Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Well a friend lent me her grooming table today so that Quixote looks like he is loved when he goes to the vet on tuesday. We were handstripping him and found ANOTHER lesion. This one is on the outside of his Right elbow. I guess amputation is out of the question for whatever this is. That was my safety net. If its cancer I had the option of removing the limb and he would use a wheel chair but its spreading and now thats not an option. I dont know what to do any more. I am a vet tech and have NEVER seen something like this before, I have emailed pictures and his medical history to some vet clinics I used to work for. And everyone says they have no clue if its not cancer. if its cancer is spreading and spreading cancer is not good.
My head is spinning. I am so worried I am going to lose him or go broke or both. Oh wait I am already broke lol hmmm okay well then. I wish I knew. Tuesday cant come fast enough. Although I will be a basket case all day cause I have to drop him off in the morning and pick him up again at 5 pm. I dont like the idea of him sitting in a kennel all day but it is what it is and we are going to find out what that is.
Oh and Benny last night was fasting night so Quixote was probably plotting my doom. He hates fasting nights. But I feel its good for them to have a day once in a while where they get to chew bones but not have an actual meal. To be honest I was hoping it would kick start his immune system into fighting what ever this is.
My next pet is a pet rock... cause if they get sick you just put them out in the garden and get another. (Joking joking... in all honesty if I had to do this all over again I would Quixote brings more pleasure to my life then he does stress... or errr its equalish.. kinda he brings a lot of stress! K he is a really sweet dog and I love him and I would do this all over for that)
I applaud you for being able to keep your humor during this streesful time! Pet Rock? LOL!
Fasting night? Yeah, now this is starting to make sense. Quixote is coming up with all these skin issues so you will worry and not want to eat, thus "forced fasting"!
To help pass the time today for you, how 'bout sharing your thoughts on fasting for dogs. I've never done it, but have read about it. What jas been your experience?
We'll all be thinking of you and sending healing energy to Quixote. Hang in there!
((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((HUGS))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))
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 find that if I dont fast my dogs they fast themselves. Its just easier for me to fast everyone all at once then have them randomly fast themselves. They are all on a raw diet, with minimal vaccines, surgeries, chemicals. We try to do everything as natural as possible (except with Quixote cause well he seems to love the vet ??!?!?!!? He thinks the vet is having financial difficulties I guess. I dont know.)
I find that fasting helps speed healing up, and makes training the next day go so much easier lol. When I fast them I do feed them but its not a bowl of food. Its a Bone or stuffed Kong in the middle of the day . I only feed them once a day so I do feel bad not feeding them at all. So fasting days are days they get 1/4 rations, generally on a day we didnt do a lot. Days we do a lot they get more food too though so It works out in the end.
As to Quixote I called the vets and we are all fairly certain its Bowens Disease ... which is a precancerous condition. It is treatable.. but it does mean no more daytime walks OR sun bathing for Quixote. It is not a genetic condition so thats all good news. The bad is that is is a precancerous condition, and because we dont know how long he has had it (antibiotics most of his life hid the symptoms) He could develop cancer later on ... or he could already have cancer! That all remains to be seen
Thank you EVERYONE for being so amazing with my crazy spastic self. I have 6 dogs but Quixote is my heart dog. I would be lost without him.
So we did the Biopsy and now he has purple stitches. We figured out what is going on and are now just waiting for the biopsy to tell us how bad it is really. Whats happening is he is immno-suppressed due to over use of antibiotics (from 4 months old till just over 3 years old) , he contracted papilloma virus but NEVER got papillomas due to the antibiotics hiding the symptoms and where the papilloma virus is (Oral papillomas). The Papilloma virus caused Bowens Disease which is a precancerous condition. AGAIN symptoms were hid due to antibiotics. Now we are waiting to see if the Bowens became skin cancer or not. Even if it didnt, he will now have yearly visits with the oncologist to ensure he does not have cancer in the future. If it did, we have to find out how bad it is, and decide the best treatment or lack of treatment options for him.
Now right now we are unsure if he is immunocompromised or what. We are not sure if he is at risk of contracting anything from unknown dogs. We also do not know if the papilloma virus is still active in his system or if HE is contagious. I guess answers will come soon enough.
Did you know in rare cases Papillomavirus can effect oral health? Quixote for instance has ONE tooth that has a brown mark on it that will NOT come off even with profession dental cleaning. This is caused by the papilloma virus. Papillomavirus also can cause Bowens Disease although this is rare. (NOT rare enough if you ask me).
We are now hoping that in 6 months time we will have a happy healthy Quixote, but we are preparing for skin cancer too. What will be will be I guess. I do know that regardless, Mr will no longer be allowed outside during the hours of 10 am and 4 pm. He will not be allowed to go on walks that are not in the shade, he is at risk of skin cancer thanks to the Bowens Disease, and I will now have to treat him like he is allergic to the sun. (Could be fun we live on Vancouver Island in Canada, winter is icky but summer is SUNNY.)
I also have NOT researched if JRT are at more risk for skin cancer or not (being primarily white dogs ....)
Really happy to hear it's not cancer!
One day at a time, that's all any of us can do. Follow his lead, he's not worried 🙂
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I'm glad you have finally been able to get a definitive diagnosis for Quixote. The not knowing what you're actually dealing with can be so trying. At least now you know what you're fighting and are narrowing down a course of treatment. I will keep my fingers crossed that the Bowens has not turned cancerous.
Sahana and her Angel Leland and Lucian too
November 17, 2009 - June 30, 2014
May you finally be healthy and running free at the Rainbow Bridge. Until we meet again my sweet boy!
Have been waiting for your update and, actually, feel some relief compared to some of the other things that could have happened...like becoming a two legged dog!
Now you c
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!
Okay...trying again.....
Anyway, as Sahana said, at least y i u can start narrowing down the treatment and, as Jerry said, just take things one day at a time and try not to worry about things down the road.
You shared a lot of valuable information. Thanks for taking the time to do that. This was hears ago, but I had a dog with light pink skin and my vet told me I didn't have to be fanatical about avoiding the sun, just put sunscreen on her n ose and the tips.of her ears. She of course tried licking it off her nose right away. Anyway, for whatever it's worth, he said her fur would protect the rest of her skin. Just. not to let her sunbathe for hours. None of this may apply in today world anymore anyway.
Quixote feels good and that's al l that matters!
Hang in there!
Hugs to all!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle 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!
Thanks for the update, I've been thinking of you and praying for good news. Like the others said, at least now you know, and can make a plan. I never knew any of this existed, thanks for sharing. Good luck going forward, many hugs to Quixote!
Paula and Nitro
Nitro 11 1/2 yr old Doberman; right front amp June 2014. Had 6 doses carboplatin, followed by metronomic therapy. Rocked it on 3 legs for over 3 years! My Warrior beat cancer, but couldn't beat old age. He crossed the Bridge peacefully on July 25, 2017, with dignity and on his terms. Follow his blog entitled "Doberman's journey"
"Be good, mama loves you".....run free my beautiful Warrior
I am glad you finally have answers. You have been so vigilant and persistent in his care. I have a rain coat that I wear on Lucy because she hate when rain drips on her. It is windbreaker material and has a hood. Something like that may help if he does have to go out in the sunny hours. Sorry you have had such a tough time of it, hopefully, it sounds as if you are getting back to some easier times. Thinking of you, Lori Ty& Gang
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.
CONFIRMATION !!! The biopsy results came back... It is BOWENS' and NO it has not evolved??? into the big C! 6 Months I will have a healthy dog. OMG there is an end to almost living at the vet. I mean I should not walk into the clinic saying "honey I am home."
In other Pauli-Mckinnon pack news my puppy, Jake, goes in for MINOR surgery to remove a loose dew claw. WOOT. Quixotes brother Sancho is really allergic to venison. Someone has been feeding my dog cheap dog treats or food and Quixotes mom's eyes are red and swollen and she has a limp (because of the food or treats). My reactive girl has a minor relapse today, and snarked at another dog today. And, finally Jakes mom Haida has reverted back to being a super brat and not always recalling. Shes fun because she can slip out of harnesses.
I think thats all 6. Oh the cat (Sotto) has been losing weight like crazy, but at least he is not puking 10 (million) times a day right? lol. The male betta (Brain) ate all my baby fish, and Pinky (the other betta) built me a nest. The other cat (Fred), is still a freak (she is scared of everything. The child (Eva), aged 11, is at her grandparents for the next week, then goes to summer camp. I guess all is right with the world here for the time being.
All in all we are just happy that Quixote does not live at the vet clinic (are close to it)
Yay! I am so happy for you all! With all you've got going on at your house your really didn't need any added stress. Keep on keeping on!
Paula and Nitro
P.S. Love the "honey I'm home" line 🙂
Nitro 11 1/2 yr old Doberman; right front amp June 2014. Had 6 doses carboplatin, followed by metronomic therapy. Rocked it on 3 legs for over 3 years! My Warrior beat cancer, but couldn't beat old age. He crossed the Bridge peacefully on July 25, 2017, with dignity and on his terms. Follow his blog entitled "Doberman's journey"
"Be good, mama loves you".....run free my beautiful Warrior
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