Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Tungsten is home and resting well. He had a few sips of water but didnt want to eat just yet. There is a slight bit of bleeding ( a few drops here and there) from one of his sutures but I dont think anything to be alarmed about. He is due to get his stitches out in 10 days (I was expecting more like 14). I chatted with a vet in town today about chemo...their traditional course of action is a treatment about every 2-3 weeks, with a total of 14 treatments. Does 14 seem like alot to anybody? I was expecting more like 3-5 treatments then follow-on with metronomics .
Cheers,
Barb and Tungsten
Tungsten Blue, diagnosed with osteosarcoma August 2016, rear leg removed 28 October 2016, left us on 12/13/16, he will be greatly missed.
Hi Barb,
so glad to hear that Tungsten is doing well. I had "sent" a long post to you earlier this week and for some reason it didn't send - and I didn't take the time to retype it. MysweetTed had his front left leg amputated in August and we brought him him about 5 hours later. It was tough but better than leaving him with strangers. You are a good dog mom.
Wanda
Thanks Wanda, how is your sweet Ted doing? I'm sure once the overwhelming meds from the surgery wear off Tungsten will be a bit more restless, but I'm with you, I would rather have him home to watch him then to leave him at a clinic in a strange cage where nobody is there with him. So far he is doing great, no major issues.
Tungsten Blue, diagnosed with osteosarcoma August 2016, rear leg removed 28 October 2016, left us on 12/13/16, he will be greatly missed.
Ozsfish,
That is a lot of chemo. We were told 6 treatments 3 weeks apart and that would be the best course. I am not sure why they would want to do 14 of them. What is the treatment, carboplatin or something else. Not sure I spelled that correct. Just seems like a lot to me and would maybe talk to an oncologist about that before you do any treatments. Our treatments are 600 a pop so maybe there is a clue there.
I did not get the specific name of the drug they use. They did mention that each treatment was about $200, but sometimes things are a bit cheaper here where I live. I dont know what your amputation cost but I was shocked when our bill only came to $200. I have read elsewhere where the amputations cost over $1000...amazing how where you live makes so much differnce
Tungsten Blue, diagnosed with osteosarcoma August 2016, rear leg removed 28 October 2016, left us on 12/13/16, he will be greatly missed.
My sweet Ted is doing great. I spent about 3 days/nights on the floor and on the couch next to him helping him work through the anesthesia (I think) of the amp. He whined and panted and did not sleep much for two solid days after surgery. On the third day he finally rolled over and realized that he could get up from that position and after that he felt confident to get up and go outside - then he just wanted to hang out and chill in the yard and people watch. It was GREAT. And OBTW HE decided that he was going upstairs to our bedroom to sleep on his bed at Day 3 (I was soooo glad because I was soooo tired!) After that he started to bounce again and he's been bouncing ever since. He's doing great. I still try to protect him a bit but he is doing really really well.
I'm glad to hear your boy made it though surgery and is home doing well.
10 days is on the early side of stitch removal, but I've always heard that stitches come out in 10 to 14 days.
What type of chemo was the vet talking about? What we see here is 4 to 6 carboplatin treatments for osteosarcoma. My pug Maggie had about 6 months of chemo but she had mast cell cancer and a different regimine.
The important thing now is to get Tungsten Blue though the recovery process. I hope things go smoothly.
Karen and the Spirit Pug Girls
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Our staples came out at day 10, and Otis really perked up once they did. The surgeon will, of course, inspect the incision first. I know that some dogs have had most, but not all removed, or have had to wait a couple of days, based on the healing. Don't worry about not eating yet. Keep him hydrated, and offer small tempting food items throughout the day.
Very curious about the 14 chemo treatments. Do provide more detail when you get around to it. Where do you live? 4 - 6 rounds of carboplatin is pretty standard here in the U.S., but we do see variations abroad and with the type of chemo selected.
There is a "what did it cost thread" somewhere if you want to see the variations. I don't think we could cross the threshold of the hospital we used for $200! 
Otis - 106 pound lab/Dane mix, lost his right front leg to osteosarcoma on Febuary 9, 2016. Four rounds of carboplatin completed in April, 2016. Lung mets August 25, 2016. Said goodbye too soon on September 4, 2016. Lost his adopted sister, Tess, suddenly on October 9, 2016. likely due to hemangiosarcoma.
Wherever they are, they are together.
No issues overnight on the night of surgery...he slept beautifully. Tungsten is still resting comfortably this morning and has not had the need for any pain meds yet. We carried him out to the yard this morning, stood him up, and one he ensured his balance was good he peed. Carried him back in and put him back in bed where he is still resting comfortably. He has been drinking well and had an egg for breakfast....he loves his eggs. I anticipate he will sleep or rest on his bed in the living room most if not all of the day. His surgery site looks great!
Thanks for all of the well wishes,
Barb and Tungsten
Tungsten Blue, diagnosed with osteosarcoma August 2016, rear leg removed 28 October 2016, left us on 12/13/16, he will be greatly missed.
So glad that first night went well! Sometimes it can be a bit rocky! And YAY for pee and YAY for eating an egg!!
As the hospital pain meds dissipate, he'll need his pain meds. Most dogs are sent home with Tramadol, Gabapentin, Rimadyl and an antibiotic. Some have a pain patch, some don't.
And $200 for the amputation surgery??? WOW! That has ro be a record low! Congratulations!
Continued well wishes for a speedy recovery and a gazzillion happy days ahead!
Hugs!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie 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!
I know, I could not believe the bill when they rang me up...he came home with tramadol. I asked about antibiotic and the vet said he just received an antibiotic shot and did not need the pills. He will get another egg this afternoon and might try to incorporate some kibble or beef heart chunks raw for dinner. I dont expect him to get up on his own today, maybe tomorrow. We get lots of tail wags, but more importantly we have no heavy breathing or drooling.
Cheers,
Barb and Tungsten
Tungsten Blue, diagnosed with osteosarcoma August 2016, rear leg removed 28 October 2016, left us on 12/13/16, he will be greatly missed.
Delighted to hear Tungsten's doing so well.
Ruby, Staffy, born June 2022, became a Tripawd, November 2023, adopted January 2024.
Also Angel Tripawd Meg (aka The Megastar), who died in April 2023, aged 14, after seven glorious years on three, and Angel Staffies Elsie Pie and Bille. In the pawprints of giants...
I guess the hard part today is what to do. I have dedicated myself to being house bound to stay with Tungsten. As long as I am watching him he doesnt have to wear the cone of shame
, which he absolutely despises. So, what to do...think I will make some home made ice cream, and maybe a batch of cookies. Getting laundry done, and other little tasks around the living room. Guess I should relish the quiet time today, I have a feeling the next several days will be spent working on his getting around and balancing. 
Tungsten Blue, diagnosed with osteosarcoma August 2016, rear leg removed 28 October 2016, left us on 12/13/16, he will be greatly missed.
We had a pretty good afternoon. Tungsten has gotten the hang of getting up from a lying position all on his own. He has learned his balance...Peeing is no problem. We got him to the bottom of the deck steps and he spent some of the afternoon lying in the grass catching a breeze. Wound still looks great. He ate some eggs and raw beef heart today...would not be surprised if we see a poop sometime tomorrow.
Cheers,
Barb and Tungsten
Tungsten Blue, diagnosed with osteosarcoma August 2016, rear leg removed 28 October 2016, left us on 12/13/16, he will be greatly missed.
Tungsten seems to be ahead of the curve! Good job! ,Just being able to balance for peeing usually takes awhile fornpuls to figure it out. Sounds like Tungsten has no issues there!
Yes, just take some time to sit outside with Tungsten relaxing and enjoying being together out in nature. Just "be". Well, you can relax AFTER you make the homemade ice cream! Yummy!!
Hugs to all!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie 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!
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