Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Oh no..... I am so sorry to read this .... what did your vet say? How is Marshall doing otherwise? Remember, Marshall doesn't know ... he has NO clue what is going on ... he just feels love and lots of it! And we all love you ...
hugs,
alison with the spirit of shelby furever 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
I am so sorry to hear this! How are his eyes? As Alison says, he has no idea he has this. He is a fighter, he has beaten the odds time after time. I think Happy Hannah and many others here have gone on to have great quality time even after mets were discovered. Hang in there, I am sure you are not getting much sleep these days with a little one in the house. come here for support and please keep us posted on how he is doing. Hugs from, Lori, Ty & the canine 3
TY GUY, Best Black Lab ever! Diagnosed and had amp in January, 2014. Kicked MRSA's butt. Earned his angel wings on April 16, 2014. Run Free my boy and don't forget a shoe. Ty is a proud member of the " April Angels". Ty sent us Daryl, a Tripawd rescue in Sept. of 2016. Daryl is 5 +or -. We are also Pawrents to Chandler, a Border Collie mix who is 15 and 1/2, Lucy, a Corgi who is 7, 2 minis, 2 horses, and a feisty cat named Zoe. Zoe had a non skeletal Osteosarcoma removed in July 2015. No Chemo, she was at least 16. She is going strong although she is now completely blind. She is now close to 20 and her hobbies are eating and sleeping in front of her personal heater.
He's not doing well. I feel like we missed the signs. He is short of breath and tired. His eyes are like that bc of edema from his lymph nodes not draining well. She gave him a few weeks to months. His lungs were clear 3 months ago and now the there is a big tumor.
Okay...we're all right here with you...and many of us hsve been where you are..AND....MARSHALL HAS NO INTENTION OF GOING ANYWHERE ANYTIME SOON!!!
As Lori said, I basically was hit with the same thing with my Happy Hannah. I was told "it" was the size of a baseball! And Happy Hannah and I had some GREAT extended time together. Please remember, tiredness is not pain.....and dogs adapt amazingly well as breathing patterns change!!
Has your vet suggested some meds to help alleviate the symptons? Happy Hannah took some Prednisone and that seemed to help. I think at one point...after a wash out period...I switched to Pirxicam (which has some tumor reducing qualities)...and went back to Pred. because that seemed to work better. You may...or may not...experience times when Marshall's breathing seems more labored than other times. I found these "spells" sort of came and went. Of course with Hannah, I could distract her and refocus her attention away from the breathing just by saying "cookie"! Don't know if that will work with .Marshall or not! Maybe he would prefer to be distracted with a steak!
Signs? This stupid piece of crap disease does what it wants without warning! Wih or without "signs"...nah...the outcome wouldn't change. I personally think "not knowing" is a strategy that keeps us more grounded to living in the moment...loving blissfully unaware just like our dogs. And remember, Marshall IS blissfully unaware of any ole prognosis or statistics!!!
I'm away right now and not able to get good connections. I'm sorry this is so short, but I wanted to get a response as best I can right now while the stupid internet is working.
You KNOW the importance of staying in the moment...now more than ever before! You KNOW the importance of letting NOTHING rob you of your time together!!! Take it one day at a time, just like you always have since this journey began. Celebrate each moment together! Marshall the Miracle Dog is soaking up all the loving and spoiling...and that makes him so happy!
Sending you all the love and positive energy in the world.....
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah
It's hard but you can do it for Marshall!
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!
So sorry to hear this. When I read your post about his eyes I had a bad feeling. For some reason Maggie's eyes got all goopy around the time I found out about her lung tumors. I don't know the connection but I have read it on here before. I also was dumfounded when her lungs were clear then 3 months later she had several tumors. There's really no way to know that would happen. I am sure you will love up your Marshall as you have been and even more so. Hang in there.
Penny, Blink, Hank and Angel Maggie
Thanks everyone. My 7 1/2 year old son is having a really hard time. Does anyone with children around this age have any tips to easing the pain. They are best buddies.
I wonder why the eye thing happens. His Vet thinks it's edema and that his lymph nodes aren't draining. It's so hard to see him going downhill so fast
Maybe, he could do something for Marshall. A special treat he can make or get him a new shirt, something just solely from him to Marshall. Be prepared for ALOT of questions. My 5 year old Granddaughter was full of them She was not trying to be cruel, she just needed to know. Take a lot of pictures, especially of the 2 of them, then on really tough days, maybe you can work on a scrapbook together. Most of all, as much as you can, let him be as he has always been with him. I am trying to think of things that are not real time consuming, as I know with a little one in the house, it is hard to find a minute to go to the bathroom in peace. hugs from Lori, Ty & the canine trio
TY GUY, Best Black Lab ever! Diagnosed and had amp in January, 2014. Kicked MRSA's butt. Earned his angel wings on April 16, 2014. Run Free my boy and don't forget a shoe. Ty is a proud member of the " April Angels". Ty sent us Daryl, a Tripawd rescue in Sept. of 2016. Daryl is 5 +or -. We are also Pawrents to Chandler, a Border Collie mix who is 15 and 1/2, Lucy, a Corgi who is 7, 2 minis, 2 horses, and a feisty cat named Zoe. Zoe had a non skeletal Osteosarcoma removed in July 2015. No Chemo, she was at least 16. She is going strong although she is now completely blind. She is now close to 20 and her hobbies are eating and sleeping in front of her personal heater.
I'm so sorry, quite a few of us have been right where you are. You think you've beat it, and another one pops out of nowhere. It sucks, its horrible, its not fair! Like everyone said, Marshall has no idea. He's going to live his life all dog, not worrying about a thing. It's us who worry. Someone here has talked about trying our best not to grieve while they are still here. It is REALLY hard to do, but like Sally said you have to stay in the moment.
My daughter was 10 when we lost Jake (I had him before I had her, so she had grown up with him). There are some books about pets going to heaven, and you can even read the rainbow bridge poem to him. I don't think there is anything that will make it easier for him. The only thing I could do for my daughter was just to hug her and tell her that we all feel the same way that she did.
HUGS
Mom to Tripawd Angels Jake (2001-2014) and Rosco (2012-2015) and Tripawd Tanner. “Whatever happens tomorrow, we had today; and I'll always remember it”
I wasn't expecting to see this completely heartbreaking news about sweet, young, Marshall.....I am absolutely heartbroken for you, and for all of us that have come to know him during this unwanted journey. We all know how incredibly difficult this is for you and your family, but you do have all of us for support through this, and as hard as it is, just let Marshall be Marshall, let him lead the way......he fought through so much this past year or so, he will keep fighting.
When I lost my first heart dog to cancer many years ago, my black Lab Duchess, my daughter was 6 at the time and was born with Duchess watching over her for all that time.......she also took it very hard (I took it MUCH harder, though) and all I could do was comfort her and answer her teary eyed questions.....it is just so important to let them come to terms on their own, in however way they choose to do it. Your son will find his way.....
Keeping you, Marshall, your son, and the rest of your family in my thoughts and prayers.....we are all here to help you through...
Love,
Bonnie & Angel Polly
I'm so sorry, I was so hoping that this wasn't the case. My heart aches for you, I remember getting the metastasis news like it was yesterday.
OK, here's the thing: remember, Marshall doesn't know what the vet says, or what the prognosis is, and even if he did he wouldn't care because dogs just want to live for today, as best they can. It's now your task to manage the condition as best you can, while being as strong as possible about the inevitable future.
Don't think the worst yet, there are things you can do that may help alleviate his symptoms. Here are some posts and information about lung metastasis that can help you get started.
Path with Paws: Breathing Through Cancer – how to prevent lung failure and control lung metastasis
How to Help Coughing From Lung Mets
Flax Lingnans May Help Fight Metastasis
What did your vet recommend as far as draining fluid from the lymph nodes? What kind of next steps were mentioned?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
The only things that were said was to put him back on metacam, use tramadol as necessary and spoil him until it's time. His breathing doesn't sound good so heavy and he pants and stares. His leg is becoming more swollen and his eyes run and are so red. Can you link me to other posts about this happening to their eyes?
Oh I didn't want to read this or see this about his eyes ... That happened to my sweet Shelby but it wasn't (or they didn't tell me ) it was due to her mets. She had tiny ones AND also had a different kind of cancer (hemangiosarcoma). She was also suffering from seizures in her final days which it doesn't sound like Marshall is.
I know how hard this and he is soooo young! But he IS a MIRACLE dog ... I don't have kids so I can't help you there but I like the advice you were given, love him, let your son love on him and hold each other close.
Sending love and hugs ...
alison wth the spirit of shelby fur-ever 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
Is there any way you can get another opinion from a more holistic-minded vet? I know your vets are probably great but in this kind of situation, if it's at all possible, it is so much more reassuring to get another insight for treating the symptoms. An eye wash to soothe his eyes would be a good place to start if they haven't recommended one already.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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