Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hi all , I’ve only just came across this website so thought i’d share what i’m currently going through.
The middle of last year my boy was diagnosed with bone cancer , so in September he had his right hind leg amputated. He did so well on this and had an ultrasound and x-ray which confirmed there wasn’t any signs of spread. However , in January this year after noticing a lump develop on his side i took him to the vets. They carried out an x-ray which confirmed the cancer is in his lungs. They told me that he had days / weeks left. It has now been 5 weeks. His breathing is changed , he doesn’t seem like he is in pain and he is eating and drinking and likes to play. I’m worried about his breathing and that he has lost a small amount of weight. He is booked in for the vets tomorrow evening and i’m so scared of what they might say. He is my world. I know people say they are just a dog but no way is this true. He’s absolutely everything to me love my dog more than any person I know. I love to hear him barking with excitement as I open the door to come in the house and getting all excited for his walks. I’m absolutely shocked how this has turned out. Cancer is horrible. I keep thinking why him , he’s only 7 and fit and healthy.
Welcome and best wishes for your boy. What's his name?
Jerry's vet assured us, metastasis is not "painful" – only uncomfortable, until such time that mets get so sever the impinge on the spine or other organs. There are however, ways to identify often overlooked pain symptoms. Check out the many pain management posts for helpful tips. You will also find many articles and videos about metastasis.
While you wait for comments from others, use the Advanced Search above to refine your forum search results with specific phrases, and you're sure to find lots of helpful feedback. You can also search all blogs here . Or, consider downloading the Tripawds e-books for fast answers to common concerns and feel free to call the toll-free Tripawds Helpline anytime!
Please keep us posted. Your future forum posts will not require moderation. Meanwhile, start here for help finding all the helpful Tripawds resources and assistance programs.
And no, they are not "just a dog" ... everyone here gets that.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thank you for your fast reply. His name is Zeus.
Thank you I will look into other posts and blogs for helpful tips and see others stories.
Lisa I'm so sorry to hear about Zeus' latest news. Getting that lung metastasis diagnosis is incredibly difficult, it's like being told your dog has cancer all over again. I wish I could make it easier for you.
What I can say is this: Zeus is still Zeus, with mets or without. Right now, he is the same loving, perfect dog he always was and all he wants most in this world is to make you happy. Can you help him out with that? I know you can! Do your best not to focus on the 'what if's' and the prognosis. Today is all we ever have, so make the most of it with him.
Are there places he likes to go? Things he likes to do or eat? Spoil that boy rotten! Have a bucket list party! Celebrate the love you have together right now, and try to forget what may or may not be around the corner. I know it's so hard. But it's the best medicine for him, and for your heart too.
When our Jerry's lung mets were getting bad, Admin Guy had to remind me (I'm Jerry's mom) that there would be plenty of time for tears later...but at the moment, with Jerry still physically in our lives, was not the time to cry. If we had allowed ourselves to mourn before he was gone, that would be like letting cancer win and we didn't want that to happen.
It's a hard thing to deal with this cancer. You bear the burden of knowing about it, and Zeus is blissfully ignorant of the situation. Allow him the joy of knowing that you love him with all your heart, and you are honoring him by living each day for the moment. You can do this.
Please let us know what the vet says tomorrow OK? We are here for you.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thank you so much for your kind response. I am absolutely dreading going for his check up tonight, hoping they don’t advise pts there and then. I am worried about his breathing but because he is still eating drinking and getting about I am happy. I show him that I love him so much. He sleeps on bed with me at night, he gets so much attention and love. He’s my boy I would do absolutely anything to keep him going , he’s a fighter. After having the leg amputation he came out of the operation like nothing had happened, he was still the playful energetic Zeus. It just shocks me that it’s now just under 6 months after the operation and having the all clear of spread. Now to be in the situation that he has multiple masses in his chest. But i’m here for him. I don’t get upset in front of him because I know he will know when i’m upset. like you say there will come a time for tears but that isn’t yet. I’m making the most of each and every day with him like I have all through his life. I’ll fight this with him for as long as we can.
I will keep you updated with what the vets say tonight.
Just catching up and want to hug you!! You clearly love Zeus and he knows it!!
Now, this is just my 2 pennies worth, but it sounds like Zeus is till enjoying veing Zeus! So, unless there is some undetected crisis going on, I feel like it is NOT his time yet! You kmow Zeus best and you see his sparkle at home, the Vets don't.
I remember a Vet told me one time that, by looking at all the "clinical tests", etc, she would have thought Bob (his name) was ready to be pts. Then she saw him in person a couple of days later and said outwardly he was doing fairly well and still had quality. Outwardly is all that matters! Many months later, outwardly he showed me he was ready.
Also, talk to the Vet about Prednisone. It helped some with Happy Hannah's breathing, as well as a low dose pain med. Also some have good results with an over the counter cough med. Talk to the Vet, there ARE some things that can be done for continued comfort and quality!
Hang in there and update when you can, okay? Send lots of pawsitive energy.
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!
Been to the vets tonight. They gave him antibiotics, pain killers and metacam. She said she can hear crackling noises whilst checking his breathing but this is common with lung mets as his lungs obviously aren’t clear. She advised he most likely hasn’t got long left and I should start thinking about taking him in before he starts suffering. It’s so hard to think like that when he runs round the garden playing with my other dog and he loves his walks and toys. They did confirm he has lost 1kg , which I hope I can put back on him now he has painkillers and antibiotics as they might help him become more comfortable. To me he doesn’t look ready to go anywhere, but i’ll closely monitor him and spoil him every single day like I do already !
Be proud of yourself for going to the vet, I know how much you weren't looking forward to it. You're a great advocate for Zeus, and you put your own heartache aside for his best interests. That's true love.
I wish you had gotten better news, but at least you are taking steps to keep him comfortable and happy. That's good! I hope the medication helps. Paws & fingers crossed.
Meanwhile you may want to check out this blog post about preparing to say goodbye before it happens. We wrote it to help people gather their thoughts while things are holding steady. I hope it helps you gather even more strength.
Love that boy up and give him extra smooches from all of us! Keep us posted and let us know if you have any questions.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thanks for coming back to update us. I'm glad they gave you sone meds.
And I'm not trying to be ridiculously optimistic , but continue to base YOUR assessment of Zeus on how he is doing day by day.. And based on your observations and because you know Zeus so well, he IS doing good and IS enjoying being Zeus!
Now, the lesson we all need to embrace on this joirney.....Be More Sog....Be More Zeus. Live in the now and stay in the present with Zeus. He had no worries about the tomorrows. He doesn't care what the Vet said. He didn't listen to one single word. Continue to celebrate every glorious moment with Zeus and follow his lead.
All he knows is he's getting to eat anything he wants and his hooman is trying to fatten him up! Chicken, cheese pizza, ice cream, bacon....oh yeah, Zeus thinks life is great! Now, sometimes antibiotics can upset their tummy a bit, so if he doesn't feel like pigging out , just give him lots of smaller meals.
Oh, I just thought of a dog member here a while back named Jackson didn't listen to the Vet's and their "matter of days" timeline. I know he got several extended weeks, that may have even gone into mo ths. Can't remember exsctly.
We're all cheering for Zeus!!
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!
I would just like to send hugs your way. I know this is tough to hear and I often wonder when I read that the pets were put to sleep, how the owners knew it was time. There must be a very fine line between the happy pet and the suffering pet when it comes to this disease. Hopefully, we make the right choices. Here is to many days of happiness!
Romeo's Mom
Not good news guys. He’s stopped eating for a few days now and lost weight. I’ve tried everything. He’s struggling even just going out into the garden to do his business , he comes in struggling to catch his breath.Its killing me inside but i’ve got to do what I have to for him. Tomorrow he will be pts. I can’t see myself getting passed this or dealing with tomorrow but my feelings have to be put aside. Thanks for all your kindness and support , I wish you all luck for the future.
Lisa & Zeus
Lisa I am so very, very sorry. My heart goes out to you. It sounds like you are listening to your gut feeling and know where Zeus is at in his journey. These moment are so precious. I don't expect an answer back now, but later, if you are feeling up to it, you can share more about Zeus' life and what he meant to you by leaning on us in Coping with Loss.
Saying goodbye is one of the hardest things we have to do as pet parents. I'm sending you lots of love and hugs from across the miles. Stay strong and soak up all the love that boy has for you. His body may be weak, but his spirit will always be part of your heart.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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