Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
Tripawds is your home to learn how to care for a three legged dog or cat, with answers about dog leg amputation, and cat amputation recovery from many years of member experiences.
Join The Tripawds Community
Learn how to help three legged dogs and cats in the forums below. Browse and search as a guest or register for free and get full member benefits:
Instant post approval.
Private messages to members.
Subscribe to favorite topics.
Live Chat and much more!
Register
Log In
Members
Add Topic
Offline
Hi Kami,
My Onco vet and I discussed the use of Lasix ato help prevent the chance of cystitis (a possible side effect of Cytoxin). Unfortunately Calgary is already such a dry climate that she feels we would only risk dehydrating Tai further. The urinalysis is done with monthly blood to monitor Tai's bladder function. We have to make sure she drinks loads of water and pees a lot, so we add water to her food etc.
Tazzie,
Yes we did a complete protocol of Doxorubicin before we started in on the metronomics
. Just trying to cover all of our bases 
Thanks for the reminder about our great "spring" weather. You're right Winnipeg would be much better!! Swimming's out but Tai's been paddling in the flooded areas as a result of our latest snow/slush/sleet storm. Just ducky!
Tai – 9 yr old lab. Diagnosed Osteosarcoma Dec 18/09. Front right leg amputated Dec 21/09. Started chemo Jan 7/10. Lung mets discovered Sept 16/10. Valiant to the end on Oct 26/10 when cancer reappeared in a leg and we made the decision to set her free. Forever in my heart where not even cancer can take her from me.
Hi Tai
Gosh time flies if you are already done with regular chemo (yep, it is coming back to me now). And just in time to enjoy the spring, that is, if it ever comes to Alberta . . .
When we did metronomics , we also had a drug to lower glucose in addition to the Cytoxan. The idea was that it lowers the cancer-feeding sugar, although that was just something the onco was testing. I was thinking that was the 'lasix' (sp?) drug, but would have to look back at the old posts from October to jog my memory. How quickly I forget.
One thing that I did was to actively flush his bladder by boiling up HEAPS of vegies each day (mostly broccoli, some carrots and cabbage), and giving him the water, unfortunately wasting the vegies. That worked to keep him peeing and even helped his kidney values. He loved the vegie water and it sure kept him peeing a lot.
After 8 weeks, we switched to another drug to reduce the UTI issue. Again, I don't recall the name of that drug but can easily find out - I must have the leftovers in the fridge.
I too am constantly watching for symptoms of lung Mets. My Black Lab had amputation 3 weeks ago today. Diagnosis, Histiosarcoma. They said they were able to get it all and his xrays showed lungs were clear. Also it was called something else (arterical?) My worry is that he sometimes seems to pant or breathe heavy. He is still taking 2 Gabapentin plus 1 Tramadol a day. Maybe it is the meds talking. He is eating so well seems constantly hungry, going to bathroom fine etc. Still rests a lot , but so would I if I had my arm and shoulder removed. Just wondering if anyone is a bit further along in this and if it is normal. I think sometimes I just look for things to worry about. We have chosen CCNU 5 treatments spaced 3 weeks apart. Just looking for advice , support and just someone to talk to. My family Just thinks I am nuts to be so worried about a dog. As anyone on this forum understands: He is not just a dog!! He is a member of the family!!
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.
4myty said
Just looking for advice , support and just someone to talk to...
You've come to the right place! Welcome, your future forum posts will not require moderation.
Heavy panting is a very common side effect of Tramadol. Please consider starting a new topic so others can follow our story and provide feedback directly.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
WOW... I am so glad this topic got updated today. I go between wanting to know the symptoms and ignorance is bliss when it comes to Shelby's tiny lung mets. Shelby has ALWAYS pulled on her leash (or harness) and therefore has always hacked. Or started coughing for no reason but to read here that dry hacks are different than the 'juicy' ones .. she also has always 'hacked' like she's coughing up a fur ball and nothing comes out. She still does that when she gets excited.
It's been super, super, dry here in LA lately and we have horrible winds and I am constantly thirsty and hacking so it makes sense that Shelby would have some of the same issues as me (perhaps even allergies). I read on this site about fluid in the lungs or an expanded chest and that freaked me out since I always think Shelby looks bigger than she is - the scale keeps going down for her. And she's super hungry all the time.
So I guess this post gave me some confidence to let it go - know that she's fine and reading Jerry's blog about the lung capacity and winding down was helpful. We're not there yet. Trying every day to be "more dog" ... some days are easier than others!
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
You can do it Alison, You ARE doing it. Be. More. Dog.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
1 Guest(s)
