Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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I'm going to lose my baby. I feel like I'm being slowly run over by a Mack truck.
I can't get him to eat anything at this point. He's nauseous a lot of the time so I'm giving him Pepcid orally and Cerenia SQ. He has NO energy and spends all his time on the couch. I don't know if he's any pain, but his breathing is more labored so I started giving him Tramadol again (he's always handled that without problems) and he seems to rest easier with it. I've started giving him dexamethasone SQ since that really perked him up before, but does not seem to be having any beneficial effect now. I'm cuddled up with him on the couch, and he sleeps the whole time, as long as he can keep a paw on me. When he's awake, he looks so sad. His eyes are sunken into the back of his head. He can't even lift his head when I call his name.
I know it is time to let him go, but I need this weekend to be with him and say good bye, which basically means just spending as much time with him as possible. I think we'll let him go on Monday or Tuesday. Of course, I've been through this before, but he is just a baby and saying the final good bye seems like more than I can possibly bare.
I wish I could have done more for him. I wish I could have saved him. I am so sad.
Right hind limb amputated 7/3/12 for OSA, started on alternating cycles of Carboplatin and Doxorubicin and oral Palladia. Single lung met 9/1. Met in the neck muscle removed 9/30. Large mass in sublumbar lymph node 10/2. Rescue chemo with ifosfamide 10/6. Mets to the rib and axillary lymph node 10/21. Started Leukeran and Pred 10/25. Wookie left this Earth for a far better place on 12/4/12. I miss you, Boo, you were my heart.
I am so sorry Wookie. I cry for you because I know the loss of a baby is hard. Wookie knows you love him and will be waiting at the Rainbow Bridge for you when its time. He will be pain free at that time. I know that doesn't make this any easier. Love on him while you have the time with him.
Prayers & hugs
Michelle & Sassy.
Sassy is a proud member of the Winter Warriors. Live long, & strong Winter Warriors.
sassysugarbear.tripawds.com
07/26/2006 - Sassy earned her wings 08/20/2013
05/04/2006 - Bosch, Sassy's pal, earned his wings 03/29/19 fought cancer for 4 months.
"You aren't doing it TO her, you are doing it FOR her. Give her a chance at life."
I am so, so sorry that you are at this point with your beloved Wookie. You have done so much to try to save him; he knows how much you love him. Please know that we are all here for you during this difficult time. I know that you will cherish every minute with Wookie.
Thinking of you,
Joan and Lily
Our beautiful Lily was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in her front leg on 12/14/11 at age 8 and had amp on 12/16/11. She completed 5 rounds of carbo. She was so brave and kicked cancer's butt daily! She lived life fully for 4 years, 3 months, and 15 days after her amp. My angel is a warrior princess. I miss her so much.
Kelly, I am so sorry. Wookie is so young and you have done everything possible for him. It really is heartbreaking. Snuggle up with him and smell his fur and touch his nose and ears and remember all the things that make him Wookie. Take care, I'll do your crying for you this weekend, just love your baby.
Harley is an 8 year old Golden Retriever. Amp surgery for an infiltrative lipoma canceled due to two masses in chest. A rescue, he found his forever home on 3/18/07 and left for his eternal home on 1/09/13. His story and medical history are at http://myharley.....pawds.com/
So sorry for you and Wookie. Cancer sucks really bad. I know you gave him just the best. Wookie knows that too. He knows all the love you have for him. Hugs to you and Wookie.
Melanie and Hank
Dogs: Friends for life, faithful and true.
Courage is being scared to death... but saddling up anyways.- John Wayne
bikeintime.wordpress.com (will soon have Hank story)
Kelly, John and I will be thinking of Wookie, you and Gustavo. Sending prayers and hugs to you.
Diane
Kelly, Wookie knows how you would give anything to see him get better, he knows that you have gone to the ends of the earth for him and then some, to try to beat this thing. My heart breaks for you, I just know how hard this is and I know that it's doubly hard for you, as a vet, to know that there are no more options at this point. I wish there was something I could say or do to ease this pain, to show you that no matter what, he will always be a part of your soul. Words just seem so meaningless right now.
Please know we are thinking of you and the pack, and sending all the love in the world for Wookie to have a peaceful journey to his next assignment, and for you to find strength at this horribly difficult time.
{{{{hugs}}}}}
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Kelly, my thoughts (and tears) are with you. I am so very sad for you, and for dear, sweet Wookie. He is too young to leave; it just isn't fair. Smother Wookie with love this weekend; you did everything humanly possible to save him; cancer just plain stinks. You are in my prayers.
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…
Kelly I am so very sorry. I remember this stage all too well and my heart hurts for you right now. I hope you have a wonderful weekend with your precious boy. You are in my thoughts and I wish you all the courage and strength in the world.
Zeus was a Husky mix diagnosed with Osteosarcoma at age 11. A visible lung met and suspicious spot on his liver meant a poor prognosis-six weeks was our vet's best guess. We decided to fight for our boy and his right front leg was amputated on 12/1/11. We did six rounds of chemo, changed his diet and spoiled him completely rotten. We were blessed with 10 great months after diagnosis. Against the odds, the lung met remained a single met and grew very little over those months. A wonderful furbaby with the most gentle spirit, he fought with a strength that we never imagined he possessed. We have no regrets...
http://zeuspod......pawds.com/
There is a point where all the money or medicine in the world won't do any good, it's not because we didn't do our best. There are no words to make this easier. You will find the strength you need because Wookie is depending on you.
The entire Tripawd Nation is behind you, and sending you strong and peaceful thoughts.
Karen and Spirit Maggie
I can't tell you how much this breaks my heart. I remember that time of realization so well, and the helpless feeling that goes along with it.
Wookie knows how lucky he is to have you in his life. He loves you with all his heart. You are both in my thoughts.
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.
Oh, I'm sorry to read this. I unfortunately know all too well what it's like to let a very young pup go. Remember that Wookie doesn't know he's being cheated on his quantity of life. All he knows is that he had an amazing quality of life with you. He is loved beyond measure and that's the best life a pup can have.
Hang in there, it's so hard but you will get through it. Thinking of you all.
Jackie, Angel Abby'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!
It is so very hard to let them go and I do think it is worse for the younger dogs and the ones that have needed so much nursing care. I did put my own dog down at home with a light Domitor sedation and then the IV injection and it went very smoothly but next time I think I will have one of the techs or other doctors come to my house because it was little rough giving the final injection myself.
I home things go well for you; I am so sorry.
Pam
I have just been through this with my Porthos,
I am so sorry, my heart is breaking for you.
Porthos will be waiting for Wookie to show him the way.
Please know that I am thinking of you and your Wookie.
Amanda & Angle Porthos x
Angel Porthos, Pyrenean Mastiff, 7 years old Os front right leg, DX 18 May 2012, Amputation 14 June 2012, Hip Dysplasia, Two TPLO surgeries. Is now somewhere over the rainbow, 21 November 2013.
I am so sorry. My heart just breaks for you and Wookie.
Wookie is so young. But he doesn't know he has been cheated. He just knows that he is very loved. That's the most important thing for our dogs.
Sending you many hugs
Karen, Ruby and Spirit Magnum
Magnum: 30th May 2002 to 5th May 2012. Lost her back left leg to osteosarcoma on 5th Sep 2011. Lung mets found on 20th Mar 2012 but it was bone mets in the hip that ended her brave battle. Magnum's motto - "Dream as if you'll live for ever, live as if you'll die today" (James Dean). Loyal, loving, courageous and spirited to the end. My beloved heart dog, see her memoirs from Rainbow Bridge ...... http://princess.....pawds.com/
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