Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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My girl Coco had her front leg amputated on Jan 3. What a birthday present(Jan 9) she turned 10. She had clear chest x-rays and perfect bloodwork. She is getting around great and seems very happy. I don't regret my decision to have gone through with the surgery her quality of life has improved greatly.
Unfortunately, as I stated in a past post my girl was diagnosed with Histiostyic Sarcoma and it was confirmed today and was told they recommend Chemo as a treatment at 400 every 3 weeks and untreated probably limited to months. To say I'm heartbroken would be an understatement. I don't honestly know if I can put her through Chemo let alone the financial burden. I'm going to enjoy and spoil her as long as I can and know I did everything I could to improve her quality for as long as we have with her. Also, if any one has any advice it would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Hey there! What a birthday present is right. I guess the real present came when she bounced back eh?! So glad to hear she is doing well and back to her hoppy self.
Please don't beat yourself up over the chemotherapy decision. Chemo is optional. It's not always right for every dog, and nobody will condemn you if you opt out. We didn't do it either. I'll admit later on in Jerry's life there were times that I wondered if we should have done it, but years later we don't have any regrets.
Plus, remember that statistics are just educated guesses. They aren't based on Coco's health history, and stats can't predict what will happen. In the cancer game, anything is possible. We've seen dogs live a long time without having had chemo, and we've seen some not live as long as anyone had hoped even though they had all the chemo treatments that were recommended.
The financial cost of chemo plays a huge role too. If a pet parent is stressed by having to pay for treatment, that is not good medicine for the dog. All Coco wants is for her family to be happy, not stressed out by bills that have her name on them.
Now, if you're not sure what the chemo would cost, then it would be beneficial if you talked to the oncologist just to get all the information you need to make a confident decision. If you already have and you still feel this way, then I think you know the best answer for Coco. We will support you no matter what!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Jerry,
I appreciate you and your straightforward answer. For me and for the others. Your answer now and before has helped me more than you will ever know. Your comments are very thoughtful and well thought out and your answer was perfect and exactly what I needed to hear at this time. I havent schedule a consult yet. However, I do think one is warrantied. Not really so much for Coco, but for me arming myself with all the information needed for my own piece of mind. You know if they could guarantee a high success rate the financial side of it would be a much easier decision. Either way I feel I did the right thing with the amputation.and improved her quality of life. How she has bounced back hopping on three legs is Incredible.
Thank You
For more feedback from members over the years, check out this popular topic about chemotherapy experiences.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
duckdiggler13 said
Jerry,I appreciate you and your straightforward answer. For me and for the others. Your answer now and before has helped me more than you will ever know. Your comments are very thoughtful and well thought out and your answer was perfect and exactly what I needed to hear at this time. I havent schedule a consult yet. However, I do think one is warrantied. Not really so much for Coco, but for me arming myself with all the information needed for my own piece of mind. You know if they could guarantee a high success rate the financial side of it would be a much easier decision. Either way I feel I did the right thing with the amputation.and improved her quality of life. How she has bounced back hopping on three legs is Incredible.
Thank You
Wow. This makes my heart so happy. Thank you for the kind words. It's an honor to be there for you and Coco.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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Bummer about the "diagnosis ", but Coco could care less about any ole' medical mumbo jumbo. Coco does NOT have a timeframe stamped a where on her sweet butt! She is not a sta. She is her own unique I individual self.
And yes. Jerry's sage advice is spot on as always 💖 So glad everything she shared resonated with you in such a reassuring way.
Chemo really is a crap shoot with or without. As Jerry said so honestly and truly, there really is no right or wrong decision. . Any decision out of love is ALWAYS the right decision!
And yes, finances are a bit part of the equation for almost all of us. Coco knows you love her and woild not for one second want her hoomans to feel any financial stress. Yes, your loving bond works both ways in your devotion for wanting the best for each other♥️♥️. .Many aren able to do as much as you already have for Coco as amputation surgery was out of their reach financially. The important thing though....no matter what path you do or do not take.....make every moment the best moment ever!!
(((((((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!
Just an update on my girl Coco. She is very happy and gets around amazingly. I have scheduled a phone consultation with the oncologist on Feb 8th and hoping to hear at least some possible best case scenarios and or possibilities. At this point I feel after some researching and all that, I would at least give the chemo(Lumostine) a shot and as long as she doesn't have and serious side effects. I feel at this point it will give her the best chance of living a better quality of life for a bit longer. The hope is that it hasn't metastasized yet and from what I am reading will provide the best results and she could hopefully gain a year or so on her life, opposed to the average of 3-4 months without treatment. I feel if I don't give this a shot I would have left some cards on the table and I don't want to have any regrets later. I would certainly regret not trying. Although, I would not regret doing the amputation. What a rollercoaster of emotions I have experienced over the last two months. It has been very overwhelming. Will keep you updated. Thanks for listening.
OMD!!! That video has me grinning ear to ear! Coco is DEFINATELY a very very happy joyful girl!!! And that speaks volumes about how well she is doing and how she is living life to the fullest!!!
I'm so glad uou have a path forward that gives you hope, as well as the confidence knowing you have"left no cards on the table"..NO regrets!!.
Coco is a very lucky pup mto have you as his hooman♥️
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!
Aww look at her just basking in the sun and being so happy to get her mojo back! What a great update!
That's terrific you are going forward with the consult. Even just getting information is so helpful so you can feel confident no matter which way you go with therapy. Just a few more days until have the info!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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