Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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She started limping 10 days ago. Then stopped limping after 2 days.
5 days ago confirmed osteosarcoma.
She started limping again today on pain meds alone.
Was originally going to treat pain with meds and radiation therapy and zometa monthly. Was supposed to start this tomorrow.
So I need help with deciding to still just do the radiation and eventually having to amputate anyways. Or just amputate tomorrow and skip anymore additional pain? She would then start chemo in 2 weeks if all goes well. She is so full of life right now with this little limp and I also worry that she will go so downhill after surgery. If I don't do the amputation surgery tomorrow she will have to wait until Monday. Will this be too long? I can see the tumor has grown since just last week. This may be why she is limping again so then I just fell terrible I waited this long.
Thank you for any replies.
Jill
Jill I'm so sorry, I know that you're facing a huge emotional roller coaster. Did you see everyone's thoughts about your situation?
Unfortunately we can't predict what will happen, this is just one of those situations where you have to go with your gut instinct and hope for the best. I will tell you that bone cancer pain is excruciating and without any treatment it's awful and the leg is at risk of fracturing. It's important to decide on something as quickly as possible.
If you'd like to talk with someone about it on the phone please use our Tripawds Pals Helpline (844-TRIPAWD), where maybe a live call will help you more. I'm so sorry, wish I was more help.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Goodness knows we can feel your agony through the screen trying to figure out what's best for Bella. As Jerry said, no k e can predict what will happen. It's just a miserable disease a d it .akes up its own rules as it goes alo g. What seemingly worked for one dog, qith the sa.e sce ario, didn't work as well for another.
I do have a couple of questions and a few thoughts.
*Will Bella have to be knocked out for each radiation treatment?
*How many treatments to the vets predict she will have over what period of time?
*How @ong will she have to stay at the vets for each treat.e t?
*How does Bella react ro being at the vets and to care rides?
*Have they discussed potential side effects with radiation?
**Were you able to get a second opinion regarding Bella's orthopedic "situation "?
**Two more questions.....my biggest fear if I proceed with "x" is? My greatest hope if I do proceed with "x" is? Does one answer outweigh the other answer?
Something to factor into the equation is YOU! I'm going to ask you a "forced choice"question. Is there one scenario over the other that, even IF it didn't go well (whatever that may mean), you could "deal with" better than the other? It's a hard question to answer...I think it will help quide you though.
I do hope you will call the (844) TRIPAWD Helpline. No one will ba able to tell you what to do. Unfortunately that's a decision only you and your Orthopedic Surgeon and Oncologist can make, along with BELLA! We can help guide you through the fear so you can make a decision with clarity and and some degree of confidence.
YOU ARE. NOT ALONE! We are all eight vy your side to support you on whatever decision you and Bella make.
Surrounding you with clarity and love
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle too!
PS...check this link out from today. There's a video.of Tazzie, a Mastiff, that may interest you.
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!
Jill ~
It's such a tough decision to have to make, and no one can make it but you. You are the only one who knows Bella. Sally brought up a lot of good points. She won't be pain-free right away with surgery - there's going to be a couple of weeks of adjustment. The first 2 weeks can be pretty rough. And some dogs have a longer recovery than others (although some have a shorter recovery, too).
For Murphy, he started limping in October, was misdiagnosed, would walk/run when he had pain medication, would yelp when not on meds, tentative diagnosis in February, finally had surgery in April. He was still bearing weight on his leg as long as he had his medications, but on x-ray we could see that the tumor had grown so much that there was very little bone left. The orthopedic doctor was surprised that the bone hadn't broken yet, and that Murphy could still walk on it at all.
There are no guarantees with any of the treatments that we choose for our babies. For us, we got so lucky - we've gotten over 2 years with Murphy (so far!!), so we think it was worth it, every bit of it!
Do what's in your heart.
Donna
Donna, Glenn & Murphy
Murphy had his right front leg amputated due to histiocytic sarcoma at 7 years old. He survived 4 years, 2 months & 1 week, only to be taken by hemangiosarcoma at 11 1/2 years 6/12/17
Read about Murphy's Life on Three Legs
Thanks once again for the responses. I talked with her orthopedic surgeon and he thinks her back legs look good and I really trust his opinion. After that I decided to do the amputation. He will be the one to do it which also helps my indecision. The bone is so much bigger than even last week and she was still limping this morning. I just feel so bad for her.
The video of Tazzie really did help so thank you benny55 for mentioning it.
I will post back I am sure with more questions regarding recovery.
We'll all be here!
Donna
Donna, Glenn & Murphy
Murphy had his right front leg amputated due to histiocytic sarcoma at 7 years old. He survived 4 years, 2 months & 1 week, only to be taken by hemangiosarcoma at 11 1/2 years 6/12/17
Read about Murphy's Life on Three Legs
Good! You've made a decision and you are moving forward!! Bella's pain will be gone! Sure, recovery is no picnic, but one that is complete you will be amazed at how much better she will feel!
As Donna said, "We'll all be here!" STAY CONNECTED! Looking forward to supporting you with any wuestuons. Good ess knows, we've all "been there, done that"!
Look forward to your next update. Surgery is today, right? Remember, Bella will be high as a kite and seeing pink elephants! And you'll be worrying like crazy! EAT CHOCOLATE!! It really does help! But'm you have to eat a lot!!
Sending lots of hugs!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle too!
PS....even though I forgot to embed Tazzie's link, glad you found it anyway! I thought it would be a good form of reassurance and help.
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!
Bless your heart. We all know too well the emotional turmoil you're going through. Don't beat yourself up. All of this is cancer's MO. It will make you question every decision and emotion you have. Put the blame where the blame belongs and that's on cancer.
Any decision you make is done with love. Bella is very lucky to have you.
pam
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
Hi Jill,
I'm glad you were able to come to a decision you're comfortable with. I didn't get a chance to reply earlier, but your worries (and feelings of guilt) are so totally normal. We've pretty much all been there and like others have said, don't let the guilt triumph. Stay positive for Bella's sake. She'll be relying on you to show her that you still love her and will take care of her no matter what.
Denise, Bill and Angel Ellie.
Active 10+ Pyr mix suddenly came up lame with ACL tear in left rear leg. Scheduled for a TPLO but final pre-op x-rays indicated a small suspicious area, possibly OSA, which could have caused the ACL tear. Surgeon opened the knee for TPLO but found soft bone. Biopsy came back positive for OSA. Became a Tripawd 9/18/14. Carbo6 with Cerenia and Fluids. Pain free and living in the moment. Crossed the Bridge on 7/12/15 after probable spread of cancer to her cervical spine. A whole lifetime of memories squeezed into 10 months. Here's her story: Eloise
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