Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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The bunnies are roaming free and use litter boxes as well. We have two, a couple, Schorschi and Olivia.
The cats love them and they do great together. Specially Bruno, our other boy, is very attached to them 🙂
Just called the vet and the oncologist who will do Jimmi chemo wasn't here today, he will call us back tomorrow to answer all our questions.
Hope everyone is well!
Bettina
How ADORABLE is that ! Thats really something kitties and bunnies getting along WOW:)
You have a special family there!
Keep us posted on Jimmi and his chemo , hope all goes very well and uneventful for you guys!
Love seeing the whole family very touching !
Hugs and chin scratches to all 😉
Holly & Purrkins
ADORABLE!! ABSOLUTELY ADORABLE!!! 🙂 🙂 🙂
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!
Hi Everyone!
Just wanted to post the quick update that we still don't have any update...
The oncologist was so involved in emergency surgeries that we didn't talk about when to start the chemo yet. He called once when I wasn't at home 
and left a voice message, when I called back he was in another surgery again. Bad timing.
Hope tomorrow we'll be able to talk as I read time is precious when it comes to osteosarcoma and we don't wanna waste any.
Jimmi currently is doin' great, he's very playful, talkative and adventurous, much better like last week. His hair starts growing back, too. He now looks like rocking some sweet velvet pants
He's definitely doin' better like me, I really need to get my worrying under control. I find myself sleepless every night and I'm severely chronic ill myself and sleep is so essential. It SUCKS when the mind carousel just doesn't want to stop.
I constantly tell myself that I have to grow acceptance of whatever the future will come with, we cannot do more like what is in our power.
I keep on googling for experiences for osteosarcoma in cats who already have lung metas, but can't find any. All cases with amputation I can find still had clear lungs (LUCKY THEM!!!)
I'm so on high alert...one time Jimmi started hacking and I instantly suffered a panic attack fearing this could be the first time his metastases are mucking up. But it lasted only a few coughs and never occurred again since.
I had to remind myself that cats are being cats and sometimes simply have some HAIR tickling their throat 
I'm somehow beside myself and really need to calm down a little ... (this being said while sipping on valerian tea).
He's still on his thymus therapy and metacam every 2 days. His mobility is amazing. The only thing I sometimes notice is that he sometimes seems to "forget" a limb is missing, wants to lean on it and then briefly hops in a circle around himself, but never falls.
Interesting I find that the faster he walks/runs the better the balance. He's SO good in balancing around the edge of the bathtub or the sofa, but by jumping on the foot rest of our TV chair he sometimes briefly struggles a bit. But really nothing drastic.
I'll post an update as soon I spoke to the vet.
Here is hoping that you and your loved ones have a happy and healthy as possible day
Glad Jimmi is so GREAT and each week is better for him! Wearing his Velvet pants lol It is a different layer under there ! Purrkins coat is almost back. It will have taken him 4 months to get all that fur back.
They do run faster on 3 and get along better when running or jogging. You can't even tell they are tripawds running :)Pretty amazing
Worry is part of this journey and I think we all are on high alert for the smallest of things once we undergo this journey . I notice things on Purrkins now I never noticed before, then I have to go look at his brother for comparison .I think its our way of trying to protect them and get ahead of anything if possible. We love them and hate this has happened to them!
Thats the worst for all of us its not in our control, this disease has its own rules.
Follow Jimmi's lead he is doing great and hold on to that and try and I know its not easy, try living one day at a time. Jimmi is living a happy life on 3 recovering beautifully! Try to focus on the here and now , I hate for you to miss out on all that is good . I think you will feel better getting on your next step with his chemo. Thats driving you bonkers waiting to get him in and get the treatment started. Non of us know how much time we have left cancer or no cancer each day is a gift.
Talk yourself out of all the negative you can, its a lot of retraining our brains and its a daily battle.
Chamomile tea and lavender tea are also helpful like your Valerian;) Deep breathes in hold and exhale slowly also can do wonders;)
Hugs to you and Jimmi and the sweet family .
Holly and Purrkins
Yep! Ditto Holly!!
YAAAAAAAAAY FOR JIMMI!!! He's doing really, really well! It continues to get even better 🙂 🙂
Must remind yourself that anytime you spend energy worrying about the tomorrows, you are taking time away from enjoying the todays...the now that you and Jimmi do nave!! THE biggest lesson is learning to live in the NOW!! Let NOTHING rob you of your time together! To waste time worrying deprives us of the gift of bonus time we have. Don't throw that gift away. It's hard though, but you can do it!! Your love for Jimmi is a powerful tool to keep yoj focused on the joy of having him by your side!
Hugs and love!
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 your head is spinning, mine would be too. Jimmi is a rare kitty in so many senses of the word. Nobody wants to be the odd duck in the cancer world, but try to look at it like this...whatever comes next, you and he are setting a precedent. From now on, others who find themselves in the same situation, feline osteosarcoma with mets, will turn to you and him for insight and reassurance. Together, you both are making a difference in this world and you are truly one of a kind.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hey everyone!
Holly "I think its our way of trying to protect them and get ahead of anything if possible."
You totally nailed it. I lived with pets from baby times on, assisted a vet, volunteered so many years in shelters ans rescues, so you can imagine it's not the first time going through illness with a four legged friend. You would think one gets a bit tougher with time...but not really 
But this time I think it's that several blows came together, in the human family, health-wise and we just lost a Bunny totally out of the sudden only a few weeks before Jimmi got diagnosed.
That misery came in bulk to us lately is a bit overwhelming. BUT - this too shall pass!!
Monday we got an appointment for Jimmi, but it's possible that we need to head to the vet tomorrow already, with our girl Mimi, as I somehow sense a cold maybe is on its way. She was sneezing several times, has a bit teary eyes and camps in front of the fire place.
She's our oldest, a few months older like Jimmi, and better safe than sorry. I also want to avoid that Jimmi catches it up.
I hope that one day our story will help others, why I want to document everything here.
I guess many vets advise against amputation as soon it has spread elsewhere. I asked the oncologist for his opinion and he said in the light of the small size of the lung metastases and Jimmis otherwise great condition for his age - if it was his own cat, he'd definitely go for it.
And this was essential for our decision. And I already know we won't regret it as the surgery and recovery in Jimmi's case went so very swift and flawless. Two weeks and he was all himself again.
Today we had fun - changing the bed sheets always is a highlight for the kitties.
I'm sure most of you know 
It's getting chilly here in Bavaria, we're expecting snow this night.
Fingers crossed for you all and thanks for all your support and understanding. This place offers so much comfort
Bettina and Family
Ah yes, linen changes are delightful with cats! Glad you're having fun, and I really appreciate that your vet gave you his personal opinion as far as choice goes. The fact that Jimmi is having a ball right now, and not in pain, shows that it was worth it. He would not be having this same enjoyment otherwise. Of course, facing what may be next is miserable. I feel a bit of that myself, and have woken up in a panic from time to time, even though Harry's cancer hadn't spread (at least in a visible way) - he coughs off and on because he has feline asthma, but his attacks are so rare that he's no longer medicated for it. He had the first one in months, last night, and I was nearly beside myself...but managed to get a grip, lol.
Anyway, even though his lungs were visibly clear, it IS cancer and could very easily come back at any time, so I do worry about the limited time he has left as well (although, I'm sure, not as pressingly as you do) and it makes me panicky or sad.....but as everyone has said, I just focus on the present.
I look at him, and he's totally content. Utterly spoiled. Perfectly comfortable, and enjoying his life. He has no idea there's an end coming some day. He just wants his food, and his toys, and his cuddles. And he gets it all, lol. It's a damn good life, really. And lucky me, I get to be the food/toy/cuddle provider and benefit from his love in return. Making a regular effort to see him like that, helps.
I hope you get some answers/next steps soon. Hang tough and love on all the little guys you have around you, as much as you can.
That is such a darling photo of Bruno and his buddy. I have a male cat named Eli who would love to cuddle with my tripawd Mona but she won't have it. She'll allow him to sleep next to her but not touching yet she's very cuddly with me. Maybe Eli needs a bunny...
Rest assured you are doing everything you can for Jimmi. It was a huge emotional blow for you to learn about his cancer. The worst part is that it will progress but there will be treatment to keep Jimmi comfortable and happy. Please care for yourself too so you can enjoy Jimmi.
I'll have to find some Valerian tea. I haven't heard of it before but sounds useful for relaxing the mind before bedtime.
I hope your appointment goes well.
Kerren and Tripawd Kitty Mona
Kerren, we have three cats, and they never been into cuddling or curling up together.
Sometimes Mimi and Jimmi interact by playing or sleep at the same place without touching each other. Jimmi letting Mimi briefly lick his head is the most extreme flight.
Bruno is a couple of years younger like the two. We found him abandoned on the street in front of our house when he was barely old enough to survive separated from his Mom. We don't know how this happened, but due to this he totally missed learning how to socialize with other cats. He's 8 year old now, the biggest whopper of the three, he's not aware of his strength at all and still thinks he's a kitten.
All he knows to do with the other two is wild wrestling and "love bites", what makes him a bit of a loner of the trio.
As you can guess, the patience the other two show to him is very limited when he knows nothing but going berserk
But magically, with the bunnies, he gets along and senses how far he can go and where the fun stops. He can "read" their body language so much better like of other cats.
Bettina and Family,
Just checking in to see how your guys are doing?
Did you get in to see Oncology and get Jimmi started on chemo?
How did Mimi check out with her cold?
Hope you guys are all doing well and had a good Thanksgiving.
Hugs to you all!
Holly & Purrkins
Hi fellow Tripawdies!
I'm so sorry for being absent for so long! I've had a bigger flare up myself (I have mastocytosis) what kept me in bed and on couch for a few days.
All is GOOD here, thanks so much for thinking of us
Mimi is doin' better, and Jimmi is doin' GREAT. I'm so happy I can say he's very frisky and all himself, eating well, playing a lot and back to CHATTING a lot again 
Next tuesday we will bring Jimmi to the vet in the morning. He will get a short anesthesia for another cat scan to check how his lungs look like and they will also use this opportunity to take a look at his TEETH.
We knew that he might needs a little dental work done before the diagnosis already. He needs a cleaning and there are two teeth they want to take a closer look at before starting chemo, cause in case there is any inflammation or something it can cause an unpleasant immune response when he gets the chemo.
Knowing he maybe has teeth issues I asked the oncologist and he said it's good I draw his attention to this.
From what a human family member experienced I recalled that an infected tooth can be a problem during chemo and he confirmed this is the same case for cats.
Not so happy about another anesthesia, but better safe than sorry.
We'll drop him at the vet in the morning and the same day in the late afternoon we can take him home again.
How are YOU and your loved ones all doin'?
Sending love and some paw high fives from Jimmi to all of you!!
Bettina XOXO
Bettina I'm so glad you're feeling better! And the critters too! I hope you don't mind but I just had to put Jimmi's photo in our Gallery, the picture with one of your rabbits. It's priceless!
Meanwhile, I just want to applaud your veterinarian. That is SUPER conscientious about checking on possible dental work before anything else, because yep, it can cause an issue if the immune system is compromised. Try not to worry about the anesthesia, it sounds like your vet is very current on modern protocols. We'll be thinking of you and sending lots of pawsitivity.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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