Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Honey was re-admitted tonight 2 days after surgery with heart arrhythmia and high white cell count. She was fine until this afternoon when she panting and couldn't stand. We very worried and not sure she's going to make it through the night. Has anyone experienced this?
Dx Osteosarcoma 3/31/10. Amputation 7/21/10. Honey put up a valiant fight and lost her battle 9/22/10. Missing her and treasuring 9 years with our Honeygurl.
What breed is Honey? How was her health otherwise pre-amputation? Is she a heavy dog? What meds is she on? Was her amputation due to cancer or another reason?
We have heard of some Greyhounds having issues with post-op bleeding. And it is very common for Tramadol to cause panting and lethargy. But over-medication can result in heavy panting and refusal to move. Infections and blood clots can both cause pretty adverse reactions too. Personally, however, we have no experience with what you're dealing with. Hopefully others may have better advice. the more info you can provide the better.
You have our best wishes for Honey pulling through with flying colors. Please keep us posted. And thank you for joining, be sure to log in so your posts publish immediately without requiring moderation.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi and thanks for your reply and support.
Honey is a 9-year-old golden and about 80 lbs. She has osteosarcoma. She is otherwise healthy, I believe, and has undergone 4 chemo treatments in the past 4 months with mild reaction. She has been on tramadol, gabapentin, and deramax for most of the past few months. They put a morphine patch on pre-op and another narcotic patch post-op.
Dx Osteosarcoma 3/31/10. Amputation 7/21/10. Honey put up a valiant fight and lost her battle 9/22/10. Missing her and treasuring 9 years with our Honeygurl.
I'm so sorry to hear about Honey. I hope that this will all clear up.
My Kona is also 9yrs and has osteosarcoma.
She did have a white cell issue after her first chemo.
They put her on an antibiotic that she had a horrible reaction to (couldn't even stand, even on carpet), took her off it, and it went back to normal or near.
So, Honey's been on pain meds all this time? That seems awfully long. I'm sort of wondering if it has to do with her being on these powerful drugs for so long. That could certainly throw off her whole system.
I'm sending you and Honey my prayers and good thoughts for her to get better and get back home and back to her pup stuff.
hugs,
Denise
hugs,
Kona turned 9yrs on April 16, 2010.
Kona was diagnosed Memorial Weekend 2010 with osteosarcoma.
Right rear leg amputated on June 4th. First chemo June 18th 2010
Second chemo July 9th, 2010 Third and final (yea !!!) chemo July 30th, 2010
ONE TOUGH GIRL this Australian Cattledog !
***Kona's journey/fight ended late in the evening of December 22, 2010***
We Love you so much Kona….always
Bella 9yrs, albino lab/aussie shep/pit?(abandoned in mts as a puppy) deaf & blind (from birth) in one eye limited vision in other.(laid back, ok lazy 73 lbs)
Cotton, 5yrs, albino hound/terrier of somesort/???(abandoned in mts as a puppy) deaf & blind in one eye(from birth), excellent vision in seeing eye. (ball addict…destroyer of Kong balls…yes,etc), high energy 55lbs knots of muscle)
Kona Kai's pup brother and sister as well as her buddy and playmate cat, Shaymous 12yrs (like Seamus), miss her terribly.
We are very sorry to hear that Honey is having complications. We will hope and pray that you are having a two day post surgery down-turn, which is more common than you might expect. I would suggest that you question your team about the Tramadol and pain medications. Miss Cherry came home and we had to slow her down on the first evening, but by day two she definately had issues. We had to take her off the Tramadol because of uncontrolled convulsions that appeared hours after the dose, peaked about half way through the period between doses, and then disappeared about two hours before the next dose. Also, she really did not come around until the pain medications were gone from her system. They are very necessary, but some do have difficulties with all the chemicals in their system. The first two weeks are the worst, but usually do get better. I often suggest keeping a journal where you can note everything you are seeing. It will help with the medical team, and allow you to make accurate assessments regarding progress.
Sending Pawsitive Thoughts and Prayers that this is only a short set-back.
Spirit Cherry's Dad
What type of arrhythmia? It depends if the rate is fast or slow. Atrial fibrillation (very fast and irregular) is worse than slow. It is unusual that your dog had so much chemo prior to amputation. If she had doxyrubricin (Adriamycin) that can sometimes cause heart damage.
Pam
Thanks for answering Pam! (FYI: tazziedog is a vet.)
My heart would race too if I was on all those meds.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thanks so much for your support, prayers and comments.
Honey was a little brighter yesterday and is responding to medication for her heart. We don't know if her heart rate is fast or slow and will ask about that this morning.
When Honey was first diagnosed this was the vet's comments and recommendations:
There is some new research which suggests that there may be an advantage to delaying amputation until it becomes necessary for pain relief (uncontrollable pain or fracture). Firstly, the primary tumor appears to secrete molecules that inhibit growth of micrometastases. Secondly, it is virtually universal for osteosarcoma patients to die of metastasis post-amputation, which means that the cancer spreads prior to the time of diagnosis. Chemotherapy, when used post-amputation, approximately doubles survival time. Carboplatin is given every 3-4 weeks for a minimum of 4 doses post-operatively.
We're heartsick about this and just praying there is no permanent damage.
Thanks again.
Alice
Dx Osteosarcoma 3/31/10. Amputation 7/21/10. Honey put up a valiant fight and lost her battle 9/22/10. Missing her and treasuring 9 years with our Honeygurl.
Continued good thoughts for you and Honey. Responding to medication is a 'good' thing. Try to stay positive.
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.
alisemaria said:
There is some new research which suggests that there may be an advantage to delaying amputation...
For more feedback on this subject, review the last few comments in this transcript from our Live Chat with Dr. Michael Lucroy.
Also, check out our video interview with Dr. Mona Rosenberg for details about recommended Carboplatin chemotherapy treatments for osteosarcoma in dogs.
We're happy to here Honey is doing better. Please keep us posted on her progress.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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