Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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A month ago my sweet dog Gertie had her right hind leg amputated after a histiocytic sarcoma diagnosis. it had already spread to the lymph nodes and the liver. We did chemo about 2 weeks ago and she was handling it well i thought. until about a week ago, we were walking at least a few houses down and still enjoying life.
She loves being outside so we spend a lot of time in the yard but haven't walked out of the yard for about a week. 2 days ago she has started resisting eating, but I've been able to at least get some food in her each day.
i just feel so lost. i want her to at least enjoy what time she has left and get back her personality. this all happened so fast. she had tplo surgery in that knee and then when it wasn't recovering they discovered cancer and it had already spread. it's such a nightmare I can hardly believe
i could really use advice. there is a teaching university hospital in my town and that's where I'm taking her. but i feel like she's slipping away and i feel helpless
Hi there, welcome! Your future posts won't need approval so post away.
I'm sorry Gertie had to lose her leg and you're in this tough situation with the spread. How long ago was she evaluated by her vet? Have you spoken to them about her recent symptoms? I'm wondering if it's possible that she is sore and feeling some pain unrelated to her diagnosis. What's a "day in the life of Gertie" right now? Not wanting to eat can be a sign of untreated pain. If she's getting too much activity too soon (how long was that first walk?) some R&R might do the trick.
I would definitely let your vets at the teaching hospital know. Which one are you located near and when are you going?
I know you're in a tough place. I wish I could give you a giant hug right now!
The vet (oncologist) saw her about 2 weeks ago but I've talked with them a few times about the symptoms and she's on a anti nausea medicine the last few days.
she was walking fairly quick after the amputation and I know it's a huge change so she may just need some rest in that regard.
i am taking her to the Purdue University Small Animal hospital (Indiana).
A day in the life of Gertie... breakfast then hang outside until i go to work. And she sleeps. Lunch and a quick trip outside. Then once I'm off work we eat dinner, spend some time outside and relax inside. with the last week its been much more of a struggle getting her outside, and then once we're out getting her back in
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Geez, you really have been in a bit of a nightmare. To go from TPLO surgery to discovering it was that piece of crap disease....all this just sucks!!
Of course, Gertie isn't stressed about all this. She's just loving being spoiled and being with you.
I'm sure you're trying ecerynyummy food you can think of.....warm rotisserie chicken, scrambled eggs with cheese and bacon, cheese pizza crust, etc. Also, the Vet coud give you an appetite stimulant to try. Does she act like she wants to eat, but turns her head away as though she's nauseous? Have you seen any improvemt since she's been on the nausea med? Is it Cerenia? Could possibly be a "delayed" reaction to the chemo.
My thoughts are along the same lines as Jerry. This may not br related to the "diagnosis " at all. Possivly a tweaked muscle, etc. Some rest and maybe reintroducing some low dose pain meds may help.
Try massaging all ,up and down her spine, around her shoulder and neck. Any signs of tenseness or tightness? The first several weeks of recovery it doesn't take mich at all to pull or strain a muscle.
We know it's hard not to jump to bad scenarios, but often this really is just a sign adapting to three is tiring and jard on joints,muscles, etc.
So yeah, continue with lots of massages, try any yummy foods, continue enjoying lounging around in your yard, ask about low dose pain med and or an antiinflmmatory.
Hang in there! This may just be a temporary set back and nothing more.
((((((Hugs)))))))
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
PS. Drinking okay?? Have you ruled out a fever? ALERT and engaged, just sort of lethargic??
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!
See my post on update for Coco. She has hystioctic sarcoma and sge is getting ready to start a trial drug named Trametinib. My be worth asking your onocologist about.
Thanks! the anti nausea i am giving her is ondansetron. i was giving her some of her favorite foods and boiled chicken is one of her staples.
She has been drinking fine. She does turn her head when she doesn't want to eat but that is also something she's always done with things she doesn't want to eat.
Today we had a small breakfast ten i tried giving her a regular size lunch and she polished it off so I'm hoping we are turning the corner! i really appreciate all the support!
Awesome! I will check that out. Your girl is beautiful and i love to see such a happy dog!
Gertie is getting great care at the university! Her anti nausea med is excellent too. The daily activity you are describing sounds reasonable, she doesn't sound like she's overdoing things. More like just on her own recovery timeline. One month is not a long time at all. It's so much work getting around on 3 that time and patience are soooo necessary for the human.
I'm so happy she had some appetite today, that's awesome! I think in the majority of cases, an up and down roller coaster is totally normal, with or without a situation like hers. And when you have a dog who was already a bit picky around food (our Jerry was!), it makes figuring things out really super challenging.
Stay in touch with your vet as you're already doing, and try not to worry too much. If you notice anything really changing, then of course let them know.
Thanks so much for the update...and it's a good one!! Grinning over here and applauding you and Gertie voth!!!👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏
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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