Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Sad today 
Daisy has not been eating well the last couple of days. We had our oncology appointment today and although her bloodwork and urinalysis look good - her paws are swollen. Oncologist thinks it is likely hypertrophic osteopathy and has sent X-rays to radiologist for a second opinion. Our oncologist said to continue on Palladia but has added in gabapentin to help with pain. She has also given us a stronger anti-nausea drug to help with food intake. I did make her ground lamb and rice tonight - she seemed to like that and ate a fair bit and also had some leftover steak for evening snack. I'm terrified about what this means and having to say potentially say goodbye so much sooner than expected, I feel lost right now......
I'm sorry Alicia, you guys are dealing with a lot right now.
Angel Abby's mom wrote a very informative post about HO when Abby was diagnosed with it. There are some blog links and input from other members. HO is not a good thing, but knowing what you are up against gives you some power.
Here is the post on Hypertrophic Osteopathy.
I know how hard it is to get bad news on top of bad news- but try and focus all your energy on Daisy now- make every day her very best day with you. None of us know how long we get- make the most of every moment.
Karen and Spirit Maggie
Hi Alicia and Daisy
Glad Daisy likes your homecooking...lamb and steak certainly will help her feel better.
To say not to worry would be futile....so, while you are worrying....do as Karen suggests and focus on the here and now. And Daisy is here with you now and her quality is still okay! She is enjoying the love, the spoiling AND our home cooking!
It is possible it could still be related to Palladia or something entirely different. The results will be whatever they are and try not to let the fear of "what its" rob you o WHAT IS.......ANd your Daisy girl is with you right now loving all the love you two are sharing!
Can you go do something right ow to make her tail wag?? What is that....saying "cookie"....or just giving her applause....?
Bet that tail is wagging right now and that's a reminder that for now, all is well and Daisy is happy:-) 
Sending you support...we are here for you....we are walking beside you....use our strength to keep you "Strong Alicia" because that's who you are!
Sally and Happy Hannah
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!
Hi Alicia and Daisy
I was sorry to hear that Daisy is having some trouble at the moment. Certainly sounds like you are in good hands and that everything is being done that can be done.
I've found Gabapentin to be a very very good drug for Peda for managing pain (much better suited than tramal).
No real words of wisdom from me ... except to say enjoy the good times, take lots of pics and just take each day as it comes. Oh - and cheeseburger car runs have become a (nearly!) daily ritual for us and my girl loves it!! My Facebook friends must hate me as there is a continual stream of photos of cheeseburger runs sometimes it is the small things that just help to brighten up the crappy times.
Thinking of you both ...!
Kirsty and Peda
Thank you all for your supportive words. Onco has added gabapentin and anti-diarrhea meds to help with tummy upset that started yesterday. She didn't eat really well today but we decided to do a quick visit to the park tonight to try to perk her up. She didn't go far but was wagging her tail a lot when we got home. Thank you for your advice - it is so greatly appreciated. I'm really trying to savour every moment we have with her, it's just a little hard not to break into tears right now . Kirsty - thank you for sharing your cheeseburger trips - Daisy certainly does enjoy her soft-serve ice cream so we might have to try adding a burger to that
Alicia I'm so sorry. That's a good start to help her with the gaba and stomach meds, I hope they help her feel better and you have a better day today. Stinky meats like braunschwager and liverwurst are also very tasty to many dogs who have appetite issues, and goat's milk is also a good addition to help her get her appetite back.
It's hard not to cry, I know. But just keep telling yourself, there will be plenty of time for tears someday, not now though.
We are here for you. Keep us posted.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Alicia, when Magnum had diarrhea problems our oncologist told us to stop the Palladia. It was a few days before she was OK again but we still had her on Piroxicam which then caused a bleeding tummy (because it was so irritated from the Palladia). Remembering the pain she was in still upsets me too much today because we had to let her go just a few days after we got her tummy right again. It seemed so unfair to have put her through that misery 🙁
If Daisy is still on Palladia I'd be checking again on with your oncologist. Maybe it is still messing with her tummy despite the meds?
Magnum loved her cooked chicken - hand fed of course.
Karen and Spirit Magnum
Magnum: 30th May 2002 to 5th May 2012. Lost her back left leg to osteosarcoma on 5th Sep 2011. Lung mets found on 20th Mar 2012 but it was bone mets in the hip that ended her brave battle. Magnum's motto - "Dream as if you'll live for ever, live as if you'll die today" (James Dean). Loyal, loving, courageous and spirited to the end. My beloved heart dog, see her memoirs from Rainbow Bridge ...... http://princess.....pawds.com/
Hi Karen,
Thank you - yes we are stopping the Palladia and Rimadyl (onco didn't want her on Piroxicam due to potential GI issues. She has had bad diarrhea I the some blood in it since late yesterday so we have her on Imodium ( for diarrhea), cerenia (anti-nausea), Zantac (acid reducer) and gabapentin for pain. She hasn't really eaten anything today but we're hoping tomorrow will be better. I'm going to remain hopeful and email the oncologist about Prednisone.
I'm so sorry about Magnum and I understand how you feel. I wonder hourly if I'm doing the right thing. The positive thing is that Daisy's spirits still seem quite good so I'm going to keep going until she is no longer a happy girl.
A & D
I'm so pleased to hear that Alicia. Don't lose hope. It can take the tummy a while to get right again after all that disturbance.
If the mets in Magnum's hip hadn't gotten worse causing us to make the decision to say goodbye then she would have gotten longer and I wouldn't have felt so awful about the tummy upsets diminishing her last few weeks with us. Magnum's appetite was well and truly back to normal in those last few days.
Since Daisy's spirits are still good then I'm sure her tummy will settle down and you can get some more quality time together.
Thinking of you
Karen and Spirit Magnum
Magnum: 30th May 2002 to 5th May 2012. Lost her back left leg to osteosarcoma on 5th Sep 2011. Lung mets found on 20th Mar 2012 but it was bone mets in the hip that ended her brave battle. Magnum's motto - "Dream as if you'll live for ever, live as if you'll die today" (James Dean). Loyal, loving, courageous and spirited to the end. My beloved heart dog, see her memoirs from Rainbow Bridge ...... http://princess.....pawds.com/
Alicia, yes, it sounds liike you should see some appetite improvement in a few days....and if you add the pred., definitely.
The steps you are taking to turn things around should be 'spot on'.
Don't let any worries or any fears (easier said than done) rob you of the wonderful tail-wagging times that you are still having---and will continue to have.
Honest to goodness-----I don't think there is any better medicine for humans than to see a tail wag....and Daisy is still wagging:-)
I bet you can say or do something right now to make her tail wag:-)
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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