Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hi. Just wanted to add that currently ours is a five-dog pack. The four are taller and bigger than Sandee. Three are older at 15, 13 and 13. One is younger at 3. When Sandee came home, we allowed one dog at a time to visit with her and check out her new appearance and smells. Each of them was curious, but thankfully cautious and respectful. I'm watching like a hawk, but have only had to run minimal interference. When anyone approaches her, I just remind them to go "easy". I'm so proud of our dogs and love them individually and as a pack.
I hope all goes very well for Haley.
Erin that's a great progress report. We have our paws crossed that she kicks cancer's butt for a very, very long time.
Yes, animals are exceptionally good at hiding their pain. Here's a Tripawds Downloads Blog article that might help you see pain signals :
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Glad to hear that Haley is doing well and is getting around. When Cadence came home, I just kept on giving her the pain medication as the vet directed me to. There were times that I thought she didn't need it, but dogs can be very stoic and not make us aware that they are in pain. I continued to give them to her until the vet told me to stop. I think she was on them until she got her stitches out, but we were able to decrease the amount of times we were giving them to her.
Im wishing Haley all the best and a speedy recovery. Keep us posted.
“Dogs are our link to paradise. They don't know evil or jealousy or discontent. To sit with a dog on a hillside on a glorious afternoon is to be back in Eden, where doing nothing was not boring--it was peace.” ― Milan Kundera
Just got to your post and soooo glad Haley is doing so well! So glad to have another goody worry wart person on board!!!There isn't anything you haven't worried about I bet' that I haven't already created a whole scarey scenario in my head and gone off the deep end!!!And this site is the ready cure for that!
You must get on here anytime of day or right and someone is here to help support you and calm any nerves that maybe on overload!!
It really is so natural for a good paw parent to worry and be overwhelmed at first. Everything is so new and c#n be scarey. As your Haley continues to recover and you see how really happy and joyful she is, you will really be happy and joyful to! In fact, give yourself permission to feel those emotions right now!!
Don't worry about statistics, diagnosis, etc. You have your Haley and all of your pack home together and all is well!!Look at Haley, she's not worried about a thing!!!
You are still early in recovery and she may have ups and downs for awhile so UST know that,'s normal. Keep her pain meds steady for awhile as the vet prescribed. Usually,if she's in pain, she may pant, may be restless, whimper, body pposture must looks tight and uncomfortable, ears droopy or pinned back.....and sometimes the drugs can cause the same sysmptons!!!! Keeps us on our toes, Hus?
You are doing a great job and you are a strong paw parent!!
Let us worry for you.....our job is to lo e, pet and enjoy and feel rate the victories!!!
We are here for you, Sally and Happy Hannah
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!
A mitotic index of 7 isn't as high as it can be, so try to rest a little easy. Try. I know it's hard!
As for pain issues, it's tough. Too many drugs and pain can look the same. I suspect that while on pain meds, your pup will act a little different and all that is compounded by the fact that they are recovering from major Sx and adjusting to a new life. It's a tough tough time. You know your pup best, so if you think something isn't right, call your vet and discuss pain issues. I find it's one of the most talked about topics here - how to tell when they're in pain and how to manage it. You can always, with vet's permission, give more med and see what happens. You can also see what less medication looks like/does....? Hang in there!
~ Katy
ACL tear in right hind leg 12/5/12 and scheduled ACL repair surgery 12/21/12. Pre-op xrays revealed osteosarcoma. Amputation 12/28/12. Chemo (carboplatin) started Jan 10, 2013 and ended on April 5, for a total of 5 doses. He handled carbo like a champ! No side effects. We started metronomic therapy at his third chemo and have been also doing some holistic treatments. He's a lively, playful 10 year old huskie-boarder collie and a very proud member of the Winter Warriors! Our love. Our funny little guy!
Hey guys! I just wanted to let ya'll know Haley is still doing so well! She is still groggy at times, as to be expected, but she is also starting to show signs of her happy self too!! (see video I believe I attached... I'm trying!)
Thank you all so much for your encouragement. It has meant a lot! Now that I think I am getting over my initial 'freak out' stage, I believe I am going to get a good nights sleep, and maybe tomorrow I can help new comers with some stories and encouragement of my own. I sure hope to be a part of this site for a long time to come!!!
(Oh, and Katy... really?? 7 isn't high? My oncologist made it seem like it was a death sentence???)
http://s120.pho.....7.mp4.html
Erin
Haley you're looking GREAT! Keep it up!
Erin, it's still early in the recovery process but she is doing terrific. Stay strong, you'll both be over this soon.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
In mast cell oncologists like to see the MI less than 5. I haven't been reading as much lately but I don't remember that each number over 5 was any worse, or that there was any kind of scale.
Have you said what grade the tumor was?
Of course those are just numbers- Maggie's prognosis was 6 to 9 months, and I remember talking with the oncologist about chemo and 'hoping' to get 6 months or a little more. I don't remember what her MI was. I know we talked about it pre-surgery, and her tumor was a grade II. The lymph node involvement was a surprise in her case- I guess after that I lost sight of knowing the MI.
I thought of a couple more blogs for you to check out. Angel Rio survived around 4 years battling all the way. She had all kinds of treatments for MCTs in different locations before she had her amp.
And Roxy is a front leg amp boxer girl who is doing great more than 3 years after her amp for a grade III MCT.
Sounds like Haley is on the road to recovery!
Karen
Hi! I just happened to stop in and catch this thread. I'm Roxy's mom, the boxer that Karen mentioned above. Like Karen said, Roxy's MCT was grade III, her mitotic index was 8. I know that Roxy really isn't the normal story that you hear related to aggressive MCT's. but I just wanted you to know that anything is possible. I really hope your family is as blessed as we have been with Roxy. I hope Haley's recovery is still going smooth.
Leslie
Hey guys. Sorry I have been MIA for the last few days. Haley took a turn for the worse. She was recovering well, and then on Sunday night we noticed her incision was swollen and she was very, very agitated. She was banging her head around and wouldn’t sit still. We contemplated taking her into the ER (a place we have visited too many times on this journey already), but decided we would just lay with her and calm her until Monday morning and then take her into our vet. Monday I dropped her off to have them look to see what was going on. They called me Monday afternoon and told me that she had fluid build up in her wound area, and it looked infected. They sent some cultures to be evaluated at a lab, but would start her on a different antibiotic to try to start killing the infection. They also decided to take her off of Tramadol (one of the two main pain killers she has been taking). They thought some of her agitation was coming from over use of the Tramadol (she has been on it every 4 hours for over 3 weeks now).
So, we have had her home and off of the Tramadol now. I think that was part of the problem, because she seems to have some of her ‘personality’ back that had been missing for a few weeks since she has been so drugged.
However, the vet just called me and told me they got the results back, and her infection is pretty bad. She thinks it was something that had gotten into her blood from the initial infection from where Haley had chewed into her skin from the MCT removal. They are going to start her on two new antibiotics that appear to work against this strain of infection from the culture they took. One of them is dangerous to Human Red Blood Cells so we have to use gloves (I’m a bit worried about this with a 4 year old in my house)…..
So… long story long I guess… but we start new treatment tonight. I am so tired of all of this, and I can only imagine how tired Haley is… She has had her e-collar on for over 3 weeks now…. With no end in sight…. When will this all end… Poor poor girl… I feel so bad for her…..
Erin
Keeps cutting of so brief. Long time to be on tramadol with such frequent doses....you will see ore positive change ow
Antibiotic will kick in soon
You will see recovery!!!You will,!!
It is normal to be tired and scared and we are here for you. Sorry so sort just had to reach out and give you hug!
Sally and Happy Hannah. Sending OK calm and reassurance everything will be better soon!
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!
Hang in there Erin. We have had a few pups here successfully fight infections after their amps. It is not the easy route to recovery but it can be done. I bet Haley will feel better off the tram so that is a positive to hang on to.
Poor pup in the cone- have you looked to see if an alternative would work? There are some ideas in the the Gear Blog - Cone of Shame alternatives.
I know you need to keep her away from the infection.... I do have two sizes of the inflatable collar, and one soft cone that might be more comfortable. If you are interested send me her neck measurement in a PM and I will send them too you if they are the right size.
Karen
Hey everyone. I wanted to share some bad news... We have been fighting this infection, and finally got it under control... Just as soon as we got the first 'good' report from the doctor, we turned around to find out before we got her healthy enough to treat her cancer, it has taken over... Haley left us today to wait for us on the other side. I am happy to know that she is no longer in pain, but we will miss her so much. She was perhaps the sweetest, friendliest, happiest dog I have ever known. We will all miss her dearly.
Erin
Oh no! I was excited to see an update from you, I did not expect this at all.
I am so sorry Haley's cancer was so aggressive. You gave her every chance, its just not fair.
I hope the good memories of happy times will easy the pain just a little. Haley will always be in your heart and so will always be by your side.
Karen and Spirit Maggie
Erin, we are completely heartbroken and so very sorry! We know how hard you both fought this phase battle, I know you must be so sad. Please know we are thinking of you and sending all our love and condolences. If you'd like to share more about Haley's life, come to our Coping with Loss Forum. It can really help to write about all of the good times.
May Haley run free like a puppy, forever and ever. Her shining spirit will always be by your side.
{{{{{{hugs}}}}}}
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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