Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hello! I was wondering, how long was Gabe in pain for after his amputation? And when was he in the mood to play again? My dog Chloe (6 years young Husky) had her front limb amputated 2 week ago today.
The doctors thought she would no longer need pain meds (especially since the incision healed nicely), but she still whines/cries during the day and night so they gave us another week sup of pain/anti-inflamation meds. I also had pet CBD oil to help her relax.
She is barely getting her appetite back and she was already picky to start with so its more challenging. I am worried that she is still in pain, sometimes she shakes and her back left leg seems to bother her. The cat said that she could have underlying arthritis which the amputation brought out since her gate has changed to compensate for the missing limb.
Im sad that she is not to her old self (she's usually in high spirits) and that she still has pain/discomfort.
chloe2016 said
Hello! I was wondering, how long was Gabe in pain for after his amputation? And when was he in the mood to play again? My dog Chloe (6 years young Husky) had her front limb amputated 2 week ago today.The doctors thought she would no longer need pain meds (especially since the incision healed nicely), but she still whines/cries during the day and night so they gave us another week sup of pain/anti-inflamation meds. I also had pet CBD oil to help her relax.
She is barely getting her appetite back and she was already picky to start with so its more challenging. I am worried that she is still in pain, sometimes she shakes and her back left leg seems to bother her. The cat said that she could have underlying arthritis which the amputation brought out since her gate has changed to compensate for the missing limb.
Im sad that she is not to her old self (she's usually in high spirits) and that she still has pain/discomfort.
Hi Chloe & family, welcome. I'm sorry she is not herself yet. I'll let Gabriel's people chime in here, but for now, we would love to help you directly. Please start a new topic here so we can do that OK? That way your story won't get mixed up with Gabriel's.
We have lots of tips, like getting her evaluated by a canine rehabilitation therapist to find out why she is not 100% (Tripawds Foundation can even pay for your first rehab visit !). So hop on over and start a new topic OK? See you there!
Hey Chloe.
I'm sorry I took so long to get back too you.
So we noticed Gabe was still in pain till around day 11-12. We actually stopped his Gabapentin because we noticed it made him so groggy and zoned out that he barely wanted to eat or even get up.. so we stopped the Gabapentin and started to notice Gabe was returned too himself. His appetite sadly has never been the same because he started Chemotherapy right after his amputation. And our boy used to have a voracious appetite.
He still had phantom limb pains for almost 2 months post amputation, so that is something to keep an eye out for as it is very real. I did a lot of stimulus on the amputation site with different textures. And eventually he never had sudden jolts of pain anymore.
Sadly now Gabriel's Cancer has returned. He likely has Metastasis too his lungs. I'm really quite angry because I just wanted to see my dog come back. Get back too himself you know? We literally just finished Chemo a week ago and got told he was in remission. I'm so mad at everything now because I feel like our poor guy has been robbed of some of the more precious years of his life, and that now we may never get to experience his golden years with him. Instead he is back on another chemotherapy that will likely make him feel like shit. I just really hate the idea of him feeling terrible until this disease kills his body. I feel like somehow we have failed him, this whole world failed our dogs.
I just need to have hope in the fact that Palladia doesn't always make dogs feel bad. And they can still live with Metastatic diseases. I'm just terrified for the alternative right now.
Cameron my heart breaks for you and Gabriel, I'm so sorry. 
Where is the cancer? How did you find out? If it's too painful to talk about I understand.
Please know that you did not fail him. You are doing your absolute best for Gabe, and he knows he has amazing humans looking after him. And yes, metastasis often works out in ways we don't expect. We've seen dogs live with mets far longer than anyone predicted. I hope with all my heart that it's like that for your sweet guy.
If there is one thing that I've seen here, it's that Palladia effects can go either way. And if you don't like the way it makes him feel, and if he doesn't as well, you aren't required to give it to him. Oftentimes, just getting back to basics and doing what you both love is the best medicine possible at a time like this.
Please let me know how we can support you, we are here for you.
Hey!
So the cancer has spread to Gabriel's Lungs (one primary node and small metastasis as well) and we have also found lumps on his skin that are also consistent with Osteosarcoma.
We found out when we did Gabriel's final CT Scan that we did after his last Chemotherapy session. We had done x-rays a month before that (where it turns out they missed the tumor so we missed out on a month of Palladia treatments) but we were at that time given the all clear by our "specialist" team, sucks they missed the tumor..
Now he's started his Palladia and Losartan treatments. As well as Prednisone on the off days between Palladia. We are very hopeful it will help, and are just trying to only put positive thoughts into this for now. And doing whatever we possibly can to have a normal life with Gabe.
He unfortunately didn't sleep well tonight, with lots of panting and restlessness. We have attempted supplemental oxygen but he's very objective too that idea. He has being exercise intolerant, and has a hard time with moving about due to the hard time breathing.
We are maintaining a positive attitude, for our sake and Gabe's! He's getting energy work done and massage as well alongside all his treatments.
We love him dearly.
Darn cancer is so mean. 
I'm really sorry that it's being so mean to poor Gabe. It does sound like you are doing everything humanly possible to help him feel better. The energy work and massage must feel like such a treat to him, and you as well. It's so relaxing isn't it?
I'm thinking that the panting and restlessness can also be attributed to summer heat. What is the temperature like right now? Don't worry you can list celsius, I have a converter 😉
Give your warrior a big smooch from me 
Your love and devotion to Gabe come shining through. And we know it hurts yoir heart and the despair you feel hearing about those damn mets.
As Jerry said, IF he has a hard time with the treatment (some do, some don't), you can stop and things shoild return to "normal" (whatever that is) once it's all out of his system.
The Prednisone should help with his breathing if the mets are causing inflammation around the lungs. And just to complicate things, Prednisone can also cause restlessness and panting in some dogs. Tell your Vet about it and it mah simply be a matter of adjusting the Pred. As my Vet once told me, Prednisone is not always a "good" drug to use, but at the same time it can be a miracle drug in some cases like these.
Is Gabe still reluctant to eat? The"miracle" part of the Pred is that it can also increase appetite. And I'm sure you're offering him any yummy food he will eat. Cheese pizza, bacon and eggs, cottage cheese, steak, liverwurst....even some icecream and cake. Whatever it takes to perk up his appetite.
When my Happy Hannah had met (the size of a baseball the Bet said), she did tire very easily, but she was fine with that. As long as shecould get non stop tummy rubs and could lay outside some with me giving her nonstop petting (and yes, treats), she enjoyed a good quality.
And I know you are frustrated in the delay of finding the met, but I really, really dont think that would have any ill effect. Quite often even when a met is found there can be several week delays in getting an Onco visit, deciding on treatment, etc. So you can put thoughts concerning that aside .
One thing I'm curious about. Gabriel has lumps that the Vet told you were consistent with osteo??? And this means absolutely nothing, but I had not heard of that.,...again....means nothing, just wondering of others had heard of it.
As ja4d as all this is, Gabe knows yoi are doing EVER possible for him. He KNOWS you love him and that love for him is exactly how you will stay strong and pawsitive!!
And you know we need more pictures, right????
(((((((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!
Cancer is quite mean and un-forgiving. Yeah the summer heat here has 100% not been a help. We are in Calgary Alberta and it often is hitting 30 degrees here at the moment. Thankfully we did buy a small air-conditioning unit for our room to keep it as a cool haven for Gabriel.
Gabriel's appetite is hit and miss right now. The days where he gets Prednisone it perks up, we give him whatever he will eat that day, including Mac and cheese, pepperoni sticks and puppy Gastro food. Even bone broth soup with beef brisket as well. And one kibble.he really seems to love.But they days he gets Palladia for his Mets, the appetite is completely gone.
The Prednisone has been helping with the breathing we find, and we do notice his causes panting, which we have been able to differentiate between the panting via the metastasis so far. And it really helps with his appetite too so it has been a big help. But he can't take it on the same day as his Chemo, so it's a constant roller coaster of him feeling crappy and then better from his medications.
Yes he has 2 skin lumps that tested positive for Osteosarcoma, I read a bit on it and it is rare for Osteosarcoma to spread to the skin but not impossible.. we have now found 4 total that are of similar shape, size And feel at the moment.
We do love him so much, and I thank all of you here for the support and advice so far. It's been a huge help!
As for photos, I take so many of him and I just need to figure out how to get them on here.
For now here Is a little album of him in the past month!
benny55 said
One thing I'm curious about. Gabriel has lumps that the Vet told you were consistent with osteo??? And this means absolutely nothing, but I had not heard of that.,...again....means nothing, just wondering of others had heard of it.
Thanks for bringing that up Sally. Yep, subcutaneous / extraskeletal osteosarcoma is rare. So rare, that only two members, Annie, and Tazzie, have reported it happening to them. It breaks my heart that Gabe is the third now.
It sounds like you are really in tune with Gabe's behavior. When our Jerry went on Pred we panicked, we had never seen him so hungry or thirsty or amped up. I'm so glad it's working for Gabe on the days he can take it. Whatever works, do it if it helps him enjoy his time with you.
Have you seen these appetite tips in Tripawds Nutrition?
I LOVE those pics of Gabe! He is such a handsome pup. Every pic has so many beautiful emotions, and OMD that last one! My heart exploded when I saw it, in a good way!
Here they are, I couldn't resist. Anytime you want some posted just let me know, happy to do it.
Geez, bummer about those osteo lumps. Didn't know about that type of spread with rotten osteo. Grrrr..... Rare, as Jerry pointed out but it still hapens. Sorry Gabriel got it.
Maybe your Onco can figure how ways to make the Palladia a little more tolerable. Maybe reducing the dose or spacing it out further apart, or adding more tummy protectant meds, etc?
Somgpad the Pred is making a very noticeable and pawsitive difference in his demeanor and appetite! I'm sure Gabe loves the smorgasbord of food he gets on his "chow down the food" days.
And those pictures....OMD! Those beautiful golden eyes are truly windows to his gentle Soul. And his adorable ears and Happy smile....absolutely precious!!
Thanks for the update. All things considered, he's doing well(except for the side effects of Palladia)
Contimore. with more pictures of this handsome fella's please
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!
That is amazing.. can't believe it's has been only other two cases here on this site in l the potential cases.. it's a bummer too as they are growing, thankfully not terribly fast, but I'd love to see them shrink soon via the Palladia.
Yeah tonight he had some blood in his stool from the Palladia so we are skipping a day for him.. and will be seeing the vet for our Chemotherapy recheck in a few days. Just now he had another poop and it was better after metronidazole and some sulcrofate to protect his stomache!
You are right thought Jerry, thankfully my partner used to work in the vet industry and knew very well what Prednisone does, she calmed me down a few times in regards to his side effects. I wish he didn't have panting as a side effect, as it surely could be masking or worsening some of his lung metastasis issues 😞
He's been really enjoying the the pepperoni and sausage snacks we give him, and today he got some Mac and cheese with it and some of his favorite kibble.
I had seen some of those tips, but not all of them! The paper plates is so true.. he won't eat from bowls anymore and requests all food on our plates now.
Also thank you so much for posting the images, I had not taken too much time to figure it out, I tried a few ways but had no luck. So resorting to the shared albums was my choice! You are so right.. he is a gentle soul, but at the dog park he's got a decently sized bubble that all our friends respect (they mainly have young dogs who All play around Gabe, but know if they bump him or float too close while playing they mayyy get yelled at) but he never hurts anyone! Just some corrections 🥰
I got a silly number of photos.. I will add some more too the album here!
Yes I know, Gabe is a rare breed for sure, on so many levels. A very special guy!
Your partner's vet tech experience is so great to have right now! If only we had known what to expect on Pred. Tell your partner to go back to working in the field, clinics are so desperate for skilled techs right now.
I'm glad you found the paper plates trick is working. Did you see this post for his GI upset?
Three Ways to Stop Runny Pet Poop
OMD those photos!!!
Everyone go see more Gabe pics, he will put a smile on your face instantly!
Cameron now that they are in the album, all you have to do is right click on the pic (or tap to copy image if you're on a mobile), and come back here to paste them into your post. Or I'm happy to share some for you, I know you guys have a ton on your mind.
Hope his belly is better today!
Love the photos! The three Jerry posted show his happiness, his gorgeous toothy smile, and so much wisdom and there is so much ontentment iand wisdom in that third photo.. I hopped over and looked at his album pictures too and they are absolutely delightful. You have captured such wonderful memories. Clearly he enjoys going on adventures and vacations with you.
I love that he keeps the youngsters at the park in check with a little reprimand
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!
Thought I's add two more photos from your album. Someone is a mighty good photographer who knows how to capture the moment AND the scenery.
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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