Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Yesterday was Tika's 11 month ampuversary. It was very bittersweet for me.
Sunday night Tika had a nosebleed, just out of nowhere, bright red blood coming out of her left nostril.
Needless to say, the reaction in the household was a bit dramatic.
I called the vet yesterday morning and reported what happened. We did get it stopped after about 5 minutes, she didn't seem too concerned about it except she wanted to clean up the mess she made on the kitchen floor. She's irritated at me because I'm cleaning the floor and cleaning her and trying to figure out, how do you treat a doggie nosebleed, I know how a child's, but the anatomy is a bit different. The answer: Ice pack and kleenex. Hubby's not really a red fluids type of guy so I sent him away before I had both bloody nose and fainting case on my hands.
So the verdict was: The cancer has probably spread to her sinus cavity. Since she was originally diagnosed with aggressive chondroblastic osteosarcoma, is this the 'chondroblastic' part of it?
Thankfully, she hasn't had a nosebleed since Sunday night, but I've rearranged my schedule to be able to check on her every couple of hours.
She's definitely slowed down, I feel something odd in her back also, I'm wondering if we have something going on with the cartilage in her back, but she doesn't seem to react to that. The vet said, let's not stress her with tests, it's just for our knowledge, it won't change anything. He's right, but still. DAMMIT!
He also thought, probably a week, her nosebleeds will get worse, she'll stop eating and not want to be with us and then we'll know. But, he ended that with: But, Tika has proven me wrong before. (That's my girl!)
So like what happened with TazzieDog. You prepare and expect one thing and something else comes out of the blue and hits you upside the head.
However, I'm determined to end this on a good note. Tika's trip to the lake. I have a few more posted at http://www.tika.....ogspot.com and I'm trying to get still more uploaded.
Kim and Spirit Tika http://www.tika.....ogspot.com
Wow! That's the first time I have seen Tika's whole body (not just a head shot) she's beautiful!
I'm sorry to hear her 11 month ampuversary came with such bad news. 11 months is a big deal and I'm glad she got to go to the lake to celebrate. Maybe she'll pull through this just as she has done before. Anything's possible right?
Hugs,
Michelle
Tika is one tough Cookie. And she sure looks happy there! Give her a big hug for us.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Im sorry. Tika is a beautiful baby. Hug her for me.
Debra & Angel Emily
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.
Tika, my sweetheart, you hang in there. We've been here a long time together and I'm sending all the good vibes your way I can muster.
I love the pics, she is beautiful. As I've said before, no one knows when the end will come. Until it does, it's party as usual in a dog's world.
Know Trouble and I will have you in our thoughts daily and are wishing you the very best.
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.
Keep it up folks, Tika's listening.
She just did a commando run on Caya's food and got half it down before I could snag the bowl (Caya is on digestive enzymes so a 'normal' dog can't eat her food, that's all in the blog also 
) Mind you, these dogs were trained not to touch each others bowls and they are very good normally, even in the RV, but oh, Tika, we have endulged you my sweet.
I did need to see the German Shepherd's expression (WTF?) classic, I needed to laugh.
I got Tika to curl up in my lap and I massaged her sinus area and neck, she seemed to dig that. Laptops are great.
Her sass factor is still pretty good, so we will keep trucking. Another basketball game is coming on and the girls like to watch it (no really, that's what having a big old HDTV will do for you, the DOGS take over the remote!) So off to watch TV I go!
--Kim and Tika
Kim and Spirit Tika http://www.tika.....ogspot.com
I bet all of your "second" dogs (Caya, Wolfie, etc) have OSA dog envy with the attention we shower on them. In fact, I know many of you have second or third dogs (Cemil, tazziedog, maximutt) but I rarely know their name, well, except that Linda is Max's "favorite toy". What an honor . . .
Always like to hear the Tika updates. When were those pictures taken?
Kim and Tika,
Leave it to the two of you update before I get a chance to reply to the first.
So here goes the response to the first. Tika HANG-IN-THERE. Beautiful tough girls like you do not come along every day and we all need your inspawration. We loved the lake photos and are a little envious. My mom is taking three horticultural courses, so we could not go out this fall like usual. They retired years ago to take me on trips but instead she gets into this plant thing. Go figure.
Response to second post. Much better!!! Just trying to keep the off balance huh! Personally I am not sure if I like giving dad a run by getting into every box I can find, or if I love just laying on his lap for game. With him, it is college football. However, this weekends victory over Iowa was very gratifying. Guess that why he dresses me in purple so much. GO-CATS (Northwestern University for those of you who need a program.)
We are all pulling for you and sending the best positive thoughts we can.
Cherry
Tika always amazes me with her ability to handle new challenges. I am sorry about the nosebleeds. The only other thing I have found to help is either epinephrine up the nostril (constricts blood vessels and stops bleeding) or sedation with acepromazine (lowers blood pressure to slow bleeding). You would have to get both from your vet.
I emailed Tazzie's oncologist to ask if anything else could be done for mets to bones/spine and really our only choices are IV pamidronate (takes a few days if it will work) or radiation (costly and requires anesthesia). The best thing for pain control is probably Tramadol.
Of course I wish you the best and I love the pictures!
Pam
Tika!!! Congrats on 11 months!!! Hang in there with the nosebleeds. Jack and I send big clapping paws your way for 11 months. Jack is just at one month after his amputation so 11 months is SUCH A HUGE DEAL. I really hope the nosebleeds stop!! Keep us posted and sending good thoughts your way
Erin and Jack
Tika- yeah on the ampuversary! Keep it up!
We send you lots of love and well wishes for continued success.
Seanne and Angel Wrigley
11 Months!! What a great milestone!! 
You keep a truckin' Tika and show all of them how it is done! I am happy you made the anniversary but do me a favor and lay off the nose bleeds k?
Shilo's Mom
Shilo diagnosed with osteosarcoma 9/4/2009, amputation 9/9/2009. ShiloAnne lost her battle 11/23/2009 where she regained her fourth leg and is patiently waiting for her parents to join her. We will always love you baby girl.
Happy Ampuversary!! Eleven months, that is wonderful. 
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….
Princess Tika,
Tell your family to just love you one second, one minute, one hour, one day at a time. We are hoping you can get some help from the vet. Looks like you had a good trip to the lake!
My Mom and I will be thinking good thoughts as you fight the good fight Tika.
Love & licks, Paris...and my Mom, Gineej too
Grateful for every moment we had with Paris…..no regrets!
Honoring her life by opening our hearts & home to Addy!
Hi all:
Thanks for all your encouragement. Tazzie2: the pics were actually taken a week ago, Tika went to our other lake on this past Saturday also, and had a good time, but it took a lot out of her.
PamTazzie: We discussed the acepromazine and other things. But Tika has a low tolerance for many types of drug. (How she lasted so long on Metronomic Protocol is beyond me). We actually took her off Tramadol four days post-amp because of the mental reaction she was having over it. We have some high powered opiates in case of emergency, but we've held back. Right now, Tika calls the shots, and Tika sets the pace. She had a runny nose from the left nostril today, but no blood or even tinged.
Funny side note: Both my dogs now think a Kleenex to the nose is standard operating procedure. Caya felt left out, and she has allergies so I will wipe her nose when I checking Tika's drips. It hasn't frozen in KS yet, so my allergies haven't calmed down so I grab a Kleenex for me and they both show up. Uh, I don't know what to say about that.
Tika is now resting pretty comfortably for the first time in a couple of days. She's no longer on Baytril, but we've upped her Prednisone. That has helped the coughing, which hopefully will help any forced pressure on her sinuses.
You know folks, I am an avid reader, I love to learn new things, but I never wanted to learn things like: Osteosarcoma, Chondrosarcoma, Metastisis, and on and on. Just like I never wanted to learn the ins and outs of Pancreatic Failure and Feline Renal failure. Really, don't sign me up for that reading club in the future, okay? 
But, my job now is to be brave. And brave I shall be! OH, I lie. I'm a snivelling coward.
Love to all, Kim and Tika
Kim and Spirit Tika http://www.tika.....ogspot.com
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