Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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First and foremost: A huge THANK YOUto Cometdog for the kick-butt video she did of Charlie.
Today marks 7 weeks since amputation. It has been an emotional roller-coaster ride for me that has sparked intense neuroses with each day bringing:
Hey, is his hop off?
That breathing is too fast! Or (always a fun one as I stare at him) too shallow!
Does this lump look twice the size since yesterday?
Oh, this is awesome, now he can sleep with his eyes open (this one even freaked out Mr. VQ).
Anyway, everyday brings a 'new' issue upon which I feel like I'm losing my mind. 
Like I've stated elsewhere, Charlie is an incessant paw licker. When he does, however, he hacks, like he has a furball. He started this long before the cancer, but now we get the added pressure of: Is it lung mets? I've had quite a few conversations with Charlie explaining that this concerns me, but when they removed his leg, his hearing was effected. Okay, so I realize it's more of a "I do what I want to do!" versus actual loss of hearing, but that is our new excuse.
So, I brought him to the vet yesterday for his CBC (normal, once again the platelets were down, but only to 74 versus 60 like last time) and we decided to get another chest x-ray, to alleviate the furball/lung met question/fear. One gets done but then they need him to flip over. Five of us trying to get him to flip, and he was having none of it! I actually got punched in the eye. I'm going to claim 'bar fight' as the whole lick-furball-amputation-hearing-loss-cancer-"I do what I want to do!"- excuse just isn't cool enough.
The x-rays look fine. Me? Not so much…again, bar fight.
I also started him on the Artemisinin last Friday. Today he started the 'shrooms (sounds cooler than 'Mush' although my cohort at school keeps asking when Charlie starts the medicinal marijuana) and BSST. So now, added to his food (twice daily): fish oil (AllerG-3), glucosomine (Glyco-Flex III), 'shrooms (Mush) and B.S.S.T. with the Arteminisin and Butyrex given right before bed.
Whew! I couldn't even take prenatal vitamins, now I've got a pharmaceutical/supplement cupboard & fridge.
Just keeping you all updated on my boy. It might help, it might not, but as long as it doesn't hurt him, we're going for it!
Thanks for letting the neurotic old lady ramble…
"I don't know where I am."
So glad to read Charlie is doing well! I often wondered, and have meant to ask.
I can totally relate to the: is he hopping differently? was that a cough? is his breathing right? does his poop look normal? does his pee smell funny? did he just make a noise? etc …
Hoppy 7week Ampuversary, Charlie!
Amputation on 11/10/09, due to Histiocytic Sarcoma in left elbow. Angel Harley earned his wings on 06/24/10.
It's great to hear Charlie is doing well and enjoying life.
EDITED by Me....Sorry Charlies' Mom. My bad!
Not a day passes by that I don't freak out over something. I'm a total basket case at times. I've worried about everything from Fortis passing gas to wanting to eat dirt! I'm always analyzing his poop and pee. My wife thinks I'm a nut. I don't even know what I'm looking for and I'm sure no Scatologist! Is that a word? Sounds like maybe I might need a trip to the pasture!
Congrats Charlie . keep up the good work.
FortisDad
It's hard to shake the neuroses once you've had a dog with cancer. I still fret over every little thing with Gerry - it's a tough habit to break. Hang in there. Put the quality time first and the worrying second!
I've always wanted a black eye to make me look tough. What a nice gift, Charlie!
Ramble on 
Gerry has been a tripawd since 12/16/2009.
He was a shelter dog with a mysterious past and an irrepairable knee injury.
Videos and pics of Gerry's pawesomeness can be found at: http://gerry.tripawds.com
Oh my, a black eye!
And you're right - I'd be sticking with the bar fight story. 
The neuroses never goes away completely. Frankly, in my case, it's always been there in one form or another anyways. It just manifests itself in different degrees and circumstances.
All in all, sounds like everything is normal to me.
And I enjoy reading rambles.
Catie -
Birthday – November 4 2003
Amputation – January 13 2010
Crossed the Bridge – June 2 2011
Cool, a black eye! Can't think of a better way to get one, although I agree that the bar fight story is a better explanation (possibly incurred while under the influence of 'shrooms). I don't think I will ever recover from the neuroses so welcome to the club.
You ramble well, so keep on rambling!
Spirit Ruthie's Mom
(another neurotic old lady)
Charlie,
I know that it is hard to do, but your Mom needs to CHILL OUT. You are going to find her in a crumbled pile on the floor some day, and then where will all of you be at. After all, this marks a 7 week ampuversary. Just look at how far you have come already. There should be celebration with all the ampuversary trimmings – extra hugs, extra playtime, special treats, and ICE CREAM. I know that Dad had a hard time as well, especially when I would not eat during the two months of chemotherapy. I was not sure if his fingers would hold out, but he actually got rather good at getting the food past my tongue before releasing it. Just so I did not have to taste it, but that is another story.
Everybody has their moments where the fears seem to overwhelm them, and while we all know that just enjoying the extra time and our progress is the most important fact, it is not always easy. So, tell your Mom that she can come to this community, vent, and it will fall an totally sympathetic ears – usually ears of someone who has been, presently is, or will be in a similar state.
So lets just raise the level of this posting to one of CELEBRATION for reaching 7 weeks. The two month ampuversary is not far behing.
Pawsitive Paws Up
Spirit Cherry
Well Mr. Charlie – Your are welcome DE-LUXE! You are a handsome dude and it made me want to look at you all the time!
I think your mom needs an eye patch! I always wanted one! She'd look like a pirate or even a spy! How cool!
It's Friday night video night so LET'S ALL SING to Charlie's debut music video! Come on – you know the words!
Fortis' dad has gotten funny with his new found mental illness!
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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