Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Since we found the mets 4 weeks ago she hasn't shown any outward symptoms. I really don't know what to expect with a cough. Not sure if it sounds like a real cough or a gag, but she gagged about 5 times in a row yesterday morning. I was concerned because she gagged 3 different times during the night. I immediately called the vet and wanted xrays done. My head was reeling, I couldn't believe it was all happening so fast. We couldn't get in until the afternoon and of course she never made the sound the rest of the day, thankfully.
As I had said before, her xrays 4 weeks ago showed 4 mets in her lungs with the largest being almost the size of a quarter. The chest pics yesterday showed 3 more mets and the previous ones were just slightly larger but not much. Not having any experience with this I don't know if that means it's a fast growth, a slow growth or a "who the hell knows" growth in the past 4 weeks. I expected to see a chest full after going through the gagging. The vet didn't feel they should be causing coughing at this point but I don't know.
I felt paralyzed all day yesterday until we could get in to the vet. I know it was not good for me or Libby. I couldn't do anything and it seemed I was just sitting around waiting for something to happen. I don't want to be that way. I WANT TO BE MORE SALLY and all the other pawsitive pawrents here! 
Anyway, I felt a bit better after seeing the vet. I'm not happy there are more tumors but I am happy they haven't overtaken her lungs at this point.
Tomorrow she goes for an ultrasound of her bladder as were are still dealing with what I hope is just cystitis. Once again though, since we made the appointment yesterday I have not seen any blood today. She had some orange tint last night after a 3rd squat but no extra squats today. Oy! I also didn't realize I had to withhold food tonight and in the morning and I drop her off for about 3 or 4 hours. I hate that. I'm not good at that kind of stuff.
Sorry for the lengthy post, I just finally feel I can share with everyone and breathe a little better today. Libby is still the rock star she has always been since day one!
She totally loves the snow....
Liberty (Libby) was diagnosed with OSA on 1-22-13. Right front amputation on 1-31-13. No IV Chemo. Metronomic Therapy started 2-19-13 along with supplements and some home cooking. Lungs clear until 1-06-14. She's still her happy, hoppy, bossy self. Living the dog life to the fullest and a proud Winter Warrior. :) RIP my Libby 4-21-03 to 3-19-14
Oh Libby.... stop scaring us all! ((((Hugs)))).... I totally get what you are saying. I try really hard to forget that Shelby has lung mets too and to be "more dog" but every hack, gag, wheeze ... I flip out. But then I try and calm myself and remember that Shelby has been 'hacking' like that for years ... long prior to her cancer. Due to her constant pulling (harness, collar, didn't matter).
Shelby often coughs right when she wakes up from a nap or something. Or if she gets too excited. Does Libby do that?
It is very hard to take yourself out of the moment and wait for the vet visit, wait for the results so I have no advice there other than I completely empathize and do it too.
But Libby looks great in the snow. I how she's buried her face!!! So precious!
Hugs are all I got today since I don't know about the mets anymore than what you already know.
Alison and Shelby
Shelby Lynne; Jack Russell/Shiba Inu mix. Proud member of the April Angels of 2014.
October 15, 2000 to April 8, 2014
Our story: Broke rear leg in June 2013 - non-conclusive results for cancer so leg was plated and pinned. Enlarged spleen in September 2013 and had it removed and was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma and started chemotherapy. Became a Tripawd January 8th, 2014 and definitive Hemangiosarcoma diagnosis. Three major surgeries in 7 months and Shelby took them all like a champ only to lose her battle to cancer in her brain. We had 8 amazing extra months together and no regrets. #shelbystrong #loveofmylife
Oh Amy my heart and stomach just dropped when I saw this post. I am so glad it turned out to be somewhat OK!!!!
As you know, Jill has been gagging on and off (same type of thing, will gag about 5-6 times in a row) now since about February 2013. About 2 weeks ago it was so bad I thought for sure it was lung mets, I could even see on the look on her vets face as she was gagging in the office she thought it could be as well. But no, Jill's all still clear. So I suppose gagging can just be normal....although SO SCARY when you are dealing with this. I know exactly how you feel. When she has these gagging attacks my heart stops completely. Her vet and oncologist really have no idea whats causing it, could just be some dry weather, could be a little acid reflux....no clue.
Just keep hanging in there....and tell Libby I said to cut it out! 
Much love,
Erica & Jill
Jill is a 9-year-old tuxedo kitty. She was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma in June 2012 on her toe in her right hind leg. Her leg was amputated on 12/12/12 and she completed four rounds of chemo (2 of Carbo, 2 of Doxy) in April 2013. "Like" Jill's facebook page: https://www.fac.....tty?ref=hl Proud member of the WINTER WARRIORS!!!! Her blog can be read at http://jillsjou.....ipawds.com. xoxo
It's so hard not to worry with every little thing. Don't beat yourself up over it!
Has the gagging stopped? Could she have just had a tickle in her throat?
Good luck with the ultrasound! Let us know the results!
Hugs,
Carol
Alison, I'll take the hugs any time! She doesn't gag after waking from a nap and doing this 5 times in a row was unusual. It is very possible she sucked in some hair or had some breakfast caught in her throat. That's what I'm telling myself, anyway.
Erica, I remember that episode with Jill. If only they could talk and tell us what's wrong. Ok, saying "F U Cancer" doesn't count! haha 
I told Libby to never do that again so we'll see how well she follows instructions.
Yes, Carol it sure is hard. I try not to. I've told myself I will have no regrets when we come to the end of this journey but in the moment I still do. She hasn't gagged since.
It scares the crap out of Sammie every time Libby does this. She tries to hide in places her 105 lb body won't fit!
This is Sammie...
Liberty (Libby) was diagnosed with OSA on 1-22-13. Right front amputation on 1-31-13. No IV Chemo. Metronomic Therapy started 2-19-13 along with supplements and some home cooking. Lungs clear until 1-06-14. She's still her happy, hoppy, bossy self. Living the dog life to the fullest and a proud Winter Warrior. :) RIP my Libby 4-21-03 to 3-19-14
Thank you, Bonnie. I appreciate your support. (((Hugs)))
Amy & Libby
Liberty (Libby) was diagnosed with OSA on 1-22-13. Right front amputation on 1-31-13. No IV Chemo. Metronomic Therapy started 2-19-13 along with supplements and some home cooking. Lungs clear until 1-06-14. She's still her happy, hoppy, bossy self. Living the dog life to the fullest and a proud Winter Warrior. :) RIP my Libby 4-21-03 to 3-19-14
AHHHH.... Sammie!!! It must be loud then! I would hide too....
Shelby's coughs actually sound like she's been a chain-smoker her whole life. Seriously - it's a very low, subtle cough so I don't know if it's related to the mets or if perhaps she chain-smokes and febreezes the apt while I am at work. Her vet has checked her for years about this and we really attribute it to the pulling that she's always done (some battles I never won w/her). 🙂
So perhaps it is a tickle in her throat or something got caught in there. I know where we live, it's been ultra dry (not where you are, obviously) but even MY allergies are out of control and I can take something for them (Allegra) so perhaps Shelby also has seasonal allergies. Keep us posted about the ultra sound!
Shelby Lynne; Jack Russell/Shiba Inu mix. Proud member of the April Angels of 2014.
October 15, 2000 to April 8, 2014
Our story: Broke rear leg in June 2013 - non-conclusive results for cancer so leg was plated and pinned. Enlarged spleen in September 2013 and had it removed and was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma and started chemotherapy. Became a Tripawd January 8th, 2014 and definitive Hemangiosarcoma diagnosis. Three major surgeries in 7 months and Shelby took them all like a champ only to lose her battle to cancer in her brain. We had 8 amazing extra months together and no regrets. #shelbystrong #loveofmylife
Your Pups are both precious! I have a 2 year old Corgi that is completely healthy but coughs, gags, reverse sneezes every day. Could be the dry winter air. I know, I know, you still jump at every twitch. Hang in there, she looks great. She has that certain sparkle still in her eyes.
TY GUY, Best Black Lab ever! Diagnosed and had amp in January, 2014. Kicked MRSA's butt. Earned his angel wings on April 16, 2014. Run Free my boy and don't forget a shoe. Ty is a proud member of the " April Angels". Ty sent us Daryl, a Tripawd rescue in Sept. of 2016. Daryl is 5 +or -. We are also Pawrents to Chandler, a Border Collie mix who is 15 and 1/2, Lucy, a Corgi who is 7, 2 minis, 2 horses, and a feisty cat named Zoe. Zoe had a non skeletal Osteosarcoma removed in July 2015. No Chemo, she was at least 16. She is going strong although she is now completely blind. She is now close to 20 and her hobbies are eating and sleeping in front of her personal heater.
The pictures of Libby in the snow remind me so much of Tuck....right down to the right front leg amputation. And how he loves the snow too.
Now Libby - quit scaring your Mom and Sammie (a beautiful petite girl if I ever saw one) with those coughs. Go on outside and make a snowdog
Many hugs to you Amy and a loving lick from Tuck
Linda
I'm looking at these fun, gorgeous pictures of Libby and thinking, "this is not a dog with lung mets!"
OK so maybe the x-rays said something else, but when I see that look in her eyes as she romps in the snow, she's not thinking about them. She just wants to BE MORE SALLY! (ahaha I love that!). And she is, and you can be too, you already are.
It's hard not to think the worst. And honestly yes, lung mets can interfere with breathing occasionally. Our vet told us that one met was really getting in the way whenever Jerry laid a certain way, but only when he laid that way (so we told hiim not to!). Otherwise he was just a normal dog and we could at least pretend that those mets weren't there most of the time.
Day by day. Libby is showing you that mets or not, she is determined to make the most of it.
Good luck at the appointment tomorrow! Keep us posted.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I LOVE LIBBY! And her mom is pretty awesome too!
I'm so sorry about the scare. These time bombs, also known as cancer, is plainly nerve-wracking. I hate it. I hate it for you. For me. For us all. At least her lungs are filled. Thankfully! I also have high hopes she'll pass her ultrasound with flying colors! They may detect inflammation, which would make sense, but I'm guessing nothing more. She's just taking her time healing.
Please post more pics! Sammie is darn cute. I love his open-mouth breathing. Very sweet! But is his breath...? And who doesn't love seeing a dog relish in joy!? I mean, Libby face down in that snow and coming up with the hugest smile? Oh, deary, how I love your girl. Play on, Libs! Play on!
~ K&J
ACL tear in right hind leg 12/5/12 and scheduled ACL repair surgery 12/21/12. Pre-op xrays revealed osteosarcoma. Amputation 12/28/12. Chemo (carboplatin) started Jan 10, 2013 and ended on April 5, for a total of 5 doses. He handled carbo like a champ! No side effects. We started metronomic therapy at his third chemo and have been also doing some holistic treatments. He's a lively, playful 10 year old huskie-boarder collie and a very proud member of the Winter Warriors! Our love. Our funny little guy!
Amy I can't say anything about gagging. Sassy did that when she had acid reflux. She never did that with her mets. I swear to you the only symptom she had of the mets were she coughed that one time and slowed down. Up until her chest filled with fluid. I am glad that things are semi good. I decided after about 3 sets of x-rays when we knew she had mets that I didn't want anymore. I wanted to just enjoy Sassy, let her be a dog and pretend as if we had all the time in the world. Guess that didn't work huh LOL.
Libby sure doesn't look like she has mets. She looks happy. thanks for sharing the pictures.
Hugs
Michelle & Angel Sassy
Sassy is a proud member of the Winter Warriors. Live long, & strong Winter Warriors.
sassysugarbear.tripawds.com
07/26/2006 - Sassy earned her wings 08/20/2013
05/04/2006 - Bosch, Sassy's pal, earned his wings 03/29/19 fought cancer for 4 months.
"You aren't doing it TO her, you are doing it FOR her. Give her a chance at life."
Oh Alison, chain smoking and febreeze, lol!
Thanks, myty...I still see that sparkle, too.
Linda, snow dog angels are her favorite thing to do in the snow. Eating it is a close second!
Jerry, thanks for the info about the positioning of the met and breathing. Someone here mentioned their dog was more comfortable laying straight that on either side. I keep that in mind. I also remember what you said when we found out about the mets..."mets schmets"! We are thumbing our noses and those beasts.
Hi Katy...I'm hoping it's just inflammation of the bladder, too. Would you know it though....she hasn't had one speck (that I could see) of blood in her pee today and she has gone several hours without peeing. I think she just likes to see us cringe when we open the bills. I told her she needs a job to help with her upkeep! Sammie is my big lug, snugglebug, sweetie pie. Her breath doesn't stink. Whodathunk rabbit & deer poop could be breath fresheners?!
Michelle, I hadn't thought of acid reflux. Libby has been a puker 
(excuse the graphic language ) since she was a pup so there could be some of that going on. I have never forgotten you saying sweet Sassy only coughed 1 time. I'm going to work on putting the mets out of my mind. In my heart they are gone. I just need to convince my brain and carry on being more dog!
Liberty (Libby) was diagnosed with OSA on 1-22-13. Right front amputation on 1-31-13. No IV Chemo. Metronomic Therapy started 2-19-13 along with supplements and some home cooking. Lungs clear until 1-06-14. She's still her happy, hoppy, bossy self. Living the dog life to the fullest and a proud Winter Warrior. :) RIP my Libby 4-21-03 to 3-19-14
Dr Boyer told us with Sassy's weight at 129 we could give up to 3 20mg of pepcid. So some nights i gave her 2 before bed and 1 in the am if she needed it. Maybe try 1 pepcid before bed
hugs
Michelle & Angel Sassy
Sassy is a proud member of the Winter Warriors. Live long, & strong Winter Warriors.
sassysugarbear.tripawds.com
07/26/2006 - Sassy earned her wings 08/20/2013
05/04/2006 - Bosch, Sassy's pal, earned his wings 03/29/19 fought cancer for 4 months.
"You aren't doing it TO her, you are doing it FOR her. Give her a chance at life."
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