Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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It's so easy not to think about it when he's doing so good. It's like we're back to normal and nothing bad ever happened. Except it did. And it's creeping up on us again.
Stupid lymph nodes.
Why are they getting bigger again??!?!
I still haven't gotten all my ties together for possible chemo treatment - heck, I still haven't really decided if he should be put through it to begin with... of course I'd love Toby to stay with me as long as possible, but is putting him through the stress of vet visits, procedures and needles worth few months we could gain?
I don't want him to suffer, but at the same time I don't want to take a possible chance of him getting into remission away from us. He's always been lucky...
How do I make a life or death decision for my best friend?
I'm trying to get financial help to be able to put him through treatment, I still haven't lost hope that help is out here somewhere, I just pray we don't run out of time before it happens.
CareCredit application was denied - insufficient credit history... feels like I'm being punished for my choice not to live on credit. Apparently that makes me not accountable I guess...
I'm overwhelmed and royally pissed off.
My dog shouldn't be sick to begin with.
((((((HUGS)))))) sent your way. Friends? Family? Can they loan you the money? It's an awful position to be in. In the meantime, hug your buddy and he'll continue to love you. He trusts you! Maybe in the morning, things will be better...? Here's hoping.
ACL tear in right hind leg 12/5/12 and scheduled ACL repair surgery 12/21/12. Pre-op xrays revealed osteosarcoma. Amputation 12/28/12. Chemo (carboplatin) started Jan 10, 2013 and ended on April 5, for a total of 5 doses. He handled carbo like a champ! No side effects. We started metronomic therapy at his third chemo and have been also doing some holistic treatments. He's a lively, playful 10 year old huskie-boarder collie and a very proud member of the Winter Warriors! Our love. Our funny little guy!
Sweet Toby....I'm so sorry you are having to go through this. I know how frustrating this is for you, as his Mom, to have to go through this. Please don't give up though, something is bound to work out. I think that Hank's mommy was able to get financial help through some type of foundation. I think she may live in Canada but maybe you can send her a message to see if she can give you some suggestions. I'm sure someone else on here can chime in with some suggestions also. Please don't beat yourself up over this. You are doing the best you can with the resources you have available to you at this moment. The only thing that Toby wants is to be loved and to be part of the family, which he is. Love on him each and every day and try to enjoy each and every moment you have with him. I know its easier said than done, but I try each and every day to enjoy my time left with Cadence. I know you have the strength deep inside, I have faith in you. Sending you and Toby a big hug.
“Dogs are our link to paradise. They don't know evil or jealousy or discontent. To sit with a dog on a hillside on a glorious afternoon is to be back in Eden, where doing nothing was not boring--it was peace.” ― Milan Kundera
I can't really answer the financial end of it. I don't know what your options are there, I don't know if you have anyone who would loan you the money, etc. But the other aspects--the emotional ones--I will try to help you wade through.
1. Should you "put him through chemo" to begin with? Most dogs do really well with chemo. It's not the awful monster it is for humans. Certainly some dogs have problems, and some dogs have problems with some chemo drugs but not others, but most dogs are ok.
2. Is it worth it to make Toby go to frequent vet visits and be poked? That's a little more fuzzy, but it helps to think of how Toby already approaches such things. If he enjoys car rides or at least doesn't hate them, then frequent vet visits aren't a big deal. And most dogs don't seem to care too much about being poked with a needle. My understanding is that chemo happens infrequently enough that the dog isn't really going to the vet as often as you might think. And it's not multiple needles and painful procedures. It's pretty straightforward and simple.
3. You don't want Toby to suffer...and you don't want to miss an opportunity for remission if it's available. And of course there is no crystal ball telling you that a remission is waiting for him. So this seems to me where you might want to focus your energy for making your decision. If you are a "what if" kind of person who will always wonder, maybe it would help you to do chemo and therefore know. But if you do, make sure you do it for him and not for you. Let him guide you.
As I said above, if Toby does well with car rides and vet visits, your decision doesn't need to be influenced by those things. My Dakota couldn't handle the car or the vet. In your position, I certainly would have to take that into consideration. I would be listening to him, and he would probably have told me no way.
And to add another wrinkle, if you decide to start chemo and then change your mind--for whatever reason--you can. If Toby doesn't do well, or if it doesn't seem to work, or if you decide it's not the right decision for whatever reason, you can stop. Deciding today that you want to give it a go does not obligate you to complete a regimen. This site is full of people who pulled their dogs out of chemo before the regimen was complete.
It may sound like I'm trying to convince you to do chemo. I'm not. I'm just trying to help you dissect your possibilities so you will be comfortable with whatever you decide. Around here, cancer is a huge and ugly beast. But regret is just as huge and just as ugly. Think. Talk to Toby. Be content that you will choose wisely for him. No regrets.
Shari
From abandoned puppy to Tripawd Warrior Dude, Dakota became one of the 2011 February Furballs due to STS. Our incredibly sweet friend lived with grace and dignity till he impulsively raced over the Bridge on 12-15-12.
Dakota's thoughtful and erudite blog is at http://shari.tr.....pawds.com/
More {{{{{{hugs}}}}}}}
This has been a lousy way to start the new year, but it has to get better, I just know it. Don't give up on making what you believe is the best decision for him. It sounds like you're still not sure. Perhaps this post by the pawesome Dr. Nancy Kay can help:
Most of my clients struggle a great deal when there is uncertainty about the outcome. They know the prognosis is bleak, but not hopeless. Maybe their pet will be the one who defies the odds. When counseling these clients, in addition to engaging in some serious nose-to-nose “discussion” with their four-legged family member, I recommend that they play out all options to both their best and worst possible outcomes. I advise them to then consider which option provides the outcomes that will likely provide them with the greatest long term peace of mind.
Oh, about care credit turning you down. I totally admire your debt-free lifestyle. Have you heard of eCredable? I hear it advertised and what they say they can do is:
Establish or rebuild your credit based on payments not typically reported to the credit bureaus.
Prove you are creditworthy and access mainstream financial products.
Check 'em out and let me know how it works for you.
Hang in there and stay strong. You can do it!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I can't add anything to the excellent advice from Shari and Jerry but wanted you to know I'm thinking of you. It's an awful situation that you find yourself in. The emotional stress is hard enough without having the financial stress as well.
What I will say is that we got 8 months post amputation for Magnum's osteosarcoma. It wasn't as long as we had hoped for but we still lived and loved a lifetime together during those 8 wonderful, precious months.
Many hugs
Karen and Spirit Magnum
Magnum: 30th May 2002 to 5th May 2012. Lost her back left leg to osteosarcoma on 5th Sep 2011. Lung mets found on 20th Mar 2012 but it was bone mets in the hip that ended her brave battle. Magnum's motto - "Dream as if you'll live for ever, live as if you'll die today" (James Dean). Loyal, loving, courageous and spirited to the end. My beloved heart dog, see her memoirs from Rainbow Bridge ...... http://princess.....pawds.com/
Thank you all for being here for me.
This is just so difficult... after a talk with my vet things got even more complicated.
Let me start from saying I live in a small town in north Michigan. For more than one reason I only have this one clinic available to me at the moment.
My vet said in order to start chemo he'd have to do a wedge biopsy (complete anesthesia etc), but at the same time he said he doesn't check for what kind of lymphoma Toby has, but just to confirm diagnosis. This alone is frustrating. Why cut a dog when you know what's wrong with him? If he's not going to see if it's a B or T cell lymphoma what's the point?
Afterwards I tried to find out what chemo options would be available and which protocol will he recommend for Toby - his reply was he'll only use doxorubicin, and that he doesn't use any other chemo protocols (!). He suggested a canine oncologist an hour away. This is what I found about doxorubicin:
Doxorubicin single agent: This is a reasonable protocol for patients with B cell lymphoma as greater than 80% of patients will achieve a partial or complete remission. A total of 5 treatments are given at 2-3 week intervals. Median survival times of 6 to 9 months have been reported. This particular protocol is not recommended for treating patients with T cell lymphoma, as fewer than 50% of these patients will achieve remission.
And yet the vet doesn't feel the need to establish immunotype... makes me uncomfortable. I'd feel better having a choice of treatment (but what can I do - only one clinic in the area and me stuck in it).
I'm completing paperwork for two more foundations that could possibly help us. Fingers crossed.
And no, I can't count on family and friends 
eCredable thing seems worth trying, I had no idea there was such thing as alternative credit - thanks Jerry, I'll definitely look into this.
On another note - for last few day in the evenings Toby acts strange. He's very amped up, like before a walk or something exciting, except there is nothing exciting going on. He pants and seems hot (breath only, ears and paws normal temp), but not in pain - just horribly excited, up to the shaking point. It started about three days ago, so I increased outside time and ran him quite a lot today in hopes to make him tired but it didn't help much, come 9 pm he's all shaking and panting for no apparent reason. He's bouncing around and doesn't settle - had to evict him from the bedroom last night, lol. Could it be Prednisone? It's a steroid... a pit bull on steroids? Is that what I'm dealing with? Did your dogs experience this kind of behavior on medication?
First of all, yes--pred can make dogs behave kind of like that, especially the panting. If he's amped up to the point of appearing overexcited, I'm not sure if that's pred or not. Is there any chance he's in any pain? I've not personally had a lot of experience with it but I do know that hyper panting is pretty common.
If there is any way at all that you can see that oncologist, that would be your best bet. If it's a matter of you being unable to take him because of your job, can you get someone you know and trust to take Toby and take heavy notes and report to you? You could to a phone conference with the oncologist afterward to hear what s/he says. I know the other day you were talking half in jest about taking a sick day to be with Toby. Can you do that and take him to that vet?
Has the vet given you his reasons for not considering any other type of chemo and for identifying the lymphoma? Neither of those make a lot of sense to me, based on how it helps complete the picture. I'd surely hope he'd have some good reasons to offer.
None of this is easy, and I'm really sorry for that. There are lots of us here with a zillion hours of experience between us all, but sometimes the only thing we can offer is empathy. I wish I could think of something else to suggest, but right now that's all I've got.
Shari
From abandoned puppy to Tripawd Warrior Dude, Dakota became one of the 2011 February Furballs due to STS. Our incredibly sweet friend lived with grace and dignity till he impulsively raced over the Bridge on 12-15-12.
Dakota's thoughtful and erudite blog is at http://shari.tr.....pawds.com/
Sigh.
I know seeing oncologist would be the best - I just can't afford it, and with my non existing credit ability I'm not able to get any loans (what a life lesson btw).
I think the only reason this vet offers limited options is because this is a real small town clinic, although I'm sure there are lots of small towns with great resources in them, I just happened not to live in one. All of it is my fault, I've had huge doubts before moving to an area like this, and rightfully so - because of my choices Toby won't receive all help he should have. Guilt is killing me.
He's been on pred since Dec.18th, panting and stuff started few days ago - he definitely doesn't seem to be in pain, just hyper. I'm taking him to the vet Monday.
I need to take him to a different clinic I think.
I'm on my phone right now so forgive my quick reply....Ok search our News blog for "Argus Institute" and you'll find a link to Colo State U's free consulting. Ask them about your vets treatment plan, they'll tell you their professional opinion. Please don't beat yourself up like this, Toby isn't mad at you or feeling regrets, promise. Yes, pred will do that, ask how to reduce the dose properly, don't do it without help though. Good luck.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Guilt kills. Don't let it in. Seriously--it will damage the remaining time you have with Toby so try to consciously dispel it. I know it's hard, believe me. I lived with Dakota for almost 2 years believing he had zero chance of cancer taking him because he did not have OSA. Then when it appeared that it did in fact take him after all, I went through all the things I should have done (x-rays, ultrsounds, etc.). But I've come to the conclusion that Dakota wouldn't have wanted any of that because he wasn't a tolerant dog. I did right by him and I know it. You have to remember that you are doing right by Toby.
Not everyone is gifted with a ton of money, or rich relatives, or living a mile from an awesome canine oncology practice. But you put the costs and benefits on a scale and you weigh them. Toby is receiving benefits from where you live that he wouldn't receive if you lived in a big city with lots of veterinary resources. I know. Until a year ago, I lived in the middle of nowhere with a country vet 20 minutes away. A nice guy, but no cutting edge stuff. We had few options, too, but Dakota was so incredibly happy in his meadow hunting field mice and rabbits. If I could have extended his life for years by removing him from that environment and putting him in a big city without his meadow, I would not have done it. He would have been unhappy. See his avatar here? That's a tripawd rolling in the meadow getting pig-filthy just for the pleasure of doing it.
Even though you are feeling some regrets over your resources, don't spend too much time there. I don't know if Toby has a meadow and field mice, but I know he has something there that he wouldn't have elsewhere, and I know he's happy with how you've guided his life. Quantity of days isn't nearly as important as the quality of the ones you're given.
Shari
From abandoned puppy to Tripawd Warrior Dude, Dakota became one of the 2011 February Furballs due to STS. Our incredibly sweet friend lived with grace and dignity till he impulsively raced over the Bridge on 12-15-12.
Dakota's thoughtful and erudite blog is at http://shari.tr.....pawds.com/
Jerry's suggestion about Argus is great. CSU is where Dakota had his amputation. They have tons of resources and are good people who really care deeply about animals. In fact, I think Dakota's surgeon was tremendously uncomfortable relating to me as a human being, but she became a different person altogether when she got on the floor with him. I felt like a fifth wheel! 
I highly recommend the folks at the Argus Inst. Give them a call!
Shari
From abandoned puppy to Tripawd Warrior Dude, Dakota became one of the 2011 February Furballs due to STS. Our incredibly sweet friend lived with grace and dignity till he impulsively raced over the Bridge on 12-15-12.
Dakota's thoughtful and erudite blog is at http://shari.tr.....pawds.com/
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