Thank you for the tips! I truthfully believe it’s the shaved area around the incision that’s bugging her. She’s been pretty good about it, but every so often just does it without even knowing she is I think. Poor girl was actually scratching the “air” the other day. Back leg wanted to scratch something, but she knew she couldn’t! lol. 

I thought about the booties…we do have some, but she’s only had them on once and wasn’t a fan. It likely would throw her off even more right now. I even tried a pair of my toddlers socks with the grippies on the bottom. She looked at me like I was crazy for trying! Ha! 

I went on a mission yesterday to find something slightly thicker and actually more fitting around her neck. Ended up with a lightweight human sweatshirt that we trimmed to size for her. Seems to be helping. Overall the incision still looks to be healing well. Counting the days! 

Hi All! Update on Ra:

We’re seeing more wins daily! She’s making all the initiative now when it comes to going outside, drinking water from her bowl (we’ve been hand feeding her water out of her travel bottle since surgery), or anything else in between. Her pain seems to be managed enough that she’s comfortable around the clock. I can’t express my appreciation enough for the advice I received here on that.

We had one minor event a couple of nights ago where she was lying on her “bad” side and couldn’t re-adjust in the middle of the night. Poor girl woke up yelping in pain, but quickly calmed once she was comfy again. It was also at the “8 hour” mark, so made sense. And she’s still sleeping on a squishy mattress, so I can only imagine how tough it truly was for her. She’s since trained herself that she’s not quite ready to lay on her right side yet. She does show some discomfort on her first “get up” in the morning. Some slight crying, once she’s standing/sitting, but, again, it’s usually time for the next dose of meds. For what it’s worth, I know how I feel when I get up in the morning, so, once again, totally fair considering all she’s been through. 

She wants nothing more than to go upstairs and sleep in her happy place, especially to get away from her crazy, young, human sisters for a while. This got me thinking…are Tripawds able and/or stable enough to do long flights of stairs again? Unattended? What precautions can/should we prep for so she doesn’t hurt herself when we’re not around? Would love some feedback of how to assist that, when she’s ready, of course. Not necessarily in an hurry.

Otherwise, she’s set to get her staples out this coming Monday…incision looks good and has been protected. The sweatshirt has definitely distracted her from the scratching, while still letting some air flow. We hit the 10 day (post op) mark today, so I’m feeling good about it. Anything to watch for after staples are removed? I know she should still probably be restricted as far as activity, but is wound care a thing afterwards? 

She’s showing signs of being “herself” little by little everyday. I’m starting to see our happy, smiling, tail (nub) wagging girl shine through again. She’s one tough cookie if I ever saw one! 

Anyways, thanks for letting me rant and clear my mind here a bit. The last few weeks have been nothing short of a rollercoaster for all of us! I appreciate all the support! 

I didn’t word the X-ray part very well…the vet did say it has spread to her lungs, however, he didn’t elaborate at all. Probably because it was the day before Easter. So, yes, there are mets present, I just didn’t know how bad it looked. I called and left a message for an update and some more info on treatment/pain management moving forward, and just overall asking what we can expect. I haven’t heard back, but I was finally provided with her radiology report. Sounds like there’s 1 larger mass on her diaphragm and a small nodule on her cardiac “silouhette” (?). All organ function is in good shape so far though. 

Currently they have her on Prednisone again, twice a day for 7 days and moving to once a day after that. And also the Gabopentin every 12 hours. It seems to be helping a little. She’s getting some bursts of energy here and there. The breathing wasn’t quite as labored last night…seems to be when she’s in a certain position.  She enjoyed a small truck ride and an afternoon at the park today, and was all smiles and tail wags when I got home from work. 

Thank you for your support and racking your brain with me. I, too, was slightly shell shocked considering how well she was doing just 2 weeks ago. Slightly frustrated that I’m having to dig for answers! 

Either way…the spoiling will definitely not stop from this point on! She’s getting a steak for dinner tonight, as luckily she still has the appetite of a horse! 😊

I’ll update as I hear more. Hoping tomorrow. 

Hi everyone! 

Haven’t been on in a while, and back with an update, and looking for some insight from my trusted friends here! 

Rasta’s still with us. Bless that pup’s will for life! Truthfully, she’s been doing fairly well for the last, almost 3 months, since we found out her cancer had metastasized. 

About 3 weeks ago or so, we noticed swelling in her front, remaining limb. The swelling has now progressed to all remaining limbs. I’m not a vet, of course, and I don’t believe in having her seen again, as the vet is not necessarily her favorite place, all things considered. And, I’m realistic in the sense that the inevitable is coming. After a metastatic diagnosis, I know there is not much to do, if anything at all, other than try to keep her comfy. So, my “web md” diagnosis, if you will, points accurately to hypertrophic osteopathy. Caused by lung mets, no known reason, but directly correlates to osteosarcoma as one of the main sources. Only way to treat it, is to remove the source, which is obviously not an option. It’s painful, and Rasta has shown clear signs of it affecting her, but, as pups will be pups, she’s pushing through it still. 

Long story short, she’s taken a turn for the worse over the last day or so. Still eating, but in increments, as opposed to scarfing down her meals in 3 bites. Still going outside to relieve herself, on her own…but it’s obvious it’s exhausting her. No accidents. Still drinking water. And still wagging her nub of a tail at the sight of her loved ones. I know it’s time though. I’m not trying to prolong her pain and/or suffering, but timing, as per usual, is horrible for this week. My husband has to go out of town this weekend, and we don’t have a free day to say goodbye to her until, at best, next Wednesday. 

I called her vet today and asked if they could prescribe her a stronger pain med to alleviate her symptoms, for a week. She’s currently on Gabopentin and Prednisone, and has been for 3 months. They told me there’s nothing more they can do. The gaba and pred are the only medications that will help her. I find this hard to believe. I have an email in to her oncologist as well, but I’m wondering if anyone else has any insight. I’ve been very frustrated with the lack of follow up and compassion since her metastatic diagnosis from her vet. It’s like, since they know they can’t get any more $$ out of me, they just forgot about us all together. Literally not one follow up call, as they said they would, since March. Off on a rant now…not at all about them, just want to help Rasta as much as I can, at the end. 

I’m heartbroken. And truthfully, a little bitter with life responsibilities! I just want to be with her. And I wish timing wasn’t so awful. I feel like a horrible person that I can’t drop everything to take care of her needs. She’s been my rock for, almost, 10 years and she deserves nothing but the best. We went through with the amputation on the basis that she wouldn’t be in pain, so much, at the end. It would just be the cancer taking a toll, loss of appetite, lethargy, etc. But then this happened, and she’s hurting, and I don’t know what to do! 

Once again, thanks for being an amazing “ear to listen” and “shoulder to cry on”. Sometimes you just have to let it out, I guess.