Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Sue,
I know it is hard not to worry, especially when you know that this cancer can come back anywhere at anytime. Many dogs on this site have survived many months with lung mets and prednisone can slow these growths down and make the cough go away for awhile (she would have to stop the Metacam). I had planned to try Tazzie on Palladia if she ever got lung mets but there can be side effects (mainly GI) and the cost would be very high for a Dane.
Good luck!!!!
Pam
Sue, we'll be here, please keep us posted. I think you'll feel loads better afterward. Paws crossed that it's all fine and your exams go well.
Tracy, sorry about the difficulties, we are working on it (upgrade quirks, sorry!).
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Sue, our hearts go out to you. There's no sugarcoating it - this is a hard time and it's difficult to know what to do right now. But we can tell you from our own personal experience that you'll get through this. Take your cues from your dog and trust your instincts. Overthinking and worrying about everything that might go wrong will only drive you insane and probably won't help anyway. Just take it one day at a time and know we're all thinking of you.
John and Diane
Sue, lots and lots of good thoughts from our house to you. You are on stress overload, getting those finals behind you will take a little of the load off. I'm glad the queen will have her vet visit tomorrow. I'm sure they can get you on some protocol that will help her be more comfortable, and ease your worry a bit. With so much happening at once, you must try to find a way to take things one at a time and enjoy quality time with Nova, Emily, and your mom. You can do it, I know you can.
And don't forget along the way, take a minute or two for yourself. You need that time, however small it may be, to re-charge yourself. Have a glass of wine, call a friend, drive around the block, take a bubble bath or a hot shower, go for a swim, or maybe just sit with the dogs outside for a few minutes and let your brain rest.
My heart and thoughts are with you. I'm sending thoughts for strength and inner peace as you face your challenges.
Shanna & Spirit Trouble ~ Trouble gained her wings 3/16/2011, a 27 1/2 month cancer survivor, tail wagging. RIP sweetheart, you are my heart and soul. Run free at Rainbow Bridge.
The November Five - Spirits Max, Cherry, Tika, Trouble & Nova. 11/2008 - 3/2013 An era ends as Queen Nova crossed the Bridge.
Ok Shanna.... we have been fighting this together side by side since November 2008. Trouble and Nova are heroes, warriors, they have ALREADY beaten the odds. I need to be thankful for that. Thanks for being there to walk with me through this. I can do this! 3 out of 4 exams are done, and I aced them. Beautiful sunny day here in the mid-60s, went for a long walk between exams, just to think. I called my parents in Florida to brag about my grades (like I was a little kid) and tell them to put my report card on their refrigerator (I am 43... LOL) On the way home I heard a funny song that reminded me of Nova, cranked it up and sang it at the top of my lungs. She got up to greet me when I got home. Got a nice glass of vino in my hand at this moment. Hot bath is filling up. Just spent a few minutes outside at night with Nova just sniffin' the air and giving her a good rub down, burying my face in her fur to get all I can of that glorious scent of l'eau de Nova. She only took a few bites of dinner, but the tail is wagging. (She is still coughing, it's not a hacking, but sounds more like allergy wheeziness). Got her settled in on the couch with her stuffed horsey, blankets, and she is snuggling with Daddy while he studies. Tail is thumping as I type. God, I am never going to know when it is "time" because of that crazy tail! But life is GOOD. I am going to try to schedule a massage for Friday. I really need one. By the end of next week I will be on the beach in Florida (for just a few days), enjoying quiet, pensive walks to give thanks for all the blessings in my life. Even if it seems like all hell is breaking loose.
Of course, I will update everyone tomorrow on the x-rays.
The Queen Mum
Dane Mom Sue at nova.tripawds.com and Mom to Beautiful Great Dane Queen Nova, a Blind Tripawd, who kicked cancer's butt from 11/08-03/13. The Queen is Spirit Nova now, but her legacy lives on here at Tripawds!
Sue and Nova,
I have been locked out from this site for almost 30 hours which is why it has taken me so long to respond to our soul and ampuversary mate. Like you said, the timing could not be worse.
I will contradict you comment about being wishy-washy because all that I read is a very concerned pawrent, struggling hard to make the absolutely right move. If you have any course open to you if the x-ray is not good, then it probably makes sence from a personal assurance point of view. While Miss Cherry never had long spells of caughing like Nova, I could hear her labored breathing for months before .... It was so very bad just the weeks before her one year Ampuversary that I was sure the end was very near. She also was extremely weak, had uncontrolled convulsions while laying down, and was able to stand only if I place my feet on either side of her rear legs (other wise they would split and she would lay there spread eagle on the floor.) But you will remember that she rallied, had her excellent celebration and continued strong for six more weeks.
It has been said above but is worth saying again - the fact that Nova is still eating is very encouraging. Build on that positive and attempt to keep an optmistic attitude. I know how difficult this will be, but Nova will feel better if you always present a smile, kind words, and the ocasional song. The mental state of BOTH of you is very important now. I know that this sounds like a dose of tough love, and while it is given with love, you know exactly of what I speak.
You will be in our thoughts and prayers even if the site once more locks me out. While I know that there are many (including Miss Cherry) to greet Nova, I also know that they wisper every day, that she needs to continue her journey on this side - there will be plenty of time later.
Love & Huggs
Bob
Yay! I'm so glad you aced your tests! We knew you would! That's the way to rally!
God, I am never going to know when it is "time" because of that crazy tail!
Just stop thinking about it! Sometimes I think dogs can read your mind. I didn't have any clue my Rugby was dying of cancer and had been for a couple of months but Comet did! She'd hide his sickly cancer urine by pottying over it. Dumb me just thought, how odd.
I'n hoping for the bestest news tomorrow – allergies are pretty bad right now for all of us. Maybe it's just allergies which will make them breathe heavy when walking.
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.
Hi Sue,
Sorry I'm late posting- I haven't been around much the last couple of days.
Nothing new to say- but thinking of you and EVERYTHING going on. Sending positive and peaceful thoughts your way. I am hoping for the best result on the x-rays.
Karen
Now you've got it, Sue!
You are most definitely living in the NOW. It sounds wonderful!
Paws crossed. We'll be here tomorrow waiting.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Just sending you love and hugs.....and prayers for Nova!
Ginny & Angel Paris
Grateful for every moment we had with Paris…..no regrets!
Honoring her life by opening our hearts & home to Addy!
Interesting development this morning. I came back from my last exam at school to find Nova standing there with big green goop dripping from her nose. After a short Google-fest, it came up with "upper respiratory bacterial infection" and "upper tooth abscess". Symptoms were the "snarfy" coughing sneezing that sound very much like what she's been having.
So right now I am praying that this is the reason for all my worrying, not lung mets. Our appt is in 90 minutes, so I will have answers. I will still do the chest x-rays, even if the vet is pretty sure it is just a bacterial infection. She has had a bad tooth for a long time, and it never ever occurred to me that the tooth could possibly be the cause of her symptoms.
Please everyone, keep your pawds crossed!
Sue
Dane Mom Sue at nova.tripawds.com and Mom to Beautiful Great Dane Queen Nova, a Blind Tripawd, who kicked cancer's butt from 11/08-03/13. The Queen is Spirit Nova now, but her legacy lives on here at Tripawds!
All three paws are crossed here. Good luck and keep us posted.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thinking of you and keeping our paws crossed that everything is ok with Nova. Kami (Mackenzie's Mom)
My sweet golden Mackenzie. She became my angel on Dec 29, 2010 at the age of 8 1/2 although she was always my angel from the time we brought her home. She was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in Sept 2009 and officially became a tripawd (front leg) on Nov 5, 2009. She will be forever in my heart and now she's running free with all of our other tripawd heroes. I love you Mackenzie!
Sue and Nova,
I swear that Miss Cherry's imune system was challenged after chemotherapy. She would catch nearly every bug that flew in a mile radius. This is one reason that I never took Miss Cherry to the NorCal TriPawds Gatherings. This is not to make light of the seriousness of the conditions, but rather to let you know that it will be a challenge. I believe that there have been a number of our community where this condition was so bad, that the vet put them on antibiotics on a continious basis. I am not sure that this is not over kill, but it does show the seriousness of the condition.
We wil be waiting with baited breath regarding the outcome and will hold any more comments back until you post the results.
Hugs and Prayers till that time.
Spirit Cherry & Dad
WHHHOOOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOO!!! You are all not going to believe this. It turns out that Nova's symptoms are from a pesky upper respiratory tract infection. Silly me! 
I bit the bullet and told the vet to do the chest x-rays anyway. I had already psyched myself up for it, so I told him to go ahead and do them. Well..... they were as clear as they were the last time I had them done, which was 9 months ago in 7/09. OhMyDOG, I can't believe it. She is over 16 months post-amp and STILL no evidence of cancer! My miracle puppy! I am bawling my eyes out right now with joy.
I am so sorry to put you all through my last 24 hours of worries and paranoia. I'm so embarrassed that I freaked out like that. You all are the greatest. It's so hard to think of other things when that stupid cancer beast strikes. It did not even occur to me that it could possibly be something that could be easily treated with an antibiotic. Thank you all SO MUCH for all your support and helping me get through this.
Now, I am going to go hug my big baby some more. Oh boy, she is really going to give me an earful on her blog later for being such a worrywart, I can just feel it.
Sue, the (Totally Ecstatic) Queen Mum and
Queen Nova, the Amazing Kicking Cancer's Butt Miracle Dog
Dane Mom Sue at nova.tripawds.com and Mom to Beautiful Great Dane Queen Nova, a Blind Tripawd, who kicked cancer's butt from 11/08-03/13. The Queen is Spirit Nova now, but her legacy lives on here at Tripawds!
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