Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hi Everyone, thank you so much for all of the reply's, I really appreciate it.
Porthos went back to the vet today for xrays, she found no sign of mets in the lungs, the vet believes the lump on his side is fibroid, definitely nothing sinister. I think this is the best news ive heard in 12 days!
I know that he probably has it on his lungs, its just not showing yet, and that the "fibroid" could turn out to be an aggressive tumor, but right now (and we are all living in the now right?) its good news.
My husband had a look at Porthos' xray compared to other cases the vet has had, and she said that this is very early stage osteosarcoma, I have copies of the xrays if anyone wants to see them.
She said his cancer leg is still very strong (he is still full weight baring on it when he walks, just when he stands still he transfers his weight to his left side) so strong in fact that when he saw another puppy that he wanted to go and say "hello" to, he pulled the vet over on to the ground! she's not hurt by the way. She believes the pain killers are working well at the moment.
His kidneys were fine so he has started his first round of Palmidronate.
I also spoke to the lady from muttkneebeace and she is rushing the order through for us so that should help his hips and knees during this time.
The vet still does not believe he is a candidate for amputation because of his weak back end and also 'limb sparing' because of where the cancer is.
We are still waiting to hear back from the specialist but im expecting the same answer.
While he is still not in pain we are going to fight with what we have, So full speed ahead with diet, pain killers, supplements, Art, Essiac, Palmidronate and as much love as he can stand!
Our supplements (Art, k9 immunity and other goodies) are sitting at customs waiting to be cleared, hopefully tomorrow.
Ive just cooked up some chicken for my boy and im about to have a big glass of something strong! I will keep you updated on how we progress.
Warm wishes to all of you that are fighting, and have fought this heart wrenching battle,
Amanda & Porthos x
P.S I couldn't see the link of Comet, it may be my computer though.
Porthos, Pyrenean Mastiff
7 years old
Bone Cancer front right leg
TPLO both knees, HD
Angel Porthos, Pyrenean Mastiff, 7 years old Os front right leg, DX 18 May 2012, Amputation 14 June 2012, Hip Dysplasia, Two TPLO surgeries. Is now somewhere over the rainbow, 21 November 2013.
I like your attitude Amanda, you are making the most of the situation and focusing on what matters: making sure that your time together is the best it can be. Sounds like your plan is ideal (especially the big part about having a big glass of something strong!).
Funny how you ordered from Muttkneebrace...they live in Colorado in the town where we have a cabin. We actually met the owner a few weeks ago.
As you go through this journey, jump in here and ask us anything, or just stop by to share what's going on, we're here for you.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Here's the link to the video of Comet after two, TPLO's as a tripawd (for some reason Flash isn't working to some):
You do have the right attitude and that is great! But I hope with all my heart that the specialists you are consulting comes back and says your vet is dead wrong. Your baby can overcome an amputation. Maybe I've seen too many cases here for the last 3 years and maybe I have had a tripawd for too long and saw what they can overcome but no vet would ever stop me from an amputation unless the cancer had spread.
I only say this because bone cancer is so incredibly painful. You can research it and determine it is the most serious forms of pain known. Dogs suffer with bone cancer whether it be early stage or late stage. Without the leg, they don't suffer the horrible pain.
I'll be sending you and Porthos a lot of good, good thoughts.
Comet - 1999 to 2011
She departed us unexpectedly January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.
She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.
Thank you so much, i would love to share how things are going. I just had a message from a lady whos dog also has some injuries and amputated, her dog is doing well.
Another lady contacted me telling how she managed to keep her dogs bone cancer at bay for one year using natural supplements, when the cancer started to come back after 12 onths, that is when she amputated.
Im still not sure on amputation for him, depends on what time of the day you ask me!
The lady from muttkneebrace has been wonderful, ive heard only good things about the braces that she makes, I will try and post a picture of him wearing it when it arrives.
I will definitely come back and keep you updated, this forum and some other dog cancer forums that I am now on have been a god send during this time.
(I love the video of Comet, he looks amazing.)
Warm wishes to you all,
Amanda & Porthos x
Angel Porthos, Pyrenean Mastiff, 7 years old Os front right leg, DX 18 May 2012, Amputation 14 June 2012, Hip Dysplasia, Two TPLO surgeries. Is now somewhere over the rainbow, 21 November 2013.
Hi Everyone,
Its been an eventful 3 weesdcqks since DX, after intitialy thinking that Porthos would not be able to have the amputation, we have heard back from a wonderful lady at CSU, who, after wathcing a video of Porthos walking belives he would be able to handle the amputation.
No, he is not a great candidate but she believes he will walk and that if Porthos was her dog and lived where we live (very remote, with no access to radiotherapy) she would amputate and see what happens, if he can not get around then we would let him go, which we would have to do now anyway if we dont amputate as his tumor has swolen even more and he is showing signs of pain.
We have upped his Tramol and the gabapantine will arrive in the country on Tuesday.
Sooooooo we are waiting for our vet to get back from overseas (hopefuly Tuesday or Wednesday) and book him in for the surgery. Arhgggggggg!!!!!! we are really doing this! I actually feel nauseous, but at the same time, now our minds are made up, cant wait to get it done and relive him of the pain.
The muttkneebrace has not arrived yet but I believe its close, I also ordered the 'help em up' harness and PAWS rubber booties for the slippery floor at the vets. I have Yoga mats for the floors and am reading everything I can on amputation (3 legs and a spare )
I have a some questions if anyone can help?
I have read that thier paws can get sore and cracked when walking on 3 legs, is this from the concrete pavemnets? we only have grass and sand here.
Should I rub Vit E oil onto his paws at night? do you think that will help?
Porthos' left elbow (non cancer leg) is starting to get sore, Ive seen some elbow pads at dogzlegs and canine angels, im a little worried he is going to be wearing so much 'armour'! what with the knee brace, harness and elbow pad, he is my warrior dog after all! but was wondering if anyone knows of a smaller elbow pad that just wraps around the elbow?
We have not made a decision on chemotherapy yet, I need to do some more research on that, and just get him through the amputation first. Porthos is on Artemix at the moment anyway so if we decide no chemo we will keep him on the Art.
Thanks for reading,
Warm wishes to all of you and your pups. x
Amanda & Porthos
Angel Porthos, Pyrenean Mastiff, 7 years old Os front right leg, DX 18 May 2012, Amputation 14 June 2012, Hip Dysplasia, Two TPLO surgeries. Is now somewhere over the rainbow, 21 November 2013.
hi amanda, sounds like you and porthos are getting some good direction from CSU. we weren't pavement walkers, just grass in the back yard, we didn't have any problems with cracked pads on the remaining feet. if you find it's too slippery for porthos in your house, some folks use 'mushers secret' which gives a little traction . we did get a sore spot on gayle's remaining front elbow, as that was her pivot point to get up and down with. i made an elbow pad for her while it was healing (hers got badly infected and needed stitching...) and you can see how i did it in the tripawds download section of this site. eventually, it calloused up and was fine. http://download.....pad-plans/
let us know when you get the surgery scheduled and how porthos is doing, we're sending best wishes to all!!
charon & spirit gayle
Life is good, so very, very good!!! Gayle enjoyed each and every moment of each and every wonderful day (naps included). She left this world December 12, 2011 – off on a new adventure.
Love Never Ends
Thanks for the download Charon! thats great!
Amanda & Porthos
Angel Porthos, Pyrenean Mastiff, 7 years old Os front right leg, DX 18 May 2012, Amputation 14 June 2012, Hip Dysplasia, Two TPLO surgeries. Is now somewhere over the rainbow, 21 November 2013.
Hi Amanda & Porthos, we didn't have the sore elbow problem, but Charon has given you a good tip there. We also didn't have any problem with Abby's pads cracking. We mostly walked on sand at the beach, but also sometimes on the street. I did use Musher's Secret though with her to help w/ traction on the hardwood floors, so I can recommend that.
Keep us posted on when the surgery is!
Jackie, Angel Abby's mom
Abby: Aug 1, 2009 – Jan 10, 2012. Our beautiful rescue pup lived LARGE with osteosarcoma for 15 months – half her way-too-short life. I think our "halflistic" approach (mixing traditional meds + supplements) helped her thrive. (PM me for details. I'm happy to help.) She had lung mets for over a year. They took her from us in the end, but they cannot take her spirit! She will live forever in our hearts. She loved the beach and giving kisses and going to In-N-Out for a Flying Dutchman. Tripawds blog, and a more detailed blog here. Please also check out my novel, What the Dog Ate. Now also in paperback! Purchase it at Amazon via Tripawds and help support Tripawds!
Surgery is booked for Thursday morning (I believe we are around 15hrs ahead of New York time)
Porthos is on a high dose of Tramol now so he is sleeping mostly at the moment.
The knee brace has arrived and we are trying to get him used to it before the surgery, but am also aware of how uncomfortable he is feeling, so we are watching him very carefully to see if its bothering him or not, though he is not walking much as he is asleep most of the time.
I will let you know how we get on.
Amanda
Angel Porthos, Pyrenean Mastiff, 7 years old Os front right leg, DX 18 May 2012, Amputation 14 June 2012, Hip Dysplasia, Two TPLO surgeries. Is now somewhere over the rainbow, 21 November 2013.
My boy is a Tripawd,
Angel Porthos, Pyrenean Mastiff, 7 years old Os front right leg, DX 18 May 2012, Amputation 14 June 2012, Hip Dysplasia, Two TPLO surgeries. Is now somewhere over the rainbow, 21 November 2013.
So glad to hear surgery went well! I know you'll be happy to have him home!
Comet - 1999 to 2011
She departed us unexpectedly January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.
She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.
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