Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Fortis visited with his favorite Vet and Vet Tech yesterday, Dr. P. and Mr. Carlos. Fortis got two thumbs up from Dr. P who was very pleased to find him in such high spirits. I think he thought Fortis might lose his drive and zest after injuring his remaining rear leg back in February. Not the case, Fortis' attitude has not wavered!
Blood was taken to monitor the effects of the NSAIDs Fortis has been on and off of since the cancer was discovered. Everything looked good. Chest x-rays were not taken and probably will not be. All in all Fortis remains in excellent health considering he is going on 11, has cancer, and is missing a rear leg 
. Good news...Fortis has lost 12lbs post since his surgery and 23lbs total. I can't help but feel the swimming is really paying dividends, both physically and emotionally!
Sorry I'm rambling. My ?...Fortis has taken Rimadyl, Deramaxx on and off and will now be taking Piroxicam every other day. He has shown no side effects thus far to the Rimadyl or Deramaxx. Has anyone else tried different NSAID's or have most of you just found one and stuck with it? I'm nervous using them but I also know there may be benefits beyond just the control of inflammation. I know there's lots of info about NSAIDs to search through I just couldn't find an answer to this question.
Dr. P gave Fortis a big Kiss right on his snout! I had to hide my tears. This meant so much to me.
I pray this day finds you and your Tripawds in good spirits!
Fortis'Dad
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That photo is awe inspiring. Trouble has that kind of love and acceptance with her vet and his staff. I know how you feel, it means so very much to me that they love her so. Ish't that Mrs. Fortis Dad in the background? Where would Fortis Dad be?
We are right behind you on the NSAID road, so please post often about what you are doing and what you are seeing - good and/or bad. I'm starting a journal today for Trouble since she has started to have a few bad days mixed in. I want to keep up with what I give her and when as well as know how often those bad days come and how quickly she recovers.
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.
Thanks for that post and the great picture. So glad to hear Fortis is doing well. I would give him a big kiss too--he looks so lovable. (I had no experience with the NSAID stuff.)
Daisy, 12 years young, had left forelimb amp on 5/19/2010 due to osteosarcoma. She left her body behind and joined the other spirit tripawds on 7/16/2010.
So grateful for each day with her!
Lexi (Daisy's momma)
Yes that is the Mrs. in the background and Dad has the camera. It does mean a lot Shanna. To see Dr. P, sneak a kiss was really special. Although I don't have a picture the memory will always be mine.
What NSAID are you using? I will keep a journal as well and will keep you updated. I hope you and trouble are surviving the Texas heat. I pray Trouble has fewer bad days and many many more good ones! 
Thank you Lexi. It's very kind of you to think of others at a time when I know you are hurting.
FortisDad
Awww there's my big guy smiling and happy!
I'm so glad everything seems to be going well. I mean really, think about it...it's excellent news since he's 11 years old! It really seems like cancer shouldn't be a concern. Just live life with that big boy and enjoy every minute!
I can't help but feel the swimming is really paying dividends, both physically and emotionally!
I couldn't agree with you more! Comet does her swimming almost every day for about 10 minutes and it has made a world of difference! I'm a firm believer that exercise will cure a lot of health problems - mentally and physically. I can tell with my own aging body if I don't exercise, I am mentally and physically weak. I can see a big difference in Comet. It's not subtle either. It's instant.
We've been doing Rimadyl everyday for a solid year. Her body has really been through the ringer because of the hopping for 12 years. I ask her ortho specialist about my concerns with taking it everyday and his advice to me was - don't worry. He said, even if it takes a year off of her life, it's better to have had pain free years. Yes, I would prefer for her not to be on anything. But I've seen her go three days without it and she looked so broken down and miserable. (took her off of it during some tummy issues)
It concerns me but I get the 6month blood work and so far, so good.
It's hard for me to come to grips with having a geriatric dog. I am starting to realize that she is getting to her life expectancy at 12. The heat seems to be making her seem a little more gimpy these days and it's starting to bother me more than usual. I try to not think about it but it's getting hard to ignore. I've spent a big chunk of my life worrying about Comet so it's nothing new but I can't imagine life without her.
Just ignore me...I'm upset because we took Rocket and Comet to their toeanils clipped and they took too long. They were in the back room at the vet's out of my sight for way too long. I think they both were traumatized because they've never done it together. Both of them pooped in the back while getting them done. I should have never let them both go back together since I think they both got scared and fed off of each other. I'm sure Rocket got scared from Comet's reaction because they said he threw a fit when they were handling Comet. And then Rocket had a bleeder and won't stop licking it. So, just ignore me. I get nervous when I can't see Comet.
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.
Ignore you, come on you are always there for everybody. It's obvious how much Comet is apart of your life. And we all know how the both of you are a huge and inspirational part of this community. Twelve years is a long long time to be hopping on three legs. She would have never had a chance without you. You my friend, are a very special Tripawrent and that goes without saying. I hope Rocket and Comet have calmed down and that the bleeder doesn't cause her to much discomfort. You two do sound like Fortis and I, we are rarely apart these days and when we are I'm just not comfortable. Life without our pups, we will just have to tackle that one when it comes.
Thanks for the info on the rimadyl. It does sound like Comet really has a need for the anti inflammatory benefits the NSAIDs offer. I don't see any difference with Fortis when he takes them or doesn't. I guess I will try the prioxicam every other day and just monitor.
Sending happy relaxing thoughts your way,
FortisDad
Oh what a happy picture! There's smiles here too, knowing that Fortis got such a great report card. Wooo hooo!
I'd say for sure that the swimming helps. What a lucky boy to get to do that every day. Up here, the lakes are just too cold for Wyatt to go swimming, even if he did like water!
As for NSAIDs that we've tried....Jerry was on Metacam for probably a total of 2.5 years. He did great on it, no side effects whatsoever. He did NOT do good on Rimadyl...barfed all over the place, it was just too strong.
Nor did he do well on Previcox, it nearly killed him by giving him a stomach ulcer. When his vet couldn't diagnose the cancer, he just kept giving us Previcox, which masked the symptoms but caused horrible effects in about a week. If we hadn't have done our research we never would have recognized the signs and he wouldn't have even lived long enough to have the amputation.
It's so impawtant for pawrents to watch out for side effects. NSAIDs are given out like candy and while they are mostly safe, some dogs can experience difficulties with them. Kudos to you for getting the blood work done. It pays to be your dog's advocate.
Comet, I'm so sorry you had a bad day at the vet. Your Mom is right; you and MB together back there probably wasn't the best idea. But I'm here to remind your Mom that we don't hold grudges and all is well now, right? No need for your Mom to be upset, it's all in the past and now is the time to just Be. Tell her not to "should" all over herself OK?
Hugs to you all.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Right now Trouble is doing Rimadyl - 50mg every other day and seems to be doing ok, but won't know for sure until he does bloodwork to check the liver enzymes. The journal is more for me to keep things straight in my mind - to know when I gave the last pill and what kind it was. Sometimes the days run together.
Comet - thank you for the link to the Rimadyl coupon. I filled mine out online last night.
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.
What a great picture! Everyone looks so happy and it's so great when your vets love your dogs like you do (I can see why this would bring tears to your eyes 
) Mackenzie's been on Metacam now since she started her cytaxin (metronomic therapy) and she's had no issues with it. My oncologist told me that this has shown to have anticancer agents in it so it's a good preventative.
I've said it before and I'll say it again - but that Fortis is such a big love! I truly want to kiss and hug him all over!! So adorable! And that face!!!
Ge'Lena - sorry to hear about your day at the vet. I think we can all relate - especially with 2 dogs feeding off each other (tell me about it!) I hope Comet is doing better now. Boy do I know what you mean about being nervous when you can't see Comet. I leave the house for a couple of hours and that kills me. The depth of love we have for our pets - there's so much of it - isn't it wonderful? And only us pet lovers truly understand this! 
Kami
My sweet golden Mackenzie. She became my angel on Dec 29, 2010 at the age of 8 1/2 although she was always my angel from the time we brought her home. She was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in Sept 2009 and officially became a tripawd (front leg) on Nov 5, 2009. She will be forever in my heart and now she's running free with all of our other tripawd heroes. I love you Mackenzie!
kbryant said:
The depth of love we have for our pets - there's so much of it - isn't it wonderful? And only us pet lovers truly understand this!
Kami
Oh, how I wish I had a way with words like you do. So beautiful and so true. There is no deeper love.
Kami, thanks for the NSAID input.
Fortis'Dad Brett
Awww! Thank you! I didn't meant to get all melonchaly! It's also a gazillion degrees outside here in Vegas which isn't fun. (106 at 10am when we went to the vet!!)
I LOVE ALL OF YOU GUYS for being so great and for being there/here – whatever! (I mean that! Enough said.)
Outside of me making the front desk call back to find out if the dogs were okay after 20 minutes,…Surprise, suprise – it was Rocket's reaction to the event that upset me! He seemed out of sorts coming home and just licked his foot. Comet is usually all better when she sees me. Rocket has never seen Comet nervous around the vet so I'm sure he got scared. He still seems wiped out. It was suppose to be a fun trip since toenail clipping vet trips usually are quick and painless!
I'm sure when we can play some frisbee this evening Rocket be fine.
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.
When I got Charlie 8.5 years ago, he came with a bottle of Rimadyl. He had Lyme's disease as a puppy and blew out one of his rear legs when hunting. The only time I gave it to him was when he played too hard or I noticed a limp. Now they want me to give it to him twice a day, but I just can't (although I did when I noticed the limp, prior to knowing it was cancer and all the way through until just recently), knowing the issues (although the vet told me not to worry), so I've been doing one a day to every other day, just to mitigate any pain on his remaining joints.
Best wishes on this part. I can only share my experience.
VQ & Charlie
"I don't know where I am."
Boomie has been on Metacam for 3 years. Knock wood, no side effects, regular blood testing finds no problems with his liver.
Cindy and Boomie
Boomie's leg was amputated due to osteosarcoma on May 15, 2008. He enjoyed over two and a half years of life after that, one day at a time. He died on Feb. 21, 2011.
First of all, LOVE the picture!!! I'm interested to hear what people's experiences with NSAIDS are as we went a different route (Jack started Prednisone, a steroid, on Saturday). I've heard that NSAIDS and steroids can both cause GI problems including ulcers...Jack's vet gave us a perscription for Sucralfate which is anti-ulcer and he is supposed to take 10mg of Pepcid AD every 12 hours. Prednisone has also made him pee like crazy, and he even woke me up at 2:30am Sunday morning because he needed to go potty. That being said, I have noticed that Jack seems to have a LOT more energy since starting the medication (he even jumped on my bed last night!). I know Fortis was perscribed Rimadyl to help with pain and Jack is on Pred for his liver tumor, but sometimes both NSAIDS and steroids can be used for the same problems depending on what that problem is, so I thought I would add this post 🙂 Because of the location of Jack's tumor in his liver (or surrounding it...we don't know!), the NSAID Metacam (and probably other NSAIDS as well) was not an option (this is why we are on a steroid). Hope everything continues to go well! I'm glad that Fortis doesn't live near me, or I might try to steal him.
<3 Laura and SquishyFace
p.s. Jack was on Rimadyl briefly after his surgery, and he had no issues.
I will give you my experiences with NSAIDS….First of all any of these drugs can have side effects so you must always watch for digestive upset or black/tarry stools. Rimadyl is very popular and I tend to use it a lot post-op but I do see more dogs having elevated liver enzymes on this drug. Most dogs do not go on to liver failure but we do monitor the enzymes twice yearly. Deramaxx works great but has a narrow therapeutic window so many dogs end up getting too much which can lead to stomach ulcers or vomiting. I really like Metacam (generic is meloxicam). The main contraindication there would be kidney problems. I used this drug with Tazzie because she had a bad liver but she safely took meloxicam for over a year without issue. Fortis is big enough that your vet could script out the human stuff for $4 a month at Walmart or Target or Fred Meyer pharmacies. Zubrin is also really good especially for dogs with sensitive GI tracts but can be pricey if your dog is over 60#.
Lastly, I have seen the most serious and life-threatening side efffects with piroxicam including permanent kidney failure and perforating ulcers. I also have seen some dogs do great on this so I am not trying to scare you but if used long-term I would watch for any vomit or stomach pain since these ulcers can occur with little warning. Some oncologists really prefer this NSAID but I am not a fan.
Pam
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