Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
Tripawds is your home to learn how to care for a three legged dog or cat, with answers about dog leg amputation, and cat amputation recovery from many years of member experiences.
Join The Tripawds Community
Learn how to help three legged dogs and cats in the forums below. Browse and search as a guest or register for free and get full member benefits:
Instant post approval.
Private messages to members.
Subscribe to favorite topics.
Live Chat and much more!
Register
Log In
Members
Add Topic
Offline
I can't believe I am even typing this. I guess I was oblivious thought we'd have years before this time would come. After 18 months she should have beaten the odds. But we were delt a reality blow . As I mentioned in an earlier post, Tasha has taken a steep decline. A large tumor was discovered in her lung this past week after a few weeks of her being "off". A diagnosis that floored me. We were sent home with prednisone and told to just take it day by day. Yesterday was a really good day for her. She was alert, there was no coughing, she ate everything I gave her. Today is another story.
She is extremely lethargic and has been coughing. I picked her up to put her on the bed with me so she would be close and she cried...something she has been doing when you pick her up for the past week. Her breathing is rapid and when she isn't resting she is panting. She is obviously in pain but she is such a tough little girl she will never show it more than she has to. She just isn't herself.
I have been saying I'm just going to wait and see but I don't know that I am being fair to her and not being selfish. Tasha has always been a dog full of life. You ask her if she wants to go for a ride or a walk and she jumps up. That zest is gone. She is still eating...more junk than anything else at this point. She never had a verocious appetite but she loves Pupperoni's and Beggin Strips and Frosty Paws. She still jumps up when the closet opens for those treats and I see a little sparkle in her eyes.
I can't believe our journey together has come to an end. I am trying to find the strength to do the right thing for her but saying goodbye is so hard. I don't want to make the decision to let her go too soon but I don't want to make it too late and let her suffer. I know no one can make that decision for me. I just wish she would give me a sign when she doesn't want to do this anymore. Sometimes I feel like I see that look in her eyes, that she is tired and done fighting and the next minute I see my little girl. She will put on a tough exterior and do anything to make me happy even if it means struggling through the pain.
Tasha was a German ShepherdBorder Collie mix who was diagnosed with OSA at age 8. On December 29, 2011 she had her front right leg amputated and received 4 rounds of chemo. Sadly and suddenly Tasha became sick and we discovered she had liver cancer that had spread to her lung. After almost 19 months, Tasha earned her wings on July 17, 2013. No regrets and never forgotten.
I am so sorry you and Tasha are struggling. It's a decision we shouldn't have to make. It would be so much easier if, as you said, our furbabies could just tell us when they've had enough. Somehow, I think you will know. It may not feel like it now but I think you will know. You will see it from your baby girl. Until then, just keep loving and cuddling her as much as you can.
Amy & Liberty (Libby)
Liberty (Libby) was diagnosed with OSA on 1-22-13. Right front amputation on 1-31-13. No IV Chemo. Metronomic Therapy started 2-19-13 along with supplements and some home cooking. Lungs clear until 1-06-14. She's still her happy, hoppy, bossy self. Living the dog life to the fullest and a proud Winter Warrior. :) RIP my Libby 4-21-03 to 3-19-14
Online
Amy said it so well.
Right now you are doubting, you are processig, you are being diligent and the messages you are receiving from her right now are "mixed" to say the least. I'm sure others will post some links that may help you as far as determining"quality of life check lists....but, as you alluded to...only YOU know Tasha and only you and Yasha can define what joys, no matter how simple they may be, represent "quality" for her at this point in her journey.
If she's only been on the pred a day or two or so, you may want to see if that kicks in some more...like it seemed to yesterday. The pred. on its own can so etmes cause panting. I dunno'...just throwing it out there.
Right now' even if she doesn't feel great today, she is loving having you there comforting her and giving her all the jjk food she wants. You're probably exhaust getting up and down to open that closet door for her!
My vet once told me you will NEVER feel like it was the right time (referring to me). Somehow that freed me up just a touch to really try and focus on their "messages" they were sending me through whatever doggy means they were using. Once their choice became clear, it gave me so e tiny, tiny sense of relief that K was able to act on what they wanted when they were ready. Tasha will let you know when she feels like her better moments no longer are worth it.
My heart aches for you so badly. We all understand like no others can. Your love for her is immense and she knows it! You have done everything possible to give her a happy, joyful life filled with love and spoili g and no. stop til wags.
For now, just be in the moment with her. Let go of everything, no thoughts, no decisions, just being with her. The rest will take care of itself.
Now do so etching for both of you right now......no..no...not if she's sleeping.....she. she wakes up. Go open that darn closet door with gusto and give her one of everything g in there!.
And of goodbye, rather 'til you meet again.. Regardless, her love for you knows no end, as does your love for her..
We are sending yo serenity and love and strength. Your girl's life is.one of great dtermitin and courage. She is a beacon of ohope for all of us.
When a light shines that brightly, o amount t of darkness can dim it....ever.
Love,
Sally and Happy Hannah
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 just read a blog posted by "buster" and wanted to share this....
She posted a picture er mother made as a tribute to her does......it was their photo with:
"Thanks, we had a wonderful time"
I know Tasha says _ditto
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 am sorry you are having to deal with this. Our thoughts & prayers go out with to you. Sally said that she had only been on the prednisone a few days. I do know prednisone can speed up the breathing. You may want to see what happens in a day maybe that will help, but over all you know Tasha and the pain level.
Sally said it best let it all go and live for them moment and you will know what the right time is
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."
ksplaine said
After 18 months she should have beaten the odds.
With 18 months, she did beat the odds! But we know that doesn't make this difficult time any easier. Bless you for being so good to Tasha, with everything you've done for her, including the final gift of setting her free.
Many have found our two-part article about how we knew when to say goodbye to Jerry helpful in making their own end of life decisions for their pups. It's a discussion nopawdy ever wants to have, but read the many comments for plenty of feedback from others.
Peace.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I am so sorry that you are dealing with this. I know that your other post mentioned a possible tumor in the liver - we lost Zeus the same way, so I will try to give you some idea of what we experienced. I am so sorry if it is hard to hear, but when I was in your shoes, I desperately wanted someone to tell me what to expect.
Zeus seemed to be slowing down that month after we finished the sixth Carbo treatment but we chalked it up to the chemo being cumulative and it just taking longer to bounce back. Our first real clue was his inability to tolerate the MP protocol which is very unusual since it is such low-dose chemo. We also noted that his stomach area seemed to be distended. That prompted our vet do do an ultrasound and he found two large masses in the abdomen, one on the liver and one on the spleen. With no treatment for such tumors, we made the same choice as you and terminated all further testing or treatment. The vet put Zeus on prednisone and that seemed to help tremendously with the energy issues and we had another decent month with him. Now, that may be due to the fact that we found the tumors early b/c of the MP making him throw up, and prior to him showing the more advanced signs such as appetite loss and inability to walk. Toward that last week we noticed that he seemed to become uncomfortable in his abdomen area and he became very weak. He would only get up to go outside and even then he barely made it back inside before collapsing. He would, however, jump up and run to the kitchen at the sound of anything related to food.
We also questioned the timing. We didn't want him to suffer, but he still had life and spirit in his eyes. So we played it day-by-day. On the last day, he seemed to be breathing with these little puffs rather than full breaths. When he refused all food, we pretty much knew it was time because this was a dog that did not miss one meal in his entire life regardless of how sick he was. Within the period of four hours, the look in his eyes changed. The spirit was no longer there. He just looked done.
I hope you still have some quality time with Tasha. But I do believe she will tell you when it is time. All three of our dogs have. It is not just a fleeting look. It is a change in their look and it doesn't go away. You will know.
Please forgive me for posting so late. I have been following your posts but could not bring myself to respond. Tasha had her amputation the same month as Zeus, so she is one whose story is imprinted on me since we kinda went through the stuff together. I adore every dog on this site, but there is something extra-personal about the ones that walked the road with you. My heart aches for you and your family. Please know that you are in my prayers.
Lisa
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/
Lsa, I just want you to know, al though I "wasn't" here during Zeus's journey, your posts and recounting Zeus's various experiences have meant the world to all of us on the site. You, along with so many others who are here offering support, even though you've experienced such heartbreaking losses---it's invaluable to us. You were, allong with others, were supporting us when we first came here offering incredible insight and tips---and never ending support. Through you, Zeus is still touching lives. Has life mattered. It takes a special courage and compassion to stay on this site sometimes. Especially on a day .Iike today...one that BRI gs all sorts of emotions to your heart.
I just want you to know ow very much I appreciate you and value your presence here. And Zeus's picture ALWAYS makes me smile.
Holding Tasha safely in our hearts.
Sally and Happy Hannah
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!
Thank you so much everyone for your kind words,prayers, advice and good thoughts. It means so much to be able to come here and find others who can sympathize and relate to what I'm going through. Or even just to pour my heart out. Today has not been a good day for Tash but we'll see what tomorrow brings. Taking it day by day sounds so easy but it is so hard.
As hard as it was to read through my tears "how to know when to say goodbye to Jerry" it was helpful and comforting in its own way. I forget too many others have walked this path and new tripawd journeys begin each day. You're right...she did beat the odds and I'm so thankful for the extra time we've had since the diagnosis. Every day with her has been a special gift.
Lisa, thank you so much!!! I felt the exact same way about Zeus...when he passed it really broke my heart. I love the picture with him smiling and it gets me every time. Like you said, you remember those that have made this journey together. I had a hard time coming to the site from there on. It was too hard to see pups you cared about pass on. I took the road of ignorance is bliss and checked in every now and again. But the amazing thing about this site is you are always welcomed back with open arms and caring hearts!
Tasha was a German ShepherdBorder Collie mix who was diagnosed with OSA at age 8. On December 29, 2011 she had her front right leg amputated and received 4 rounds of chemo. Sadly and suddenly Tasha became sick and we discovered she had liver cancer that had spread to her lung. After almost 19 months, Tasha earned her wings on July 17, 2013. No regrets and never forgotten.
I wouldn't wish anyone to be in your shoes right now--been there--so hard. Hoping your most beautiful Tasha is feeling a little better this evening. I too have had seen the panting effect with prednisone--its scary but can just be the meds. Do you know about the Pawspice quality of life scale? You can use it as a quantitative tool to help think about when to make that final decision. Actually, if you google "dog quality of life scale" a bunch of different options come up so this is not the only one and maybe you will like another better. I can't speak from experience so I don't really know if it is helpful or not but I wish I had something like this the last time I faced losing a dog. I absolutely agree with everyone that the qualitative is just as important. Tasha WILL let you know when she is done fighting. But perhaps going through the quantitative exercise (or more than one!) can help us be as receptive as we can be to what our best friends are trying to tell us.
Admin's right, Tasha, like any true tripawd warrior, totally beat the odds and kicked cancer's ass for 18 whole months! I know, it never, ever seems like enough time.
Sending you lots of love and tripawd strength to help you through,
xoxoxo,
Codie Rae and the Oaktown Pack
Woohoo! Tripawds Rule!
Regulator of the Oaktown Pack, Sheriff of the Oaktown Pawsse, Founding member and President of the Tripawd Girldogs With 2 Names ROCK Club, and ... Tripawd Girldog Extraordinaire!
Oh please give Tasha a big big hug from all of us. It just hurts to much to know that you are at this stage.
From reading your post, something in your words is telling me that you know her better than you think you do. But a blog post that might help you feel more confident about it is the Penny Jar's story by Spirit Bo's Mom. I think this can give you some tools for deciding when to take that brave and very difficult step to call your vet.
A lot of people here have said in the past, when it comes to making the call to the vet, it's better a minute too soon than a minute too late to avoid terrible suffering. I know it's terribly hard to do, it's the hardest thing ever. We are here for you and your sweet Tasha. May these days ahead be as peaceful as possible.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Wish I could say something to make this better. Keep making memories with Tasha for now and enjoy each moment.
As mentioned, the prednisone does make them pant quite a bit. That has become Shooter's new normal. They also seem more sensitive to heat.
Keeping you in our thoughts.
Luanne and Shooter
Spirit Shooter was a Miniature Australian Shepherd who was diagnosed with a MCT and had a LF amp 1/28/13 at 13-1/2 years old.
Shooter crossed the Bridge on 8/28/13, his 7 month ampuversary and two weeks from his 14th birthday.
I can only echo what others have said--you have totally beaten the odds at 18 months, even if it does feel too soon (and doesn't it ALWAYS feel that way, no matter how long we have? 
). And you know Tasha best of all...watch her, love her, and take it day by day.
I will say, though, the Pred does take some adjustment--Sam panted a lot, and it did a number on his stamina and muscle strength (er, relative strength, I guess 
). Still does, and this heat has been really hard for him. The last 48 hours, it has been super intense (enough to wake me up). It IS scary, but after two months of it, I'm learning to sort of tune it out.
Regardless, I am so sorry that you are having to face these things right now... you are in my thoughts <3 Hugs to you both at this crappy, crappy time.
"Let us think the unthinkable, let us do the undoable, let us prepare to grapple with the ineffable itself, and see if we may not eff it after all."
-Douglas Adams, Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency
"May I recommend serenity to you? A life that is burdened with expectations is a heavy life. Its fruit is sorrow and disappointment. Learn to be one with the joy of the moment."
-Douglas Adams, The Long Dark Tea-Time of the Soul
It makes me so sad to read this.
When you do make the decision that she's ready, the actual act of saying goodbye is never easy, and I have not found any way to make it easier in all my years of pet pawrenthood. I wish I had some tidbit of information that would make this better.
In the meantime, spend as much quality time with her as you can. My heart is with you.
- Heather n Barret
Barret was diagnosed with Hemangiopericytoma May 16, 2013. Front left leg/scapula/pectoral muscle was amputated on June 11, 2013 and we've never looked back. Follow our story on http://barret.t.....pawds.com/ and read my column on That Pet Blog
Memories... are all flooding back to me now. I feel every moment, every minute, every heartbreak that still happens daily to me. I can hear Franklin's wheeze.. and I knew I could have kept him another day.. or two.. and just snuggled more.. but to who's benefit? My sweet boy was not having any fun.. and you know what? that last day.. his tail was not waggin very much.
My heart breaks for you.. I know exactly what you are going through.. they are struggling to breathe. And trust me, as an asthmatic person, it is NOT fun to struggle to breathe. That was what the deciding factor was for my Franklin.. his breathing.. his wheezing.. and most of all.. his eyes.
You had 18 glorious, cherished months.. you are both so lucky!! So very lucky. I considered myself lucky to have 5 1/2 months with Frankie but was royally pissed that it was not longer!!!
I wish you strength to get through this. We have all been there.. and will be there.. one day.. everyone.
day by day.. snuggle by snuggle. *hugs*
Just remember...
Cancer is so limited
It cannot cripple love
It cannot shatter hope
It cannot corrode faith
It cannot destroy peace
It cannot kill friendship
It cannot suppress memories
It cannot silence courage
It cannot invade the soul
It cannot steal eternal life
It cannot conquer your spirit.
Christine..... with Franklin in her heart ♥
Franklin, he was the Happiest Dog on Three Legs! Diagnosed 09/26/2012 with Osteosarcoma, amputated 12/4/2012. Had a wonderful 5 1/2 months painfree until he ran for the Bridge on 5/15/2013. Always in my heart, and always a guardian angel of my pack... You can follow his Tripawd Adventures, before and after, in my blog, Frank'n'Farter!
2 Guest(s)
