Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Yesterday we had visible blood in the last pee before leaving the park...not having been watching him pee usually, I didn't know if this had been going on for a while...we had finished the baytril last THurs. and finished the course of clavamox (from the last visible blood in urine two weeks ago) on Tuesday night. Then, yesterday morning we had a wet sheet in the bedroom foam bed and then a wet sheet during the day in the den. It had been five days since we had wet anywhere. I actually upped the proin to two halves about three hours apart for his nighttime dose instead of just a half. The vet said we are still doing a very low dosage. So I took him in today, expecting we would do a urine culture and get a different AB that would clear this little bump in the road.
So the vet walks back in the room and says..."I'm really sorry, it is more bad news" She did another ultrasound on bladder and kidneys and the bladder is fine but there is at least one tumor in the kidney...she thinks the other kidney is ok but said since she didn't shave him, this could be considered a half assed ultrasound. The picture she drew on the paper towel made it look huge and she said the other one (tumor in same kidney) was iffy so we decided to pretend IT wasn't there. She said they can function with 25% of a kidney, and best case scenario (of which Magic certainly has had NONE) is that the other kidney is ok so function should be ok, at least for now. So we decided not to do the culture...most likely this is what is causing the intermittent blood and maybe or maybe not the incontinence...since he had that before the last ultrasound which was clear (unless the vet needs glasses).
Then about 30 mins ago I gave him his carafate and I had blood on my fingers (I am stuffing them and have been for quite a while now)...then I noticed I had some blood on my pants (???) and he had some on his fur...I am thinking I put the pill down him and wiped off spit on my pants (hope I'm not grossing anyone out) so I could put my hand in the treats bag...he is eating the Yummy Chummie treats (salmon and rice little tiny squares) and did eat three quarters of a tri tip "roast" so far today....But he has lost more weight and is now down to 89.4..two weeks ago he was at 91 (down of course from the high of 114)
I don't know where we go from here. The vet said his cancer is SO aggressive that it is going to attack one organ after another. She said he is so good natured and happy even when he is at the vet...they can do anything to him and he doesn't object. She thinks he may be that way right up til the end. That will be good in one way but disturbing to think I may have to make a decision with a happy tail wagger! And I hope that he doesn't start having pain that I don't KNOW about so that Casper irritates him in some way and gets hurt. Currently I am very happy to have Casper both for Magic (he SEEMS to be having fun with him) and especially for me...I think I will really need him soon.
So. There it is for today. One day before his third ampuversary. This is not a happy night at our house.
Oh, Diane, this is awful. Poor Magic! I am so very sorry. You guys have had a terrible time and a wretched day.
It's so hard with dogs to know when they're in pain; they mask it so well.
Catie -
Birthday – November 4 2003
Amputation – January 13 2010
Crossed the Bridge – June 2 2011
I'm sorry, Diane...so very sorry. You sure have had your hands full lately. Hugs to you..
Tracy, Maggie's Mom
Maggie was amputated for soft tissue sarcoma 10-20-09
Maggie lost her battle with kidney disease on 8-24-13
krispikritter said:
... to think I may have to make a decision with a happy tail wagger!
Please don't take this wrong, but isn't that how you'd rather remember Magic? On the day we released Jerry from his broken body, he still smiled and wagged his tail. Yes, it was gut-wrenching but we stuck by our promise to never let him suffer, nor lose his dignity.
We are sorry to hear how agressive his cancer is getting, but it sounds like he is still strong and happy. So where do you go from here? To that happy place, with Magic, enjoying every moment together. Remember: "The Strength of the Pack is the Wolf & The Strength of the Wolf is the Pack"
Peace.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Diane,
I am so sorry to hear about Magic....but also sad for you. I am right there with you. We are having a tough day too.
It has been emotional. Having a real hard time figuring out if now is the time. Not sure Henri has any more fight.
I will be praying for you and for Magic. He seems to be really going through a ton.
I pray for peace and comfort for you guys.
Hugs,...
Wendy & Henri
I'm sitting here trying to think of something I can say that will make a difference. And here I sit - with nothing. It is hard for me at times like this to surpress the anger. It really enrages me that such wonderful family pets and their loving families must face this disease and make the hard choices.So many have ended their journey almost before it began. Ok, the ramble isn't helping Diane.
Diane, you face a grim decision, but as with everything Magic, you will step up to the challenge with dignity and grace. And I will be here for you, as will all the other friends you've made here. You, my firend, will know when it is time. Magic will tell you and you will make that last leg of the journey together.
It saddens me so when we lose a hero, but it is particularly hard when it is one I have a long distance internet/email relationship with. My heart breaks for you and I hope somewhere along these last days you find peace, and courage. There are no wrong decisions.
Wish I could be there in person, but know I am with you in spirit. Sending strength to you across the many miles.
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.
Hugs to you. 
I'm so sorry you and your furry ones are going through so much lately.
How can such nice words from everyone already and I know to come make me bawl....thank you so much through the tears....
Wendy and Henri...know that you are also in my prayers....I know you are going through similar things and I know (as does everyone who is on here...either in their past or future) how desperately hard it is....it doesn't make it easier but somehow there is such comfort here in this place where there are such wonderful friends who really know, not just the empathy you get from dear friends (which is wonderful and comforting also) but here you all really KNOW.
Thank you.
I, too, am so sorry to hear of what you are going through with Magic. I was there a couple years ago with my beagle Molly when her system started shutting down. You WILL know when it's time, and your never-ending love for your friend will give you some measure of peace.
Just a few days ago I was thinking that if/when I ever have another dog, I would consider naming it Magic. There's something really special in that name.
Daisy, 12 years young, had left forelimb amp on 5/19/2010 due to osteosarcoma. She left her body behind and joined the other spirit tripawds on 7/16/2010.
So grateful for each day with her!
Lexi (Daisy's momma)
keepsmiln1818 said:
Diane,
We are having a tough day too.It has been emotional. Having a real hard time figuring out if now is the time. Not sure Henri has any more fight.
Wendy and Henri, bitterly sorry to hear about your tough day too.
Wendy and Diane, I can't even begin to imagine the agonizing, heart wrenching decision each of you be faced with all too soon. I know it will come with Catie at some point and, no, as hard as I try, I know I simply can't grasp the pain you are going through.
Catie, Riley and I send many hugs.
Catie -
Birthday – November 4 2003
Amputation – January 13 2010
Crossed the Bridge – June 2 2011
diane, we are keeping you and magic in our thoughts tonight, this is tough for you i know. remember, love never ends.
charon & gayle
Life is good, so very, very good!!! Gayle enjoyed each and every moment of each and every wonderful day (naps included). She left this world December 12, 2011 – off on a new adventure.
Love Never Ends
Hi Diane. I certainly don't have any words of wisdom for you; all I can do is kind of echo what others here have said: you will know when it's time. We did with our Max. He had completely different symptoms, and the reason we made our decision kind of pissed us off, because it seemed so minor compared to what others on this forum had gone through. Basically, Max's lung tumors had grown, so they were taking up space in his right lung, decreasing the lung capacity. A by-product of the tumors is that they can produce fluid, and that's what happened to our boy. Not only was the tumor taking up space, but now this fluid was surrounding his lungs, pressing in on them, which further caused a decreased lung capacity. The physical symptom of this was that he took short breaths. He didn't seem to be in any discomfort. The doctor told us they could do an ultrasound, pinpoint the fluid, insert a needle between his ribs and remove the fluid. Problem was, the fluid would return anywhere from 2 - 7 days. So, we could make the decision to put our boy through this every time he became short of breath, or keep the promise we made when he was diagnosed: end things before suffering started. Max was a happy boy when we made our decision. We knew his time was coming, but we thought we had a good 3 or 4 months left with him before this problem came along.
Our job as pawrents is pretty simple: love our pets and take the best care of them as possible. So I would say to you to watch Magic and take your cues from him. It's hard to comphrehend that "you'll know," but you will. And whatever decision you make, and whenever you make it, you'll make it out of your deepest love for him, and that's what you have to remember. Our dogs are loyal to us, and we're loyal to them; otherwise, this great forum wouldn't exist, and there wouldn't be all these amazing members to help support each other. You got bad news today. That's not good. But you have your boy with you, and he's wagging his tail, and that's good. So give him some more Yummie Chummies and love him up. He's with you right now, and that's a great thing.
maximutt said:
Our job as pawrents is pretty simple: love our pets and take the best care of them as possible. So I would say to you to watch Magic and take your cues from him. It's hard to comphrehend that "you'll know," but you will. And whatever decision you make, and whenever you make it, you'll make it out of your deepest love for him, and that's what you have to remember. Our dogs are loyal to us, and we're loyal to them; otherwise, this great forum wouldn't exist, and there wouldn't be all these amazing members to help support each other. You got bad news today. That's not good. But you have your boy with you, and he's wagging his tail, and that's good. So give him some more Yummie Chummies and love him up. He's with you right now, and that's a great thing.
This is maybe the most powerful advise I've seen. I can only hope I can find it again when I am faced with the journey nearing its end.
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.
Diane, I wish I could say something that would help, this news is just so sad. I was wondering where you were today, you've been so quiet. I'm so so sorry.
You can't gross us out here, I promise.
All through Magic's illness you've been so brave, doing everything as he would want you to, in order to honor his dignity. Whatever comes next, it's obvious that your decisions will me made with all the tender love only a great dog Mom like you could make.
Diane & Wendi, I read this in one of my favorite books, "The Legacy of Beezer and Boomer" tonight and wanted to share it with both of you since it seems like you are both in similar places of your respective journeys. This is written by our friend Doug, Beezer and Boomer's Dad, as he describes Boomer's last days on earth before he joins his brother Bezer at the Bridge:
"As the days wore on, I could feel the veil between my spirit and Boomer's becoming more translucent. The beauty of the moment between his life and mine was breathtaking. I could feel the separation narrow as our souls became closer. I felt honored to be Boomer's earthly escort on those final days. And I could feel Beezer's presence growing as responsibility for Boomer's journey was entrusted more to him and less to me. I was awed at my awareness of what was unfolding in front of my eyes and in my heart. All I had to do was let it in."
Doug Koktavy,
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
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