Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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My 12 year old miniature schnauzer, Frazier, was diagnosed yesterday with hind leg osteosarcoma. Needless to say, I was devastated! Even after being a 2 time cancer survivor myself, you never ever get accustom to the diagnosis of cancer, especially in my pet.
My mate discovered this site and I'm certainly glad she did. After reading so many great posts regarding amputism, I feel more confident about our decision to have the infected limb removed. That procedure will occur early in the week (today is Saturday), so currently I'm dealing with Frazier's pain management . He has a pain patch attached to his left side, but I don't know how well it's working. He is not eating or drinking at this point. He stands around alot, staring at me and I just feel so helpless. His pain is my pain!!! I wish we could proceed today.
Anyway, I'll update our progress as we move forward.
Wish us luck!!!
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Hello and welcome to Tripawds. Your future posts will not require moderation.
Yes, the 'C' word is devastating every time we hear it. Not to get off topic- but congrats to you as a two time survivor!! Now you get to show Frazier how it is done.
What kind of pain patch? What he is doing sounds a lot like the loopy behavior we see in many pups on pain meds. It is so hard to tell sometimes the difference between pain and the effects of the meds. When Tri-pug Maggie was on strong pain meds she was pretty freaked out- she acted like she was seeing and hearing things and was very agitated.
If you haven't already you can look through Jerry's Required Reading List or download the ebook Three Legs and a Spare. Both are good compilations of information on this site of what to expect with amputation, recovery, and treatment if you go that route.
Maggie was a little black pug, also a rear amp. She had mast cell cancer and after her amp was given 6 to 9 months. But she lived almost 4 years! Even when the statistics are bad there is hope!
What day is his surgery? Be sure you keep us updated, and ask whatever questions you might have. There is lots of information and support here to share.
Karen and the pugapalooza
Thanks for the info and encouragement. The pain patch is Fentanyl 25 mcg. As far as the surgery we were given the choice of using our local veterinary surgeon or traveling 30 miles for a surgeon specializing in oncology. Given that we received the complete diagnosis and available options late of Friday afternoon, we were unable to schedule the procedure at that time. However, we will be opting for the oncology specialist. Frazier will be receiving his chemo infusions at that location also. I'm hopeful that we can complete the amp no later than Wednesday (sooner I pray).
Unfortunately, the weekend fell at the wrong time for us.
I'll try to keep this thread updated as we move forward.
Thx
Offline
I'm sorry you had to find us here. It is such devastating news to find out a cherished family member has cancer.
I hope you can get him in as early as possible for the surgery. The first two weeks or so of recovery can be rough, but after that you should be your old boy coming back.
We had to have our beagle on a fentanyl patch once and we all hated, even the dog I think. She acted so weird while she was on it, I couldn't wait until we could take it off.
Hang in there, and let us know how the surgery goes. We're here if you have questions after. Be sure to rest up beforehand. Nursing them the first few days at home can be tiring... You will be up listening for every little sound, even if he doesn't need you. So try to get some good sleep before the surgery!
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!
Good luck and welcome. Please review the links Karen provided for links to the best resources this community has to offer.
Fentanyl is basically like morphine for dogs. We have heard the patch can take up to 24 to release it's full dosage. But staring, pacing, and panting are all common side effects. It's often hard to tell if you're seeing pain symptoms or side effects from the meds. The best advice is to remain strong for Frazier. He needs you to be calm and balanced now more than ever.
Best wishes for a perfect procedure and speedy recovery. Please keep us posted.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I'm sorry to hear about Frazier's diagnosis. It is the worst news ever! I can't add much more to what has been said but just wanted to reinforce the need to stay calm, give him lots of cuddles and if you have any concerns don't be afraid to call your vet.
Good luck with the surgery.
Karen 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/
Again, thanks to everyone for your concerns and advice. It's now early Sunday morning and I'm watching Frazier lying on his bed under the grandfather clock. Yesterday he spent nearly the whole day there, getting up occasionally to look out the window or walk just far enough to see us in the family room. I made a couple of futile attempts at taking him outside for some fresh air, but he just stood there with this blank stare in his eyes. This fentanyl patch is truly effecting his behavior. Like you, AngelAbbysMom, I hate it!
My concern this morning is Frazier's lack of eating food and drinking water, especially the water. Late yesterday afterrnoon he lapped up several gulps of water before returning to his bed. I fear he is becoming dehydrated. Because these events have occurred on the weekend, I cannot contact my vet. At this moment I'm strongly considering a trip to the 24 hour emergency hospital for a possible IV saline infusion. I don't want him so weak that the amp procedure cannot be performed.
I may be over-reacting at this point but I don't know what I should do. Is this common with fentanyl? Should I not worry about his eating and drinking? Should I wait until tomorrow to contact his vet? These are questions that keep my brain busy. I know by the time anyone might comment, I may have decided to visit the emergency vet. But your input is always appreciated.
Damn weekend!!!
P.S. Let me add that the support at Tripawds is better than any that I experienced with my own human disease. Thanks again!
tommytunes said
I may be over-reacting at this point but I don't know what I should do. Is this common with fentanyl? Should I not worry about his eating and drinking? Should I wait until tomorrow to contact his vet? These are questions that keep my brain busy. I know by the time anyone might comment, I may have decided to visit the emergency vet. But your input is always appreciated.Damn weekend!!!
P.S. Let me add that the support at Tripawds is better than any that I experienced with my own human disease. Thanks again!
First off, welcome. I missed your post yesterday but I'm glad I caught it this morning so I can hopefully help you feel better during what is a very stressful time.
Now, if you have any concerns, call your vet. That's why you pay them. We are not vets here, but since we've been through a lot of the scenarios we can offer our insight, but only you can decide if Frazier needs to go in for a visit.
Pain meds do really goofy things to dogs. They see pink elephants, lose their appetite, lay around a lot, or go bonkers. It all depends on the dogs' chemistry. Have you tried adding anything like low-sodium chicken or beef broth to his water? A bit of gatorade and even the water from a tuna can are also things that folks have used to get their dog to drink more. Try these and see what happens, but definitely keep your vet in the loop.
I'm so sorry Frazier and you are going through this ordeal but as a cancer survivor yourself (
) I know you'll be strong and show him that cancer can stick it where the sun don't shine...you two have lots of good times ahead once you get through this. And in the meantime we'll be here to help.
P.S. thanks for the very big compliment about the support here...isn't this community incredible? We love our members! Again, welcome to you and Frazier. He sounds like a cutie, and his small size will be a big advantage when it comes to getting around on three legs.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
My dog didn't do Fentanyl well at all either. They put a patch on him at the time of diagnosis and before we could get surgery scheduled. At our consult his surgeon said he didn't really like Fentanyl, and I said it was making him agitated and weird, and so he took him off and put him on Tramadol while we waited for surgery. During the consult he also noticed that my dog looked like he was going to try to go right through the window in the exam room. But, after surgery he used IV Fentanyl because it is better for pain mgmt, but said he wasn't doing well with it and again switched him back to Tramadol.
I'm not a vet... but there are some things you can do to check to see if your guy is dehydrated (check his gums and skin). I used Pedialyte with Duke when he wasn't drinking much after he had a chemo problem. A little chicken broth in the water might encourage him also, but with things like Gatorade or Pedialyte you are getting some electrolytes in him also which is good. I used the unflavored Pedialyte and took a sip and thought it tasted horrid, but my dogs all seemed to like it.
Weekends can be so long. I was at the ER vet two weekends in a row with Duke at one point. Expensive but thank goodness they are there! Hope you guy perks up a bit very soon.
dukez said
I used Pedialyte with Duke when he wasn't drinking much after he had a chemo problem.
Pedialyte! Right!
Duke, I swear I'm not buttering you up because I said this yesterday, but you always have the best ideas. I had forgotten about that suggestion, thanks for the reminder.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I just wanted to welcome you. I remember the initial devastation of the osteosarcoma diagnosis. But, after you get through the initial surgery etc, you might find that you'll have some amazing times with Frazier. The months that my dog, K, lived with osteosarcoma were very high quality and filled with love and fun.
I don't have any specific advice about vet issues (K didn't have an amputation) but I will be thinking of you in the coming days. BTW, chicken broth can be another good way to get fluids and electrolytes into a dog. It worked well for K.
K, an 8 year old chocolate lab, was diagnosed with osteosarcoma of the radius and ulna on 12/23/11. She had stereotactic radiation to kill the bone tumors, and 3 rounds of carboplatin. On 3/16/12, lung mets were found. We tried several different kinds of chemotherapy to slow the lung mets but none worked. Finally, mets appeared at other sites, including her spine. She earned her angel wings on July 15, 2012. K changed my life, and I'll never forget her. Our/my journey is chronicled at romp-roll-rockies.blogspot.com.
Good morning, all! I truly appreciate everyone's suggestions and experiences. Just to update you on Frazier's pre-surgery condition, we took him to the emergency room yesterday. After a 4+ hour adventure, Frazier was not clinically dehydrated (major concern of mine), but he was given a quick subcutaneous fluid infusion for some relief. The vet offered no explanation or overall concern for his not eating. With assurances that Frazier was not in any imminent "danger", we brought him home.
I must say that it was so great to see him running towards me, bad rear leg and all, with the technician in tow! Anyway, back at home, he drank some water from his bowl but only stared at his adjacent food bowl.
I will follow-up with his vet this AM and update her with our weekend adventure plus discuss his surgical plans. I am glad the weekend has passed! I know that I made the right decision yesterday by taking Frazier in the ER, even for something so simple as potential dehydration.
Currently he's sleeping again on his favorite pillow near the grandfather clock. I miss our early morning walks through the neighborhood, but optimistic that we will resume them "down the road".
So let's see what today brings!!!
Oh so glad he's not in any danger, that's good news. You absolutely did the right thing by taking him to the ER, the peace of mind from getting a professional opinion will keep you sane. We hope today is a good one considering everything. And yep, cancer definitely teaches you to take things day by day.
Paws crossed things go smoothly this week! Keep us posted.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
This cancer journey is a roller coaster- and through it all you have to be strong and positive for Frazier. That means being confident that everything is OK, which sometimes means calling or going to the vet for what might be perceived as 'simple' things.
I got to the point with my vet's office that I didn't even need to say my name when I called- they recognized my voice 
.
Keep us posted on Frazier (and you!) and a surgery schedule.
Karen and the pugapalooza
Hi Frazier and Pack,
I've been gone for a week and I come home to read about your boy having this stinking Cancer. I HATE CANCER!! He sure is a handsome boy (I am a little partial to miniature schnauzers, we have one too, her name is Sophie) and he looks real strong. I'm sure he will do real well post amputation. If he is anything like my feisty girl, that terrier in him will bust out and he'll be a fighter.
As far as that fentanyl patch goes, we hated that thing. Like Jerry said above, my Rizzo saw more than pink elephants, she tripped out. I was so happy to have those off her after the amp. The other pain meds she ended up taking didn't seem to make her so out of it.
Let us know how it goes, and you know you can always come on here for advise or if you have questions. Rest up for when Frazier comes home as you will be up at night some with him and when he sleeps you need to sleep so you don't get run down.
All our Best to Frazier!!
Suzie and Rizzo
Jack Russell born in 2001. Mast cell cancer found Dec 2009 and right rear amputation. Five rounds of chemo done before all treatment stopped. Living life to the fullest!! Read my story at http://rizzo.tripawds.com
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