Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Sorry, its been a while since I've posted about Jag's recovery. Its about 3 weeks after his amputation and he is adjusting VERY well, when the he works up to it, he is even mastering the stairs! We were at the point where we had our first post-op oncology visit to discuss chemo and radiation options. Dr Lyon's at the Vet Cancer Group in City of Angels, said Jag's sugary went so well that radiation wasn't even needed! They got 2 cm into GOOD TISSUE! This was the good news, and now onto the not so great news...Dr Lyons recommended that chemo would be best for Jag at this point, but then seeing that Jag was a Sheltie, also recommend that we do a special test for the MDR1 gene. This is apparently a gene mutation in certain breeds of dogs where it makes them less susceptible to chemo and cause other adverse reactions. If he does test positive for this gene, we may have to look at other options.
Further in our oncology visit, Dr Lyons did a check up on jag and found another lump. 
This was on his front left forarm, about 4cm in diameter, its a good size. We had a cytology done, and the results have come back "suspicious," so now I'm reliving the same nightmare. Tonight, I take jag to get a biopsy on the lump and wait a few nerve wracking days for the results to come back.
My head is spinning, i feel like the world is closing in. Just when I thought we were seeing light at the end of the tunnel. its like we take 2 steps forward and then get pushed back another 10. I feel defeated, angry and sad all at once. I want to keep fighting, but Jag's life cannot continue to be in and out of hospitals. This is NO quality of life, and that is that is the ONLY thing we have been fighting for. What should I do if the tumor comes back cancerous? Have it removed? this will be his 3rd sugary in 4 months. I think he may have one more sugary in him, but I dont know if I do 
I feel soooo defeated right now...please send me good thoughts...thanks for all your continued support,
Kate and Jag
Oh Kate, I am so sorry you are going through this. My best advice (and some may laugh that this is coming from me, bc all I do is think 800 steps ahead of things) is to just relax and dont think too far ahead right this second. Once you find out all this new information (if he does have the gene and what that other lump is), then you can take all of that into consideration. I know it's so hard not to think of the "ifs" and that "what thens"...trust me I do....but for right now, just try your best to enjoy Jag and focus on how great his recovery is going.
In the meantime, we're here to let you vent, because I know I would be doing the exact same thing you are....it's very hard to focus on the now, so when you need to vent while you wait for all these results, this is the place to do it 
Sending you lots of strength and best wishes for positive outcomes!!
Erica
Jill is a 9-year-old tuxedo kitty. She was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma in June 2012 on her toe in her right hind leg. Her leg was amputated on 12/12/12 and she completed four rounds of chemo (2 of Carbo, 2 of Doxy) in April 2013. "Like" Jill's facebook page: https://www.fac.....tty?ref=hl Proud member of the WINTER WARRIORS!!!! Her blog can be read at http://jillsjou.....ipawds.com. xoxo
I'm glad Jag is doing well, but I am so sorry for this new development. Like Jill said, take a deep breath and take each day as it comes. That is easier said than done (take it from me), but just try to stay occupied and be there for Jag. Lots of puppy hugs are the best thing I know to help. Keep us updated and whatever support you may need, it will be here.
Thinking of you-
Luanne & Spirit Shooter
Spirit Shooter was a Miniature Australian Shepherd who was diagnosed with a MCT and had a LF amp 1/28/13 at 13-1/2 years old.
Shooter crossed the Bridge on 8/28/13, his 7 month ampuversary and two weeks from his 14th birthday.
Oh! I forgot to mention the MDR1 gene is very common in herding dog breeds. Some of the chemo drugs are on the list so it is a very important test to have as it affects the dosage they are given. Shooter had a single mutation, but some dogs have double mutation. Also be very careful if they give him any of the opoid drugs as they affect MDR1 dogs much differently than most (i.e. morphine). You can check the Washington State University site (http://www.vetm.....epts-vcpl/) for the list of breeds and the odds of having the gene in that breed and also a list of the drugs that are known to be affected by this. I found this out when researching the chemo drug prescribed for Shooter and it happened to be on the list.
Spirit Shooter was a Miniature Australian Shepherd who was diagnosed with a MCT and had a LF amp 1/28/13 at 13-1/2 years old.
Shooter crossed the Bridge on 8/28/13, his 7 month ampuversary and two weeks from his 14th birthday.
Kate and Jag
Our dog has been through 5 operations in 5 months this year. She had never been poorly before. There were times we thought we had made the wrong decision, that we were being selfish, putting Yasmin through so much. She is hopefully not going to need any more operations and is back to her old self now.
Like you we had tests, ops, and more tests, followed my more ops. My only advice is to wait and see what the results are and to discuss the future with your vet and your family before making any decisions.
Our pups are a lot stronger than we think, Yasmin keeps on surprising us. Jag doesn't know that you're waiting for test results, but will recognise that you are upset. If you can relax, jag will feel better. Give him lots of cuddles. Cuddling Yasmin made her (and me) feel better.
Sending you both hugs and pawsitive thoughts
Kate and Yasmin xxx
Kate I'm so sorry you're having a hard time, who can blame you?
First, prepare for the worst but hope for the best. Until you know exactly what the path report says, it doesn't do anybody any good to think the worst. So right now focusing on hoping for the best can help you and Jag tremendously. Live each and every day as best you can, it's the best therapy you can give to Jag.
I'm glad you got great care at VCC. They are indeed wonderful!
You're right, at some points the treatments are worse than the disease and they do take away from quality of life. You don't have to make that decision just yet though. I have my paws crossed that you get good news back. Hang in there OK?
Oh here is some great information that Shooter's Mom posted about the MDR1 gene.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
DITTO.....a million DITTOs to what everyone has said very well!
Just to piggyback on what YASMI said...remember...Jag is NOT worrying ahead of time avout any appointments, any tests, any anything!! NOTHING has cha ged for him except he's enjoying the heck ojt of life!! This is truly sog being dog!! And, as impossible as it seems right now.....Jag wants you to be a dog too!! Take his lead, okay?
Do whatever you can right now to be more li,e a dog! Heck, if it will help stop your mind from going all over the place (which is perfectly understandable).....put a leash on Jag......attach the other end to your belt.....and let him LEAD you around! You be the dog, not worrying aout a thing, o,ay? Jag is your coach right now.....and a great one!
Now,no peeing on the bushes or eating cat poop! The neighbors will have you taken away in a "straight jacket"
Jag is ten, right? He had ne of these things removed TWO years ago before he finally had the amp. IF it had to be removed.....or not.....Jag has NO time frame stamped in his butt!
Right now.....in the NOW of this oment...Jag is fine!! Let NOTHING rob you of this gift of love and joy and happiness you two are sharing right NOW!
WE ARE ALL HERE FOR YOU..... ot leaving your side.....no matter how hard you try to shake us off!
Now go hug Jag...watch his tail wag and put that leash on.....you!!
Surrou ding you with love and peace!
Sally ad Happy Hannah
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!
Kate,
So sorry to hear you are going through this. We will keep our paws crossed for you and Jag.
In our thoughts
Esther and her Snoop
Kate, We also are so sorry for your situation, but as written here, dogs doesn't feel sorry for themselves, they just live in the moment. So try everything you have to just live a day at the time and just be here and now. I know it can be so hard, but try. I think you will make it. We never want to lose our loved dogs. It's always to early when the day comes. But we have to think that we are so lucky for every month, every year we can share their lives. Like our children, we just borrow them for a while. Sending you love and you are in our thoughts and we hope for the best.
Gunilla, Wilbur, Bellis and angel Penny
Hi, Kate; sending BIG hugs to you and Jag. Just adding my pawsitive thoughts along with everyone else's. I did a lot of yoga-deep-breathing (and bathroom blubbering) at each obstacle in our Roxie's cancer journey, and I truly think that focusing on the "now" helped to deal with things as they came. As you find out more, you know that help and love and the best support group in the world is just a click away. And, what the hell, if you want to pee on the bushes that's fine, too!!
Hugs and hearts to you,
Liz and Angel Roxie
Hi Kate,
I know this is so hard to deal with but take your cues from Jag- he is fine right now! I've been where you are now- all you can do is collect all the information you can, including the test results, and then decide where you stand.
What I found helpful is making a list of what I am willing to do and what I am not willing to do for my pugs as they have fought re-curing mast cell cancer. The list changes with age and other health considerations but I have found it relieves a little of the stress and makes some of the decisions easier
Cancer sucks in all shapes and forms- we have so little control over a hard situation. So I'm sending all the strong and positive thoughts for you and Jag that I can spare, and hoping for the best possible news.
Karen and Spirit Maggie
Thank you ALL for the support and wisdom. Everyone here continues to be such a great strength for me, as we know Jag doesn't really need it...its just ME!!! I forget that i do need to "live in the moment" more, that cherishing my time with Jag is really what matters. Thank you for reminding me of that.
Speaking of Jag, here's the latest on him, last night I took him to the vet, and Dr Beltran from Vet health clinic in Monterey Park, who has become quite attached to jag himself since he's been through everything with us, scheduled him in to remove the lump and get it biopsied right away. After he was done w/sugary he called and told me the tissue did appear damaged, so he was very aggressive w/removing a wider margin of tissue, so with all our paws and fingers crossed it will be as successful as the amputation. I will be picking him up in T-minus 2 hours and according to the vet-techs he's already alert and sticking his head outside of the cage. 
My jaggie, ever the nosy boy! So all in all its been 3 surgeries in 3 months...and if 3rd times really the charm...here's to hoping that's TRUE!
Everyone here is provided me with such hope, strength and puppy love! THANK YOU!
kate & Jag.
Three's a charm!! YEP! That's our story and all the tripawds are sticking to it! I mean, my goodness, everyone on here almost is a tripawd!! That's a lot of "three charms" going on!
As far as "reminding you of things".....trust me...everytime we remind so eone else...we are remind g our own selves too! Reinforcing what we all need to remember...ESPECIALLY in challenging times! You are doing such a great job! Very courageous girl ad pup! What a team!
And nere's a little good luck photo to you and Jag from Happy Hannah and her big ole' fat paws!
?ove, hugs and a good ight's rest to all!!
Sally and Happy Hannah
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!
Oh Jag! You are such a Warrior coming thru all this with flying colors! Sending you the strongest healing thoughts possible.
Will watch for updates.
Take care-
Luanne and Spirit Shooter
Spirit Shooter was a Miniature Australian Shepherd who was diagnosed with a MCT and had a LF amp 1/28/13 at 13-1/2 years old.
Shooter crossed the Bridge on 8/28/13, his 7 month ampuversary and two weeks from his 14th birthday.
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