Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
Tripawds is your home to learn how to care for a three legged dog or cat, with answers about dog leg amputation, and cat amputation recovery from many years of member experiences.
Join The Tripawds Community
Learn how to help three legged dogs and cats in the forums below. Browse and search as a guest or register for free and get full member benefits:
Instant post approval.
Private messages to members.
Subscribe to favorite topics.
Live Chat and much more!
Register
Log In
Members
Add Topic
Offline
Hi Pals, Friday was a very emotional day for my family. Mommy & grandpa took me to the vet for xrays of my chest. I really didnt want to get out of the car - and was very nervous…. Dr Pillay was so glad to see me - she said I look like a million bucks! I even picked up weight since my last visit! That is always good news! Dr said that my family is taking real good care of me and that she is astonished by my progress and health. She said it is sad that so many pet owners in South Africa do not opt for the amputation and have their beloved pets put to sleep or let them suffer with the painful cancer until there is really nothing that they can do for them…. Dr Pillay said that I am truly an inspawration for other dawgs like me out there….
Then the xrays… Mommy & grandpa waited for me in the waiting room…. and waited… and waited… After about 20 minutes I came out… Still nervous to be there, but very happy that the experience was over! Mommy went to see Dr Pillay and we then got the bad news - lung mets…. just as mommy suspected. Two visible marks in my one lung - which is why I am sometimes short of breath and cough. Oh man, mommy cried and cried… grandpa cried and cried… And I was just too happy to go home…!!! (Mommy will post the pics of my lungs tomorrow)
So, now mommy started me on the Matema drops. It makes me soooo sleepy, but my system will get used to it and I will be my old self very soon! My walks are now shorter and I get spoilt even more… This journey has truly been a very emotional one for my family. But at the end, I am still the same Dee, loving my family to bits and enjoying every moment I have with them.
Mommy will keep you updated with my progress.
Love you to bits,
Dee (And Ansunette)
xxx
Ansunette,
I just read your post and I am sorry to hear about the lung mets. For Buster, they have him on Rimadyl for the inflammation the tumors can cause and Tramadol for pain. It makes me sad to know another fur baby has to go through this. However, I try to think of the remaining time as a gift. So we take the extra time to spend with our fur babies and let them know how much they are loved… I've been taking a lot of pictures lately as well. Sort of like a bucket list, but for Buster. Everything I've ever wanted to do, I still have to have save his paw prints on clay as a keep sake.
I know we are both coming to the end of our journey with our fur babies… The nights are especially difficult for Buster. He will have about a half hour of heaving panting, which is when the tramadol helps him to relax…. I have also started him on Avemar (under the artmesinin post). I have read about the herb you have started Dee on… it sounds promising.
Wanted you to know I am with you and going through this also. This may be our babies final chapters, at least we can help them through this transition and give them the happy ending that their unconditional love so truly deserves. Please stay strong for Dee, and let your family know we are thinking of them… staying faithful during emotional times can see us through.
Kim & Buster
Kim & Angel Buster
"Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened."
–Anatole France
Ansunette and Kim,
It sure helps me to read your posts and know that Krishna and I are not alone going through this scary stage.
Maybe we should have a separate topic for the "recently diagnosed with lung mets"...nighttimes are by far the worst for Krishna too. My husband and I are taking turns playing night nurse...we switch sides of the bed to be where K will come for support, and last night hubby even put in ear plugs and took an Ambien since it was my turn LOL. Krishna has a new behavior where he suddenly stands up for about 10 minutes, then lays back down, then up again, almost as if that's the only way he can breathe? Most of the night like that. It seems like very hard work for him to breathe sometimes.
But in the morning, I get his leash out and he comes run-hopping. Even though he can barely make it to the street, he charges ahead of me through the yard. I get so worried for him, that it is too hard...but he's still got a zest for life. Friends we haven't seen in a year dropped by on Saturday and he was thrilled, barking in welcome and covering them with kisses. I try to focus with him on what makes him happy instead of what makes us pawrents sad and worried.
Oh yes, forgot to mention, my husband is an aromatherapist and we're finding Wild Mountain Lavender helps Krishna to relax through the panting spells.
Aloha
Krishna's mom Beth
Dee, I am so sorry about your xrays! I hope the new herb can help him. I agree with Krishna's mom that a separate post for dogs with lung mets might be helpful to others, so that we can see which drugs might help and will know what to expect. Unfortunately most of us on this site are going to have to deal with this at some point.
I would be very interested to see the radiographs.
Pam and Tazzie
Hi All,
I am posting Dee's x-rays - Jim/Rene - will you please put it on this page?
It is not very clear, as I took the pics with my phone. You can see his trachea makes curve - it is the tumours pushing it like that.
If I look at the x-rays now, it looks as if there are many tumours, but the doctor said there are two visible ones, which I am unable to see now… the quality of the pics is not that good.
Dee is doing ok-ish. The meds are still making him very sleepy - so my mother only gives it to him at night. It makes him calm and he is able to sleep when he takes it. It is summer, so she keeps all the windows of the room open for him so that the air can flow freely through the room.
I was feeling sorry for myself last night - crying alot, but I feel better today. I just know that I am going to miss him so much as he has been part of my life for the past 11 years… I just feel that life is a bit unfair as we have lost so many beloved pets last year. I just have to stay positive - for Dee's sake - and make his last few days/weeks/months?? special.
Wishing you all well,
Love and licks
Ansunette & Dee xxx
Hi Ansunette,
I am so sorry to hear about Dee's lung mets. I was so hoping his cough was caused by something else, but you were correct in your fears that his cancer had spread. I hope you are able to stay pawsitive during this phase of Dee's health, as you have been in the past. Once again, I'm very sorry to hear this news.
Love, Blazer, Kitty Kimber & Mom (Vicki)
Hi Ansunette, as the title says "Trying to stay positive". I know, I know it is easier said than done.
Every day with Dee is special, and should be specially good! Remember, one day at a time.
Thinking of you and Dee...
Hugs.
Ansunette, we are truly sorry to hear about Dee's mets, our hearts go out to you. We apologize for just now seeing your update …
When Mom and Dad found out about my mets, it was like going through the nightmare of my original diagnosis all over again. All those feelings of dread and despair came up, and they cried a lot of tears at first. But then, I had to remind them to stay stong. I just kept playing and loving life as usual. Nothing about my attitude changed. I knew exactly what was up, but I didn't care.
At this stage in the disease, it's more important than ever to hold back the tears and cherish each moment. We say it all the time, I know, but it bears worth repeating. Whenever Mom and Dad would get teary eyed, I was there to remind them that there would be plenty of time for tears after I left this earth. All that really mattered to me in those last weeks of my life was to be comfortable, get lots of love, and just enjoy our time together. And that's exactly what we did.
We are holding you close in our hearts and sending love your way. Seize the day my friends. Stay in the moment.
My Dad wrote a great blog post a while back, called "Quality of Life Lesson from Lau Tzu Helps Prepare for the Loss of a Pet." You might find some comfort in it.
P.S. We started a new topic called “Lung Metastasis: Now What?” Please feel free to share your experiences everyone.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I'm so sorry to hear of the lung mets. Sending lots of good wishes to you both 
Darcy – tripawd since 16th October 2007.
***Darcy would love to be your friend on Facebook - just search for Darcy Deerhound***
Hi All,
Thanks for the good wishes. At the moment we are just taking one day at a time - and doing whatever Dee wants us to do! We were at the beach yesterday - and Dee did not want to stay long, so after about 20 minutes, we packed up and went home again. This is his time and we will do what he wants us to do!
He sometimes forgets that he is a tripawd and tries to jump walls - like yesterday - he gave me such a fright! Luckily he didnt fall backwards or on his face - oh man, I felt so sorry for him!!
Sending you all our love and good wishes.
Ansunette & Dee xxx
Dee said:
This is his time and we will do what he wants us to do!
Way to go, keep those spirits up. Thanks for taking such good care of our buddy Dee!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
This is his time and we will do what he wants us to do!
You go girl! My heart is hurting for you Ansunette...I haven't started this part of the journey yet with Zeus and I can only imagine what you are going through. Please know that you and Dee are in our thoughts and prayers and we are sending much love and a ton of pawsitive energy your way. We are here for you...
Cherish the moments and only focus on "today" - don't worry about tomorrow...we won't know what it brings until it becomes "today".
We love you guys.
Heather and Zeus
Heather and Spirit Zeus - Our life changing journey…from the earth to the heavens…one day at a time…always together
1 Guest(s)
