Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Thanks everyone. I read Abby's moms post just now. When the vet told me about hypertrophic osteopathy I had never heard of it. it doesn't sound good and it makes me feel worse that he is in pain. He doesn't have the look but he isn't himself at all and has a hard time getting up and down and walking. I don't want to lose him but I can't stand watching him like this. I don't want him in pain. He deserves better and this ugly disease hasn't left us with any options. We gave him tramadol now before bed but he doesn't function well on tramadol so to keep him drugged during the day seems silly and pointless. Again another sign that it's time. We also started gabapentin tonight.
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I'm sitting here wishing you didn't have to go through this...wish i ng no e of us had to go through this.
.Martha and Karen gave some go o d insight...they've been there...Ive been there..and it sucks.
I'm glad he's resting now.
Just taje it day by day.
You try and get some rest too, okay?
Sending lpve
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!
I am SO sorry you and your family are going through these end of life decisions. This part in the journey totally sucks and will cause great heartache. I noticed Sally mentioned in a previous post that this is very similar to what led up to us letting our Leland go. Granted he wasn't battling cancer but he was fighting other health issues at the time and going down hill pretty rapidly. The final thing that led me and my husband to making the hard choice to let him go was when his ACL went out in his remaining knee. Our poor boy couldn't walk and it would take both me and my husband to get him outside to potty (which was miserable for him). I would have to hold his knee in place while my husband held him up on his amp side so could pee and when he had to poop we had to hold him up with a belly sling (which because of the pressure was bruising his belly).
Leland's surgeon said we could attempt to surgically correct the knee but things would have to go 100% perfect and even then there was still no guarantee because of his other health issues. We couldn't put our baby through a 3rd surgery within 6 weeks. And like Marshall, Leland's spirit was still so strong. He was alert but he couldn't move...he was confined to the mattress we had set up in our office. That was no life for our boy to live...but he would have continued on if we didn't let him go. Heck my husband even went out and bought a baby stroller and reconfigured it so we could lay Leland on it and roll him out into the yard...but again that was no real life for Leland who loved to walk around the yard taking in the smells and feeling the breeze on his nose. We were robbing him of his dignity and we couldn't do that just to keep him with us.
I get the emotions that you're going through. You will feel anger and probably guilt over what your Marshall is going through. These feeling are normal. You have done EVERYTHING to give Marshall a fighting chance at life...just like we did for our Leland. It's ok to let Marshall go...you're not giving up, you're just letting his broken body rest and his spirit run free and be healthy again. Heck I'm crying now typing this because I truly understand the heartache that your feeling and I so wish none of us ever had to go through this. But this is part of sharing a great love with our precious fur kids whose lives are never long enough...
Hugs
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!
Thanks!!!! I agree that with my whole heart that it's time to let Marshall be free of his pain. My heart is broken but this is unfair to him. I have to get everyone else on board though.
Love you Sahana. I know it's so hard to write as you relive it. But part of Leland's legacy is helping others...and you are doing him proud.
How is Marshall this morning? Of course, we all know Marshall doesnt do mornings very well anyway! He needs his coffee!
Continue to stay in the moment and spoil like crazy! A little bit of pizza perhaps?
All.of us are holding you in our hearts.
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!
He's not doing well at all. He's whacked out from the tramadol and his front leg looks swollen. I have him in his crate until Steve gets home so he doesn't hurt himself trying to get up. I don't know how much more clear this situation needs to be for Steve to realize this is it. I'm sitting here next to marshall crying all morning.
My heart is breaking for you.
Active 10+ Pyr mix suddenly came up lame with ACL tear in left rear leg. Scheduled for a TPLO but final pre-op x-rays indicated a small suspicious area, possibly OSA, which could have caused the ACL tear. Surgeon opened the knee for TPLO but found soft bone. Biopsy came back positive for OSA. Became a Tripawd 9/18/14. Carbo6 with Cerenia and Fluids. Pain free and living in the moment. Crossed the Bridge on 7/12/15 after probable spread of cancer to her cervical spine. A whole lifetime of memories squeezed into 10 months. Here's her story: Eloise
I am in the chat this morning if you want to talk OK? And you have my number.
I'm so sorry you're going through this. My heart breaks for you all. I know there isn't always agreement among family members when it's time to free our dogs of their broken bodies. But what a friend told me once, before we made the decision ourselves was; the greatest guilt happens afterward when your heart and brain finally connect, and you realize that you waited too long. This person said that happened to her, and she had more pain and grief over letting her dog's health decline further, than the pain over saying goodbye. If you can convey that to your husband it might help.
{{{{hugs}}}}}
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I know I sound like a broken record and I know all too well how hard this is: You do not want to have regret down the road that you "wasted" this time you and Marshall have together now, focusing on the loss. It is soooooo nard, but, because you love Marshall sooooo much you will do everything in your power now to push your grief aside. Grieving now prevents you from focusing on the fact that Marshall is by your side now. Grieving now makes Marshall sad and he doesn't understand why you are crying. He's comfy in his little nest and isn't worried about anything.
LORI, Ty's mom, says that she has that regret. And she did EVERYTHING possible for her Ty and has NO reason to have regrets! et, this is what stands out in her mind. Perhaps she'll chime in
One thing you may ask Steve is "What would have ro happen in order for him to feel like it was time?" And then answer the same wuestion for yourself. Share the answers with each other. The gap between the two thought lrocesses will become pretty clear and you can perhaps reach some halfway point where you can agree. It may be that you will end up seeing his view and that will make sense to you for now. And it maybe that he sees your view with more clarity.
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!
Great suggestions Sally, you said it so well.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
He came home for lunch. The appointment is made for 12:15 tomorrow. We talked and I think he sees there isnt anything that is going to change this situation. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences even though I know it must bring up pain. They have helped me more than you know
Yes, it brings up our pain, but it also helps to know we can be here for others on behalf of those who have transitioned. So thank you for the privilege of being vy your side.
And you really nailed the bottom line...because of everything going on...his situation just isn't going to change.
And I did want to add to mynpost above...and hesitated...but I'll add it now.
If you asked Marshall what would have to happen in order for you to know its time.....I think he'd say, "Anytime now woukd be fine with me Mom and Dad! As you can see, I cantw be Marshall anymore in these earth clothes. But once I shed myself of this failing body I can be free to be me again!!! THANK YOU MOM AND DAD! I had the best time!"
Now give that boy one piece of chocolate!!!! It's junk food time!!
(And thanks Jerry for all your wisdom imparted to is all)
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!
It sounds like Steve is like my husband in that he's going to have a really hard time letting Marshall go. Don't get me wrong...Leland's passing was hard for me but it seemed to have devastated my husband so much more. I had to watch over my husband once we got Leland laid to rest because my husband was just a shell of himself. Thankfully I had this community to lean on for support to help me through but my husband didn't have an outlet for his grief really except for me. Heck, last night I mentioned something about Leland and my husband started crying (he'd probably hate me for sharing that) at dinner. He still carries so much guilt over what happened with our boy. I constantly remind him that we did the best we could with the information we had from the vets. And we know that we are going to do things differently with Lucian now.
I know it's going to be hard but you're probably going to be the one who has to be strong for your family...when you really just want to breakdown. Just know that we will always be here to love and support you through your grief. If you want to vent, be pissed off at the crappy hand Marshall has been dealt, cry, or just need somebody to lean on we will be here for you. We have all been there and understand the range of emotions that you're going to feel. This community is the only blessing I can see from starting the journey of amputation with our fur kids.
I will be keeping you, your family, and sweet Marshall in my thoughts. Just spoil that boy rotten this evening...get him some greasy cheeseburgers, a big steak, or pizza (as mentioned by Sally). Whatever Marshall would love to eat get it for him...he so deserves it!!
Hugs
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!
The guilt,oh , the guilt! After a year, I still feel it. It is just so hard. I did cry, a lot and in front of TY. What my poor boy must have felt. He hated it when I cried about anything. As far as your husband goes, sometimes it is just too hard to be the one to make the decision. I realize now that I should have let TY go weeks before I did. People kept telling me and I would be livid, so angry at them. I let him go through wound debridment and be hooked to a vacuum for 3 days away from home because I could not face it. I have some pictures I plan to post for his 1 year Angelversary and I can now see the light had gone out of his eyes. I just kept hoping and praying for a miracle. I think this is where your husband is right now. Too close to see what is really happening. He will be angry and very sad. I ultimately made the decision to take him in, but I could not sign the paper giving permission. I felt guilt for a long time after, what if???? I now know this is the process we have to walk through as we grieve. The vet was willing to try some stuff and I had to just say, no more. I cried pretty much the whole day I knew we were taking TY in. I still get choked up when I think too hard. His transition ( I like Sally's version) was smooth and peaceful. He was so ready to leave that sick, tired body behind. I cry for you knowing the sadness you and your family will go through. It is a sadness that not everyone will understand. That is the beauty of this community, we do understand. Stay close, vent and cry when you need to. We get it! Hugs from, Lori, Ty and gang
TY GUY, Best Black Lab ever! Diagnosed and had amp in January, 2014. Kicked MRSA's butt. Earned his angel wings on April 16, 2014. Run Free my boy and don't forget a shoe. Ty is a proud member of the " April Angels". Ty sent us Daryl, a Tripawd rescue in Sept. of 2016. Daryl is 5 +or -. We are also Pawrents to Chandler, a Border Collie mix who is 15 and 1/2, Lucy, a Corgi who is 7, 2 minis, 2 horses, and a feisty cat named Zoe. Zoe had a non skeletal Osteosarcoma removed in July 2015. No Chemo, she was at least 16. She is going strong although she is now completely blind. She is now close to 20 and her hobbies are eating and sleeping in front of her personal heater.
We'll be holding you and Steve, and Tripawd Warrior Marshall in our hearts tomorrow. <3 <3 <3
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!
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