Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hi Jerry's Pack! Thank you for thinking of us! We are back from our cruise as of last night, and Eddy did GREAT while we were gone! My nephew stayed with him and a friend of mine stopped in daily while my nephew was at work. It worked perfectly!!! I was so relieved that he did so well! As with all vacations, it is now, back to reality. And, reality in our world, is also back to the oncologist's office, which we are scheduled to do this afternoon.
As I mentioned previously, I took Eddy off of Palladia after two treatments due to EXTREME lethargy and lameness in his remaining back leg. So, he has basically been just "coasting" on Rimadyl and Benadryl the past two weeks. He is doing great and looks good. But today, we are scheduled for the dreaded chest radiographs. Needless to say, I am anxious about today's visit. Last time, we went from 2 to 8 lung mets in between films. But, I have decided that we are done with the Palladia. I am planning on asking Eddy's oncologist if he has any other treatment suggestions. A friend of mine from the Tripawds group has used Cyclophosphamide and Piroxicam, and has had success. So, we will see what Dr. Husbands says. I have kind of reached the point of thinking the best treatment plan for Eddy may be no further treatment. He is so happy right now, and the bottom line with this disease is there is no cure. Sadly, two of my Tripawd group friends, have lost their dogs in the past week and a half....Borris the Tripawd and Aspen. Both were in the same timeframe as Eddy as far as diagnosis, amputation, and lung mets. Reality sucks...
Betsy Golden and Angel, Eddy. Eddy was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma 7-23-14, had a left rear amputation 8-07-14, had 3 rounds of carboplatin chemotherapy, a small lung met was discovered in October, had 2 rounds of doxorubicin, and unfortunately more lung mets were discovered. Eddy fought cancer valiantly and went to the Rainbow Bridge 1-6-15, at the age of 7 years and 359 days, just six days short of his 8th birthday. Best Dog, Ever....you will never be forgotten.
REMEMBER....EDDY DOES NOT....DOES NOT....HAVE A TIME FRAME STAMPED ANYWHERE ON HIS BUTT! Look again, look closely, lopk through his fur, jnder his tail, everywhere....but I'm certain you won't find one!!!!!!
And BRAVO for going foward looking at OTHER options and no more Palladia!!!! And stopping a treatment plan...IS a treatment plan!!!!
And ya know...doing or not doing xrays at this point...and it's such a personal choice.....and each of us handle things differently, no right or wrong, but Eddy is doing great and that really is all that matters!! It does not matter what the xrays show! Eddy is SHOWING you it does not matter!! So, maybe save the money you would have spent on those and buy Eddy steaks!!!!
Yes, many here have used the meds you are talking about and they pretty much are side effect free! I think you have to watch for UTI flare-ups sometimes, but about it. I think long term Piroxicam sometimes could create some liver issues, but blood work catches that. I'm no vet...just trying to go by memory (big mistake)!
I'm just soooooo happy Eddy is doing great! And I know you have ro feel some relief by stopping that Palladia and freeing up Eddy to continue with QUALITY WITH NO INTERRUPTIONS!!!! GOOD JOB!
Thanks for taking time to update and making us all happy! We love this Eddy!!!!!
Love ro all!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle 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!
Echoing my good wishes for Eddy. So glad you had a great vacation and that he is doing so well. And I absolutely 100% agree with Sally...he doesn't have a date on his butt. For what it's worth, Lexie had the time of her life when she got off round 2 of her Palladia.
We also dealt with the dreaded lung met watch and agonizing between scans. Everyone is different, but I ultimately decided that the frequent chest scans were hurting emotionally more than they helped. I used the money and time I would have spent on tests on PT water treadmill sessions instead, which we both loved and looked forward to.
Anyway, just know that we're thinking about you and cheering for Eddy and for his family!
Deb and Angel Lexie* Diagnosed at age 13. Tried radiation first; wish we had amputated upon diagnosis (even with lung mets). Joined Club Tripawd April 2014 & Lexie loved life on 3 legs! Advice: Start physical therapy as soon as your vet clears it, especially hydrotherapy if available :-) See Lexie pics here.
Oh I'm SO glad to hear he did so well when you went on your trip. You sound so rejuvinated and good. I know the losses are so hard, it's definitely a tough reality check when you are going through this with your own pup. All anyone can do is to be so grateful for every day we have with our beloved heroes and know that each day is a tribute to those Tripawds who led the way. Eddy's life and cancer fight is a real tribute to those angels.
I am REALLY hoping today's visit to the oncologist went perfectly wonderful with good chest x-rays. Please let us know OK?
P.S. the treatment you're referring to is metronomics chemotherapy. We used it too with great success. Click on the link for lots of info about it.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
YAY for Eddie!!!! That is great news!!!! Keep us posted ... and I am glad your trip was refreshing!
Shelby Lynne; Jack Russell/Shiba Inu mix. Proud member of the April Angels of 2014.
October 15, 2000 to April 8, 2014
Our story: Broke rear leg in June 2013 - non-conclusive results for cancer so leg was plated and pinned. Enlarged spleen in September 2013 and had it removed and was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma and started chemotherapy. Became a Tripawd January 8th, 2014 and definitive Hemangiosarcoma diagnosis. Three major surgeries in 7 months and Shelby took them all like a champ only to lose her battle to cancer in her brain. We had 8 amazing extra months together and no regrets. #shelbystrong #loveofmylife
Eddie great to hear that you are doing better. Deb has some great advice. Live in the moment.
Great to know that Eddie is doing fine and that everything went well while you were away on holidays ! It's always a stressful moment, but we do have to go on with our lives, just like our dogs are doing, right? I'm taking one week off with my husband in the end of January and am already anxious that I'll have to leave Johnnie for a week. My husband thinks I have been too obsessed with Johnnie's care (jealous? perhaps...) and that he will do fine - which I am sure he will, but I can't help feeling a bit guilty that I will be away. I know he will be very well cared for, but I can't help worrying, just like I worried when my kids were small.
By the way, this week was 100% Johnnie time here at home, with the grown kids home for the holidays, lots of sun and warm weather here in Rio to enjoy the pool, night swims and all. Looks like we will have an unusually hot summer this year (ugh). This means furry Goldens can't sleep without the air conditioner on, and electricity bill goes up, up, up.
Happy 2015 to all.
Daniela
Our awesome Golden Boy was diagnosed for OSA in April 2014 in the proximal humerus, front-leg amp on 05/20/2014. Finished chemo (Carbo6) on 07/10/2014. Ongoing treatment: acupuncture + K-9 Immunity Plus ( 3chews) and home-cooked no-grain diet. Stopped Apocaps because of liver issues. Liver issues: controlling altered enzymes with SAM-e and Milk Thistle. October 17: started having seizures. Taking fenobarbital for seizures. April 18: started prednisone.
Hey Betsy,
It's Mary - I finally made it over here. 
How's Eddy doing now? What did the oncologist say? I'm glad to hear that he's felling better being off the Chemo Meds. I was reading all the posts and my heart sank then I saw he was doing better off the medication. It's good and bad, but I do hope the Oncologist provided something informational for you.
Hi Mary,
Thanks for posting in the forums. You might consider introducing your Tripawd in the Share Your Story forum.
Your future posts will not have to wait for approval.
Karen and Spirit Maggie
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Hello, everyone.
The roller coaster journey of osteosarcoma continues for my poor boy. Eddy had his check-up Friday with his oncologist and it went pretty well. Despite being pretty much treatment free the past two weeks, his lung nodules have stopped their feverish pace. The original met increased a bit, and he now has a total of 11 mets. (6 weeks ago he had 8). I was fully prepared for him to tell me there were two dozen, so I was relieved. So, despite discontinuing treatment, the mets have slowed down a bit. His doctor said it was the best case of a "worst case scenario". He still has over 75% lung capacity, so his doctor said he is not concerned about any imminent issues from the lung metastasis. We discussed metronomic therapy and he said he was on board for trying that. So, with a new regimen and a prescription, we were out the door.
Friday was a great day for Eddy. He was so happy and SO full of energy! The weather was great and he spent a lot of time rolling in the newly fallen snow. He makes the BEST snow angels! It was a great day! Yesterday morning, he seemed a bit "off", kind of sluggish. So, I just let him be and it was a quiet day. Last night, I awoke to Eddy in the midst of a full-blown Grand Mal seizure! It was the most frightening thing I think I have ever witnessed. I truly thought he was dying. It lasted about 5 whole minutes. My husband laid with him and got him to calm down afterward and he slept good through the night. Today, he is zapped! He is very lethargic and pretty much out of it. He does respond to us and lifts his head and wags his tail. He is eating a little and drinking a lot of water, but he just looks terrible. Eddy has a history of seizures...he had his first about 5 years ago, and has had 2 other mild ones, but none in the past three years, so this took us by surprise. It is hard to know if it was "just another seizure", or if this is somehow related to the new medication or the cancer. It's a tough deal, that's for sure. Today, I am just letting him rest. If he has another, I think we are going to make the decision to let him go. He has just been through so much these past 5 months and it is really starting to show. I hate this disease with a passion!
Betsy Golden and Angel, Eddy. Eddy was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma 7-23-14, had a left rear amputation 8-07-14, had 3 rounds of carboplatin chemotherapy, a small lung met was discovered in October, had 2 rounds of doxorubicin, and unfortunately more lung mets were discovered. Eddy fought cancer valiantly and went to the Rainbow Bridge 1-6-15, at the age of 7 years and 359 days, just six days short of his 8th birthday. Best Dog, Ever....you will never be forgotten.
I am so soooory to hear about Eddy's set-backs and seizure. It is definitely truly frightening (my girl Shelby had seizures during her cancer battle too). I am keeping hope and good healing thoughts your way that Eddy feels better later today and in the days to come!
We're here for you!
Alison with the Spirit of Shelby fur-ever in her heart
Shelby Lynne; Jack Russell/Shiba Inu mix. Proud member of the April Angels of 2014.
October 15, 2000 to April 8, 2014
Our story: Broke rear leg in June 2013 - non-conclusive results for cancer so leg was plated and pinned. Enlarged spleen in September 2013 and had it removed and was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma and started chemotherapy. Became a Tripawd January 8th, 2014 and definitive Hemangiosarcoma diagnosis. Three major surgeries in 7 months and Shelby took them all like a champ only to lose her battle to cancer in her brain. We had 8 amazing extra months together and no regrets. #shelbystrong #loveofmylife
Wow I just know how hard the ups and downs are and I'm really sorry you had such a scary episode. Any idea what might have set off this seizure? I've never heard of a dog reacting that when when they started metronomics , but who knows. Did you mention it to your vet? Maybe they can help you pinpoint the cause of this one without doing anything invasive?
Your onco put it perfectly when he said it was the best case of a “worst case scenario”. When it comes to this disease, all we can try to do is have more good days than bad. I hope that there are way more snow angels in Eddy's future. Please keep us posted. Lots of hugs coming your way.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Gould indeed just be a fluke thing, especially if he has had them in the past. But as Jerry said, check with the vet to make sure it's not medicine related. Seems kind of fishy that it happened after his first dose...he just may be exceptionally sensitive to drugs!
I think letting him rest is good! Making those snow angels can wear a boy out!! Eddy is the King of BounceBack! You've been through these ups and downs before. The Eddyness still seems to be showing up more than not!
And glad he did get an "under the circumstances" good report!
We are all cheering for you Eddy!!!!
Love to all!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle 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!
Poor Eddy! I had the same experience with Lily, although she had no history of seizures. She had been taking Palladia for about 15 weeks with no side effects and she was also on Rimadyl. The doc did not seem to think the Palladia would cause the seizures. We did take her off the Rimadyl in case that was a factor.
I agree that you should check with Eddy's vet. They may decide, as they did in Lily's case, to stop the mets for a time and possibly put him on steroids which might help him if there is something neurological going on.
My heart goes out to you watching poor Eddy suffer through a grand mal seizure like that. I found it to be one of the most helpless feelings I've ever experienced.
We are definitely cheering for Eddy!!
Lily the Great Dane (she was actually a lot more than just "Great") joined our family as an ornery puppy on December 20, 2005 and changed our lives forever. She was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in early May of 2014 and her right rear leg was amputated on May 8, 2014. She sailed through 5 rounds of Carboplatin and 15 weeks of Pallladia. She hopped on 3 legs like she was born to it and continued to fight cancer with grace, valor and an abundant sense of humor...and always a *giant* smile on her face. Lily had two small nodules on her lungs but was brought short by a brain tumor in late December, 2014. Lily earned her wings on December 28, 2014 and we miss her terribly every day. http://lilyt.tripawds.com
Betsy,
I am just trying to catch up on some forums, and I am really glad Eddy did so well while you were away, but really sad at this sudden seizure.....maybe just all the stress of the last few weeks could be another reason for it. I am sure there is a reasonable explanation for it, especially considering he does have a past history with them. As long as he is mostly having good days, eating, drinking, pottying, playing and enjoying life, please don't give up on him too soon.....I do know how difficult this journey is, so many trials and tribulations with it, and believe me, Eddy will let you know when he has had enough. I also know, that you have to follow your heart, and what it tells you.
Keeping you and Eddy in my thoughts, and sending positive energy to you too,
Love,
Bonnie & Angel Polly
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