Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Sweetpea's 3 month anniv of being diagnosed is tomorrow, but I beleive it might be her last day on earth. The last 2 days she has slowed considerably, a little twitchy at times and simply looks like she is tired and done with all this nonsense. My question to anyone that has been to this point- I need reassurance that when we go to the vet- the actual process is not a long process. I have told sweetpea - that I am so sorry I could not make her better and she simply kisses my tears away:)
If tomorrow is actually the day and you decide to go to your doctor, they will give you time in a room with her. I would imagine they would give you as long as you wanted. I've read some posts where a few hours are spent, and others (like ourselves) chose not to spend a long time. From our personal experience, the procedure itself is not long. Having said that, I hope tomorrow is not the day, and I hope you more time with Sweetpea. No amount of time with our babies is really ever enough. We'll be thinking of you tonight, and sending positive thoughts to your girl. Let her know she's got the entire Tripawd Nation pulling for her, and wishing her well.
Donna, I am so so sorry to hear this. I hope you have more time with Sweetpea, but if tomorrow is in fact the day then I pray that it is peaceful for all of you.
In my experience with the two babies that we have lost in the past, the actual process is not very long. As Maximutt said above, the vet will normally let you spend as much time with her as you want. Also as Maximutt, we chose not to draw it out. The process itself usually involves the quick insertion of a catheter into the leg vein. When you are ready they will administer a light sedative through the catheter which allows the dog to stay awake but calm. Again, when you are ready, they will then administer the final drug into the catheter. The drug's effects are quick. For our dogs, their eyes just got heavy and then they peacefully fell asleep within about five seconds.
This is such a hard, emotional thing to go through. Please know that you are truly in my thoughts and I wish you all the strength in the world.
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/
I am so very, very sorry. Hugs to Sweetpea, you, and your family, from Loa and all of us. Thinking of you both.
Mel
I'm so sorry you are at this stage in the journey. It's so hard.
It doesn't take long. We went in to the room, the vet and tech came in. We talked for a while. We all loved on her. We gave her treats. Then they gave her a shot to relax her, and then gave her the final shot. They said we could stay as long as we wanted. On the one hand, her breathing had been so rough that it was actually a relief to see her peaceful, but then I had to get out of there. So we didn't stay long at all. It was a very quick appointment. And, at least at our vet, they just let you leave after that. It's not like we had to go stand in the lobby and wait for the bill.
It's so hard, but our vet made it as bearable as possible. I hope yours will do the same.
Just so you know, they will ask what you want done with her body. We said we wanted her ashes. They took care of all the arrangements for that as well.
I hope that helps so you'll be prepared.
We are thinking of you and sending out strength.
Jackie, Angel Abby & Rita
Abby: Aug 1, 2009 – Jan 10, 2012. Our beautiful rescue pup lived LARGE with osteosarcoma for 15 months – half her way-too-short life. I think our "halflistic" approach (mixing traditional meds + supplements) helped her thrive. (PM me for details. I'm happy to help.) She had lung mets for over a year. They took her from us in the end, but they cannot take her spirit! She will live forever in our hearts. She loved the beach and giving kisses and going to In-N-Out for a Flying Dutchman. Tripawds blog, and a more detailed blog here. Please also check out my novel, What the Dog Ate. Now also in paperback! Purchase it at Amazon via Tripawds and help support Tripawds!
Oh, dear. So sorry for you and your Sweetpea. Will be thinking of you in the coming days.
I'm sorry you may be at the end with Sweatpea. Here is my experience with Maggie:
When we got to the vet they took us right to a room so we didn't have to hang out in the lobby and we had some privacy. Then we took care of the bill- that way we could leave when we were done. Everyone at my vet knew Maggie so lots of them came in the room to say good bye and to give me a hug. When we were ready (my dad was with us) my vet gave Mag a strong sedative so she went to sleep. She looked so relaxed and peaceful. I think the sedative is really an important step. Mag had several medical complications which made putting a a catheter in difficult, if she hadn't been asleep it could have been uncomfortable for her. Once the catheter was in we told the vet to go ahead and they gave her the final shot. She passed very quickly and quietly. We all hugged and cried a little- my vet had treated Mag most of her life. Then we left. I don't know how long we were there- but it was less than 30 min.
Maybe you can make whatever arrangements on the phone when you make an appointment, and maybe even pay the bill. That way you can focus on Sweatpea and not the other stuff.
I hope you get more time with your girl, but I know you will do the right thing at the right time for her.
Karen and Spirit Maggie
Oh Sweetpea and Donna....we will be thinking of you all weekend. Isn't it amazing even when they feel so lousy that they are still trying to make you happy? Licking your tears away....what a sweetheart. My heart breaks for you right now.
All our Best and peaceful thoughts coming your way,
Suzie and Rizzo
Jack Russell born in 2001. Mast cell cancer found Dec 2009 and right rear amputation. Five rounds of chemo done before all treatment stopped. Living life to the fullest!! Read my story at http://rizzo.tripawds.com
I'm sorry you're at this point. As you can see, many of us have had to do this and it's not easy. When a dog is in distress, the relief of pain can be a relief to us, as well, but then you have the emotions to deal with later. The process itself does not last long, as others have said.
I would also ask this, though: How does Sweetpea feel about going to the vet? If she's had good experiences there, then it won't be any different and she will be with people who've always been kind to her. I happen to have a dog who is so anxious over the car and the vet that I know I will have to get the vet to come to my home when it's his time. So just keep in mind the way she feels about the car and the vet when you decide how to do this.
Don't try to get through this alone if you have trouble. Come back here and share more stories about Sweetpea, and more pictures, too. I think it helps to talk about our dogs when they're gone, and all of us love hearing the stories you haven't had time to tell. We want to see the puppy pictures and hear about it all, so when you're ready, do share. As long as you do that, she'll live on in our hearts.
Shari
From abandoned puppy to Tripawd Warrior Dude, Dakota became one of the 2011 February Furballs due to STS. Our incredibly sweet friend lived with grace and dignity till he impulsively raced over the Bridge on 12-15-12.
Dakota's thoughtful and erudite blog is at http://shari.tr.....pawds.com/
I am so very sorry to hear that it might be time for you to say goodbye to Sweetpea. I know it was the hardest thing I have ever had to do. Saying goodbye can be as long or short as you want. We took several hours to say goodbye. They will probably ask you what you would like to do with her body so be prepared for that. I asked them to arrange cremation and had to choose the type of container for her ashes. I didn't pay up front but they did give me the option of paying later (and not hanging around). I still chose to pay then and there because I didn't want to have to think about it later.
The final procedure didn't take long. Unlike others I don't think Magnum was sedated. She was already very calm and relaxed. I just kept talking to her and caressing her with my face up against hers. I watched her watching the vet as she inserted the final injection into her cannula. I don't know how much time passed, maybe 10 or 20 seconds and then I saw her eyes glaze over. There was then a big sigh as the remaining air in her lungs was expelled. It was a very peaceful process for Magnum. But, I admit that for me, the sense of loss and emptiness afterwards was overwhelming.
I hope you will get more time with Sweetpea but if not, then please know that you will be in my thoughts and prayers.
Karen and Spirit Magnum
Magnum: 30th May 2002 to 5th May 2012. Lost her back left leg to osteosarcoma on 5th Sep 2011. Lung mets found on 20th Mar 2012 but it was bone mets in the hip that ended her brave battle. Magnum's motto - "Dream as if you'll live for ever, live as if you'll die today" (James Dean). Loyal, loving, courageous and spirited to the end. My beloved heart dog, see her memoirs from Rainbow Bridge ...... http://princess.....pawds.com/
Oh no, I just saw this! I'm so sorry Sweetpea. I know you will be missed tremendously. My heart goes out to you and your pack, please know we are thinking of you on this sad day.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I am so sorry you are going through this and that Sweetpea is almost ready to go. It sounds like she is letting you know that but I hope that you get to spend some more time with her. I hope you can find some comfort in the fact that the act of setting her free is an act of love.
Please be sure that your vet gives her a strong sedative before the final shot. Sometimes animals react adversely and it is extremely distressing both for the animal and their human. With the sedative you won't have that. Many vets give it as a matter of course but some don't. The euthanasia drug is very fast acting.
We will all be thinking of you and Sweetpea this weekend. Don't hesitate to come back and continue to share your story. There are lots of shoulders around here to cry on.
Martha and the OP +1
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!
We are so very sorry to hear this!! Cant really add anything to what has been said, but you are in our hearts!
Karen and Pegz
Update- Swetpea woke up early, ate,drank,peed and #2:) her eyes are clear, she is comfy and even jumped off the bed (she hasnt done that in weeks) - to run outside and chase a lizard. Scared my husband half to death. All I can say- these tripawds are troopers. Now we are just spending all our time with her, cause working with people patients- we have seen they often have an awesome day, just before they pass. Thank you for the kind words and prayers and I will update.
Oh Sweetpea, what a strong girl you are! I am so glad that your family gets more time together!
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/
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