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.
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I joined this forum many years ago when a dear friend's greyhound was going through an amputation, and now I'm here for my own boy. Gabe had his left rear leg amputated this past Thursday due to osteosarcoma (proximal tibia). He has had the surgery in PA and I live in Ontario Canada, 6 hours away. I chose the clinic due to their excellent reputation and their familiarity with greyhounds and cancer.
When I last saw Gabe on Friday morning (I had to return to Canada), he was looking a bit woozy. A blood vessel broke open on Thursday night/early Friday so they had to open him up again to stop the bleeding, which has put him back a bit, but he is stable now, or was at the last update this morning.
I am trying to figure out the chemo, if we should have it closer to home (starting with a whole new clinic) or keep traveling to PA, where I have developed relationships with the doctors, and they are familiar with Gabe. I also don't know how important it is to have someone who is board certified in oncology, or am I ok with a vet who is familiar with what's required. I do have an oncologist who referred me to Metzger's, but I don't know if he's available to do ongoing chemo, he's only there a few days a month. I have heard horror stories about chemo going wrong, so I'm a bit nervous. Wondering what others have done for their chemo. TIA
Karen
Hi Karen and Gabe! Sorry you had to come back here but, as you know, there is no bettr place to be under the circumstances.
I know it was disheartening to have the bleed situation. For whatever it worht, a dog on here recently had the same situation. If I recall, it took wuite a bit of time to find the vessel causing the problw in this czse, and he even had to have a transfusion. So it does happen and it IS fixsble! Frustrating, but definitely fixable!
I don't have .uch advise as far as the Onco. Situation, etc. I DO know that there are ti es when members have used their regular vet because Oncos just weren't in any general proximity.. Either these vets worked in conjunction with a. Onco by phone, or they had experience in giving the carboplatin. JERRY or others can shime I. As far as if it is necessary or not to jave an Onco. Again, I just know that others have used a vet before due to their particular situation.
One of THE most crucial requirements regardless who does it is the dog has someone attending to him the whole time. That's where a "horror story" can haplen if the dog starts .oving around, etc.
As far as chemo itself, most dogs do absolutely fine with Carboplatin. Some have a bit of nausea or lethargy for a day or two after the treatment, but that's about it. They give you pills for the nausea just in case. I'm not a vet of course, xo discuss all ppssible side effects with them.
My Happy Hannah sailed through four rounds of chemo with no problem!
Six hour drive every three weeks...that could put a lot of undue stress on both of you. I'm sure whoever treats Gabe will fall in love with him! What's not to love about a Greyhound!! We have quite a success story here with a Greyhound named Nixon.....actually Oh My Nixon is his avatar name. He's 12 years old and going on two years beating that liece of crap disease!
For nlw though just focus on Gabe's recovery. Keep it chunked down. You can make chemo decisions in the next two weeks. I know you are exhausted from this emotional roller coaster ride. Try and get some rest and just knkw that Gabe is still lretty druggy and seeing pink elephants!
We are here for you!!
Love!
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!
Wow Karen. I'm so so sorry you are back here because of Gabe. I can't believe it's been six years since you were here for your friend's dog, it seems like so long ago.
So it sounds like you're at U-Penn? If not, which clinic did you go to? That long drive for you speaks volumes about your dedication to Gabe. Just curious though if you considered the Animal Medical Center in NYC for the chemo? It's a little closer to you.
Well, my own preference would be to stick with a vet who has experience with Greys. They are so sensitive and as you experienced unfortunately, do tend to be susceptible to bleeding after amputation surgery, so I'm really glad your surgeon took care of it quickly. Obviously they get it, and know what to do. If you're able to make the drive, why not stick with a vet you already trust? As long as they are experienced with the chemo aspect, I would feel good about that.
This post, coincidentally from the year you joined in 2008, talks about choosing an oncologist versus a vet for chemo:
http://tripawds.....motherapy/
Also, this Tripawd Talk Radio post may help you decide:
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thanks very much Jerry, and Sally too. I'm leaning heavily towards doing the chemo down there, especially since if they get the path report back by Thursday, they can give him his first treatment then before I bring him home. Then we'd have 3 weeks off before coming back, which would be nice for both of us, rather than bringing him home on Thursday and then back again next Thursday. Although I must say he's a very good traveler in the van!
He is doing fairly well I'm told, eating and going for walks, with just some slight oozing and some bruising. I am pretty anxious to get him home, PA seems very far away late at night. I'm trying to cut back from calling 3x a day to just twice lol.
I so very much admire your dedication. Gabe is a VERY lucky fur-baby!
Keep us posted!
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
Glad to here Gabe is recovering nicely after his initial "challenges". I know you miss him so much! Try and get so e rest while yoj can, okay? Gabe is in good hands. Being the caregiver for the one you love can be exhausting! Rewarding, but exhausting!!
And call all you want!! You certainly have earned the right...and paid for it too!
Lots of love!
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!
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