Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Last week our furbaby Jilly (10-11yrs) had her front right leg amputated due to a mass being found in her bone. The vet was not convinced that it was osteosarcoma because it was such a clean tumor and she has been limping off and on since august (our old vet said it was just her re-injuring an old injury). So he sent the bone out for biopsy. Well, he called this morning saying it came back and that it was osteosarcoma. 
He said it is slow moving which is good and he didn't see anything in her lungs or other front leg when he did the original xrays so that's good but it's all just inevitable that it will spread (probably already has). He said that he saw a dog not to long ago that had a slow moving one and they never amputated and the dog lived for 18 months.
So I like to live in denial and am hoping for that long with her (if not longer). He did mention chemo pills and trying them out for a week to see how she does on them. I just want to make sure that she has a happy rest of her life. We've had her for 9 years and I can't imagine life without her. So I would love to prolong it for as long as possible but also want quality over quantity for her sake. Although I would love to be selfish and keep her alive for as long as possible I would never want her to suffer.
It's just so awful and not how I imagined it at all. She was supposed to grow old and die in her sleep and I just feel like now she has a ticking time bomb in her and at any time can spread to her lungs and kill her. I'm just so sad. I can't eat and I feel nauseous and now all I can think about is how she's going to leave us eventually from this awful disease. I just hope it gets easier and I won't always be consumed by this for the rest of her life. It's like someone asking if you want to know when you are going to dies....no one wants to know.
So...I guess my recommendation question is, what have others done if you have been in this situation. Have you tried the chemo pills or something else? How has it effected your furbaby? Also, if your dog had/has osteosarcoma, how long have they been living since or how long until they passed (sorry...I know that's not an easy topic). I just don't know how I'm going to handle it when the time comes. I just want to be prepared and have all of my options.
Thank you in advance for any and all help.
I am in the chat room right for about another 30 min. if you want to talk. More in a sec.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
OK first, take a deep breath and step back for a minute. Look at the pawsitives:
- You got rid of the bad leg
- She is no longer hurting from the tumor
- Jilly is with you now and I'm betting she's already getting her sparkle back
- You have sought out great vet care that will help you through the ruff stuff, if and when it happens
Anyone who deals with this nasty disease understands your feelings completely. They are normal, but that doesn't mean we can allow them to darken the bright days of whatever time we have left together. The big thing to keep in mind is;
- With or without cancer, nobody has an expiration date stamped on their butts!
We wrote a great deal about this in Jerry's blog, scroll down to the last part of Jerry's Required Reading List and you'll find some posts about coping with these feelings. The best thing you can do is: Be More Dog . Click on that link, it will explain everything.
Take every day one step at a time. Unwrap it for what it is, a gift. Remember, nobody can predict the future. Jerry lived TWO YEARS with no chemo (but we did do metronomics , as your vet suggested). Many more have defied the odds. But even when dogs do not, nearly everyone here says that they were glad they got quality time with their animal. Because as much as cancer sucks, it really does bring you closer together, and learn how to treasure today instead of worrying about tomorrow.
{{{hugs}}}
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thank you so much for all of the information and advise. It's helped me out a lot and I think the best thing that you said was "treasure today instead of worrying about tomorrow". I really need to do that! Off to read all of your links. 
I'm still navigating the site so I appreciate you sharing them with me.
We MUST see more pictures of Jillu! She looks sooooo pretty in her avatar picture!!
Yiuve gotten great insight from Jerr!
It IS so important to learn to stay in the present...in the moment....in the now....jist like Jilly is! .make that decision right now! Commit! Vow to donit for Jilly!! Jilly doesn't give a rip about any ole stupid diagnosis and CERTAINLY does NOT have a time frame stamled on her butt!
From this point forward, you are not alone! We understand like no others can!
Let NOTHING rob you of your time together....no worrying, not feeling sad, and certainly not that stupid piece of crap disease! Easier said than done, but an absolute necessity so you can be fully present with Jillyand enjoy every single second of this glorious bonus time you two have!
Recovery for a bout two weeks is no picnic. My Happy Hannah had her rear le amputated due to osteo. and once recovery took place she had her sparkle back bigger and better than ever!!! We had THE best time! Our days were filled with laughing, snuggling, spoiling like crazy and spoiling her some more! Best decision ever!! She did transition to the other side of this life after gracing me with her presence for an additional one year and two months! Many dogs get more time, many less. But it is amazing how many lifetimes of love you can cram into a day with your dog! And remember, in doggy years, one year equals seven years in humans!!
Have you had an Oncologist look at Jilly's files? Was Carboplatin mentioned by your vet as a treatment? My Happy Hannah had four rounds and di very well.
Stay connected to us, okay? We are here with you every step of the way! We look forward to hearing more about Jilly AND seeing pictures!! We are all cheering for you!!!
Grab some chocolate, take deep breaths and eat more chocolate!
(((((((((((((((((((((((((((HUGS))))))))))))))))))
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 happy you reached out. Cancer sucks and I am so sorry that you have to be here. However, this is the best place to be in this situation. We all can relate to how you feel when you heard the news about Jilly. My girl was diagnosed 4 years ago. We changed her diet, added supplements and the tumor seemed to go away. 2 years later it returned and we decided to amputate. We decided against chemo and my girl lived a happy 14 months on 3 legs. Cancer shot my dreams of having my sweet girl grow old but it didn't rob us of millions of special memories. No matter what time frame the vet gives, your Jilly is on her own timeline. She lives for her humans and is present in every moment. She doesn't know she is sick. So take her lead and enjoy the now. Stay connected and show us more pics of Jilly. We are all here for you and sending you hugs. The first intial stage of finding out is devastating. Once you wrap your head around it you will be able to focus on whatever treatment you choose and focus on enjoying Jilly. There is still a lot to experience with her. ENJOY!
Nicole and Angel Lily
Hi there-
I'm sorry you are dealing with osteosarcoma I know the diagnosis is so scary - but you definitely have TONS of resources here, including all of us to answer any questions!
My baby girl is also named Jilly (really Jill but we all call her Jilly). She is a kitty cat who had her leg amputated 27 months ago due to osteosarcoma. She had four rounds of IV chemo and then did a few months of leukeran (pill form of chemo). The pill did not agree with her tummy, so we had to stop, but I was told that was a rare side effect of leukeran.
Definitely stop by chat - you can get some real time answers in there, especially at night there are usually a few people in there.
xoxo,
Erica & Tripawd Kitty Jill
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
benny55 said
We MUST see more pictures of Jillu! She looks sooooo pretty in her avatar picture!!Yiuve gotten great insight from Jerr!
It IS so important to learn to stay in the present...in the moment....in the now....jist like Jilly is! .make that decision right now! Commit! Vow to donit for Jilly!! Jilly doesn't give a rip about any ole stupid diagnosis and CERTAINLY does NOT have a time frame stamled on her butt!
From this point forward, you are not alone! We understand like no others can!
Let NOTHING rob you of your time together....no worrying, not feeling sad, and certainly not that stupid piece of crap disease! Easier said than done, but an absolute necessity so you can be fully present with Jillyand enjoy every single second of this glorious bonus time you two have!
Recovery for a bout two weeks is no picnic. My Happy Hannah had her rear le amputated due to osteo. and once recovery took place she had her sparkle back bigger and better than ever!!! We had THE best time! Our days were filled with laughing, snuggling, spoiling like crazy and spoiling her some more! Best decision ever!! She did transition to the other side of this life after gracing me with her presence for an additional one year and two months! Many dogs get more time, many less. But it is amazing how many lifetimes of love you can cram into a day with your dog! And remember, in doggy years, one year equals seven years in humans!!
Have you had an Oncologist look at Jilly's files? Was Carboplatin mentioned by your vet as a treatment? My Happy Hannah had four rounds and di very well.
Stay connected to us, okay? We are here with you every step of the way! We look forward to hearing more about Jilly AND seeing pictures!! We are all cheering for you!!!
Grab some chocolate, take deep breaths and eat more chocolate!
(((((((((((((((((((((((((((HUGS))))))))))))))))))
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle too!
Thank you so much for your kind words! We have not taken the files to an oncologist yet. Everything happened so fast so I'm still trying to wrap my head around everything!
Chocolate....definitely a great option! LOL
lilybear said
I am so happy you reached out. Cancer sucks and I am so sorry that you have to be here. However, this is the best place to be in this situation. We all can relate to how you feel when you heard the news about Jilly. My girl was diagnosed 4 years ago. We changed her diet, added supplements and the tumor seemed to go away. 2 years later it returned and we decided to amputate. We decided against chemo and my girl lived a happy 14 months on 3 legs. Cancer shot my dreams of having my sweet girl grow old but it didn't rob us of millions of special memories. No matter what time frame the vet gives, your Jilly is on her own timeline. She lives for her humans and is present in every moment. She doesn't know she is sick. So take her lead and enjoy the now. Stay connected and show us more pics of Jilly. We are all here for you and sending you hugs. The first intial stage of finding out is devastating. Once you wrap your head around it you will be able to focus on whatever treatment you choose and focus on enjoying Jilly. There is still a lot to experience with her. ENJOY!Nicole and Angel Lily
It definitely does suck! Really bad! What supplements did you give her and what type of diet was she on? I can use all the suggestions I can get! I think yesterday was just really hard finding out it was the worst case scenario. TOday is a little easier knowing that I have to make choices and really do need to stop being so upset because in all honesty, it is just wasting the time I have left with her, whether it be 3 months or 2 years. I'm so glad you got all that extra time with your baby! It's crazy how fast life can change....
rica55 said
Hi there-I'm sorry you are dealing with osteosarcoma
My baby girl is also named Jilly
Definitely stop by chat - you can get some real time answers in there, especially at night there are usually a few people in there.
xoxo,
Erica & Tripawd Kitty Jill
Her name is Jill too but we call her Jilly! LOL Or as my kids like to rename her all the time, she also goes by Juicyfruit bubble gum (Juicy for short), snoop....well...she's basically learned to go by anything! Haha!
I'm so happy that you have had all that extra time! It really gives me more hope than I had yesterday to hear all of these amazing stories!
Here are more pictures of Jilly! She really is so beautiful so I love showing her off! 
This was in January for my daughters 5th birthday. She asked everyone for donations for the local animal shelter instead of presents! Warmed my heart! She wanted a picture before we got ready to go donate everything!
Sorry! I don't know how to rotate them
AWWWWWW.....I'M LOVING THESE PICTURES!!!! Everytime I see Jilly's avatar picture she melts my heart.....now I've got more heart melting pics!!
And your kids...human kids...are adorable. Please thank your daughter on behalf of all of us for making such a thoughtful donation to the animals in need. What a lovely gesture from a very enlightened soul!
I posted on your other thread about getting a consult with an Oncologist. I KNOW the research is daunting and the stress of this whole journey is very stressful...at first anyway! You do adjust to the new normal, promise!!
Try and keep things chunked down right now and get through this recovery period. You have plenty of time to decide a treatment plan...holistic...conve tional...cmbo of both...and even doing just nutrition and supplements is still a treatment plan
Se ding lots of hugs to your entire adorable pack!!
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 actually posted another thread about supplements and diet. I'm hoping I can do the best for her while staying within our budget. I can do little things throughout her time. The more expensive things are what kills us. I just want to keep her happy for whatever time she has on this earth with us.
Thank you so much for all of your help already! I really do appreciate every single word!
OMG great pics, thank you for sharing! May I put some of these in our Tripawds Gallery?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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