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Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat

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I cant believe this is happening to Max!
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Member Since:
17 December 2008
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8 January 2009 - 6:04 pm
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I am so glad to have this site to use for the times when you just are past the breaking point. I took Max to UWVMTH (Madison, Wi) today for his blood recheck and hopefully first chemo treatment.

If you remember, 2 weeks ago he was diagnosed with Thromocytopenia and had to be put on steroids and antibiotics because his blood platelets were so low. This also postponed the frist chemo treatment. The past week he has been eating better (because of the steroids) but still not himself. He started not sleeping in his bed or in his crate and only wanted to sleep on the cold floor or a hard surface and was whining more.

When I put him in the car today to go to Madison he whined for 30 min until I pulled over and let him get off of the mat and lay only on the floor of the Explorer on a blanket. After examination they have found a spot in his pelvic region that when touched he responds painfully. They found it rectally and by pushing on the skin from under his bellly.

Im being told it can be one of 3 things..nerve damage from the amp, an internal abcess within the amp site or another tumor on his pelvis. They couldnt feel an abcess mass so  I had to leave him there and a CT scan will be done in the morning to try and determine what the problem is. If there is no abcess or cancer they will go ahead with the chemo. If there is an abcess they will aspirate it (or something) and he will have to go on antibiotics again.

I JUST WANT HIM TO FEEL BETTER AND GET THE CHEMO BEFORE THE CANCER GETS HIM AND WE CANT DO IT!!!! He has been through so much it makes me sick to think about it. First in Oct TPLO surgery, then we find the cancer, Dec 18th the amp, 2 weeks later the thrombocytopenia and now this. Its just not fair.

He looked at me when I was leaving today like I had just broken his heart. I cried the entire way home. My poor Maxi, he just cant get a break. My sweet Labby.Cry

Paula and Spirit Max

Manchester, UK
Member Since:
2 February 2008
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8 January 2009 - 6:25 pm
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Poor Max and poor you 🙁  It's terrible when we have to leave them at the vets for anything at all but for those in the 'C' club, it's extra hard I think.

Hopefully, the scan will show something which is really easy to fix and he'll be home again with you in no time.

Thinking good thoughts for Max and his worried humans.

Darcy – tripawd since 16th October 2007.

***Darcy would love to be your friend on Facebook - just search for Darcy Deerhound***


Member Since:
22 August 2008
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8 January 2009 - 6:39 pm
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The CT scan should give a definitive answer, and hopefully he can have chemo soon!  Tazzie's was delayed for a week because she was getting over her liver infection so I know how hard it is to wait for them to be able to have the treatment.  Hopefully it is just an abscess that will respond to antibiotics.

Pam and Tazzie

Metro Kansas City
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23 October 2008
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8 January 2009 - 6:53 pm
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Hopefully it's only an abscess & he can finally get back on track!

I send gentle hugs to you I know how sad it is to have to leave them when it is not planned! I though my heart was ripped out when I had to leave Calamity for her second surgery just 2 weeks after the first one to fix her leg. We just went to have her sutures removed!

I hope & pray you get great news tomorrow after his CT and he goes on the road to recovery!

Janie & Calamity

Janie & Calamity http://www.trix.....gspot.com/

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
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8 January 2009 - 6:53 pm
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Cancer is indeed so not fair! Yell We totally understand your frustration and are sorry to hear about the new bump in the road to max's recovery. But we're glad to provide this platform for a community of support and hope it provides at least a little reliefe.

Hang in there. Remember ... one day at a a time.

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

Member Since:
9 October 2008
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8 January 2009 - 7:09 pm
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You're right Paula.  It doesn't seem fair at all that any of our fur babies are going through any of this, including Max.  On top of the cancer, he has the Thromocytopenia and now this.  They are just innocent bundles of love and it seems cruel for them to have to go through the pain and the stress of all of it.  You will feel better once you have answers but in the meantime... TRY to think pawsitive thoughts (I KNOW it's hard)!  It's a true test of faith if you ask me!  I KNOW it's hard to leave your baby Max at the vet's overnight but it is necessary so that the docs can run their tests and help him.  You didn't break his heart Paula... you ARE his heart and his safety zone and of course he will miss you but you have to be strong for him.  As Jerry always says, it's important to "think dog" in times like this.  Dogs don't feel pain like we do.  They don't worry like we silly humans do... they take things in stride, make the most out of what they have and they truly know how to be in the moment and not obsess about the future or what things would of, should of or could have been like if I only...  Dogs know how to truly LIVE life!  I don't think I truly understood this until I began coping with Jake's cancer.  It was a daily battle to not let fear kick my butt and I still struggle with it from time to time but then I remind myself to "think dog"!  With the help of many people on this site, I learned how to make the most out of my time with Jake.  Yes, he enjoys chasing tennis balls, tearing into Christmas presents or paper towel rolls, or even carrying a tasty bone around but I have my special time with him... I learned how to just be in the moment and not let fear or any other negative thought creep in.  It simply is not allowed... especially during OUR time together.  During this "special time", I lay with him on his bed (or on the floor... although I cheat and grab a pillow!) and I massage him and just enjoy being in his presence.  I try to think only good and pawsitive thoughts when we are in that moment together.  Sometimes I pray with him... which is something I didn't really do that much of either (unfortunately) before his cancer.  I really do feel like Jake has taught me how to be a better human! 

Tonight, reward yourself with a nice relaxing bubble bath and a cup of herbal tea or glass of wine for being such an awesome pawrent to Max and try to only let in those pawsitive thoughts!  Try to read the Doug and the B Brothers site about fear when you get a chance too... he has this great perspective about putting fear in a corner in a time out chair and putting pink fuzzy slippers with it because anything with pink fuzzy slippers can't be all that scarey!  I'm a visual person so that really helped me!  

I will be sending you pawsitive thoughts as well and praying that tomorrow's news is minor and easily resolved.  We are sending you and Max lots of warm and furry hugs!  Smile     

Luv Spirit Jake, Smooch, Baby Gus & Mom (Sherri)

Northern CA
Member Since:
23 December 2008
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8 January 2009 - 11:10 pm
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Oh Paula,

You poor thing. I will say and extra prayer for you and Max tonite. Picture his little face and send him good thoughts of your face smiling and telling him how much you love him.  It is is so hard- and not fair. Jakethesnake is right- it is the human emotions that get us- the dogs dont' know what cancer means, they don't know.... They don't worry if we don't worry- they just wonder what time is breakfast.

Hang in there. Try to get some rest- let us know what happens in the morning.

Seanne and Wrigley are sending good thoughts and lots of hugs and well wishes your way.

Seanne and Angel Wrigley

Member Since:
17 December 2008
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9 January 2009 - 5:53 am
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Thanks everyone for the support. I appreciate it more than you know. I am up at 3:30 am cuz I cant sleep and just listened to the weather. We have an hour and half drive to Madison and the forecast is for 6-8 in of snow. Im glad we have a 4wd because Im not letting some snow stop me from picking Max up. We cant go get him until late afternoon. Glad my husband is a road warrior who will drive through anything. We can always spend the night once we get there!! Ill post on the results today when they call me and thanks all, again. Dont know what I would do without you!

Paula and Spirit Max

Member Since:
28 May 2008
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9 January 2009 - 1:56 pm
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I bet you can't wait to see your baby...we're sending big time prayers that everything is OK and he can start treatment soon..

Thinking of you - check in tonight if you can.

lots of love

Heather and Zeus

Heather and Spirit Zeus - Our life changing journey…from the earth to the heavens…one day at a time…always together

Member Since:
17 December 2008
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9 January 2009 - 3:17 pm
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Good news, I think! No evidence of a tumor or abscess on the CT scan. They did find a pocket of air around where the leg went into the hip socket (I hope Im relating this correctly) and did a test of the blood in that area and it was normal. SO…we are treating his pain as nerve pain and he will be taking Gabapentin and Tramadol (not sure of the doseage yet). They went ahead and did the chemo (carboplantin?) and we will need to keep a close eye on him for signs of infection that they might not have caught. Ill have more good information after I get the notes from the oncologist. I was just writing stuff down as she said it and am at work so it was hard to catch everything. We will go and pick that baby up tonight and bring him home and spoil him rotten Cool. I cant wait to give him a hug!

Paula and Spirit Max

Northern CA
Member Since:
23 December 2008
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9 January 2009 - 3:22 pm
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Paula,

So glad to hear good news- thanks for the update.

Keep us posted.

Wrigley ( CA) had her first round of Carboplatin yesterday 1/8.   She's upstairs with me in my office sleeping now- she was so happy to go up the stairs.

Talk to you soon.

Seanne

Seanne and Angel Wrigley

Member Since:
9 October 2008
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9 January 2009 - 5:43 pm
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Hi Paula,

So, Max's condition doesn't sound too serious and sounds like it's being treated with pain meds.  Smile  That's also great that they could work in the chemo today too!  What a relief!  Hope your drive out to pick up your baby wasn't too bad today.  This winter has been the pits as far as driving... Jake's vet is also a drive (an hour away) and unfortunately I am NOT a warrior like your hubby... I drive like a granny in that stuff!  Be sure to give Max extra hugs and kisses from us!  Kiss 

Luv Spirit Jake, Smooch, Baby Gus & Mom (Sherri)

Metro Kansas City
Member Since:
23 October 2008
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9 January 2009 - 5:53 pm
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Paula,

We had to go back in & get Gabapentin for Calamity. I think it helped her. Too bad they can't tell us they are experiencing that phantom pain , we just have to observe, guess & treat accordingly.

Calamity, unlike others here, needed more pain meds. We had to go back for another patch after hers wore off too. I have to believe it was related to all the opiate pain meds she had been exposed to the year prior to her amputation. The only time she ever acted strange after opiate pain meds was the first time she had them.

I'm sure the additional meds will help Max and calm your nerves! I'm so happy it wasn't anything serious.

Janie & Calamity

Janie & Calamity http://www.trix.....gspot.com/


Member Since:
9 January 2009
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9 January 2009 - 8:20 pm
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I am feeling lucky or nervous.  Molly has her leg taken three days ago and she is doing really well.  Eating, sleeping, back on schedule on her outside walks.  She seems to be back to as normal as I can remember considering she is missing a leg and has a huge wound. 

I feel your pain on the day I left her to get the leg removed, I wanted to bring her home that night but they wanted to keep her till the next day.  She was so happy to get out of there and ready to get home and sleep on her own bed.

Reading all this I am not sure what I got Molly into and the good feelings I was having are now turning to nerves on what is ahead.  I will hope for the best and wish the same to everyone.

My Molly ROCKS!!

Member Since:
2 November 2008
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9 January 2009 - 10:25 pm
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Max (and Paula)-

So glad to hear that things are looking up for you and you were able to start chemo.  Hang in there and keep on keepin' on, dog!  Cool  Sending you lots of tripawd love!

Blackjack

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