Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Well, it has been two months and two days since Henri had his amputation surgery. And although I was hopeful about our pathology report, I am now worried things are going down hill quickly. : (
I feel a pretty solid tumor in Henri's back leg….it is hard to tell if it is in the bone/muscle/joint but it certainly does not feel like a lypoma. When we were at the Vet last week, I opted not to have it aspirated….guess I did not want to deal with more emotional stuff if it were a cancerous tumor. And if it is, what can we do? Nothing….Henri only has 3 legs, he can not go to two. I have noticed, especially over the last week, the his hind legs are giving out on him. : (
He lays around a ton. And when he does move around….he does not go far. He has even started to ignore his meal times…I have to put chicken broth in his kibble to make him eat…and this IS NOT Henri….
We had our weekend getaway in the Mountains this past weekend and I am so thankful we went, but it was tough on Henri, in and out of the car,….and there were 3 steps he had to climb up to get to the room…he got to the point where he could not do it, and I had to lift/carry him. The vest did not even help. : (
He is most definitley slowing down, quickly. I do'nt want to jump to conclusions but I also have to be realistic.
Most of us have pretty good intuition, I know I feel it ….and it is not good. We have an Oncologist appt next Tuesday for a checkup and to get bloodwork done. I will see what she says ….but I am sure they will want to do Xrays…but ….again…why go through all that…I already know he has cancer….and there is minimal we can do. My biggest worry right now is how he is walking, and his hind legs are getting weaker each day. Over the weekend, he fell at least 3 times. I felt so bad for him.
Henri would not even eat his yogurt yesterday or today….so that does bother me. And he is drinking a ton of water.
In the mean time, you can bet one thing…he is getting more kisses and hugs than ever….and I am confident he knows how much I love him. In the end, that is all I can ask for.
Has anyone else had to deal with the cancer spreading to other bones? I know poor Jake's cancer spread to his spine and he had trouble with his hind legs also. : ( This could also be the case with Henri….guess I will know more in about a week or so.
Thanks for listening!
Wendy
So sorry to hear that Henri isn't feeling well. You are so right, though, about keeping him close and giving him lots of love. There comes a time when that is the only thing left to do.
We will be thinking of you and Henri.
Our greatest glory is not in never falling but in rising every time we fall – Confucius
http://credocan.....pawds.com/
Wendy, we are so sorry to hear about Henri's difficult time right now. It does sound like whatever it is in his back legs is causing the hind leg weakness. Yes, we did talk about tumors going to bones and under the skin recenty in Opie's post, but please if you read it try not to jump to conclusions OK?
It's such a fine line between doing everything we can to make our dog's lives better versus doing it because we are afraid of losing them. Sounds to me like you are doing a good job walking that line, because you know Henri better than anyone else, and only you can decide what's right for him. Whatever you opt to do, treatment wise (or opt not to do), we are there for you.
Hang in there and keep us posted OK?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Wendy, I know you must be frightened, but try hard to not panic. Henri will be able to pick up on feelings of fear and/or dread. I know I say this a lot, but stay calm until Tuesday when the oncologist can tell you exactly what you are dealing with. I've let my intuition scare me more than once. It is easy for us to do, we spend all our time waiting for the other shoe to drop, so to speak.
Hugs to you and scratches for Henri.
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.
Wendy... I'm so sorry that you and Henri are going through this... I know it's hard not to jump to conclusions... Just try to hold on until your oncologist visit if you can...
I hope and pray that this is just a bump in the road of Henri's recovery... and nothing more serious. I'm here for you if you want to vent, cry... whatever!
In the meantime... keep loving your sweet golden baby... and give him a big hug and kiss from me too!!!
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!
Wendy,
So sorry to hear about what's happening with Henri right now. This must be very difficult. It's obvious how much love you both have for each other. We are thinking of you and hope Henri gets through this ok.
Kami (Mackenzie's Mom)
My sweet golden Mackenzie. She became my angel on Dec 29, 2010 at the age of 8 1/2 although she was always my angel from the time we brought her home. She was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in Sept 2009 and officially became a tripawd (front leg) on Nov 5, 2009. She will be forever in my heart and now she's running free with all of our other tripawd heroes. I love you Mackenzie!
I'm so sorry to read this about Henri. Henri does know how much you love him, and that is the most important thing. Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers ...
Amputation on 11/10/09, due to Histiocytic Sarcoma in left elbow. Angel Harley earned his wings on 06/24/10.
Oh Wendy,
I'm so sorry about Henri. But I am going to ditto what Shanna said. My intuition regarding Comet is way off most of the time.
Sometimes we are so subjective, we can't get perspective. It's like love tunnel vision. I, too have been guilty of thinking the worst for Comet. I honestly thought she had brain cancer in January because of her symptoms (and what the vet told me to look for in the next symptoms). She didn't have brain cancer, she had been on some meds causing neuro deficits and coincidentally had Horner's syndrome. (1/2 of her face was paralyzed - which heals eventually) But 4 solid days, I cried and wondered what day it would all come to an end.
If your biggest worry is Henri walking on 2 legs, please don't. I know Comet only walks on 2 legs. For whatever reason she's uses her back left as just a balancer. Her back right leg's muscle is 3x the size of her left back one. She pulls her right back leg under her body, making it look like her spine is crooked. She's done it all of her life so there is no explanation.
My point is...let the vet tell you what is going on before you let your mind jump to any conclusions about Henri.
Wishing you all the best.
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.
Wendy, sorry Henri's not feeling too great. I know this must be scary for you. This bully disease pushes us into really bad emotional places and it's hard not to panic. Take really big breaths and hold on until next Tuesday and just keep giving Henri lots of heavy duty loving.
Sending lots of healing wishes.
Catie -
Birthday – November 4 2003
Amputation – January 13 2010
Crossed the Bridge – June 2 2011
Wendy,
I am so sad to hear that Henri is having such a hard time. It is hard not to jump to conclusions when our babies are having hard time. The only reason I would suggest having more x-rays is so you have all the information you need to make decisions on Henri's care. Like Jake, Emily's cancer went to her spine but we did not know it and we were treating her for hip dysplasia. The poor girl suffered so much while we were trying to find the right help for her. Emily's loss of control of her (remaining) back leg went pretty fast. Having said that, there are a lot of reasons why Henri's back legs can be having weakness. Because we have faced the dreaded 'C' we see it every where we look. Please try to stay calm and positive. Let us know how your appt goes. Henri continues to be in my prayers.
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.
Wendy and Henri,
First, we are sorry that there has been this setback. I can only echo all the great advice given above to not jump to conclusions. For your own sanity and Henri's spirit, you need to be strong and positive now. The hugs and extra kisses are always great. Cherry got those so very often as well as my singing to her every morning to greet each new today together. I have to admit, mine is the kind of voice only a dedicated companion could tolerate.
Miss Cherry overcame so many obstacles during her TriPawd Journey and Henri might just do the same.
You will be in our thoughts and prayers.
Spirit Cherry's Dad
Sending all good thoughts and prayers for you and Henri...stay strong to fight this horrible horrible disease. We are all pulling for you.
I'm so sorry to read this about Henri. We're keeping both of you in our hearts, and keeping all fingers and paws crossed for him. Please give him lots of hugs from us.
Holly and Holly's mom
Holly joined the world of tripawds on 12/29/2009. She has a big little sister, Zuzu, who idolizes Holly and tries to make all of her toys into tripawds in Holly's honor. And she's enjoying life one hop at a time!
http://anyemery.....ipawds.com
Wendy,
I'm truly sorry to hear Henry is having such a rough time. I pray that this is just a small set back. As far as his rear legs giving out you might want to try the Help Em Up harness. I have been using one for a few weeks now and have been really happy with it.
Fortis' Dad
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