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Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat

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Member Since:
6 August 2017
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16 July 2018 - 8:52 am
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It has been awhile since I have posted about Wendel, but I have some new concerns.  Wendel is now 11 months post amputation (his ampuversary is August 3)!  In February his health was declining and a chest x-ray confirmed that he had lung mets.  He was started on metacam and his symptoms improved.  We did not pursue any additional treatment.  In the last couple of weeks we have noticed some changes in his health again.  He still loves to eat and he is still a mischievous puppy (he is only 2 years old). He seems to sleep ok at night, and does not seem to be napping any extra during the day. Frequently we see clear fluid draining from his nose.  He makes a weird throaty sound after he physically exerts himself.   In humid weather his breathing is noticeably worse.  Just wondering if anyone else has had a similar experience.  We do not want him to suffer at the end, but do not want to make the decision to put him to rest too soon.  We are thinking about doing another lung x-ray...but not really sure if it is worth it, as our treatment path would remain the same. 

On The Road


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16 July 2018 - 9:31 am
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Hi there! Welcome back, I can't believe it's almost his one year ampuversary. WOW and CONGRATS!

I'm sorry to hear about the mets. It does sound like he is holding is own overall, which is great. He's such a young pup, I hope with all my heart these symptoms you are describing are unrelated to the mets. And they very well could be something totally different. From what I understand, when nasal fluid is green, that's when you really worry. The throaty sound and the fluid could be something as simple as seasonal allergies.

Have you talked to your vet about it yet? They can help figure out what's going on and even if it is related to the cancer, and you won't pursue any oncology-type treatments, at least you can help manage the symptoms better and keep him comfortable once you know what you're dealing with. Managing symptoms can be as easy as an herb or conventional medication to help him breathe better, and dry out the nasal discharge too. If you don't like what your vet suggests you can always seek an integrative vet's opinion to help him have a good quality of life.

I hope this helps. Keep us posted on how he's doing and don't forget to share some photos with us, we can't wait to see his adorable face.

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet



Member Since:
21 May 2016
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16 July 2018 - 1:45 pm
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Hi Wendel and Mom 🌸🐾

I found out my girl had lung mets and subsequently pursued other chemo treatments for many months.

I had decided I wasn't going to have a lung xray but when she started feeling lethargic, got tired easily when on walks and showed a heavier breathing pattern I went against my initial decision and had them done.

I was given an extremely poor prognosis but she started diuretics (to dry the liquid in her lungs) and cortisone straight away and almost immediately after she reverted to her old self, full of energy and happy again!

She went on to enjoy a wonderful, full and happy life for a very long time (compared to what the vets thought)

If I hadn't done the xray at that point she would have had days to live ... cortisone and diuretics did wonders for her.

Having said all of this, it can well be your baby's symptoms, just like Renee quite rightfully points out, have nothing to do with lung mets progressing.

It is your decision, sweetie ... 

Sending you much love and tons of cuddles 😘🐮💫✨🌟🌹

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 :-) 

Member Since:
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20 July 2018 - 10:03 pm
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Thank you both for these kind words of support/encouragement.  I might be a bit paranoid right now.  I think inevitably the lung mets are progressing, but the vet does not think a chest x-ray will change our current treatment path or any outcomes.  Right now Wendel's symptoms seem to be holding steady, so I am taking a deep breath.  smiley



Member Since:
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21 July 2018 - 9:31 am
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Hey sweetie 🌸

Good to know your vet is comfortable with the treatment Wendel is receiving, if that is the case I also agree there is no benefit getting more detailed info with xray. 

What is Wendel's treatment exactly? 

Love and cuddles 😘🐮💫✨🌟🌹

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 :-) 

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21 July 2018 - 2:15 pm
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Following the amputation we did not pursue any additional pharmacological treatments (besides the analgesic used post surgery for 10 days or so).  We started administering K9 Natu-Joint to protect his joints in his remaining from limb. We did not pursue chemo as we would have to travel to the University of Saskatchewan for treatments...which is a 20hr round trip drive.  And honestly Wendel was misdiagnosed initially and we spent a lot of money on surgery and other treatments for his misdiagnosis of OCD (osteochondritis dissecans)...so financially our resources were depleted. 

After being diagnosed with lung mets and a lesion in his remaining front leg (possibly mets but no biopsy done) in February we started giving Wendel meloxicam 7.5mg daily, as this supposedly helps slow the progress of metastasis. 

Besides that we just spoil him...which is easy because he in an only dog child big-grinheart

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21 July 2018 - 2:22 pm
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Member Since:
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21 July 2018 - 3:01 pm
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Wow, that would be a loooong drive, 20h round trips sounds discouraging, to say the least ...

You chose the right option for your pup and what more can Wendel want than being spoilt rotten by his loving pawrents 💕? ...

He can melt hearts, he is soooooo gorgeous 💗 love his sweet face, he sure looks comfy and as happy as a bunny 🐇 in his super cosy bed! 

Keep spoiling him and keep posting pictures, we can never have too many pictures of your beautiful baby boy 😍

Sending lots of hugs and cuddles 😘🐮💫✨🌟🌹

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 :-) 

On The Road


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21 July 2018 - 7:14 pm
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Oh you sweet happy boy Wendel, that is the face of a fighter! A champ! A love bug of a dog who is not letting cancer get him down. What a face 🙂

If there is anything at all we can do for you please let us know OK? Keep smiling and enjoying all the love. We are sending you lots too!

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

Virginia







Member Since:
22 February 2013
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21 July 2018 - 10:42 pm
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OOOOOMMMMDDDDD!!! CUTENESS  ALERT!!!   THIS IS SUCH A GREAT PICTURE!!😎  Not only is he handsome, but  he is so happy😁   He really does ,sparkle with joy and is clearly  delighted  with his life AND clearly  feels great!!

Because  he's  doing so well, overall, it wouldn't  surprise  me at all to find out he was  dealing with allergies.  Eating, drinking, still being Wendel...yeah....he is doing  just ,fine!!!!

Now we have ro get ready for this great upcoming  ONE YEAR AMPUTATION!!!  WOW!😀  Such a great milestone!!!   Wendel is a spectacular inspiration for anyone starting  this journey, especially  those who opt out of chemo.   We say all the time here, with, or without  chemo, it's  all just a crap shoot  anyway!!  And Wendel  is creating  is own statistics, and they're  looking pretty darn impressive!!😁

So get lots of cake and cream and keep yoir camera handy!!   We can't  wait to see pictures  and we can't  wait to celebrate  with this very special pup!!

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!

Member Since:
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27 July 2018 - 9:17 pm
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Hello...just wanted to discuss another concern.  I will be calling the vet tomorrow to discuss as well, but Wendel has started vomiting small amounts of food after his meals.  He still has an interest in eating.  I am hoping it is just the meloxicam irritating his stomach.  Is this something anyone else has experienced? 

Virginia







Member Since:
22 February 2013
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27 July 2018 - 9:51 pm
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Most likely a little GI upset that could be a result  of the Meloxicam.   Vet may prescribe Sulfracate (sp) which helps coat the tummy.  May suggest Pepcid too.  

Glad he still jas his appetite.  Doesn't  sound like he's  nauseous, just the tummy reacting to the food.  Stool okay?

Glad you're  checking with your Vet tomorrow  so you can get this cleared up.  Let us know what he says.

Really glad to hear Wendell  is still hanging tough!

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!



Member Since:
21 May 2016
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28 July 2018 - 3:13 pm
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Hey sweetie 🌸

What did the vet say?

Hugs and cuddles 😘🐮💫✨🌟🌹

Ps cannot wait for you to post some more pictures of your seriously gorgeous baby boy 💕

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 :-) 

Member Since:
6 August 2017
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5 August 2018 - 7:21 pm
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Well this week has been a mixed bag for Wendel health wise.  He seems to be slowing down, but continues to have bursts of energy.  We decided not to bring him to the vet for any tests (we were worried that another lung x-ray would force us into making a decision we are not ready to make). 

On a positive note Friday was Wendel's ampuversary.  We took the day to celebrate with him!

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Virginia







Member Since:
22 February 2013
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5 August 2018 - 10:26 pm
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Oh Wendel, that expression speaks volumes about how you feel about your pawty hat!!!😂😂   Ya' see,  we silly hoomans think dogs in hats are adorable, so thank you for taking one for the team so we can have a giggle!  But you sure do look cute Wendel😁

You're  doing a good job of monitoring  him.  You are  very tuned into Wendel and you don't need any "diagnostics" to define how he is doing.   Tiring easily while having bursts of energy, posing for pictures (reluctantly),  enjoying being ridiculously spoiled........yeah, Wendel  is doing just fine.

Today is all that matters, and today  we are happily  celebrating a ONE YEAR AMPUVERSARY  FOR WENDEL!!!😁😁   CONGRATULATIONS  SWEET BOY ON THIS AMAZING  MILESTONE!😃😃

And thank yoj for letting us pawty with you!  And an extra big thank you for posting a picture of your cute self!! And we would loooove to have more!!!  And no, you  don't  have to wear a hat!

Ice cream and cake for everybody 😎

Hugs 

Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!

Screenshot_20180805-235602_Gallery.jpgImage Enlarger

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!

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