Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Good Morning,
Well, Jewel has a rare type of osteosarcoma. The name of it is Telangiectatic. It is aggressive and some say even more aggressive then the typical osteosarcoma. Other then that Jewel has really had a ruff time of it. Her stitches came undone and now she has an opened wound. 3" long and 2" wide. It looks like some of the tissue is turning black. The vet put 8 more stitches in, on the outside of the wound. Then we put a mixture of sugar and betadine on it and place gauze over top. Then you thread it like you do your shoe. I've never heard of such a thing, but the vet said it will speed up the healing process. Has anyone else ever heard of this? Jewel is also having a hard time on three legs, maybe because she is so tall. Her legs shake and she gets real nervous. I feel so bad for her. She is not adjusting as well as I'd hoped. They also want us to do chemo on her, but I'm only working part-time and we just don't have the extra finances.
I just pray her wound heals and she gets to feeling a little better, so she can enjoy what time she has left!
Jewel and Patti
Don't get discouraged, she is only 10-11 days post-op. The first couple of weeks ususally is a challenge, and since Jewel and you have already gone through such rough time the first week, it can only get better and better.
Hope Jewel will feel better soon!
Tazzie had a little infection post-op and a small part of her skin (the center of the triangular incision) did turn black and fall off. I was able to clean it and apply Silvadene cream daily and it did well. Your vet is right on in using sugar to help heal a larger defect. The sugar helps draw out fluid and promotes healthy granulation tissue. Sometimes we will also use honey in bandages to help promote healing.
Do not get too discouraged if you can't afford chemo. There are other holistic things you can try like artemisinin or "power mushrooms" that can't hurt and may actually help. Ask your vet about metronomic chemotherapy using generic meloxicam and cyclophosphamide. These are drugs that are given daily and can be scripted out to a human pharmacy to save money. The meloxicam 7.5 mg is only $4 per month at Walmart, Target, and Fred Meyer. I can't comment on how much the cyclophosphamide would be but even the meloxicam alone would help. Your vet might prefer a different NSAID like Deramaxx or piroxicam but meloxicam is the cheapest and has fewer side effects.
She will improve with time. It took Tazzie 3 weeks until I even gave her a chemo treatment because she was still fighting the infection. Now she is hard to slow down!
Pam and Tazzie
Thank you for the info...I do get discouraged. I hate seeing her like this. I'm doing everything I can. Warm compresses, changing her gauze pads when needed. I just thought I'd see some kind of improvement by now.
Thanks,
Patti
It is still early in the healing process, hampered by the would issue. Try to take things one day at a time and focus quality of life, without feeling guilt for things beyond your control (i.e.; financial concerns). You've already taken the most important step for helping Jewel. Once she heals from the surgery, and regains her strength, she'll get around much better and her spirits will pick up.
Here's a topic with more information about K9 Immunity and other mushroom therapies. Thanks for the update, hang in there!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
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Don't forget, this is major surgery, and with any major surgery complications can develop. When they do, it adds to the recovery time. The other thing to keep in mind is that not every amputee recovers at the same rate. Jewel is right on schedule for ther recovery. Hang in there, better days are ahead.
Shanna & Spirit Trouble ~ Trouble gained her wings 3/16/2011, a 27 1/2 month cancer survivor, tail wagging. RIP sweetheart, you are my heart and soul. Run free at Rainbow Bridge.
The November Five - Spirits Max, Cherry, Tika, Trouble & Nova. 11/2008 - 3/2013 An era ends as Queen Nova crossed the Bridge.
Well, one step forward five steps back.. Jewel and I just got back form the vets, and her wound has grown now it's 4" wide and about 4" long. They put a stitch in it so it won't be so wide, but she wants the black areas to come off before they do anything else. Oh well, I'm waiting for better days. I just don't understand how this will heal up.
Thanks for all your kind words,
Patti
I just think that even if she has a 4" square wound, it's way better than having to deal with the pain of a bone tumor. It's hard to see our little snuggles not feeling so hot, but some just take longer to recover and she'll come through at her own pace. Give her lots of love and one pawed hugs from Jackers to Jewel!!
<3 Laura
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