Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Friday the 25th marks the 14th month of Rusty’s amputation; it is hard to believe that it has been over a year since his battle with cancer
began. This update is a little more difficult for me to write as Rusty seems to be entering a new phase in his battle with cancer.
In early March Rusty began having bouts of vomiting and retching, his first episode appeared to have blood in the vomit, so we rushed him to our regular vet’ office. (Dr. Macy lives in Colorado and comes to the desert twice a month) It was 6PM on Friday evening and his regularvet was not in and he was seen by the only vet in the office, who seemed to be in a hurry to go home. He looked at the vomit that we had brought in and said that it was something that he had eaten and gave Rusty a shot and put him on a bland diet for ten days. Rusty continued to have occasional bouts of vomiting and when Dr. Macy was in town last week we took Rusty in to see him.
Dr. Macy did blood work on him, which the other vet did not do, and Rusty’s liver enzymes were off the chart; his initial diagnosis was most likely Pancreatitis. Dr. Macy sent a vial of blood to a lab that specializes in Pancreatitis diagnosis and the results came back yesterday that it is not Pancreatitis, but inconclusive as to what is causing the elevated liver enzymes. We are to keep him on the medications and strict low-fat diet that Dr. Macy prescribed until he is back in town on April 7th. Dr. Macy is not ruling out the return of cancer, but he is hoping it is a result of something else. If there are no changes in the liver functions at that time, Dr. Macy will probably have us take Rusty
to San Diego for diagnostic scans.
Obviously we are very concerned; we know that our time with Rusty is limited but he has been doing so well the past several months that we were hoping that his time with us would be closer to the three years of his original prognosis rather than the one year.
I have posted an update to his chronicles along with additional pictures.
Chuck & Rusty
Rusty is a Labradoodle who was diagnosed with level 3 Fibrosarcoma on January 16th, 2010 and had his left hind leg amputated on January 25th, 2010 five days before his 18 month birthday. Please see Rusty's blog @rusty.tripawds.com. He is putting up one heck of a fight against this terrible disease.
Awww- Happy Ampuversary to our favorite surfer dude.
I'm sorry Rusty is not feeling well. I hope the meds and diet fix the problem.
My only experience with elevated liver enzyme counts had to do with meds- anti inflammatory meds in-particular.
Karen and the pugapalooza
Happy ampuversary, Rusty! You are one handsome dude. I know it is asking a lot for our cancer warriors to not have a set back along the way, but I truly hope this is a very short term setback for you, and you will once again be surfing this summer.
Have a great celebration!
Shanna & Spirit Trouble ~ Trouble gained her wings 3/16/2011, a 27 1/2 month cancer survivor, tail wagging. RIP sweetheart, you are my heart and soul. Run free at Rainbow Bridge.
The November Five - Spirits Max, Cherry, Tika, Trouble & Nova. 11/2008 - 3/2013 An era ends as Queen Nova crossed the Bridge.
Nothing but good thoughts headed your way fro Rusty getting through these new issues. We can't wait to see him surfing again!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Congratulations on Rusty's ampuversary. I hope this illness is nothing more than "a bump in the road," and that he'll be feeling better very soon.
Rusty, you've done so well! Keep up the fight. show them no liver enzymes are going to keep you down! Congrats on the ampuversary.
Leslie
Happy ampuversary, Rusty.
We too hope that whatever is going on is not serious. We have all our fingers and toes and paws crossed and send you a multitude of healing wishes.
Catie -
Birthday – November 4 2003
Amputation – January 13 2010
Crossed the Bridge – June 2 2011
Congrats Rusty on your Ampuversary!!!
What a Boy !!!
I'm so sorry to hear of your liver issues, but hope that it will turn out to be minor and just some flat water in your surfing pursuits.
I just know that you'll continue to do well.
Also, you never take a bad picture, Rusty! Always too cute!
(I'm betting this gets you whatever you want from your pawrents, too!)
hugs,
Denise
Kona turned 9yrs on April 16, 2010.
Kona was diagnosed Memorial Weekend 2010 with osteosarcoma.
Right rear leg amputated on June 4th. First chemo June 18th 2010
Second chemo July 9th, 2010 Third and final (yea !!!) chemo July 30th, 2010
ONE TOUGH GIRL this Australian Cattledog !
***Kona's journey/fight ended late in the evening of December 22, 2010***
We Love you so much Kona….always
Bella 9yrs, albino lab/aussie shep/pit?(abandoned in mts as a puppy) deaf & blind (from birth) in one eye limited vision in other.(laid back, ok lazy 73 lbs)
Cotton, 5yrs, albino hound/terrier of somesort/???(abandoned in mts as a puppy) deaf & blind in one eye(from birth), excellent vision in seeing eye. (ball addict…destroyer of Kong balls…yes,etc), high energy 55lbs knots of muscle)
Kona Kai's pup brother and sister as well as her buddy and playmate cat, Shaymous 12yrs (like Seamus), miss her terribly.
Rusty is such a cutie! Congratulations on 14 months. I hope your doctor can figure out the elevated liver enzymes and get Rusty on the mend again.
Debra & Emily, a five year old doberman mix, who was diagnosed with an osteosaecoma. She had a right rear leg amputation on May 19, 2009. On November 10, 2009 she earned her wings and regained her fourth leg.
Happy Ampuversary Rusty! We hope your feeling better soon.
Cynthia & Isabelle
Congrats Rusty on your ampuversary. Hope you're feeling better soon and that it's nothing too serious. You are a very handsome surfer dude!
Laura and Angel Tai
Tai – 9 yr old lab. Diagnosed Osteosarcoma Dec 18/09. Front right leg amputated Dec 21/09. Started chemo Jan 7/10. Lung mets discovered Sept 16/10. Valiant to the end on Oct 26/10 when cancer reappeared in a leg and we made the decision to set her free. Forever in my heart where not even cancer can take her from me.
Happy ampuversary Rusty! You are one totally awesome surfer dude! I hope everything turns out ok with the liver enzymes. Dr. Macy was Sadie's oncologist too. I really like him, he's very professional, yet compassionate. You can tell he enjoys what he does. Please keep us posted.
Sadie is my 9yr old Rott/Shepherd mix. Diagnosed with osteosarcoma in her right scapula 1/28/10. Our brave girl had her amputation 2/13/10 and her last chemotherapy on 6/6/10. Unfortunately, a tumor appeared in her back right leg and on 10/7/2010 Sadie's earthly journey came to an end. On 10/24/2010 we adopted Ranger, a handsome Rott/Lab mix tripawd (got hit by a car) I think Sadie sent him to us.
http://ranger.t.....pawds.com/
Rusty you are so darned cute! Dang, I'm sorry about those liver enzymes and really hope that they start behaving themselves. In the meantime remember that Tripawdland is having an ampuversary pawty on your behalf...congratulations!!!!
Please keep us posted OK? I know your spirit and spunk can get you though anything.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Congrats Rusty 14 months is so pawsome. I hope you will be feeling better very soon. Please keep us updated with how you are feeling. My thoughts will be with you.
Jo Ann & Tasha
Tasha 8 years old, First cancer diagnosis 6/26/09, Last cancer diagnosis 9/26/09, Amputation 10/01/09, Loving our girl moment by moment.
Tasha lost her battle and became my Angel on May 4 2011. Forever in my heart….
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