly rule out amputation with many vets. With Bo at 200 pounds though (what a gorgeous beauty!), I can see your current vets' hesitation. I know you've only had Bo since December but how do YOU feel about him being able to get around? That matters a lot in this situation too.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Montana State at Bozeman has just instituted a first year veterinary school program. There might be somebody on their staff who could point you to someone to give you more info. Just a thought
I just checked the petcancer.org website and saw that there were no board certified oncologists on Montana, Wyoming, South Dakota or Idaho. I know that they are incorrect about Idaho, as we have a board certified oncologist about an hour from where we live. Could be that there are others that this site has missed.
Kathi and the Turbotsil April Angel...and the Labradork
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!
The appointment Wednesday is a follow-up to see how he's managing on the aspirin and, if we fill it, the tramadol - though it doesn't sound like that's going to be much help so I think we're going to skip it. A friend of mine is a dog trainer who does some dog kenneling with large breeds here, and she suggested I ask about cyclobenzaprine - she had a dane in the same diagnosis staying with her, and that was what the vet prescribed and the dog was getting around beautifully; his owners said that it had been a full 180 when he started taking it. I have zero problem with taking the drive to Helena to let him see him in person, even, if need be; I can't get out of state with him, most likely, but almost anywhere in state I have people we can stay with who would be happy to help.
Last night, after he'd eaten a little bit, he seemed to be doing fairly well getting around with using his affected leg minimally. I honestly think that, if it's going to make a significant difference in his pain level, it would be worth it to at least discuss with someone regardless of his giganticness. I will be calling Joel this afternoon at some point; thank you for putting us in contact.
murphsmom, that is wonderful to know - I will definitely be contacting MSU-Bozeman to see what I can find out. I will also ask around about an oncologist.
Bo's avatar picture is magnificent, absolutely magnificent! Once you get a chance to catch your breath, I hope you can post more pictures.
Nothing about this journey is easy, and when you add age and size in as a factor that just muddies it up more!
As far as the clybopenzabri e, P@EASE, consult with your Vet first, and I'm sure you will. Un@ess I googled the wrong thing, every search I found said it was NOT safe for dogs! I'm certainly no vet, nor is Dr. Google, and it certainly seems your friend had good results.
Many have found Tramadol and/or Gabapentin to definitely be helpful in managing osteo. pain. Osteo IS painful and dogs are so stoic. I really, really hope your vet prescribes more than aspirin. You know your Bo best, so you'll come up with the right plan.
As far as .ets in the lungs...did he have xrays where they showed up or was the vet jist referring in general that there were probably already .microscopic cells? The microscopic ones kind of go with the territory of this crappy disease.
I'm just so sorry you and Bo are having to deal with this. I would get as many professional opinions as possible to determi e exactly what Bo is a candidate for...or not. There are no guarantees regardless. All we can do is make a decision out of love....and that's always the right decision.
Just know that Bo isn't worried about a thing and doesn't give a rip about a diagnosis or statistics! He just knows that the day he picked you as his forever human was the best day of his life! And every day since then has been THE BEST DAY OF HIS LIFE!!
We are all right here your side. Update as you can a d cannot wait to see pictures of Magnificent Bo!!!!!!
Sending lots of hugs!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle 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!
everything crossed for you and Bo
and I think that having to drive an hour is a bit of a pain! (to be fair it is through atrocious traffic) 450 miles wow! I do hope you find somewhere nearer that can help you
I.wondered about the cyclobenzaprine, too, because it is something I have been prescribed as a muscle relaxant when I have back spasms. I had not heard of it being used for dogs or as a pain reliever.
Kathi and the Turbotail April Angel...and the Labradork
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!
Ditto on the cyclobenzaprine. Interesting. Let us know what you find out. I'm in the chat for a bit right now.
Kathi that's awesome about MSU, didn't know that. Great idea to contact them!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I would try the Tramadol. My boy takes it for arthritis pain with good results. Rimadyl upsets his tummy. That may be another option along with the Tramadol. I think some on here have combined Tramadol and an NSAID especially for post surgical pain. Maybe that would be an option. Tramadol and Gabapentin together can do wonders also. Please keep us posted on how he is doing. Lori, Ty & Gang
TY GUY, Best Black Lab ever! Diagnosed and had amp in January, 2014. Kicked MRSA's butt. Earned his angel wings on April 16, 2014. Run Free my boy and don't forget a shoe. Ty is a proud member of the " April Angels". Ty sent us Daryl, a Tripawd rescue in Sept. of 2016. Daryl is 5 +or -. We are also Pawrents to Chandler, a Border Collie mix who is 15 and 1/2, Lucy, a Corgi who is 7, 2 minis, 2 horses, and a feisty cat named Zoe. Zoe had a non skeletal Osteosarcoma removed in July 2015. No Chemo, she was at least 16. She is going strong although she is now completely blind. She is now close to 20 and her hobbies are eating and sleeping in front of her personal heater.
Wow...Montana is a beautiful state but I had no idea the need for specialized vet care. I hope that you'll be able to find something that works for you and Bo. Regarding the medication your friend suggested I have no knowledge with that but I agree that Bo needs something stronger than aspirin to manage pain. Like several others have mentioned the usual protocol for post amp pain management is Tramadol, Gabapentin, NSAID (such as Rimadyl and others), and Fentanyl patches in varying combinations and dosages.
I hope you're able to come up with a course of action for Bo and that he can have quality pain free time with you.
Sahana and her Angel Leland and Lucian too
November 17, 2009 - June 30, 2014
May you finally be healthy and running free at the Rainbow Bridge. Until we meet again my sweet boy!
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