Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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And where do I start….????
BearPuppy, our 8 year old, best breed pup with bad hip dysplasia was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma. He was scheduled to have a hip replacement surgery done on 9/18. However, shortly before the surgery he started limping on the front leg and was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma.
Those of you who read our story know how much I have agonized over the decision to amputate because of the hip issue. I analyzed and over analyzed our options, but at the end, against all recommendations from doctors and friends, I had to do what BearPup wanted me to do and what my heart told me was the right decision. So, instead of the hip replacement surgery on 9/18, we amputated that right, front limb.
The same day our BearPuppy was diagnosed with OSA, BearPup’s best friend, Aslan, was diagnosed with lymphosarcoma.
The first two weeks after amputation were brutal. Between BearPup’s major GI issues from the post-op medications and Aslan’s adverse reaction to chemo that landed him in the hospital, I literally felt like the life was being sucked right out of me. I do not think I would have survived without the kind words and encouragement from people on this forum.
Slowly, things did get better. Aslan bounced back to his normal, always hungry goofiness and BearPup grew stronger with each day. All the worries about BearPup's hips …… well, it was all for nothing. To everyone’s surprise, he has absolutely no trouble at all with getting up, taking short runs, or even maneuvering up and down the couple of steps that lead to the outside. I am sure, the 12 lbs. leaner version of BearPup, supplements, acupuncture, and bi-weekly shots of Adequan all help, but, truly……… it is his joy for life and pure determination to be well that allow him to do so exceptionally.
So..... life was starting to be ‘normal’ again and things were looking really good for BearPup until yesterday. We went to have the much dreaded lung x—rays done. There are 3 nodules in his right lung. I knew this was going to happen eventually, I just didn’t expect it to be so soon. Our vet said we may have 4 to 6 weeks, but I know that many of you have or had babies that lived with lung mets for months thanks to various treatments.
So…. how to proceed now….… ???? We did not choose to do chemo for Bear and we are not going to do it now. I know there are other treatment protocols besides chemo, but it seems that all are very harsh. Perhaps the best thing to do is to continue BearPup’s homeopathic treatment with Dr. Loops, spoil him rotten, be grateful for every day, and pray for the best.
Hugs to everyone and you precious creatures.
Eve and BearPuppy.
The x-ray may have shown 3 nodules on Bear's lungs, but I can guarantee it didn't show a "4 - 6 weeks" expiration date! Don't stress about numbers; that's all they are: numbers. It's an estimate. All dogs are different. Bear doesn't know those mets are there, he just knows he loves his Mom. It sounds like other than the knowledge you have, Bear is doing pretty well. I know it's hard to do and easier said than done (believe me, I've been there), but try not to worry or be sad about this right now. Do not let this disease take away any of your happy times from your boy. If Bear's happy today, then you be happy too! And roll it on over to the next day, and the day after, and the day after that. One day, there will be plenty of time for you to be sad, but that isn't today. Now go out and do something fun with your boy, and give him a nice belly rub for me! And most importantly, stay strong!
Oh, I'm sorry to hear about the lung mets. That is a hard day when you hear that news. But, like Maximutt said - Bear is happy. He doesn't know about the mets. He doesn't know what's ahead and he doesn't care.
We did try Palladia when Abby had lung mets, but had to stop due to GI issues. We also did Cytoxan/Piroxicam w/ no side effects and lots of supplements (mainly artemisinin and K9 Immunity ). You could consider trying some of those at-home metronomic protocol options - but I think your plan of continuing with the holistic treatment & spoiling him absolutely rotten sounds like a good one.
Keep us posted on what you decide and how he's doing. Please give him a big hug from me and a nose-poke from Rita.
Jackie, Angel Abby's & MBBunny Rita's mom
Abby: Aug 1, 2009 – Jan 10, 2012. Our beautiful rescue pup lived LARGE with osteosarcoma for 15 months – half her way-too-short life. I think our "halflistic" approach (mixing traditional meds + supplements) helped her thrive. (PM me for details. I'm happy to help.) She had lung mets for over a year. They took her from us in the end, but they cannot take her spirit! She will live forever in our hearts. She loved the beach and giving kisses and going to In-N-Out for a Flying Dutchman. Tripawds blog, and a more detailed blog here. Please also check out my novel, What the Dog Ate. Now also in paperback! Purchase it at Amazon via Tripawds and help support Tripawds!
We found lung mets in January...Levi made it to June 26. I really feel like you have more than 5-6 wks. I gave him k9 critical care supplements and "stasis of the mansion". I stopped all chemo. We had a lot of good times even after we found the mets. Sorry you are going through this.
Levi was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma 7-7-11
Ampuversary 10-14-11
Lung Mets Discovered 1-4-12. Chemo seemed to not be working so we switched to Artemisinin and other supplements. In May, Levi developed a sinus infection and started having seizures. The cancer had moved to his brain. We let him go 6-26-12.
Eve, I'm so sorry to hear this. When those mets appear it's like starting all over again, it really hurts.
But look at Bearpup. . . what is he thinking about? I'll bet it's not about being sick. He's thinking about having a good time, with his pack. Not about tomorrow or the day after that, but just about right NOW. This is the way dogs can teach us how to make the most of life, even when situations like this throw a wrench into things.
You said it best:
it is his joy for life and pure determination to be well that allow him to do so exceptionally.
That won't change after this news. So do your best to follow his lead, and you can deal with this just a little easier.
It sounds to me like you know the route you want to take based on what's best for Bear. Go with your gut feeling and you can't go wrong. We're here for you in the meantime.
{{{{{hugs}}}}}}
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I had a good chuckle at the x-rays showing expiration date comment, Maximutt. I did see the x-rays and, for sure, they did not show any expiration dates.
I told the doc not to talk statistics to me … if I believed in statistics, I would not have proceeded with the amputation in the first place. Heck … we may as well not even bother getting out of bed because there is a statistic on how many people die getting out of bed. Yes, there are statistics and many of them, but there are also real life, wonderful cases like those of your babies that defy statistics, cases that give hope.
Thank you for your always uplifting words. Surprisingly, I am not dwelling on this at all. For sure, I have absolutely no regrets about any decision that I have made so far. As you all have said, it doesn’t matter what’s on his lungs. He is happy and he enjoys his days and, for me, this is simply priceless.
Hugs,
Eve and Cuteness Pup
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