Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Our hearts are breaking! Our dear, sweet Ada is nearing the end of her journey. On Wed, she was outside playing and chasing Carley like usual. On Thursday she just didn't seem to be acting her self. Friday she was more lethargic and started coughing. I knew something was wrong so took her to the U of M. They confirmed my worst fear, Ada has extensive metastasis to her lungs. She had a normal xray 5 weeks ago. I knew metastasis would eventually occur but not this fast.
Today she is weak, still eating and drinking but having difficulty getting up. She has a rare cough but seems to be resting comfortably.
I can't believe we are losing our girl so soon. She is only 2.5 years old.
I can't stop crying
Deb
Deb I am in the Tripawds chat room right now if you want to talk. I am sooo sorry, I know how your heart hurts and I wish there was something we could do to help. She is so young, it's such a shock to get awful news like that, it happened so fast.
Just know that there will be plenty of time for tears later. For now, remember she is still here and with you. Keep her comfortable (did they give you any pain meds?) be with her and make the most of every second. Make this time as sweet and memorable as you can and remember that nothing can take away the memories you created over the last few years, not even cancer.
If there is anything at all please don't hesitate OK? The Tripawds Helpline is also available for you, http://tripawds...../helpline/
{{{{{hugs}}}}}
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hang o to us Deb. We are all right by your s k de sending you strength.
I don't mean to be intrusive or have you revisit what you and your vets have already discussed. My Happy Hannah had met and she had prednisone and tramadol and that seemed to help her quality. Every dog is different and every situation is different. In Happy Hannah's case she tired more easily over rime. To see Ada have such a quick "reaction", I just wonder if, in addition to the mets, if she overdid it Thursday and maybe pulled a muscle or hurt her back or remaining knees, or something like that. Perhaps something else is adding to whatever symptoms the mets may, or may not, be showing. I certainly don't mean to be offering "false hope", just wondering if that could possibly be causing her not to wantro get up, etc. Clearly the mets are there, but may not be causing all the symptoms.
Ada ks still eating a d drinking and lethargy isn't painful. If the vet hasn't already done so, I would ask about a prednisone and tramadol prescription ro help alleviate the symptoms. IF she has sprained something or pulled a muscle, that should help and help alleviate the symptoms of the mets roo.
All Ada knows is she's tired. All Ada knows is she's continuing to get loved and spoiled like crazy! All Ada knows is you're letting her have more junk food than ever before! SPOIL! SPOIL!! SPOIL!! Ice cream, cake, cookies, bacon, pizza...anything she wants!! You WILL be able to stay in the moment with Ada because you love her soooo much! That love will get you through each moment. Ada is with you right now snd that's all that matters!
Bailey is right by yiur side as yiur Guardian Angel. He will help you stay strong.
Now go do something that makes Ada wag her tail and give her a big ole' grin and hug when she does!
Sending you all the love in tne world
Sally and My Eternal Light Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie
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!
The vets did look at her legs because I told them I was concerned about her maybe having an injury. They couldn't find anything. It was the emergency vets and they told me to call oncology on Monday for further follow up.
I'm so sorry that Ada isn't feeling well right now. And you're right, just 5 weeks and now a big change in the x-rays must be shocking. And so sad. But it sounds like she's been doing fine even w/ those unseen changes. So try to focus on getting her to feel a bit better.
You and she maybe nearing that bend in the road that we all come to. But she'll let you know if she wants to go on without you. So listen to your girl. I hope the oncologist can give you some options when you call.
Denise, Bill and Angel Ellie.
Active 10+ Pyr mix suddenly came up lame with ACL tear in left rear leg. Scheduled for a TPLO but final pre-op x-rays indicated a small suspicious area, possibly OSA, which could have caused the ACL tear. Surgeon opened the knee for TPLO but found soft bone. Biopsy came back positive for OSA. Became a Tripawd 9/18/14. Carbo6 with Cerenia and Fluids. Pain free and living in the moment. Crossed the Bridge on 7/12/15 after probable spread of cancer to her cervical spine. A whole lifetime of memories squeezed into 10 months. Here's her story: Eloise
Our oncologist emailed after she had found out that Ada was seen in the Emergency Clinic. She said that we still have options for her, specifically Palladia. She said that while Ada's xrays look scary, she said some dogs can live comfortably for months with metastasis.
I think we have something more going on. Her rear legs are very weak. She will get up and walk but she is very tentative. I mentioned this to the vets at Emergency Clinic but I think they got so focused on find mets that they didn't go any further. I am wondering if she slipped on some ice and injured herself? I will follow up with our vet tomorrow.
We are going to proceed with Palladia treatment. We are not ready to give up on our girl. She looked so bad yesterday, lethargic, weak, unable to get up. Today she is much better. She is bright, wagging her tail, rolling over for belly rubs, eating, drinking. She will walk for short distances.
Today we have hope!
Deb and Ada
That's great! I think she's telling you she isn't ready yet. Here's hoping for many more good days.
Denise
Active 10+ Pyr mix suddenly came up lame with ACL tear in left rear leg. Scheduled for a TPLO but final pre-op x-rays indicated a small suspicious area, possibly OSA, which could have caused the ACL tear. Surgeon opened the knee for TPLO but found soft bone. Biopsy came back positive for OSA. Became a Tripawd 9/18/14. Carbo6 with Cerenia and Fluids. Pain free and living in the moment. Crossed the Bridge on 7/12/15 after probable spread of cancer to her cervical spine. A whole lifetime of memories squeezed into 10 months. Here's her story: Eloise
I love your oncologist and she is right, our own Jerry had seven more great months after we discovered two very large mets.
Dont let the ER vets freak you out, but you wouldn't be the first. Here's a great post by one of our favorite vet bloggers who discusses why: Six Things Non-ER Vets Can’t Stand About Pet Emergency Rooms
Ada could have easily pulled a muscle or something like that, especially because she's doing better today. And again, it could be delayed side effects of the chemo too.
Lots of Tripawds members have tried Palladia, here is Patches story, she's on it now:
http://sweetpat.....ipawds.com
Glad to hear you sound hopeful! Lots of hugs coming your way, keep us posted OK?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
We are very fortunate to have an oncologist who really cares about her patients, and also fell in love with Ada! Our oncologist emailed and is squeezing Ada in tomorrow to evaluate her weakness and to do blood work and other evaluations to prepare to start Palladia!
I am so relieved to know that we can get Ada in so fast and get some answers as well as more treatment that will hopefully give us more time with our sweet girl. Our oncologist is painting a different picture than the ER vet! I am so thankful the ER vet contacted her about Ada.
Deb and Ada
You are in my thoughts, Deb and Ada!
Hattie & Jerry
Hugs,
Hattie and Jerry Cat (right front leg and scapula amputation due to chondrosarcoma at age 14, lived 2 1/2 years post amputation, succumbed suddenly to suspected lymphoma at age 16)
10/2001 - 10/9/2017 R.I.P ~ Love you always
Our visit to oncologist today was good! She found Ada to have a high fever. She started her on antibiotics and gave her fluids under the skin. She also found that Ada has pain in swelling in her remaining front leg. She did do xrays to confirm there was no metastasis. Fortunately, that is not the case. So we think she some how injured herself. This explains why she was not willing to walk. She has been started on Previcoxx to decrease inflammation. She thinks her extreme lethargy this weekend was related to the narcotics in the cough suppressant. She has decreased her dose.
Her blood work is normal so she will be starting on Palladia on Thursday. She wants to give her a few days on antibiotics so she can feel a little better before we start it.
Thank you all for your support and helping me through this past few days! You are all wonderful!! I don't know how I would have made it without you!
Deb and Ada
Such a relief!! Way to go Ada!!! Only around here ro we cheer for fevers and not walking "just" diue to an injury..an injury that will heal!!
It's soooo jard not to think the worse with every little hiccup or burp! Boy oh boy, we can all relate!! We've all been in that panic state and think the worst! To those of us on the "outside looking in" though, it just didn't make sense that she could be feeling so good one day and not the next. For the ER to blame that on mets that weren't even visible five weeks ago just didn't add up! And if the cough medicine jad codeine in it, that definitely can cause drowsiness!
Soooo glad you jave such an outstanding Onco.! I'm glad that she's putting the Palladia treatment off until Ada can recover from this challenge and get past her fever. I'm sure it wouldn't hurt even if you had to delay it past Thursday to give her time to recuperate. Of course, I'm no vet.
Okay, you now have an "extended Christmas Day present"! And is this a great Christmas present or what!!??
Thanks for themupdate...and it is such a great udate!!! CHEERING FOR YOU ADA!!!
Love and hugs!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
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!
Deb this is good news! We are all relieved and so happy you can relax a bit. All of our paws and fingers are crossed for a very speedy recovery and much success on the Palladia. Since folks are always curious about Palladia, we hope you'll continue to keep us posted on how things are going.
Hugs coming your way! Give Ada a smooch from us.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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