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Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat

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Almost-14-year-old husky Keira
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On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
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18 July 2020 - 5:30 pm
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pljdjg1989 said
I was having a hard time figuring how to attach a photo, so I just pasted it in. When I choose "insert/edit image" it doesn't allow me to choose a source. If you have tips, I'd love to hear them. I guess you couldn't see the picture from your tablet? 

I'm so glad she's doing better! What a great rescue story!

Sorry for the photos trouble. You need to have your photos uploaded somewhere else before you can paste them in here. We have these instructions for adding images to the Forums. If you’d like help figuring out the process let me know. It’s pretty easy: 

  1. Upload pics to a photo sharing site like imgur.com or your own Tripawds blog
  2. Right click and copy the Image URL
  3. Return to your Tripawds Forum post and paste the image URL (or the image itself if possible) in your post. It should automatically appear.

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

Virginia



Member Since:
22 February 2013
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18 July 2020 - 9:59 pm
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Hahaha!  That birthday photo is priceless!!  And I do believe she thinks she looks beautiful  too!  She's very proud of her fashionable  hat!

Thanks for the smile.  BTW...very clever way to get that photo onto the avatar  u uou can figure out the techie stuff😎

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!

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3 August 2020 - 8:52 am
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I do have another question -- and I want to thank everyone for the input and help thus far. Keira is doing well so far, given her age and pre-existing arthritis. We finally heard from the surgeon today, three weeks to the day after her surgery, who confirmed that it was osteosarcoma. We were supposed to hear seven to ten business days after surgery, but there was a screw-up in sending it out.

The appointment with the oncologist isn't until next Monday, which will mean it's been four weeks since her surgery. I know I'm a chronic worrier, but it seems to me that every day is precious, and I was wondering if four weeks after surgery is risking metastasis...not that I can do anything about it. Her lung X-ray was clear, although they did explain to me about microscopic tumors. The oncologist said they would call if there are any cancellations, but, long story short, I was wondering if four weeks after surgery is worrisome and risky. 

On The Road


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3 August 2020 - 10:44 am
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YAY Keira! I'm so glad she's doing well. We love our Senior Tripawd members! That's such great news.

As for waiting four weeks after surgery for oncology . . . that's not unusual at all, and it's only as worrisome as you allow it to be. Look at it like this: the extra time is a bonus, because it means that Keira has had an opportunity to heal and bounce back, without the disruption of more appointments and chemo. With her being stronger than ever since surgery, if you decide to pursue chemo, she'll be 110% ready for it.

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

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3 August 2020 - 11:38 am
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Thank you, Jerry! You always make me feel better. I am so proud of Keira bounding up the outside steps into our house. We should all be as resilient and courageous as our dogs! Patricia

On The Road


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3 August 2020 - 3:40 pm
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Awww I'm so glad! Totally agree, our Tripawd dogs and cats are role models for us all.

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

Member Since:
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15 August 2020 - 5:40 am
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Hello again! Sorry to bother you, but this journey is still quite new...five weeks today that we wound up in the ER. Given Keira's age and pre-existing arthritis, I am so thrilled with her progress. But there are two things that I wonder about: 1) She circles around for quite a while before managing to lie down and sometimes lies down then jumps right back up and starts circling around again. 2) Every once in a while -- maybe two or three times a day -- she jumps up and yelps. 

Livermore, CA


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15 August 2020 - 10:21 am
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Hello again! Sorry to bother you, but this journey is still quite new

You are never bothering us, this journey was new to all of us at some point. By the way- hello and a very late welcome smiley4.

It sounds to me like Keira is showing some pain signs, and the yelping sounds like phantom limb pain.  At 5 weeks out the pain from surgery is usually gone, including phantom pain , but we do see here in older pups that they need pain management longer. And she has some arthritis challenges too, right?  Is she on any pain meds or supplements for her arthritis? 

If she isn't taking gabapentin right now it might be helpful, it works on nerve pain which is what causes phantom limb pain.  You can discuss with your vet. 

Karen and the Spirit Pug Girls

Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.

1999 to 2010

 

              Maggie's Story                  Amputation and Chemo

Member Since:
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15 August 2020 - 2:34 pm
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Thank you, Karen. Yes, she's on a cocktail of Rimadyl, Gabapentin and Amantadine. I'm going to check with the oncologist about what he thinks is the appropriate dosage for the Gabapentin. 

On The Road


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15 August 2020 - 6:37 pm
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Oh gosh you could never bother us here! I agree, talk to the oncologist about her Gabapentin dosage. Oftentimes it's way too low. What you are describing sounds like some type of pain, most likely phantom based on what you're describing. It's not unusual and sometimes it doesn't show up for a while. 

What's her activity level like? I imagine she's pretty mellow for a senior Tripawd. But then again she IS a Husky! 😉 Is there a chance she is doing too much too soon?

Also, have you considered getting her to see a canine rehabilitation therapist? If she is experiencing any pain, they can find it and help get rid of it. And don't forget the Tripawds Foundation can pay for your first rehab visit so please check it out. 

Let us know what the onco says OK?

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

Member Since:
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16 August 2020 - 11:03 am
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Thank you, Jerry. I certainly will let you know what he says. I emailed him. He's the director of clinical studies for the VCA system as well as a professor at Sloane-Kettering's cancer center in NYC and he's also super accessible and super nice. I emailed him with a series of questions about pain, rehab, dosage, etc. I will probably hear tomorrow and will let you know. Once again, thank you for your valuable and helpful input. 

On The Road


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16 August 2020 - 4:51 pm
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Oh my dog are you working with Dr. Bergman? 

He is amaaaaaaaazing and yes super nice and a huge friend of this community. If you are working with him you are so very, very lucky! Please give him our best! 

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

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17 August 2020 - 12:13 pm
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Oh, wow, yes, it is Dr. Bergman. I will be so happy to tell him you sent your regards. He did get back to me yesterday -- a Sunday, no less. He feels that the discomfort I'm describing is her pre-existing arthritis being exacerbated because of the changes in her gait. He wants me to add in the Amantadine and he wants me to discuss the dosage of the gabapentin with her primary care doctor, although he thinks it's ok. He also thinks she needs Trazadone because I said she is wandering around at night panting and not sleeping well. He also recommended a rehab place, although he doesn't think she needs it. 

On The Road


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17 August 2020 - 1:51 pm
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How pawesome you are working with him. Lucky dawg!

His insight sounds spot-on, we've seen that before. Amantadine helps our Wyatt Ray at night, I hope it helps Keira too. The Traz can definitely help, we see that a lot around here.

Yay, I hope you decide to try the rehab place. A Tripawd really benefits from it but we as pet parents benefit even more, by learning about what is helpful activity, what isn't, what we can expect long-term, etc., based on the Tripawd's particular circumstances.

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

Member Since:
14 July 2020
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17 August 2020 - 3:03 pm
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I do want to do the rehab. Dr. Bergman did give me a referral, even though he didn't think it was necessary, but I do. I'm not at all happy with how she's walking. This angel is almost 14 and seems to be struggling to walk -- although the other day, she did run off! Do you give Wyatt amantadine at night? I've been giving it to her with her first pills in the morning. Thanks for everything! 

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