Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hi,
I haven't been on in a while. Sorry, I had just lost my other rottie, then my Gus was diagnosed with Osteocarcoma. I really couldn't handle being on here for a while.
Gus is 4 months post op amputation. I'm not doing chemo or any other treatment due to cost and age factor. Plus, Gus is a diabetic.
Gus has been doing very well. Lately, he's slowing down. He is still ready and anxious to eat twice a day, but he no longer wants to go for his walks, goes a few steps and lays down. He pants a little bit now and then. Not really labored breathing. He seems more tired. During the day he sleeps about 23 hours a day on his couch.
I'm so torn....part of me doesn't want to have a chest xray, as it won't really change anything and I don't want to put Gus thru it.
Can anyone guide me with what to expect? My vet says, weight loss, increased resp effort & cough, fatigue, pain/random pain, loss of appetite.
Any guidance would be great. I do not want Gus to suffer in any way. I've just been loving him every minute.
Thanks,
Alice
Alice....
Im so sorry you are going through this, I lost my rottie Zeus on 2/2 this year. Its a long story under "Coping with Loss" with my headline; "Zeus lost his battle yesterday". Please read sometimes hanging on a little too long makes a difference. Again Im so sorry and I will say many prayers for you and the Rotties, please let me know if you need anything; deb_pagano@hotmail.com.
Love to you
Deb, Belle and Angel Zeus xo
Alice this doesn't necessarily mean it's end stages of osteo. It could be anything but to me it sounds like pain. Have you talked to your vet about his symptoms? Remind us again about his age, and what kinds of medication is he on? Is he overweight? What kind of activity is he doing when he wants to lay down, and for how long?
It's hard not to think the worst when you're dealing with this disease, but try your best for his sake. This could be any number of treatable things.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
We humans can be so silly sometimes!!Of course he's slowing down some! Gus is almost eleven yrs. old. He has diabetes. He's been hopping along in three legs for almost five months now and that tires "mature" large dogs out a lot!
Okay....you know the routine....deep breaths! B R E A T H E!! I hale S L O W L Y....exhale S L O W L Y.....REPEAT a lpt!!
Gus is eating and see.s wuite comfy snoozing on HIS couch! Being tired is NOT painful! A little change in breathing pattern is NOT painful!
I'll share my first ha d experience in the "for whatever it's worth" column.
When my beloved Happy Hannah started slow down a lot and her breathing pattern changed .ore noticeably and consistently, I DID go on and do xrays, but I want to be real clear in the reason why, okay. And this is just me. Everybody makes their own decision. Prior to doing the xrays, a couple of weeks earlier I took her into the vet for some eye discharge and may be some tiredness...can't remember exactly. He "suggested" the "ppssibility" of an xray, but we both agreed it would not change anything.For me...and this is just me...I felt as "comfortable" as anyone possibly could on this journey, that I had done everything possible to give her extended quality time. No more poking, prodding, just getting in with living, loving and spoiling!
He gave her some antibiotics and the eye thing actually did clear up. However, if she did get more tired and the breathing pattern changed more
Okay, I really am getting to my point! I've forgotten exactly, but some.of the "symptoms became more noticeable. At that time I did agree to an xray for her BECAUSE...and this was a big reason "why" for me....because there were palliative things that could be done in mets showed up! Things that could continue to give her quality!!
I had vowed long ago to stay in the moment, to let nothing rob us of our time together..NOTHING!! And I wasn't about to stop now! That waynthat lice of crap disease can NEVER win!! EVER!! Maybe it could "shorten her time here on earth, but I'd be damn if it would take awy from her time here by making me worry about tomorrows!
The xray confirmed a met. I got her started on some Prednisone, an occasional Tramadol, and a couple.of nutritional things, etc. We got SPECTACULAR extended QUALITY time! The number of days on a calendar meant nothing to me and nothing to her! The amount of treats and rummy rubs and loving and spoiling meant everything to both of us!!
Hope this helps! We are all right here by yourr side. You are not alone, okay? And whenever Gus decides to transition, you can bet Red will be right there ro greet him!!
Sending lots and lots of love
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
PS. Don't hesitate to call the Tripawds Helpline for support. We understand. 1 844 TRIPAWDS
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!
Oh Sally, you always know exactly what to say. xoxo
Alice - The first thing I thought about when reading about Gus is good-gravy what a furbaby!!! In my book he's a rock star! So he's slowed a bit, I just hit a milestone birthday and you betcha I slowed too and I ain't got the challenges that Gus is totally rocking.
It's easy for me to say, "Don't drown in worry." I've got two quads and I'm on them like a tick on a coonhound. My point, don't beat yourself up and stay centered. I know, I know, it's much easier said than done. My girls killed a raccoon yesterday and I nearly had a heart attack. The hub-a-dub reminded me that's why they get rabies vaccines. He was right. Like Sally always says, I stopped to take a deep breath and let them be dogs.
Whew . . . you got this my friend.
pam
Harmony became a Tripawd on 10/21/14 (MCT). She left us way too soon on 11/1/14.
"We miss you so much; our love, our heart, our Harmony."
- Pam, Ron and Melody, Meesha, Doublestuff and Mariah Carey
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