Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Milo had a rough week, so we did x-rays today. 100s of very small metastases. Ugly.
We weren't going to take a path with x-rays, but 2 things changed my mind. One - we leave on a 10-day vacation in 3 weeks and it would not be the right thing to do to leave my sister-in-law with the uncertainty. Two - many of his symptoms and blood work this week matched allergies, and it would stink to do the wrong thing because we confused allergies with mets.
FYI, the symptoms and rough week started on Tuesday with runny nose and eye discharge, loud breathing, he always has rapid breathing, and loss of appetite. A few hack or cough things, too. A fever. And lethargic. Benadryl cleared up the eyes and nose. Hand-feeding has kept him fed for the most part. Fever is gone. The cough seems to only be when he pushes on his trachea. The vet noted she flipped him side-to-side and upside down and no hint of a cough, but he hacks when he pulls on his leash. His energy level is back. His breathing is still rough, though.
Right now he's not on any meds. An occasional Derramax on sore days. A Zantac the last few days to soothe his tummy and maybe help him eat better. And we were doing Benadryl. The vet said no reason to continue that since it's not allergies.
So what have others found to have been useful near the end-of-the-road when the lungs are the issue? Certain pain relievers? Steroids? Certain foods? The vet wants to talk to the onco, but I've learned this tripawd crowd usually has the best advice.
Stupid cancer! He doesn't deserve this!
Jenifer & Milo
P.S. after his second chiropractor visit on Monday, he's doing great physically. Huge "crack" as she aligned his back left pelvis again, but it seems to be sticking. His stance is more solid and steady. It's just the lungs now.
He doesn't deserve this! And neither do you! I'm so sorry. I don't have any relevant experience. I'm sure others who do, will be along soon. I just wanted to send you and Milo a big hug. We're thinking of you.
Meg and Clare (and Elsie Pie) xxx
Ruby, Staffy, born June 2022, became a Tripawd, 23 November 2023, adopted 12 January 2024.
Also Angel Tripawd Meg (aka The Megastar), who died in April 2023, aged 14, after seven glorious years on three, and Angel Staffies Pie and Bille. In the pawprints of giants...
Ohhhhh Jenifer, my heart broke into pieces when I saw this. Damn cancer! I'm so very sorry.
Ok here are some of our blog posts that will give you ideas to manage the mets and keep him comfortable for as long as possible:
This Tripawd Talk Radio podcast with holistic veterinarian Dr. Lena McCullough discusses her therapeutic approach to lung mets in dogs and cats.
You can also find more about her approach at her website, A Path With Paws
Breathing Through Cancer – holistic herbal therapies to control lung metastasis in dogs and cats
This information from Cadence can help:
Read more at this Veterinary Partner 360 post
How to Help Coughing From Lung Mets
For now, just remember that Milo doesn't know any different. And celebrate how great he's getting around, that is SO fantastic.
As hard as it is to know what he doesn't understand, knowing is still empowering because you can be ready with a plan. Have some of these things or just a list ready for your sister when she cares for him, and know that he could go on for a long time, nobody ever really knows the future.
We all hope with all our might that he has many, many more good times ahead. The whole community sends much love to you. {{{{hugs}}}}}
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I also have nothing to add, other than to say how sorry I am to hear this news. Give him a big hug for me!
Otis - 106 pound lab/Dane mix, lost his right front leg to osteosarcoma on Febuary 9, 2016. Four rounds of carboplatin completed in April, 2016. Lung mets August 25, 2016. Said goodbye too soon on September 4, 2016. Lost his adopted sister, Tess, suddenly on October 9, 2016. likely due to hemangiosarcoma.
Wherever they are, they are together.
Jerry gave you some great links so I am here to give you a big hug!!!! Sending you love!
Alison with Spirit Shelby in her heart
Shelby Lynne; Jack Russell/Shiba Inu mix. Proud member of the April Angels of 2014.
October 15, 2000 to April 8, 2014
Our story: Broke rear leg in June 2013 - non-conclusive results for cancer so leg was plated and pinned. Enlarged spleen in September 2013 and had it removed and was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma and started chemotherapy. Became a Tripawd January 8th, 2014 and definitive Hemangiosarcoma diagnosis. Three major surgeries in 7 months and Shelby took them all like a champ only to lose her battle to cancer in her brain. We had 8 amazing extra months together and no regrets. #shelbystrong #loveofmylife
Jennifer,
I'm so sorry to read this. I'm not there yet but I do empathize with you. I am thinking of Milo and you and your family.
wanda
Thank you to everyone for the kind words and hugs. It really does help - well, actually, they make me cry, but in a good way. We are in Maine this weekend with good friends who helped us the day we bought Milo. Milo is feeling great right now and is being spoiIed rotten. My friend let him lick ALL the dinner plates after steak dinner.
Meanwhile, I'm poking through all of Jerry's links. We've been following Dr. Lena Mc Collough's website from the beginning. We'll do our best by him. He deserves nothing less.
Thanks again to all. Still open to advice.
Love,
Jenifer & Milo
I'm sorry Jenifer.
Maggie didn't have mets but a second cancer. You do everything you can and still this bastard disease comes back. I can't help with treatment options, but I can tell you how I approached things.
Once I knew we were 'on the clock' I decided what would be our end point, I defined what was her minimum life quality. I wanted to do that while she was still OK, and while I wasn't as emotional as I knew I would get. For Mag it was when we needed pain meds to keep her comfortable. She freaked out on pain meds and her kidneys were bad and her liver was suspect. I knew that once the tumor broke through into her jaw we would be at the end.
Don't let the grief and sadness take away one single moment with your precious boy. Every day will bring priceless memories as every day now will be Milo's best day.
Karen and Spirit Maggie
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Online
Pierce of crap disease. HATE IT!!
Okay, we're gonna move forward though because there ARE things that can be done! And that's not BS! I've been there with my Happy Hannah! Michelle has been there with Sassy!
But the very first rhing that MUST be done is to continue to live in the moment!! That piece of crap disease cannot...and will not.......interfere with yiur time together!! It may be able to do some things, but it cannot stop you from savoring every single second!!
NOTHING HAS CHANGED IN MILO'S world!!! NOTHING!!! He doesn't give aa rat's butt about xrays. He doesn't give a rat's butt about days on a calendar!! He doesn't worry about tomorrow! Milo DOES care about having your full attention and focusing on tummy rubs, treats, spoiling in ways you never thought possible!
EVERYDAY IS MILO DAY!!!!
As hard as it is, do not think about what you may not have someday, but focus on what you do have right NOW!!' And all that matters to Milo is NOW!
In my Happy Hannae case, the vet said the met was "as big as a baseball". My Happy Hannah didn't look at the xray, so neither did I!
Talk fo yiur vet abput metronomics . Define ask about Palladia too. Sassy did metronomics and got an wonderful extended vonus fime of al ost EIGHT MONTHS! I did do it a couple of weeks. but she developed a uti so she stopped. She did take Prednisone whch helped with any inflammation from the met in tne lu g a d that seemed ro help with the breathing pattern. She also had some Tramadol as needed. In her case, there was no coughing. She did get more and more tired. No e of this was "painful".'She enjoyed sunbathing...,, or sitting under a shade tree while I shared a bowl of ice cream. She had lots of steaks...lots of anything she wanted. She was happy! When the scales started tilting ojt of her favor...when she was starting to pay a price for ore tummy rubs and more spoiling and loving, I was able to celebrate her back "home" where she could be a puppy again.
And another reminder if you haven't do e this recently! Lift up Milo's fluffy tail...look all over that cute butt...get a magnifying glass if you need to. Do you see any timeframe stamped anywhere on his butt!!! NO YOU DON'T!!
Again, nothing has changed in Milo's world!!
TEAM MILO!!! We're all on Team Milo and that's a very powerful force!!
Now go think how you can even spoil him more tomorrow than you did today!!
pts a d lots of love and hugs
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie 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!
Heartsick to hear this and just want to say how much I admire your steadfast determination to give Milo what is best for him in any given circumstance. He doesn't deserve this and neither do you. Sending lots of love...
Lisa, Minneapolis
On October 27, 2016, nearly 6 months after amputation, and 18 months since his cancer likely started, we lost Pofi to a recurrence of Soft Tissue Sarcoma in his spine quite suddenly. His canine sister also succumbed to cancer on March 1, 2019 - we lavished her with our love in the interim, but life was never quite the same without her only real canine friend. Cliff kitty had to leave us, too, suddenly, in August 2019. Lucia kitty grieved all these losses, but helped us welcome two new Lurchers into our home and our lives, Shae and Barley.
I have nothing to add about management.
Just that my heart goes out to you.
Donna
Donna, Glenn & Murphy
Murphy had his right front leg amputated due to histiocytic sarcoma at 7 years old. He survived 4 years, 2 months & 1 week, only to be taken by hemangiosarcoma at 11 1/2 years 6/12/17
Read about Murphy's Life on Three Legs
Jenifer:
While we don't have a diagnosis of lung mets yet, we have been doing Metronomic Chemo. We started with Cyclophosphamide daily and an anti inflammatory (Prioxicam is what is commonly prescribed, but it was a disaster for Pofi) and then we switched to Palladia 3 days and Cyclophosphamide the other 4. Right now, while he is healing from the recent lumpectomy, we are back to the Cyclophosphamide daily as Palladia can impede wound/incision healing.
We are on them as as prophylactic and because Pofi had local metastasis to a lymph node and we got poor margins. So there is presumed (and perhaps this is unassailable truth) cancer in the blood stream and the oncos feel metastasis to lungs is likely.
The skinny:
The Cyclophosphamide is affordable and Pofi shows no ill effect from it at all.
The Palladia is very expensive and seemed to have more vague signs of tummy upset - we combat with Cerenia which is another expense.
The Cyclophosphamide comes in the mail from a compounding pharmacy (service is excellent) and costs about $2 a day with shipping included.
Of note - at Pofi's first scan there were 4 little points in lungs that "could be" micro mets or something else and the radiologist and onco said ALL his lymph nodes seemed a little large. This onco thought it seemed impossible there could be spread to all lymph nodes already and was able to get aspirate sample from one nearest the removed one with metastasis; the FNA cytology revealed nothing of concern. 2nd CT 8 weeks later, they said no lung mets or micro mets and lymph nodes were no larger and possibly a bit smaller. I personally took that to mean there never had been cancer metastasizing in those lymph nodes, but the other member of onco team we just saw because of his ulcerated but benign tumor was quick to point out smaller lymph nodes could be response to the oral chemo treatment. I didn't bother to make sure he realized Pofi was already taking the Cyclophosphamide before the first scan - post scan we moved to the alternating oral chemo. I tend to side with the first onco who thought the nodes could just be larger because he is not a small dog....
Let me know if you want any more info on the oral chemo....
Lisa, Minneapolis
On October 27, 2016, nearly 6 months after amputation, and 18 months since his cancer likely started, we lost Pofi to a recurrence of Soft Tissue Sarcoma in his spine quite suddenly. His canine sister also succumbed to cancer on March 1, 2019 - we lavished her with our love in the interim, but life was never quite the same without her only real canine friend. Cliff kitty had to leave us, too, suddenly, in August 2019. Lucia kitty grieved all these losses, but helped us welcome two new Lurchers into our home and our lives, Shae and Barley.
So sorry I just saw this thread, I am heartbroken for you and my favourite Muppet Show dog 😔
But, as Sally says, he doesn't have a date stamped on his cute little bottom so keep making everyday Milo's day 👍🏼🐶 and pampering him like mad, licking plates are for sure one of his favourite treats now 👅🍽🍽🍽
Luckily my sweet Eurydice doesn't have any mets but we have started metronomic therapy 2 weeks ago and everything is going really well, no side effects, energy level really good too.
She takes 1 pill of cyclophosphamide, 3 of doxycycline (antibiotic) every day and 6.5ml of Metacam every other day, doses are, of course, calculated according to the weight.
Hope metro can help sweet Milo too 🙏🏼
Sending lots of love and a cloud of pawsitive energy and lots and lots and lots of tummy rubs to your sweetie pie 😘🐾❤️❤️❤️🐶
Eurydice 77kg/170lb Great Dane limping end of April 2016, amputation (right front leg/osteosarcoma) 4 May 2016 6 courses of carboplatin followed by metronomic therapy, lung mets found 30 Nov 2016. 3 courses of doxorubicin, PET scan 26 Jan 2017 showed more mets so stopped chemo. Holistic route April 2017. Lung X-ray 5 May 2017 showed several tennis ball size mets, started cortisone and diuretics. Miss Cow earned her XXL silver wings 12 June 2017, 13 months and 1 week after amputation and 6 1/2 months after lung mets, she was the goofiest dawg ever and is now happily flying from cloud to cloud woof woofing away :-)
So sorry to hear this awful news 
it really isn't fair and Milo doesn't deserve it!
As others have said, live in the now and just focus on making every day "the best day ever" for Milo in some way, even if that's just lots of tummy rubs or some extra treats!
Sending lots of love to you and precious Milo 😘😘
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