Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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I'm going to call the vet as soon as I can stop crying enough to talk to them.
A week ago Thursday Spencer went for carboplatin and at that time the vet said he still couldn't hear any problems in Spencer's lungs. (for those who don't know our story, we found out in early January that he has lung mets and started him on carboplatin at that time, he had finished mitox/vincristine on 12/22). things were looking great.
All last week he had lots of energy, no problems.
Yesterday he stayed at my mom's house while my husband and I took our son to a gymnastics meet. My mom walked Spencer and our daughters down the street to a restaurant (really, not much further than the bus stop that he runs to every weekday and with no hills, unlike the walk to/from the bus stop that involves steep hills). Mom commented that he had a hard time on the walk there. I met them there and walked him home. He did indeed seem to be having a hard time - walking more like he did just a week or so after the amputation, and stopping for rests. I made a mental note of it; but mostly wrote it off to him not being used to walking on a leash anymore and it making it hard for him to walk (only time I normally put him on a leash is into/out of the vet's office).
This morning we got up and he started coughing. He has coughed up a few spots of blood and is now laying beside me and I can hear that his breathing is "rattaly". Can things really go down hill THIS fast? From on Friday he ran to and from the bus stop to now he is having a hard time breathing??? I mean, obviously SOMETHING has happened this fast; but can it be the cancer? Can it be time that we might be looking at weeks instead of months?
Jac and Angel Spencer. Spencer was 5.25 years old. He fought a grade 3 fibrosarcoma, started on his shoulder. Left front leg amputated in August 2011. 15 weeks of chemo finished 12/22/11 (mytox and adria). Lung mets found on x-rays 12/28/11. Started carboplatin 1/6/12. Went to Heaven on 2/27/12. I miss him like crazy every day. See his blog here: http://spencer.tripawds.com/
OK, and I just checked his tongue and gums - they are pale, not pink at all. I'm scared to look up what this means. the kids were terrified when they left for school; but I needed them to go so that I could get Spencer to the vet w/out having to worry abou them. My husband is in CA all week, so he couldn't be a help with them. The oncologist is out of the office today (he takes Sundays and Mondays as his weekend I think... or maybe it is Monday and Tuesday). It would take me 2 hours to get to the office where the oncolgist is due to Atlanta traffic, so I'm waiting until our family vet opens at 8:30. I'm so damn worried.
Jac and Angel Spencer. Spencer was 5.25 years old. He fought a grade 3 fibrosarcoma, started on his shoulder. Left front leg amputated in August 2011. 15 weeks of chemo finished 12/22/11 (mytox and adria). Lung mets found on x-rays 12/28/11. Started carboplatin 1/6/12. Went to Heaven on 2/27/12. I miss him like crazy every day. See his blog here: http://spencer.tripawds.com/
Hang in there. I know it is hard to not worry. Paws and fingers crossed for good news at vet this morning.
Marla and Daisy
My Two Tripawds...Biscuit 
and Spirit Daisy 
heading out now. I decided just to be on their doorstep when they open. I'll update later
Jac and Angel Spencer. Spencer was 5.25 years old. He fought a grade 3 fibrosarcoma, started on his shoulder. Left front leg amputated in August 2011. 15 weeks of chemo finished 12/22/11 (mytox and adria). Lung mets found on x-rays 12/28/11. Started carboplatin 1/6/12. Went to Heaven on 2/27/12. I miss him like crazy every day. See his blog here: http://spencer.tripawds.com/
Good call. I will be thinking of you guys all day. I pray for strength for you and your family to make it through whatever you have to face right now.
Leslie
good that you headed to the vet - pale gums are not a good thing. paws crossed this is just a nasty 'met' that has broken away and is being coughed up (i think this happened to other tripawds, fortis comes to mind). let us know what you find out, we're sending our best ET juju your way, hoping for good news and much more time.
charon & spirit gayle
Life is good, so very, very good!!! Gayle enjoyed each and every moment of each and every wonderful day (naps included). She left this world December 12, 2011 – off on a new adventure.
Love Never Ends
Thinking of you this morning; hoping for the best.
Scout: January 31, 2002 to November 7, 2011
Scout's diagnosis was "poorly differentiated sarcoma"; amputation 1/11/2011. Scout enjoyed 9 fantastic years on 4 legs and 9 glorious months on 3 legs. If love alone could have saved you…
Not looking good. At the er vet. I'm pretty sure we are going to have to put him to sleep.
Jac and Angel Spencer. Spencer was 5.25 years old. He fought a grade 3 fibrosarcoma, started on his shoulder. Left front leg amputated in August 2011. 15 weeks of chemo finished 12/22/11 (mytox and adria). Lung mets found on x-rays 12/28/11. Started carboplatin 1/6/12. Went to Heaven on 2/27/12. I miss him like crazy every day. See his blog here: http://spencer.tripawds.com/
I am so sorry to hear about your puppy. During this hard time, know that you are surrounded by people, whether in person or in spirit, that are here to support you. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
I am so very sorry to hear this; I read your last post, but I had to go away for a minute as I was crying too hard to type. You mentioned he was with your mom yesterday-- I'm guessing she's nearby-- you might want to have her come spend the night with you as your husband is out of town. She can provide a shoulder to cry on and help you out with the kids. We have three kids about the same age as yours, and it will be very tough on them today/tomorrow, but they, being kids, will bounce back far sooner than you expect, far sooner than you will. Thinking of you and your family today-- we are all here to help you through this.
Catherine and Spirit Scout
Scout: January 31, 2002 to November 7, 2011
Scout's diagnosis was "poorly differentiated sarcoma"; amputation 1/11/2011. Scout enjoyed 9 fantastic years on 4 legs and 9 glorious months on 3 legs. If love alone could have saved you…
I am so very sorry to hear this. My thoughts and prayers are with you today.
Jo Ann and Angel Tasha.
Tasha 8 years old, First cancer diagnosis 6/26/09, Last cancer diagnosis 9/26/09, Amputation 10/01/09, Loving our girl moment by moment.
Tasha lost her battle and became my Angel on May 4 2011. Forever in my heart….
Ohhhhhh no! Yes, good call indeed to go to the vet's.
We are very worried, please let us know what's going on when you are able. In the meantime all of us are keeping paws and fingers crossed.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
My mom has gone to pick the kids up so that they can say goodbye. His platkets are crazy low. His chest is full of blood.
Jac and Angel Spencer. Spencer was 5.25 years old. He fought a grade 3 fibrosarcoma, started on his shoulder. Left front leg amputated in August 2011. 15 weeks of chemo finished 12/22/11 (mytox and adria). Lung mets found on x-rays 12/28/11. Started carboplatin 1/6/12. Went to Heaven on 2/27/12. I miss him like crazy every day. See his blog here: http://spencer.tripawds.com/
OH! I'm so sorry! Give him an extra hug and kiss from us.
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.
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