Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Can you post the xrays? If your dog has pneumonia prednisone is the last thing you want to give because it is an immunosuppressant and will cause the bacteria to spread rapidly. Does your dog have a fever? If the neutrophil count is high or there are band cells on the CBC then pneumonia is more likely than cancer. Prednisone may help if your dog has cancer metastasis but I would first see if there is a response to the antibiotics on the recheck xrays.
Theophylline is a bronchodilator and may help open up the airways in case of pneumonia. Mirtazapine may help with appetite but more so if you have cancer.
What was your dog's original cancer type? Was she on immunosuppressive drugs such as Apoquel or prednisone? A lot of Westies have allergies this time of year and both of those drugs help the skin but chronic use may lead to infection.
Good luck....
PAM
I cannot believe it, but Susie is gone, as of 6:03 a.m. this morning (Central Time). Her fast, raucous breathing suddenly stopped, and she lay her head backwards on my arm and let out a cry. I think she was saying goodbye and also saying she was sorry she had to leave, she couldn't fight anymore or even hang on.
I'm not sure I can go on without her. This doesn't seem possible, that her little light has gone out of the world.
Ever since her surgery a year and three months ago, I've slept on the floor (on a thin cot mattress from Aldi) in the living room beside her at night. (She was in her dog bed next to mine.) During thunderstorms, she would press herself against me for comfort.
Goodbye, my sweet little one. Goodbye, my precious baby.
I am in tears for both you and your sweet Suzie. She fought so valiantly for a long time. I know there are no words to help your broken heart at this hardest part of this journey. Know we will remember beautiful Susie here always! I loved seeing all the pictures of Susie as you did your fun "shopping" trips. You made Susie's life so much fun and so full of love. One quote that reasonated with me when I lost Max was "a dog will give you the best days of your life and one worst day of your life". Sadly I have found this is so true. Hold on to those best days the best you can. Susie's light will now be shining from the brightest star in the heavens and will be sending down healing light to you from the Bridge. Fly free newest Angel. Sending you healing light, love and peace.
Linda & Spirit Mighty Max
Oh gosh, I am just so terribly sorry. Reading this I have tears streaming down my cheeks. Your love for sweet Susie is very apparent as is the pain and shock of her loss. Words are so wholly inadequate... I just want to give you a massive hug.
Sending love and strength,
Meg, Clare and Elsie Pie xxx
Ruby, Staffy, born June 2022, became a Tripawd, November 2023, adopted January 2024.
Also Angel Tripawd Meg (aka The Megastar), who died in April 2023, aged 14, after seven glorious years on three, and Angel Staffies Elsie Pie and Bille. In the pawprints of giants...
I am so sorry to hear of Susie's passing. There are no words to make this better. Your heart is broken, and you will feel a horrible gaping loss. Please know that we are grieving with you, and that you gave Susie a home, love and everything a dog could ever want.
Otis - 106 pound lab/Dane mix, lost his right front leg to osteosarcoma on Febuary 9, 2016. Four rounds of carboplatin completed in April, 2016. Lung mets August 25, 2016. Said goodbye too soon on September 4, 2016. Lost his adopted sister, Tess, suddenly on October 9, 2016. likely due to hemangiosarcoma.
Wherever they are, they are together.
Susie was exceptional. Her decline within a short period of time is one sign on how very, very much she loved you and was cared for. There are no words. Susie will always be THE most beautiful and heroic spirit. She is an angel now but know- she loved yu oand was loved truly. There is no greater gift.
Blessings and peace during this difficult time. Huge hugs and huge PyrPaws always.
I've just been reading through some of Susie's threads. My goodness you went through so much together. And your devotion to Susie and determination to help her and to give her a quality pain free life truly shine out of every post. I hope that in time the knowledge you did all you possibly could and that through your love and dedication you were able to share extra quality time, I hope this will bring you some comfort. Right now, please know that we are grieving with you. ❤️ ❤️
Ruby, Staffy, born June 2022, became a Tripawd, November 2023, adopted January 2024.
Also Angel Tripawd Meg (aka The Megastar), who died in April 2023, aged 14, after seven glorious years on three, and Angel Staffies Elsie Pie and Bille. In the pawprints of giants...
Oh no.... I am so saddened to read about Susie's passing .... but she was in your arms and she let you know she felt safe enough to transition and there is nothing more powerful than that. My heart breaks for you ... Your life together was so special... one of kind and it will live on furever in your heart, in your memories.
I do know how that feels to simply not know how to go on w/out your best soul by your side. But Susie would want you to ... she would want you to share her memory with others and grieve and love and process it all. I am so sorry for your loss and your pain.
Stay close to us ... we all send you hugs and love and peace!
With love
alison (with Spirit Shelby in her 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
We are ALL crying with you and for you. Susie transitioned the way she wanted to...at home in your loving arms. Her terms. That Susie always did things on her terms anyway!
Will be back when can get more together. For now, as you can tell by everyone's heartfelt replies, Susie touched us all. The UNBREAKABLE bond and Soul deep love the two of you shared touched us all.
With love
Sally and My Chunky Spiritual Being Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie
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 no! What a heartbreak, I'm really, really sorry, this is such a shock to all of us and I know especially you. My deepest condolences go out to you, I just can't imagine the heartache you are experiencing right now and I wish I could make it all better. All I can say is that Susie and you had a love that cannot disappear even in death. Nothing will take away the memories you created together, or the joy she brought into your life. As you cope in the coming days, weeks, months and beyond, try to remember how Susie loved you best. Living in the moment with her, cherishing every bit of the day together.
When you want to talk, we are here for you OK? There is not a moment you are alone, all of us are ready for you to lean on. I'm so truly sorry.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thank you so much, everyone. for your kind words and your empathy for my huge loss. (And thank you so much, Pam, for trying to help. Susie was such a unique little soul--maybe that is why she had the most unique--and exceedingly rare--type of cancer a dog can possibly have--eccrine adenocarcinoma. It's a very aggressive cancer. The oncologists couldn't tell me that much about her prognosis, because there have been so few cases that they couldn't conduct any studies. Most of the vets I talked with had never seen a case.)
It's now been more than twelve hours that she's been gone, which I find incredible. I never thought I could survive one minute without her--and now here I am, twelve hours later, still breathing.
Still breathing, but my heart is shattered in a million pieces. I wonder that it can still beat.
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!
Im having trouble so I had to screenshot my reply. So sorry if it's difficult to read. It was heartfelt when I wrote it and it's not something that lends itself to trying to "remember" what I said. Words from the heart flow and bypass the brain.
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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!
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, Benny! Words cannot express how grateful I am for your--and everyone's--kindness. I think I am still in a state of shock, because I keep thinking that Susie is at the back patio door and wants to come in, or that she is in my field of vision, coming into the kitchen.
Right now I just can't stop crying, can't help remembering the shock of her suddenly going quiet.
Right now I haven't really slept for four nights, because of Susie's harsh, rapid breathing--and my worry about her.
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