Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Gawd, I can't believe I even have to post this. I'm glad we celebrated Libby's one year ampuversary, not knowing.
Libby developed cystitis Jan. 7th...took her off metronomics for 2 weeks....switched to chlorambucil (leukeran) on Jan 22nd. Took her in for blood work to see how she is handling the new chemo pill and we did our 3 month xrays as well. She has about 4 small mets. I can hardly believe it. Add me to the list of others on here who dared to think they might, just might, have beaten the odds. Then wham....it's right there in your face, in black and white. WTH?
One bit of hope we were given....the vet said it takes 6 weeks for the mets to become visible, meaning she had them before we stopped the metronomic protocol. She added that switching to a different chemo pill could help contain them since the cyclophosphomide (cytoxan) had possibly stopped working. It's not much to hang our hat on but we'll take it.
I know I've read of other dogs on here who have lived quite awhile with mets that stayed the same and did not multiply. That is our new hope.
Meanwhile, Libby is handling everything like a champ and with grace. She handled the cystitis so well....no accidents in the house and it's clearing up nicely just 4 weeks in. She is just so awesome and we are rejoicing in every day we have. She is my hubby's soul mate and I know he's holding back the tears...at the moment.
So far, no outward symptoms from the mets. We've always held our breath every time she had a gag or something but now it has all new meaning and renewed fear behind it. However, we will soldier on because that's how we roll.
Liberty (Libby) was diagnosed with OSA on 1-22-13. Right front amputation on 1-31-13. No IV Chemo. Metronomic Therapy started 2-19-13 along with supplements and some home cooking. Lungs clear until 1-06-14. She's still her happy, hoppy, bossy self. Living the dog life to the fullest and a proud Winter Warrior. :) RIP my Libby 4-21-03 to 3-19-14
So sorry to hear this news....but Libby and her incredible pawrents will fight this battle now too.
Hugs to all of you
Linda and Tucker
Thank you.
Liberty (Libby) was diagnosed with OSA on 1-22-13. Right front amputation on 1-31-13. No IV Chemo. Metronomic Therapy started 2-19-13 along with supplements and some home cooking. Lungs clear until 1-06-14. She's still her happy, hoppy, bossy self. Living the dog life to the fullest and a proud Winter Warrior. :) RIP my Libby 4-21-03 to 3-19-14
Libby is a warrior! I know it's a kick in the gut to get the news about mets. I've been there too, way back in 2009. The day we took Max in we were absolutely sure it was just going to be another run-of-the-mill, "nothing to report" x-ray visit. Saying we were stunned is putting it lightly. But, about 10 minutes after the news and us getting out a quick bawling session, we realized Max wasn't even showing symptoms from the mets. As far as he knew, this was just another stupid vet visit. And I'm sure that's what Libby is thinking too. So, we decided not to panic until we had to. You still have your girl, she's having great days, and that is the only thing that matters right now! Come up with a plan with your vet (sounds like you've already done that) and take it from there. And don't panic until you have to. Libby isn't. She's just loving life and her Mom & Dad. Rest assured, the entire Tripawds Nation will be sending positive thoughts to Libby!!
I'm teary. I'm angry. I'm feeling defeated. Damn, I hate this disease. Oh, Libby, a shining star. We love you so deeply and love your family. We know she's feeling awesome - why wouldn't she?! She's got The Life of a rockstar and a mom and dad who give her all she needs to excel. Whew. The wind is out of me. I guess we'll all take a few days to mourn, cry, and be furious. Come Monday, game faces on. There's no way Libby can be loved any more than she is, so just keep the magic coming. We love you and Libby so much. HUGS to all.
And, FU cancer!
~ Katy & Jackson
ACL tear in right hind leg 12/5/12 and scheduled ACL repair surgery 12/21/12. Pre-op xrays revealed osteosarcoma. Amputation 12/28/12. Chemo (carboplatin) started Jan 10, 2013 and ended on April 5, for a total of 5 doses. He handled carbo like a champ! No side effects. We started metronomic therapy at his third chemo and have been also doing some holistic treatments. He's a lively, playful 10 year old huskie-boarder collie and a very proud member of the Winter Warriors! Our love. Our funny little guy!
Oh Amy my heart is breaking. I know exactly how you feel. I was hoping beyond hope that Libby was one that would beat this along with others who have developed mets. 🙁 Sassy had mets almost 8 months before we had to say good bye so maybe Libby will beat those odds too. Just keep loving her doing what you are doing now. Enjoy every moment you have. One thing Shari (Dakota's mom) said to me when we got the devastating news was take pictures not just of Libby but you, your husband & Libby. Alot of people take pictures of their babies when they look back they don't have any with them. Take selfies if you have to (this coming from the world's worst selfie taker).
Don't panic. I know they say watch for coughing etc I want you to know and not to scare you but Sassy never showed that but once when we were 1st diagnosed. What she showed at the end was panting & not able to get comfortable. Her mouth & tongue became bright red not pink. She wasn't getting oxygen there was fluid on her chest.
Libby doesn't know she has mets. Just treat like you do now but spoil her more 🙂 My love to you if you need to talk pm me & I will send you my phone #
Hugs
Michelle & Angel Sassy
Sassy is a proud member of the Winter Warriors. Live long, & strong Winter Warriors.
sassysugarbear.tripawds.com
07/26/2006 - Sassy earned her wings 08/20/2013
05/04/2006 - Bosch, Sassy's pal, earned his wings 03/29/19 fought cancer for 4 months.
"You aren't doing it TO her, you are doing it FOR her. Give her a chance at life."
I am so sorry to read this about sweet Libby. It seems we can never get too happy about anything, when something slams you in the face. I very much know what you are feeling. But I've read so many positive and uplifting stories on this website of so many brave, cancer-fighting dogs and cats. They beat the odds for really long periods of time, and are still fighting, so for that alone, we can never give up. Each day is a new day, and a day to make life as happy as possible. Hang on to that.
Thinking of you, and hoping for all of us to successfully keep up the fight...
Bonnie & Polly 
I don't even have the words right now to express how much I appreciate all your kind and loving words. Michelle, I remembered when you said Sassy only coughed once. Thank you for describing her symptoms as I want to know what to look for. I can't even think what else to say right now.....
Liberty (Libby) was diagnosed with OSA on 1-22-13. Right front amputation on 1-31-13. No IV Chemo. Metronomic Therapy started 2-19-13 along with supplements and some home cooking. Lungs clear until 1-06-14. She's still her happy, hoppy, bossy self. Living the dog life to the fullest and a proud Winter Warrior. :) RIP my Libby 4-21-03 to 3-19-14
Oh, I'm so sorry. But remember...Libby is already beating the odds, so why can't she continue to do that? We're all sending her love and prayers...and to you and her dad, too.
Just to let you know, like Sassy, Willow showed no signs of mets. She was just soooo tired. There was no coughing or panting or even any difficulty breathing until her last day. She was seen by a vet the day before I had to let her go, and she was fully oxygenated. Every dog is different.
You know your girl. If she's enjoying life than she's doing great and you should enjoy life with her!
Hugs,
Carol
Amy I really don't have any words right now. I'm just so upset and angry. I'm pissed. I'll write more when I'm not so sad and angry. I just wanted to let you know I'm thinking about you and Libby right now and. I'm pissed. I know I said that already. But. I am. 
Love you all.
Jill is a 9-year-old tuxedo kitty. She was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma in June 2012 on her toe in her right hind leg. Her leg was amputated on 12/12/12 and she completed four rounds of chemo (2 of Carbo, 2 of Doxy) in April 2013. "Like" Jill's facebook page: https://www.fac.....tty?ref=hl Proud member of the WINTER WARRIORS!!!! Her blog can be read at http://jillsjou.....ipawds.com. xoxo
Amy, I know this is devastating news and I am sorry that you got this news. As others have pointed out, there are many babies on the site that defied the odds. Zeus had a lung met at the time he was diagnosed and he lived ten months after amputation. The met grew slightly between that original CT scan and the first set of x-rays two weeks after amp, but after that it never grew and never multiplied.
Please don't let this get you down. I can promise you that, if you spend time grieving now then you will regret it later. Use every moment of the time Libby is with you - whether that is months or years- to share your love and make happy memories. No regrets.
Hugs,
Lisa
Zeus was a Husky mix diagnosed with Osteosarcoma at age 11. A visible lung met and suspicious spot on his liver meant a poor prognosis-six weeks was our vet's best guess. We decided to fight for our boy and his right front leg was amputated on 12/1/11. We did six rounds of chemo, changed his diet and spoiled him completely rotten. We were blessed with 10 great months after diagnosis. Against the odds, the lung met remained a single met and grew very little over those months. A wonderful furbaby with the most gentle spirit, he fought with a strength that we never imagined he possessed. We have no regrets...
http://zeuspod......pawds.com/
Thank you, ladies. I absolutely will have no regrets. She's been a champion this far and she's just as happy tonight as she was this morning. I'm pissed too, Erica. Cancer. Sucks.
Hugs to you all
Liberty (Libby) was diagnosed with OSA on 1-22-13. Right front amputation on 1-31-13. No IV Chemo. Metronomic Therapy started 2-19-13 along with supplements and some home cooking. Lungs clear until 1-06-14. She's still her happy, hoppy, bossy self. Living the dog life to the fullest and a proud Winter Warrior. :) RIP my Libby 4-21-03 to 3-19-14
I am so sorry to hear this .... we found mets in Shelby's lungs right before her amputation and I proceeded since she'd been having chemo for 5 treatments already and I figured it was worth fighting for her. I don't know what the symptoms of lung mets are (thanks Michelle for the info about panting). But I do know, like others here said - Libby doesn't know she's sick and we have to 'be the dog' here and be strong pack leaders!
Sending you lots of hugs! XO
Alison and Shelby
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
Nothing to add, except my support. Everyone has said it so well...
No day but today!
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
Saw this yesterday and couldn't even respond......not sure why, just couldn't...some days the "kick in the gut" just stops you in your tracks for a second...it's only temporary though because that's a worthless place to be. It's a complete waste of energy that needs to be replaced with a more productive action!
Ditto what everyone has said...the anger, the support, the compassion...the accolades to Amazing Libby...but most of all ditto the HOPEand ditto for not letting anticipated grief interfere with your time together!
You and your vet have a terrific outlook and a plan! That is really good! You've seen cases fter cases of dogs here who get tremendous extended quality time--even after "symptons" have appeared! And these are FACTS!! TRUE!!! The tripawd community makes it's own statistics!!
LIBBY HAS NO OUTWARD SIGNS WHATSOEVER!! That is HUGE!! As Jerry says, prognosis schmognosis!! And Libby says "WOOF! WOOF!" to that! I guess it's her version of ditto! Stay in the moment, in the NOW with Libby. You already do that so well! Let NOTHING rob you of yor tme together! You already know how to do that too!
We are all with you, right by your side. You a d Libby are family and we love you! Every dog, every cat...we all are one.
Okay! Now, lets get on with Libby T e!! We sure could use a vido of Libby swimming while we're still in this polar vortex crap! That sure would warm us up!!
Sending you mountains of love and oceans full of hugs!!
Sally and Happy Hannah
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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