Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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I wasn't going to post anything, because I like to stay positive. But I had this burst of insight that maybe my information could help someone. If nothing else, to know that others have gone through this.
It seems while searching the forums, with a little help from my friends, in Sept Yoda went through the same thing. Everything went well today (see my blog http://www.cair.....ipawds.com). We had an awesome day. Came home and I posted that blog entry. Hit the publish button. Then Caira stood up in her bed in the living room and started hacking blood. Bright red, palm sized amounts of blood. She went over and sat next to my father in law and he pet her and calmed her while I went on a frantic tripawds.com search because I knew I had heard this story before.
In Sept Caira's lungs were clear. In Oct she had 1 met. In Nov she had 4 mets. That was 2 weeks ago.
Well, she was calm again and not coughing until she got up to come to me across the room. Hacking and lots of blood ensued. That's it. We zoomed over to the nearest emergency vet clinic. I really hoped she had some adverse reaction to chewing on that softball earlier. Adam really wanted to be mad at me for letting her chew on the softball earlier.
She had a large area of "intersitial swelling" in her lungs. Yeah. That could be a lot of things, but not a chewed softball. It probably wasn't pneumonia, It doesn't sound like fluid. Their best guess, a lung mets burst. The x-ray showed 3, possibly 4 mets.
So, we've brought our Caira Sue home. Who, by the way, only coughed once the entire time at that damn vets. She got a slurry to help with the irritation the hacking has caused her throat. Caira Sue says slurries suck. It was not at all what she expected.
No more coughing or hacking or blood. I can't tell from Yoda's post if this is something that comes and goes. I hope that I have a little more time left with my girl. She was having such a great time today! How unfair this effing cancer is. How can she be having a great time one minute and then start hacking blood the next?
Well, she is curled against Adam in the bedroom (electric blanket on high), and they are both sleeping very comfortably. Really, she showed no signs of distress even at the vet's. So, I guess it's back to taking it day by day. Just maybe a little more slowly from now on.
Mary
May 2001-Jan 21, 2010.....I'm a dog and I'm AWESOME!..... Always.
I wanted to say thank you Jerry and FeartheEars for being on the chat at just the right time. Really, I've never even used the chat and there were 2 of the most helpful people on with perfect timing.
Thank you.
May 2001-Jan 21, 2010.....I'm a dog and I'm AWESOME!..... Always.
Hi Mary - I just wanted to reach out and give you a (((hug))) and let you know that Spirit Zeus and I will say extra prayers for your baby...and you too. We never had the mets to deal with, I don't have any advice to offer, just a little support and letting you know that we're thinking of you and sending lots of love and healing energy.
Hang in there ~
Love Heather and Spirit Zeus
Heather and Spirit Zeus - Our life changing journey…from the earth to the heavens…one day at a time…always together
Mary,
Hoping that this is just a passing thing for now... and that Caira Sue still has alot more time to spend with you and Adam... You and Caira Sue will be in my thoughts and prayers...
Angel Jake's Mom
Jake, 10yr old golden retriever (fractured his front right leg on 9/1, bone biopsy revealed osteosarcoma on 9/10, amputation on 9/17) and his family Marguerite, Jacques and Wolfie, 5yr old german shepherd and the newest addition to the family, Nala, a 7mth old Bengal mix kittie. Jake lost his battle on 11/9/2009, almost 8 weeks after his surgery. We will never forget our sweet golden angel… http://jakesjou.....ipawds.com ….. CANCER SUCKS!
Lots of good thoughts headed your way.
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.
Fruit Bat
I am SO sorry to hear about this new development. You are such a sparkplug so it is Real Bummer News. (But thank you for letting us know. We always want to know about CS, plus you are right it can help others down the tripawd road.) Interesting that it did not really seem to phase you. I always wondered about that from Yoda's and Tika's stories.
I guess we July tripawds aren't exactly at the top of our class, are we? Well, there is always Storm (or Koda, can't remember which is the owner and which is the tripawd 
) down under. Hopefully he will bring up our class's seemingly dismal average.
I hope you have another good day but that the evening is much better than the last one.
Tazzie 2
p.s. I didn't realize chat was enabled. You probably would have seen me and a few others there last night.
cairasue said:
She was having such a great time today! How unfair this effing cancer is. How can she be having a great time one minute and then start hacking blood the next?
Mary,
Oh my goodness you must have been so scared, I hear myself say under my breath "not yet, Paris" every time Paris gives us a scare. I am sorry you are all going through this and I am so glad you and Caira Sue did have a great day yesterday!
It really is day by day, we realistically know what we are dealing with, and the quest is to learn how to balance that with living life every moment the best we can!
Paris & I are cheering you on from the midwest!
Gineej & Paris
Grateful for every moment we had with Paris…..no regrets!
Honoring her life by opening our hearts & home to Addy!
Hi guys, positive thoughts and prayers are coming your way.
We'll see you all tomorrow, take care, Cindi, Shelby and jack
I can't think of anything to say except I'm thinking of you guys. I read your blog from yesterday first this morning, I'm glad Caira had such a good day yesterday.
I'll be thinking strong and positive thoughts for you today, and I will keep checking back here when I can for updates.
Karen
We want to send a close-by HUG during this trying times. Every additional day that we get with our companions is a day for thanks and small celebrations, and you were able to have a good day with Caira Sue before incident reminded you of her fagile time together. I go into a near panic mode whenever Cherry coughs, appears to be less steady on her feet, or remains listless on the couch, so I can only imagine how you must have felt when you saw the blood. Hopefully, the effects of this "met burst" or what ever caused this blood will only be transient and that you will have more great days.
Thanks for posting and do not let the desire to be "only" positive stop you. We all want to be there for you. Sending hugs from across the Dublin Grade, the most pawsitive thougts possible, and prayers.
Bob & Cherry
Hi Mary. I think I just missed you on that chat last night, but I could tell something may have gone sideways with Caira Sue. I don't have any experience with coughing blood either, so I can't offer any advice. All I can offer is hugs to you, Caira and your family, and wishes that she will have better days ahead. We're all thinking of you guys.
Take Care,
Di
I don't really know how to tell when people are on. When I clicked on the chat icon it showed fear the ears and that's all, then jerry popped up.
Caira Sue slept most of the night...I did not. She only did a tiny hack every couple hours. No more blood. Got up this morning to pee and poo and ran around the yard the same as every morning. Happy as pie. No more coughing or hacking.
I've climbed back in bed for a little nap. Me, my electric blanket, and Caira Sue (she loves morning snuggle time). I raised this dog to hate mornings as much as me!
May 2001-Jan 21, 2010.....I'm a dog and I'm AWESOME!..... Always.
I too am in bed and it is after 9:00 am on a work day! Shelby is at my feet, Charlie is on my shins, and Gracie is at my knees. Penny in on the floor should I ever decide to get up. Unfortunately work computer is on my lap, so no room for a kid there altho Maggie struggled to make it so!
We have grown to love Caira Sue and the 2 of you and are so sad and sorry for this detour in your journey. Thank goodness Caira Sue will down stay in forced rest while in the midst of a glorious day to allow her body to adjust to those mean invaders. You are wonderful pet parents and are giving her a joyous life.
Looking forward to seeing you all tomorrow to meet the awesome founders of Tripawds.com, which has created friends and eased pain and concern around the world.
Mary,
Thanks so much for posting this update, we were so worried for you and Caira Sue. Bur like you said in that blog post... Today is Today. Peace. -J&R
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Mary,
I am so sorry to hear you and Caira Sue had such a scare. As always you guys will be in my prayers. Dealing with cancer is like walking a tight rope. Paris (and Mom) are right about finding the balance of living with cancer and enjoying life. I know you want to be positive but posting these things does help new people. They do need to know what can happen so they are as prepared as they can be. Caira Sue is so cute. I hope that you have many, many more wonderful days like yesterday. Collect memories in your heart. I know that you already treasure every moment with your girl. Give her a big hug from me.
Debra & Angel Emily
Debra & Emily, a five year old doberman mix, who was diagnosed with an osteosaecoma. She had a right rear leg amputation on May 19, 2009. On November 10, 2009 she earned her wings and regained her fourth leg.
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