Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hello all. I'm looking for any encouragement and words of advice that you all can give me. Nyla is now 3 weeks post amputation. She had done well with the surgery except for the fact that she didn't have much of an appetite. I didn't think it was odd at the time as she was on so many different medications post op. Once I got her off of these, the lack of appetite continue. I had small victories for her which I posted on this site previously but now it's been a steady decline. I met with the oncologist yesterday to discuss chemo following her amputation. Initially she was very happy that Nyla seemed to have localized histiocytic sarcoma based on all the tests that were done preop. She felt that she was the perfect candidate for chemo and that this would likely give her some more time. I brought up the fact that she isn't eating much which concerned me since she is off the pain meds at this point. She decided to repeat ultrasound and do bloodwork. It turns out that she has mets to her kidney. She was completely shocked at how quickly this occurred. My heart is absolutely breaking. I'm beyond devastated. This is my life, my child...which most of you understand. I've seen a rapid decline today and it is more than I handle watching this. The oncologist offered to do chemo still knowing this would at best only give her another few months. At this point, I just want a quality of life for her so that she is not suffering. I've been crying all day since I found out the news yesterday. This has all happened so fast and so unexpectedly.
Oh my heart absolutely breaks for you .... I am so sorry you and Nyla are going through this challenge right now. We ALL totally get it about them being our children and it is heartbreaking.
I am sorry about the mets in her kidneys... this f'ing disease ... I swear!!!
So her lack of appetite is an issue but what about other things? Her sparkle? Her zest? Her play? The meds definitely do make a difference in behavior but it sounds like you are weaning her off most of those.
Do you want to try chemo? what does your heart tell you? This disease is rarely fair and decent and I know how you are hurting right now and I wish I had the right words. But know that Nyla knows LOVE and love on her as much as you can. I know others will chime in...
XOXO
Alison with Spirit Shelby in her heart (and little Jasper too)
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
Two days ago she was eating a little and I was able to take her for a very small walk in the park. Yesterday she ate a very little bit after we came back from the oncologist and today she has only managed a few small bites of bacon. She's been sleeping all day today. I feel like it's been a rapid (and I mean very rapid) decline. I'm just so devastated. She is no longer on any medications so I can't blame it on that...I feel and the oncologist feels that this is likely the disease process. I just want her to be comfortable during this time. She doesn't seem like she's in pain however I don't think this is a good quality of life if she's not eating much. She is still drinking and pooping/peeing. My heart is breaking in a way I didn't think possible.
There aren't enouh expletives invented yet to express how much we hate this effing disease.
I'm sure you have been crying all day, and we are all shedding some tears too. I'm glad you came here though. As Alison said, we get it like nomothers can. We understand the bond like no others can. We understand we will do anything and everything possible for our dogs. YOU HAVE! YOU DID!! AND YOU ARE!!! NYLA KNOWS THAT!!!
I'll start with what appears APPEARS to be a "rapid" decline todaysince yesterday. Everyone here will tell you trips to the Vet for a tripawd are very tiring and many do sleep a lot the day of the visit. Not saying that the mets aren't having an effect, just saying that the Vet trip probably temporarily made it worse.
It drives us humans nuts when our dogs eat very little. From what I understand though, it's not as harmful to the dogs as it is to the stress level to the humans!
It sounds like she is comfortable and not in pain. Tiredness doesn't hurt. That is, indeed, still quality.
TRY, TRY, not to jump ahead. Just stay in the moment and take one day at a time. During this phase on the journey there are often less good days, but tjere are some good days too!
Of course, as you already know, none of this means anything to beautiful Nyla! Doesn't mean squat!
What does matter is soaking up all the loving and spoiling you are already giving her non-stop.
When things settle down a bit for you, I would definitely consult with the Onco again about the possibility of chemo having a positive effect in Nyla's situation.
Is your Onco open to alternative therapies? Do you have a Holistic Vet in the area? I know alternative therapies based on a variety of mushroom combos have shown promising results.
How about an an appetite stimulant? Prednisone is also something that may be useful.
Separate from this situation, some dogs stay on a low dose of pain meds for three weeks and beyond. Wonder if she needs a small dose?
Hang onto us okay? We will help you stay strong. And you will stay strong because your love and devotion to Nyla are stronger than that liece of crap disease.
No one...no one...knows how long any of us have! But we know we have NOW and must not waste one second of our precious now worrying about the tomorrows. Nyla sure isn't!
Where do you live? There maybe a Holistic Vet in yiur area. We can check for you, okay?
Sending you love and hugs from all of us
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie 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!
IV fluids shoukd help 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!
I think the oncologist was surprised that her kidneys were so enlarged and had so many tumors on them compared to the ultrasound that was done fairly soon before surgery. I'm worried about kidney failure as a result. I honestly don't think she has much time. (I work in human medicine so I don't think I'm misreading things). I have the option to try one round of chemo which they said would have to be done tomorrow if at all due to the aggressiveness of this disease. That won't buy us a lot of time and may not work (oncologist's words, not mine). I don't know if I can do that to her. I feel like her body is shutting down and I'm just helplessly watching.
You have a lot to process. A lot.
The "risk" of Nyla having some of the generally mild side effects..not eating..lethargy... nausea, etc is not something you woukd want to subject yiur dog to if their system is already compromised. I can certainly understand that. Of course, there is a chance she may not have any side effects at all. Geez, this just sucks.
I know I mentioned it earIier, but it's certainly worth checking into some of the palliative possibilities. I know you feel defeated and broken right now and too hopeless to think about any possibilities. So we'll keep throwing out ideas, okay?
In the meantime, as unbelievably nard as it may be, keep your energy upbeat for your sweet girl. Remember, she knows nothing about the latest tests.
Do you have any ice cream? Maybe you could sit by her and share a vowl of ice cream. Do you have a tiny bit of forbidden chocolate she could have? Soil, spoil, spoil!!
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!
Oh no, I am so, so sorry for you and Nyla. I do not have the experience here that others do with cancer, meds and the effects - all I can say is what does your heart tell you? Use your love and your what you know of Nyla to help you make this decision. You know you are making a decision based on your love and what is best for her. I well remember many years ago taking my girl Ariel to an emergency vet visit (seizures) and being shocked to be told that her liver was "full of tumors". She had shown NO symptoms. They advised me not to even take her home, she was on heavy medication and would seize without it. Things can progress so fast and we don't even know it's happening, cancer is a terrible disease.
Everyone is here for you and understands 100% what you are feeling and going through. I can't say it enough, you know you love Nyla and she knows you love her. Use that to help you as much as you can.
Yes, maybe a sweet treat or more bacon? Cuddle and soft talk if she likes that.
Nyla has lost close to 15 lbs since this all started. I just don't feel like we have time. The biggest decision I have is whether to try chemo or not tomorrow knowing it's not really buying us much time but "may" make her feel better... as well all know, a small chance it could also make her feel worse. I just want her to be comfortable. I can't even spoil her at this point as she is refusing everything today. I'm just trying not to cry in front of her and give her all the love I possibly have.
I am so sorry to hear about Nyla 🙁
Whatever you end up choosing will be the right decision. You know human medicine and you know Nyla the best. This disease just sucks! One day there is so much positivity and hope and the next day there is bad news. Again so sorry to hear 🙁
Otis - 121 lbs pre amp - 114 lbs post amp and now 118 lb Great Dane - English Mastiff X. Started limping on 12/24/16. Diagnosed with Osteosarcoma 12/28/16 - amputation of front left leg on 1/6/17. Stitches out and 1st round of Chemo on 1/19/17. 2nd round of Carboplatin on 2/10/17 - 3rd round on 3/2/2017. 4th round was scheduled for 3/22/17 - however due to low WBC postponed - 4th Chemo completed on 3/28/17. Had breathing difficulties, stayed in Tufts ICU overnight. Due for 2 more rounds of Chemo but we are opting to go with homeopathy with Dr. Loops instead.
I'm so sorry to hear about your sweet Nyla 
Sending you hugs and prayers.
Jeanette & Boone
I'm so sorry to hear about Nyla. This journey is so hard. I lost my Sweet Ted on 30 November. He had his front left leg amputated in early August and in early November we found mets in his lungs. He declined slowly throughout most of the month and then basically "fell off the cliff" within a day. I, as well as many here, know your heartbreak. I personally don't understand how one chemo treatment might make her feel better and/or make a difference in her prognosis. Not trying to be a jerk - just want to make sure that you are not making yourself feel guilty about what seems to be the inevitable and doing things for her that may or may not help. You are in such a hard situation right now. My advice - which I followed with my dog love-of-my-life - you know where this is heading....helping her over the bridge a day early is much better than a day late. Love on her, make her comfortable, give her CHEESE, and be as brave as she has been. We are all here for you.
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I echo the others in saying how sad I was to read this topic. Sometimes there is not much you really can do. With both of my dogs, the vets were willing to try surgeries, but in neither case were the surgeries more than an attempt to buy a little time. And for me, it just wasn't worth puttng them through further surgery, knowing that the likelihood of success was very low (and even success mght mean days, not months.). Sometimes, caring for them just means taking care of them minute by minute, hour by hour, until the bad outweighs the good snd it is time to say goodbye. I am so sorry, however, that you have reached this point so soon. It is just not fair.
Otis - 106 pound lab/Dane mix, lost his right front leg to osteosarcoma on Febuary 9, 2016. Four rounds of carboplatin completed in April, 2016. Lung mets August 25, 2016. Said goodbye too soon on September 4, 2016. Lost his adopted sister, Tess, suddenly on October 9, 2016. likely due to hemangiosarcoma.
Wherever they are, they are together.
I am so sorry.
Tripug Maggie developed kidney failure. She wouldn't eat on her own and lost a ton of weight, but she wasn't in any pain.
Mag also developed a second cancer, our vets offered treatment but I knew it would only buy time for me and wasn't in Maggie's best interest. It is heartbreaking and gut wrenching but there is a point when there is nothing you can do but shower them with love and follow their lead.
Follow your heart and do what you think is best for Nyla.
This disease is so unfair and hard, no one should have to deal with this.
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
My heart is breaking for you and your sweet Nyla. Just the sheer feeling of helplessness is enough to hurt your soul. All I can think to say is to remind you that you're not alone. 
Harmony became a Tripawd on 10/21/14 (MCT). She left us way too soon on 11/1/14.
"We miss you so much; our love, our heart, our Harmony."
- Pam, Ron and Melody, Meesha, Doublestuff and Mariah Carey
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