Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Quick pre-weekend update. Everything going well, walk frequency and length increased and he seems more than happy in himself. The only thing that is a concern is that he has a heavy chest as if it sounds rough.
When he barks theres like a rough after sound, and when hes asleep hes snoring very loud in certain positions. Now this could just be a chest/ fluid issue, but obviously my mind goes to the next infection site with OSA being the lungs. Pre-op he had no evidence of mets but this was obviously around 6 weeks ago now and we only have 1 carboplatin treatment under our belts.
We go back Tuesaday and im going to mention it to the doctor as he isnt due another scan until after the 3rd treatment, but he will no doubt listen to his chest and make a call on whats best.
From what i understand if they find mets they will likely recommend we cease chemotherapy. Obviously now we just need to wait and hope.
OK first we need to celebrate Ronnie getting stronger! 
YAY! That's wonderful news. You forgot to share a picture today!
And it tells me that whatever might be bothering him is not something so bad that it will affect his stamina. Yes, our mind always goes to lung mets, that's normal. We often joke that our vets should give us home x-ray machines so we can check every time our Tripawd starts coughing or acting odd! 😉
But most times what we think are signs are just things like allergies, some kind of other minor health issue. I'm going to bet that's the case here. How is his appetite? Everything else OK?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Until this journey, something like you described with Ronnie wouldn't even register on your radar screen. Or at the very least, you would just assume a slight respiratory infection or allergy. (which is most likely the case). It's hafd fof us to remember that usually a hiccup is just a hiccup, a lump is just a lump, etc. We understand it's hard not to jump ahead to worse case scenario, we all do it so well! So just have the Vet listen to his chest Tuesday and see if he needs an antibiotic, or some for allergies. And one more thought, the original surgery anesthesia turning down the throat an sometimes cause irritation sounds.
Ronnie is really doing well and, as Jerry said, we need to celebrate that.....along with a picture! BTW, the video of him doing stairs in previous ppst was quite remarkable.
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!
OK well i am coming to you direct from a Starbucks in Ellesmere Port. Ronnie has just been dropped at the hospital for chemo session number 2 so I'm working from here for 3 hours until i can go and collect him again.
I discussed my concerns about his snoring and rough breath at times and they said they can have a listen to him but theres not a lot they can tell without running a scan and realistically if they scan and find nothing then he will still have chemo and if they scan and find something they will stop chemo and thats about it.
They opted to go ahead with it today and suggested they can bring the scan forward from session 4 to 3 and do it in 3 weeks when we're back in. In the interim if i want i can have my own x-ray done at a local animal trust which is around half the price at £225 as opposed to the £500 or so it would cost for x rays or £650 for MRI.
Essentially as he has no cough and no specific signs of mets such as coughing, discharge from nose or loss of appetite due to pain etc we need to just crack on with the plan.
heres a recent pic just to try and make this post less depressing!
Wheeee! How did the session go?
I think cracking on with the plan is a good idea. We all wish we knew exactly what was happening inside our doggie's lungs at any given moment when we are dealing with osteosarcoma. But doing our best to get on with life, just as they are, is one of the greatest lessons that disease teaches us. You are doing a fine job!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
That picture...OMD...PRICELESS!!! GRINNING EAR TO EAR OVER HERE! He is just so darn adorable!
I think the approach the Onco offered was a good one. Keep on keeping on u less there's a reason not. And right now all systems are GO with no reason to stop!!
Here's to CRACK ON RONNIE😎
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!
hey all, quick update on the session. NOT THE BEST!
while his first time was a breeze this is the polar opposite but there are reasons.
Firstly on my way back to the clinic i got a call to say that unlike last time he was not happy about having a line placed to do the infusion and due to the risks associated asked if they could sedate him. Now he has been sedated before so i had no concerns and agreed. They went ahead with the process but as it turns out they sedated him, completed therapy and then gave him an injection to reverse the sedation all in around a 45 min period.
So when he came out after treatment his mouth was agape he was very dozy and had trouble standing for long. He slept the 90 min drive home and then most of the afternoon. However he then had what can only described as a 24 hour hangover. his belly is squeaking and groaning, his breathing is rough and he;s very whiney.
his appetite is ravenous still, much like myself when nursing a hangover but the anti sickness injection post treatment and tablets i have given him since dont seem to have the same effect. last time out his walking schedule wasnt changed at all and his energy levels were fine. this time though when going for a walk the following day he was stopping and drooling so we turned around and went home.
He also clocked in at 99.6 degrees which is half a degree above mild pneumonia so im going to watch this and return to my vet for another WBC count in a weeks time.
I'm writing this at 4am UK time as he isn't settled so neither am i so i logged on to do some work and thought i'd post an update for the historic record!
Oh gosh I’m sorry for the side effects! Poor Ronnie, it sounds miserable but not serious right? I sure hope so. Have you talked to the vet?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Geez, sorry this treatment was rough Ronnie. And yes he had a lot going his system all at once...the chemo the sedation the reversal shot.
I would keep your Onco or regular Vet jn the loop. I know the "lightly sedation" often takes my dogs a good 24 hrs to shake off.
If I'm reading this right, the drooling. low energy, trouble standing, etc, all happened Friday and Saturday.
How is he now? Still drooling, weak etc,mor back to normal?
Also just to clarify, is that staph infection cleared up?
So does the Vet think he has "borderline pneumonia"? Seems to me he would have offered some treatment and delayed the chemo, if he has "mild" pneumonia.
Do keep your Vet jn the look of the distress is still continuing. The chemo dose may need to be lowered or given a bit further apart.
Hoping since most of this was Friday and Saturday, that he is back to normal now.
Okay Ronnie, we're all cheering for you! So no more issues, okay??
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!
Just an update all, Ronnie bounced back well after a few days post chemo which was good to see. It seems the sedation process is what had the biggest impact on him so I'm keen to avoid putting him through that again in a hurry.
One thing i can say is that he doesn't seem himself the last few weeks since. he is back to his normal self but at times he just stares at me and i can something in him telling me his isn't feeling good. His breathing i feel has got heavier and deeper and occasionally it seems irregular with an in-in-in-out rhythm that just just doesnt' seem comfortable. He's also slowing down a little on his walks in general.
I'm fairly certain that it has indeed found it's way to his lungs and I don't want to have another chemo next week and then have him suffer even further. So seeing as im picking up the bill anyway im going to ask that they scan him next week before we make a call on having the chemo.
If it's clear we go ahead, if not i can be safe in knowledge i acted on my gut for his benefit and we can start him on some pain relief and meds to manage the situation going forward.
It's all about quality of life and being pain free and I won't follow a treatment schedule if i feel there's something underlying we are ignoring until we have had 4 sessions and then finding it on a scan.
I'm sure others have been in a similar place but this is my thinking as it stands.
Thanka for the update! 'Been wondering how that adorable cute boy has been doing!
The plan forward sounds like a good one. Get that xray done and then you can determine the best path, whether it be chemo, no chemo, other options, etc, You clearly love Ronmie and will always do what's in his best interest and make sure his quality is maintained. ❤
Walking on three can make dogs tire a lot quicker, especially in the Summer heat. And allergies can pop up this time of year that alters their breathing pattern too. I know the Bet mentioned "borderline pneumonia " earlier and that could still be in play too.
What are the lengths of his walks?
One more thought, it may be that Ronnie still needs a low dose of pain management like Gabapentin, or ,maybe be back on Rimadyl. Obviously only at a Vet's direcrion. Also, Prednisone can be a vig help for a variety of breathing issues. Again, run all this by your Bet.
Now, about doing an update without a picture of Ronnie??? Really??? What were you thinking??? Pictures!!!!!! We need pictures of Ronnie!!!
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!
It's good thinking, and you have a great attitude. Rest assured though, that many times what we think is the cancer metastasis happening is something else. I can't blame you for wanting to get an x-ray, it will put your mind at ease.
Until then keep in mind that with the weather being warmer, that could be affecting him too. Especially because of his breed type and breathing issues that can happen.
Our first summer with Jerry post op, he started acting lethargic and breathing heavy. I was convinced it was mets, and when I called the vet she pointed out how we were in the desert in July and I went "Duh!" It wasn't mets. So I hope it's the same for you and Ronnie! Keep us posted and give that lovely boy of yours extra smooches from us. Thanks for dropping by.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi, just to let you know I am going thru the same with Brownie. Sometimes he has a hack, or he makes a weird growling sound bit he is not growling. I took him for an xray and they did see markings on his lungs but they said it could be scaring from being a mature dog, or Bronchitis. We won't know until Monday when the radiologist looks at the Xray. We are keeping fingers and paws crossed.
Brownie and I wish the best for you and Ronnie. He is such a cutie. Every time you post a pic I want to just pick him up!
My Beautiful Beloved Brownie was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma on February 26, 2019. With all odds against him he lived an additional one year and eight days with amputation, love, and prayer. I was honored to be his mom, and I have never been so proud! He will live forever in my Heart!
04/01/2007 - 03/05/2020
"March Saint"
I called the Vet this morning and mentioned about the coughing. We are keeping the thursday appointment but they are bringing forward his scan to take place first and we will then determine the best course of action dependent on what we see.
I hope Brownie gets some good news.
I'm trying to think positively but it's tough going this week. You always want to imagine yourself as one of the 'best case' scenarios that defies the odds, but it's looking rather more overcast the outlook at this point. He's happy thats all that matters.
Watch this space for an update on Thursday....
ronniethepuggle said
I'm trying to think positively but it's tough....
Follow Ronnie's lead...if you have not already done so, listen to the Be More Dog keynote for tips about how to Be More Dog .
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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