Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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violetjane said:
You are certainly on a rollercoaster!
Indeed. We wrote about the emotional roller coaster of long term cancer care in the blog. Staying pawsitive is indeed the key to keeping your sanity.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Marley and Mom,
Best wishes for speedy recovery for Marley! Staying pawsitive is definitely key to helping Marley recover and keeping your sanity. Shadow is Day 6 post amputation today, and I am learning to take it one day at a time and being grateful for all the small progresses we see everyday. Even though my boy isn't where he was post surgery yet, he's getting there and the tail wag I get whenever I talk to him makes me believe we are doing the right thing for him. Hang in there, we are all rooting for Marley!
Tina and Shadow
Tina and Spirit Shadow
Just spoke to the oncologist... just clarifying the results of the ultrasound and cytology report. The lymph nodes were found to be "large enough to be metastisis, but reactive process is still possible". (just a reactive process would not be a bad thing I understand.) The cytology report found "reactive mature lymphocytes" which could be nothing, or it could be cells that are reacting to metastasis of other parts of the lymph node. He's thinking it is probably either Osteosarcoma that has possibly spread to the lymph nodes (surgeon said this is not that bad, but he says it is) or it is Histiocytic sarcoma which is very very bad. If it is Osteo spread to lymph nodes then prognosis is 2 months, histiocytic 4-6 months. Of course I asked what he would do if it were his dog - he said he would amputate to get rid of the pain and see what happens. I guess there is always a chance we could have a more positive result. He did not sound very positive, but we just feel that we cannot give up on her! I hope we are making the right decision. Just don't want to put her through the amputation to then lose her in 2 months. But I want to give her a chance!
On another note - she's in a lot more pain today - very cold here - since we stopped the Rimadyl last week. Now's she's only on oxycodone 5 mg 3xs/day. I'm scared to try something else - Deramaxx, Metacam? She had blood in her stools from the Rimadyl. Thoughts on trying Metacam?
thanks so much for listening....
Holly and Marley
Holly - I'm not sure if this helps, but the best thing is giving her a chance :). I would do the amputation again if I were faced with it, of course it's easier because of knowing what i know now... but it's given me 6 more months with Smokey.... every added day is a blessing in my eyes - but it's so hard as you know Marley best! We had a bad run in with Prevacox that we think caused Smokey's liver enzymes to go through the roof and he had a bad bout with vomiting and horrible diarrhea... we do like Metacam! We use that now as his main pain medicine whenever it's needed... he tripped on his remaining front leg and had done something on it a few weeks ago where he didn't want to put any weight on it so while we kept him quiet, we also started him back up on Metacam and a few days later he was as good as new. So I'm a huge believer in Metacam, but realize all dogs are different...
I have to echo a couple of things already said. Each day after surgery you have with Marley is a gift, a day you may not have had. The other is learn to take each day one at a time. Enjoy each day you are given to it's fullest. Make those difficult decisions when they present themselves, don't try to make them ahead of time, neither you nor the vet knows for sure how much time Marley has.
Trouble and I have you in our thoughts and are sending healing vibes your way.
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.
Thank you so much everyone! I have to say I am quite discouraged today... I woke up this morning so ready for the surgery on Monday.... so positive that we will get through it all ok. Now the road ahead does not look good. All we can do is take away her pain and hope for the best. You are right - each day we have is a gift. If we get 2 months of her being pain free then it is worth it!!! I have to keep remembering that. And she's in such pain tonight she wouldn't eat the stew beef I simmered for her all day! It is very cold here - only around 12 degrees today. Through Nov/Dec she was always worst when it was really cold. We all thought it was just arthritis! Hopefully tomorrow she'll be better as it is supposed to warm up... Will hear from our local vet tomorrow on whether we can put her on Metacam thru the weekend til Monday's surgery. The concern is her liver. she is limping so much today it gives us a preview of what she'll be like on 3 legs. It will just be so nice to have her pain free!!!! and who knows what can happen with the lymph nodes. We just can't give up!!!
Nothing but good thoughts for you Holly! I must admit, I was the biggest disbeliever of amputating, but I am continued to be amazed every day by Smokey - I think he runs better now than he did before! We're thinking of you!
marleyflynn said:
... each day we have is a gift ... We just can't give up!!!
That's the spirit! Keep it up and you won't feel so discouraged. And that painful limp is no preview of things to come ... once healed, Marley will hop around happily! Best wishes for a successful procedure and speedy full recovery.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thank you so much! I have to say she is in such pain right now I am looking forward to Monday! nothing could be worse than this...she won't eat stew beef! Last night she was trembling.... we upped her oxycodone and was a bit better. Still limping very badly today. Now she's crying - maybe from the oxycodone? I look at her in pain and think we've let her down letting this go for 4 weeks. We were just so lost the first week and then had all the delays from other testing, etc. I just need to look forward to the future I guess.
I told our surgeon about this site and she was so excited to tell future patients about it!!!
Im impressed that you are even able to deal with this at all with baby#3 coming so soon! Kudos to you! 🙂
If its any comfort, we will be about 4wks out from our first vet visit over this by the time we go to surgery (also monday). It sounds so easy to just amputate - plenty of dogs do just fine, etc. But its SO hard to make the decision when you know its YOUR dog and its their quality of life that hangs on your decision. This has been one of the hardest decisions we have ever had to make. Maybe the hardest. Even in euthanasia, you know your pet will be out of pain. This decision brings on pain, but ultimately healing and hope for a happy life. Its easy logically, but emotionally its so draining. Im honestly starting to look forward not necessarily to the surgery, but the next month or so...when hopefully Polly will be up and around and back to herself, minus the cancer - at least thats what we are praying for!
We will be thinking of you and praying for Marley on monday too!
I so hope you and Marley have a peaceful weekend. Waiting is the pits, and if Marley is in pain that just really makes it tough for you.
You'll both be in my thoughts through the surgery Monday.
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.
Hi Marley and Marley's mom,
We were wondering how Marley was doing? I know Marley is supposed to be having the amputation today and we are all waiting to hear how it went! My mom said that the waiting to hear from the vet was so hard! She almost called them every 30 minutes but my dad made her wait and be patient (not her strong point!). We are all thinking about you and praying for you! GOOD LUCK!!!!!
Tucker
caseyr said:
Hi Marley and Marley's mom,
We were wondering how Marley was doing?
You are so kind for asking!
Check out the new post: Marley is on her Way to Surgery
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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