Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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My sweet boy, Eddy, has had a horrific time with OSA. It began with a diagnosis in July, amputation in August, chemo beginning in mid August, and now lung mets in November. Last Thursday, with the growth of the one nodule and the addition of a second nodule, our oncologist decided carboplatin isn't working, so he switched to doxorubicin. Poor Eddy has not tolerated this newest chemo drug at all, and pretty much every side effect, he has had. He vomited off and on through the weekend, stopped eating Friday night, and became pretty quiet. Sunday, he began experiencing diarrhea that continued throughout the day yesterday. By last night, there was blood in his stool and I brought him to the ER vet. Eddy was dehydrated and they were concerned about him "crashing", so they kept him overnight and are giving him fluids. I just feel so bad for my sweet boy, who was still giving me kisses at the vet last night when I had to leave him. I guess my topic on this thread pretty much states what I am wondering. How do you know when enough is enough?
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Betsy I am so sorry to hear this, I can't imagine the stress you are under. Anyone who has been through this knows that there comes a time when you have to take that leap of faith and put science aside for a better quality of life. It is a VERY difficult decision but I know that in my experience once it was made, a huge weight was lifted and we could just enjoy each other's company once again, even in the short time we had left.
There are some great posts about determining quality of life, I hope these help:
Penny Jars Measure a Dog’s Quality of Life
Quality of Life Scale Tips with Pet Hospice Expert Dr. Alice Villalobos
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Betsy: my suggestion is to take once thing at a time. Today you are living the chemo reaction and the focus should be to see Eddy out of this crisis. In a second moment, make your decisions for the future - but definitely no more chemo for Eddy. Keep calm !
Daniela
Our awesome Golden Boy was diagnosed for OSA in April 2014 in the proximal humerus, front-leg amp on 05/20/2014. Finished chemo (Carbo6) on 07/10/2014. Ongoing treatment: acupuncture + K-9 Immunity Plus ( 3chews) and home-cooked no-grain diet. Stopped Apocaps because of liver issues. Liver issues: controlling altered enzymes with SAM-e and Milk Thistle. October 17: started having seizures. Taking fenobarbital for seizures. April 18: started prednisone.
Betsy,
My heart just breaks for you and Eddy and what you both are going through. This is the hardest question we ask ourselves as guardians of our precious furkids and the one I think we all dread. I don't think there is a way to give you a black and white answer. It's different for all of us.
For my Leland we faced this question twice in a short amount of time. The first time Leland had a surgery to fix his knee but the procedure wouldn't hold and he came down with an infection that the clinic couldn't get under control. After 4 days in the clinic and not eating much of anything the surgeon said Leland would need the leg amputated or be euthanized. We went to the clinic with piles of Leland's favorite things to eat. He was a pitiful site dragging around a useless leg but he ate some for my husband and I and showed a little life while we were there. So we decided on the amputation to give Leland a chance to live.
4 weeks after the amputation the ligament in his remaining knee went out. By this time his health was declining (autoimmune disorder, thyroid issues, and we suspect close to the end problems with his kidneys). We couldn't bring ourselves to put our boy through a 3rd surgery within 6 weeks. Plus the surgeon was not optimistic that if we did the procedure to fix the remaining knee that we wouldn't ultimately have to put Leland to sleep because of all the other health issues that were coming to light.
On what should have been Leland's 4 week Ampuversary we were letting him go and putting him to sleep. That was the hardest day for us because Leland was alert and his spirit was strong but his body wasn't able to keep up anymore.
I can only say that you will know when Eddy has had enough and is tired.
I'll send up prayers for Eddy that he can overcome this latest hurdle so he can be with you for a while longer.
Sahana and her Angel Leland
November 17, 2009 - June 30, 2014
May you finally be healthy and running free at the Rainbow Bridge. Until we meet again my sweet boy!
Oh Betsy, I am so sorry to hear this, on the heels of our losing Harmony just a little over 2 weeks ago. We faced the exact same feelings you're going through now. For me I felt it wasn't always clear when they (Harmony) speak. You're probably asking yourself is he giving up or is he just having a "bad day"? Are we at the top of the rollercoaster or at the bottom: Or worse, is it pulling into the station to disembark?
Harmony never had the chance to completely recover from her surgery, so trying to discern giving up to not feeling her oats was the hardest part of the journey.
I'd like to think our Harmony saw our suffering and unselfishly decided to take matters into her own hands. She put us out of our misery, it wasn't the other way around.
What I'm trying to say is there is no wrong or right answer. It's what you feel in your heart, in his heart. And most of all, it will be what you remember after he's gone to the Bridge.
For me it was the best cheeseburger in the world.
Strength and prayers for you and your sweet Eddy.
Pam, Melody and Angel Harmony
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 Betsy,
Please don't give up on your sweet Eddy yet........My Polly had the same exact reaction to chemo, namely doxorubicin, and ended up in the vet E.R. a few times till we could get a handle on the side effects, which we were able to do, completely. The blood in his diarrhea is just from straining, most likely. Polly also got very dehydrated pretty quickly from the relentless vomiting and diarrhea. Her oncologist backed down on the amount of doxorubicin a bit and we gave a couple anti nausea meds, cerenia and metaclopramide....we also gave her mirtazapine for her appetite, and pepcid for her tummy. It seems like a lot, but we knew we wanted to give her the best chance possible to slow her ugly cancer, hemangiosarcoma. Once we got her side effects under control very successfully, we were able to continue and finish all rounds of chemo without any further problems.
I know it is tough to see them so sick, but I guess we all have to make the choices we think are best for our beloved pups and kitties. My choice was to help Polly tame the chemo-sickness and continue on our way.....
Keep us posted on your boy and I do hope things get much better for him and you...
I will be also keeping you and him in my thoughts,
Bonnie & Angel Polly
Betsy sending good thoughts your way. Hope Eddy is doing better today. For those that know me, yes I will ask it again. Have you had "the talk" with Eddy? None of us want to say goodbye, but let Eddy be your guide.
{{{{HUGS}}}}}
Laurie
Betsy: as a p.s. to my previous post, don't have any experience with doxorubin to share, but Polly's mom Bonnie has given excellent tips. Keep us all posted on news on Eddy.
hugs,
Daniela & Johnnie
Our awesome Golden Boy was diagnosed for OSA in April 2014 in the proximal humerus, front-leg amp on 05/20/2014. Finished chemo (Carbo6) on 07/10/2014. Ongoing treatment: acupuncture + K-9 Immunity Plus ( 3chews) and home-cooked no-grain diet. Stopped Apocaps because of liver issues. Liver issues: controlling altered enzymes with SAM-e and Milk Thistle. October 17: started having seizures. Taking fenobarbital for seizures. April 18: started prednisone.
Hang in there Betsy....take some deel breaths....deep, deep breaths......
We undderstand and we are walking right by your side, okay? Pam described this blankety-blank roller coaster ride perfectly.
As others have said, let's get him past this chemo reaction and feeling better.. Eddy was feeling fine before this treatment. So as soon as he rids
his system of these miserable side effects, then you can decide if you want to pursue this drug or not.
Bonnie gave you some great first hand knowledge about treating the side effects.
And you know what? Should you decide not to pursue anymore chemo, there are STILL options and still good quality time ahead! Again though, for now, let's just get that bundlemof joy Eddy feeling better
Sending you so much love. Update us when you can. (((((((((((((((((((((((((Hugs))))))))))))))))))))))))))))
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle 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!
Hello Betsy …Sorry to hear Eddy is reacting poorly to the chemo drugs, as each dog seems to react differently to each drug. If the chemo is not working or not compatible with Eddy, then you may want to consider alternatives (hotlistic treatments, such as homeopathic, which Tahoe was on for several months).
As for "knowing when it is time"….that is such a tough and personal decision. All I can tell you from my experience most recently with Tahoe is that I knew his health was deteriorating for a couple months, but he seemed to have 'quality' in his life being to enjoy most things as a tripawd. I was always looking for Tahoe to 'give me a sign' that he was ready to cross the bridge but it was not until we last saw his vet specailist that said that the massive STS growth on his rear hind quarter was likely causing him pain and best case scenario, giving him discomfort. From this visit, for two nights I slept with Tahoe to listen and try and understand if he was restless, looking for signs that he was tired and ready … As much as I did not want to recognize what Tahoe was telling me, it was pretty obvious Tahoe wanted to cross over. As I write this, I know exactly what you are feeling and thinking, but keep remembering your are doing this all for Eddy.
Once you decide, just live and enjoy all the time with Eddy and not worry and over-think things. If you want a coach on this matter, just look for Sally's and Hannah's previous posts and how she and many others have approached things.
Thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time!
Stirling and Guardian Tahoe
"Tahoe" - Our Amazing Superman and Best Friend.
Dec. 01-03 to Aug. 19-14
Diagnosed with Periarticular Hystiocystic Sarcoma Feb 14-13; Amputation March 18-13, and diagnosed with STS April-14. Tahoe touched so many people while visiting us, leaving a massive void in our lives. Always Missed, Never Forgotten!!
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