Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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What an ordeal! I went to pick up Jackson from his primary vet this AM, but had to transfer him to an internist for an ultrasound. His platelet count was down to 13k. It should be near 155k. An ultrasound revealed what I KNEW: another cancer: Hemangiosarcoma. It's growing on his strong, magnificent heart. About 1cm. It was impacting his heart's ability to work well and there was a tremendous amount of fluid building up around his heart and lungs. We debated bringing him home and releasing him to the bridge tonight. It was a tough call. We decided, though, to move forward with an aspiration. They got 2 LITERS of fluid from him! He's immediately feeling better and we're optimistic that now home, he'll be comfortable and can enjoy his space for a few more days. On average, her patients make it 3 weeks. Some a few days. Some, 6 months. This is by no means a fix and we won't aspirate again. The goal is to get him home and let him enjoy his space before he dies. We know what the symptoms look like and won't pause. Jackson will die at home, on his blankets, on his bed, surrounded by love and comfort. Until then, my boy is home and we can spoil him!
I had to cancel my work travel this week and I said to my bosses that I have a "family emergency." I know you get it. But, I'm not quite sure they do. Whatever. It is. Jackson is. If I didn't, I'd be bawling my eyes out while trying to be professional. I know I made the right move and I'll just deal with what comes...
HUGS to your special buddies tonight. I've got loads of love to share with my pup.
~ Katy & Jackson
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!
Oh Katy. . I'm so so very sorry. You guys are in my prayers. . There's never the right words 
Just know we are here for you and thinking of you and wishing for nothing but peace and comfort for you all.
Many many hugs,
Lori and the family
Oh, Katy. It breaks my heart to read this. We came here at almost the same time, so I feel like I know you and your wonderful Jackson. I know there are no words to make things better, but you can be sure that we are holding you all in our hearts and walking the steps along with you.
Kathi and Murphy
Murphy is a five year old Lab/Chessie cross. He was hit by a car on 10/29/12 and became a Tripawd on 11/24/12. On 2/5/13, he had a total hip replacement on his remaining back leg. He has absolutely no idea that he has only three legs!
UPDATE: Murphy lived his life to the fullest, right up until an aggressive bone lesion took him across the Rainbow Bridge on April 9, 2015 and he gained his membership in the April Angels. Run free, my love. You deserve it!
Katy I am so sorry. My heart is just aching for you. Hemangiosarcoma took my Jake, it was his second cancer too....I just want to scream for you and Jackson right now. You are an amazing mom and I'm glad you were able to take off work so Jackson can be surrounded by love....you will never ever regret that, and who cares what anyone else thinks about it. Jackson has been a great dog and you get to be there for him when he needs you most. Many many HUGS to you
Mom to Tripawd Angels Jake (2001-2014) and Rosco (2012-2015) and Tripawd Tanner. “Whatever happens tomorrow, we had today; and I'll always remember it”
Katy,
I am so so sorry. I had a bad feeling when you said his platelets didn't rebound. I was trying to stay positive for you. I am sorry. My heart is breaking in 1/2. Jackson has kicked butt. I get it I totally get it. I was too afraid to do the aspirate with Sassy. I understand where you are coming from with taking J home.
My thoughts are with you guys. Love you & Jackson. Please give him extra extra hugs & treats from us. Know that when it is his time there will be many to greet him.
hugs
Michelle & Angel Sassy
Sassy is a proud member of the Winter Warriors. Live long, & strong Winter Warriors.
sassysugarbear.tripawds.com
07/26/2006 - Sassy earned her wings 08/20/2013
05/04/2006 - Bosch, Sassy's pal, earned his wings 03/29/19 fought cancer for 4 months.
"You aren't doing it TO her, you are doing it FOR her. Give her a chance at life."
Oh Katy... I was worried too about the platelets and was going to share that Shelby had a transfusion and it did help... but I am so sorry about the hemangiosarcoma. That is what took my sweet Shelby too... and my best friend's dog suddenly a couple months ago.
I don't know if you remember telling me to take the time off work the week Shelby passed even though I had a huge event. And I did and I have no regrets. It was definitely a family emergency. So I am glad you are staying home this week. Jackson will be with his family where he needs to be.
You all kicked some amazing cancer BUTT and we are SOOOOOO proud of you!!! Home is where Jackson needs to be - spoiled, loved and in his space... I hope time is on your side but know I am holding you in my heart tonight. My heart is breaking right now. I am just so sad and angry. But I know that when the time comes, miss Shelby will great that handsome boy!
Much love and prayers and hugs (extra ones for little jasper tonight).....
alison with the spirit of shelby fur-ever in her heart (and little jasper too)
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
Katy, I won't deny that there are tears streaming down my face right now, I am just stunned and so sad by this news. Jackson has, and always will be, such a fighter, such a perfect example of having a great life on three legs as an older pup, I never ever considered that something like this could happen. I am so very, very sorry. I admire your quick thinking and plans to make sure that he has some quality time for however long that is, you and your hubby are such dedicated parents, no dog could ask for more, ever.
I hope with all my heart that Jackson gets loads of time despite this latest finding. I'm being selfish. I really don't want the Tripawds Nation to have one more angel. Not yet.
Spoil that boy rotten. Whisper in his beautiful ears that he has tons of people who love him and admire every thing about him. You are all in our thoughts.
{{{{hugs}}}
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Katy, I am so sorry to hear this news. What a wonderful choice to change your work plans to be with him. If they don't get it, then they don't get it. He is family! This journey is just so very hard. The beauty of it from Jackson's point of view is he only knows that tonight he is in his home, surrounded by those who live him. He doesn't know what cancer is. It is the view from our human side that is the hardest. I am hoping that he defies all the odds! Hugs from, Lori, Ty and the 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.
Katy,
I am sick, and so sad, I don't know what to say.......Yes I do, God I hate this cancer......I am so, so sorry about this awful diagnosis of hemangiosarcoma. This crappy cancer took 2 sweet Labs from me, so like Alison, it makes me so angry. I thought there was some kind of hope initially, because my Polly never had low platelets while fighting her hemangiosarcoma, and nor did my Maggie, just way lower than normal RBC counts at the end. And like Elizabeth, my Polly kicked MCT but hemangio took her too.
I am glad he is home with you, make every second of every day count, and spoil him rotten......I am hoping he has the longest amount of quality time possible with you, and so glad you can be with him. Like everyone else has said, Jackson is a huge success story, and kicked the "ugly c's" butt. Our beloved Tripawds are and were, all tough, brave, and fought till the very end. We are all here for you....Sending {{{hugs}}}
Love,
Bonnie, Angels Polly and Maggie, and new girls
Dear Katy,
I am so very sorry to hear this terrible news.
For now - give Jackson lots of hugs, snuggles, kisses, treats and BALLS!!! I admire your choice to "live in the moment" for the time that you have left to spend with him.
I'm going to go give Tucker another hug right now.
Love and hugs
Linda and Tucker
Jackson, our handsome Winter Warrior has bravely fought this @#%$^ cancer. It's bad enough they have one cancer but then to have a secondary (as Libby did as well) just sucks more than I have the words to express.
You, my friend, are courageous as well. I know you will send J over the bridge with respect and grace and in the meantime, you will cherish whatever time he has left. No regrets.
Hugs and Love,
Amy & Spirit Libby
Liberty (Libby) was diagnosed with OSA on 1-22-13. Right front amputation on 1-31-13. No IV Chemo. Metronomic Therapy started 2-19-13 along with supplements and some home cooking. Lungs clear until 1-06-14. She's still her happy, hoppy, bossy self. Living the dog life to the fullest and a proud Winter Warrior. :) RIP my Libby 4-21-03 to 3-19-14
Katy,
I saw this earlier on FB and have been thinking about you and Jackson all afternoon. I know how devastating the second cancer diagnosis is, I lost Tripug Maggie to her second one.
All there is now is to make each day Jackson's best day and follow his lead.
I'm hoping for many, many best days for your boy.
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
Well, my whole body kind of deflated when I read the subject title and your post. I'm really sorry to hear this about Jackson. I was really hoping (as everyone was) that he just had some goofy bug and would be better in a day or two. For what it's worth, you definitely made the right decision to cancel your work trip and stay home. Jackson is your boy, and family comes before everything else. Be with your boy and cherish every moment. I'll be keeping Jackson and you in my thoughts and prayers.
Oh sweet Katy and Jackson...our family...our heroes...both of you. For over two hears now we have been Jacksin's extended famil and he has been...and forever will be our hero!
Everything that can be said, has been said. All the loving energy of this entire community is being sent your way. We all shed tears with you. But we also know Jackson is with you right now and you will not waste one moment focused in anything other than staying n in the present with Jackson...you love him that much.
We know you and your husband will provide exquisite care now that Jackson is home...where he belongs...where he wants to be. The three of you will celebrate every precious second and you will do it all with the most selfless love for Jackson that anyone could ever imagine possible. Jackson knows you will be there for him whatever comes down the road...just like you have ever since he picked you as his soul's partner.
We walk beside you. We love you and Jackson. And now is a perfect time to give him ice cream!!!
Sally and My Eternal Light Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle
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!
Oh, Tripawd Nation! In so many ways I'm thankful you're here. In a major way, I knew this was coming from this community. I knew it was another cancer when they announced his bloodwork wasn't quite right. Frankly, I was expecting it on his spleen or liver coincident with massive internal bleeding. Thankfully that wasn't the case and we were able to drain the fluid and get him home.
I'm thankful that he gets to be at home, be safe, be comfortable, and be at peace vs in a hospital. But knowing the end is very near while at the same time having him here is really tough. I'm simultaneously thrilled beyond measure to take him for a walk and let him sniff and lick the snow. But then I cry because that's one less walk. Or I cry because I know this is his last winter and he'll not see a glorious summer day with sweet grass to roll in. I think about how empty it'll be. Where will I put his toys? Am I going to want to clean up ASAP or leave it out for months? I know many of you have had and are having these same thoughts. How can we not?
I try hard not to cry into his fur, but that's almost impossible not to do either! He's here, and I'm thankful, grateful, and at peace with that. But it's still so tough.
I think he had a good night, except for waking up to pee 3 massive lakes in the house. It's OK. He was jacked up on fluids and he's on a mild diuretic. Whatever. I'm happy to be cleaning up pee. I'll miss it one day...
Thank you for all your love and support. This is a story that has been and will continue repeat performances. It's unfair. It's wrong. And confusing. On one hand, I'm thankful with this cancer he's not in pain. But on the other, there are more uncertainties. To balance that against life demands is stressful. I want to put my life on hold for Jackson's sake, but the world isn't that forgiving.
One day at a time. One kiss at a time. One walk at a time. One pat at a time.
~ Katy & Jackson
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!
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