Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hello everyone
My name is Ragley & I live in the Cotswolds in England. We have had a terrible time with my cancer diag. & subsequent amputation - Spirit Jerry has been a huge help to me, mum & dad, & I wear my bandanna with pride.
Up until a few days ago I was doing just fine until I gave up my hopping & eating (Im still drinking tho). Im at the vets every night & await result of bloods.
Heres a little timeline of the past 6 weeks - does anyone have any thoughts?
1) 24 Sept local vet xray, suspected OS
2) 27 Sept investigation at referral centre - synovial cell sarc diagnosed/CT no lung mets, or any other mets
3) 30 Sept amputation
4) Slow but steady recovery hopping around & interested in life until early November
I will keep you posted on what vet comes back with - organ damage from meds (NSAIDs & antibiotics) possibility?
Love 'n licks Ragley xox
Thanks for joining, and the kind words. We're sorry to hear about Ragley's ruff recovery.
Some dogs do experience rather severe side effects from NSAID use. Please let us know what the vet discovers.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi Ragley
Sorry your not feeling well. Kess also has synovial cell sarcoma. We had a heck of a time getting it diagnosed properly. We're only a few weeks post-op so I don't have much in the way of advice. Hopefully the vet will have some positive news for you.
I did notice that Kess slowed down as the pain meds were reduced. She was on nsaids for 7 days, Tramadol (sp?) for 14 days and gabapentin for 2 weeks 2x a day and then once per day for a week. The gabapentin was where I noticed a big difference. Not sure if her reduced activity was brought on by more pain or a bit of narcotics dependence as she was weaned off the drugs.
Welcome Ragley,
I'm sorry I can't help with any experience but I just wanted to say welcome and I hope you start feeling better very soon!
Comet' 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.
Thank you for welcoming us! Will keep you all posted on progress - very best wishes to Kess for a speedy & smooth recovery.
Woof,woof
Ragley
Welcome Ragley and family! I don't have any comments about Ragley's condition, but certainly want to wish you the very best. Hopefully the veterinary stay will get you back to hopping, eating, and enjoying life.
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.
welcome to the group Ragley! And also sending up prayers for Ragley and keeping you in our thoughts.
Coopsdad/ Kenneth Blackburn
http://cooper.t.....ipawds.com
the monkeydogs only THINK they have invaded the tripawd state
Dear Ragley and Mum,
First, let me say just how sorry we all are to hear of Ragley's diagnosis, and to welcome you to this community that no one really wants to have to join. However, you will find that the site is filled with wonderful people who will share their collective experience base, provide excellent guidance, and be very supportive.
For Miss Cherry, the chemotherapy was worse than the amputation. Her first chemotherapy treatment occurred just hours after her amputation and as these chemicals circulated through her system, she lost all appetite. It was a case of the taste that the chemotherapy left was so bad, that she did not want to take anything. I literally had to stuff about 85% of her caloric in take during her chemotherapy protocol. This also meant that I became very adapt to getting the nutrition into them. First, since Ragley is still drinking, I would suggest that you start using a full nutrition drink like that Ensure. At times, I used the Wal-Mart equivalent. However, many times Cherry found that the taste was too strong, so I had to dilute it into Vinilla flavored Soy Milk. I used the Soy Milk because it does not sour in the stomach like cow's milk. There is the usual chicken broth which will add calories, some nutrition, but also will sooth the stomach if that is the problem. Cherry would eat soda crackers at times which also has a similar effect.
I could post many more suggestions, but I am afraid that these are only treating the symptoms and not the root cause of the loss of appetite. In Cherry's case, even I could taste the horrible chemicals as I kissed her good-night. Thus, I knew that once we made it past the two months of chemotherapy, I was on the down hill. Please keep us all posted on what you learn.
I will close by saying that I have vacationed many times in the Cotswolds and was lucky enough to be able to spend about a month a year working in the UK. I even spent some small time staying at one of the colleges in Oxford where my sister recieved her advanced degree. I always found the scenery beautiful, the people delightful, and the history infective. I just love exploring all the historical sites.
Sending Pawsitive Thoughts and Prayers,
Spirit Cherry's Dad
Ragley, we're so sorry you're having a hard time, but I'm betting that spunk of yours will come back any second now and you'll be back into the swing of things. I wish I had some idea of what might be going on, but I don't unfortunately. I do want to let you know that you have an amazing group of people here cheering you on, and sending lots of love across the pond to you. Please keep us posted OK?
You're an inspawration to us too, keep on fightin'!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Welcome to the family. It's times like this we wish our buddies could talk. I would like to think if Ragley had been at the vets they would have been checking for possible infection, but I would think the he/she would be past the point where that would most likely happen. At least your trying to stay on top of the situation, not much to say except hopefully you can get some kind of definite diagnosis. Do you think taking Ragley to a different vet for second opinion might help? Good luck, Paws up, Spirit Gus and Dan
My buddy Gus had a left front amputation on April 7, 2010 and lived a great life until July 26,2010
Welcome! We hope Ragley is feeling better soon. Is he on any steroids? The reason I asked is that it affected Skyler's stomach, so she wouldn't eat. Hopefully your vet will give you answers, and if you are still in doubt, do get a second opinion like Dan said. Sending you pawsitive thoughts and some golden hugs.
Cathy/Jane/Spirit Skyler/Chloe
That has brought on the tears - thank you for your amazing support. I have just had to leave my beautiful boy at the vets to be put on IV overnight to try & help him rally. His wound site (which has never properly & completely healed over the past 6 weeks) has started weeping & they think he is now losing protein (low in urine sample) from this fluid loss.
They have spoken to the referral centre (Fitzpatrick Referrals in Surrey UK) & they have confirmed no tumour sites in evidence 6 wks ago.....
Could it be organ failure from Previcox (NSAID) use? He isn't presenting typically for this though...
Adverse reaction to Metronidazole antibiotic?
Cancer managed to get into lymph before amputation?
He's not on steroids, I asked whether it could be in any way a cocktail-effect from drugs?
So basically no answers yet. We are praying for his recovery, but will put our boys quality of life over everything else, no matter how hard for us.
I can't believe how he seemed to be getting on so well & then this. We will def. get a 2nd opinion on diag once made, I have become a little cautious after my recent veterinary experiences (first set of advice on suspicion of cancer was "have one last wkend & say farewell" - needless to say I moved practice!)
Thank you again for being such an amazing community of people,
Warmest Regards
Claire
Spirit Cherrys Dad - thank you for the tips on Soy Milk & nutrition, & of course your kind words. I am really hoping to use them when Ragley comes home
If you don't hear from Dr. Pam (aka: tazziedog) consider posting your questions in the Ask A Vet forum for her professional opinion.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Holly had lots of bouts with loss of appetite during the initial post-amp period and then again during chemo. We found that chicken broth usually was ok, sometimes she'd take it mixed with rice. She almost never wanted her kibble when her tummy was really upset. We tried some pumpkin, but I can't remember if she liked that. She would also eat plain yogurt, especially the thick Greek yogurt. I found it was best to give her small amounts frequently - if I tried to give her a larger amount she wouldn't even try to eat it. So if she ate (or drank) 1/8 cup of food or broth, I'd try again an hour or two later. We also gave her Pepcid AC, which helped her, too.
We're sending lots of pawsitive thoughts across the pond to you! And will hold you in our hearts until Ragley is better. We'll keep all fingers and paws crossed for him, too!
Hugs,
Holly, Zuzu and Susan
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
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