Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Murphy came home on both Gabapentin & Tramadol. You don't have to give one or the other - give one, then a few hours later, give the other - that way he has a more adequate coverage. If he has some medication in his system every couple of hours, it's better than every 8 hours. Murphy also had Rimadyl, which is similar to Motrin for us. So he definitely had something in his system every couple of hours. As well as massage & ice packs. We gave medications for about 2 weeks, weaning down during the 2nd week - although some dogs need medications into the 3rd week or even longer.
Donna
Donna, Glenn & Murphy
Murphy had his right front leg amputated due to histiocytic sarcoma at 7 years old. He survived 4 years, 2 months & 1 week, only to be taken by hemangiosarcoma at 11 1/2 years 6/12/17
Read about Murphy's Life on Three Legs
Here's a post about adding images to the Forum. Let us know if you'd like assistance OK?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Day 8
Juvey update : still no poo
Juvey has had a few yelling episodes when he's lying down or asleep , muscles are twitching where he was amputated.
He doesn't make a sound when he gets up to go to th toilet just sometimes when he lies back down too quickly ( been telling him to slow down).
I think this is Phantom Pain ? A few times this has happened when he's been asleep
To relax him we've been massaging the scar ( puts his to sleep straight away) and ice pack
Ive read the article on Phantom Pain just wondering whether that's something that requires ongoing medication or more a mental thing?
He's being picky with his food but is eating
The Gabapentin helps with the phantom pain . It will go away as the nerves heal.
As for not pooping yet - you can give Juvey a couple of spoonsful of canned pumpkin every day. The plain stuff, not the stuff that has all of the spices in it for pies. It will say pure pumpkin. That will usually do the trick.
Donna
Donna, Glenn & Murphy
Murphy had his right front leg amputated due to histiocytic sarcoma at 7 years old. He survived 4 years, 2 months & 1 week, only to be taken by hemangiosarcoma at 11 1/2 years 6/12/17
Read about Murphy's Life on Three Legs
Day 10 update
Thanks for the advice of canned pumpkin. Couldn't find any so we substituted with steamed pumpkin and this morning he was on fire! Spent a good 10 mins in the yard going to the toilet ( hadn't gone in over a week).
Juvey's yelping has decreased a lot , more whining now except once he got up too quickly and over exerted himself.
Reduced his pain meds and he seems to be managing okay.
Stitches to be removed next Tuesday and still waiting on results from his tests post surgery
So happy he went to the toilet
Beanca and Juvey
Juvey is now the recipient of our happy poop icon. Congratulations! Is the whining all the time, or with a specific cause? But, glad the stitches come out soon. Most dogs feel so much better when that happens.
Otis - 106 pound lab/Dane mix, lost his right front leg to osteosarcoma on Febuary 9, 2016. Four rounds of carboplatin completed in April, 2016. Lung mets August 25, 2016. Said goodbye too soon on September 4, 2016. Lost his adopted sister, Tess, suddenly on October 9, 2016. likely due to hemangiosarcoma.
Wherever they are, they are together.
Yaaaay! Isn't it funny when we get so excited over poop? What a relief! (Haw haw!).
Glad to hear he's doing better and you as well. Hope your weekend is relaxing and calm, and full of many hoppy moments together.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi all
It's now Day 11 and Juvey has been hopping with confidence but does get tired easily.
There's been someone with him every day and hour since the surgery just wondering when he can be left alone?
He doesn't seem to be in pain except for nightmares. Just seeing what everyone else's experience is ?
Thanks !
At day 11 (I guess 12 now), you can probably leave him alone for periods of time, if, of course, he is not bothering his incision and in a reasonably confined area. I think I left Otis alone for the first time since n day 10, for just an hour. He was fine, and it gave me the courage to return to a more normal lifestyle, with someone just letting them out midday.
Otis - 106 pound lab/Dane mix, lost his right front leg to osteosarcoma on Febuary 9, 2016. Four rounds of carboplatin completed in April, 2016. Lung mets August 25, 2016. Said goodbye too soon on September 4, 2016. Lost his adopted sister, Tess, suddenly on October 9, 2016. likely due to hemangiosarcoma.
Wherever they are, they are together.
Hi friends
Juvey's lab results have come back confirming it is cancer.
We are starting chemo next Tuesday , just wanted to know any feedback on side effects etc.
My Mum is terribly upset wondering we are making him suffer by doing the chemo.
My Juvey has been such a brave boy, vets give only 3-6 months life for him. I know they have to be realistic and said some cases they live longer.
Feel very heavy in my heart
Beanca and Juvey
We did four rounds of carboplatin. For each round, he slept the entire day of. Round 1 we had 1 bout of explosive diarrhea (outside). They should give you great meds for both diarrhea and nausea. By round 2, I started feeding boiled chicken breast and white rice day of and two to three days after chemo. We had squishy poo with two of the other rounds. I immediately gave the metronidazole, and it cleared up. We also had nausea, evidenced by excessively be lip licking and drooling. Cerenia, another med they will give you, handled that. Some folks used the Cerenia in a precautionary manner, giving it day of and for a couple of days after chemo. The onco also put Otis on Pepcid AC for indigestion. Although I was really glad when it was over and he was 100% himself again, there were no symptoms so severe that I thought about stopping chemo. (And stopping is always an option if you feel he isn't tolerating it well). All dogs are different, but many dogs have mild or no symptoms. Some, unfortunately, have a more difficult time. He will have a blood test at least before each chemo, and we were told to bring him in for a blood test if we noticed lethargy or extreme symptoms around days 7 - 10. We never had to.
Whille going through chemo, his immune system will be suppressed. We were told to keep him away from dog parks and non-family dogs during chemo.
Otis - 106 pound lab/Dane mix, lost his right front leg to osteosarcoma on Febuary 9, 2016. Four rounds of carboplatin completed in April, 2016. Lung mets August 25, 2016. Said goodbye too soon on September 4, 2016. Lost his adopted sister, Tess, suddenly on October 9, 2016. likely due to hemangiosarcoma.
Wherever they are, they are together.
Eurydice just finished 6 sessions of carboplatin and never had any side effects.
I gave her 1 cerenia pill (for nausea) the morning she was having chemo plus 1 pill a day for the next 3 days.
Most dogs do really well with chemo and, as Christine said, you can always stop if you want to.
No regrets whatsoever here.
Sending you a big hug and cuddles to Juvey 
ps dogs don't suffer as humans do with chemo, he will keep his good humour and hair intact
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 :-)
Update on Juvey
Hi Tripawd parents friends
Juvey has just completed his second round of chemo today and I must say he's doing so well! He is getting around so well on his three legs I've named him kangaroo since we are in Australia.
I now know for sure our decision to amputate and give him chemo was the right decision and I must say without this website and forum I Wouldn't have coped. The friendliness of everyone here has been amazing. If I didn't share my experiences and hear your advices I wouldn't of been able to cope.
Vets are always so clinical and to receive the encouragement from you all has been a God send.
Juvey has become more spoilt ( didn't think it possible ) and demanding scratches and constant hugs. Every day with him is a blessing and I hope he lives longer than what the vets said he would.
You guys are amazing !
Beanca and King Juvey
What a great update on Juvey! Hug and scratch away!
Otis - 106 pound lab/Dane mix, lost his right front leg to osteosarcoma on Febuary 9, 2016. Four rounds of carboplatin completed in April, 2016. Lung mets August 25, 2016. Said goodbye too soon on September 4, 2016. Lost his adopted sister, Tess, suddenly on October 9, 2016. likely due to hemangiosarcoma.
Wherever they are, they are together.
Woohoo! That is so fantastic to hear. No side effects? YAY! 
Here's to Mr. Roo!
You are stronger than you think, of course you could have coped. But we're so glad we could be here for you when you thought you couldn't 😉
We've always thought our Wyatt Ray looks a bit like a 'roo as well:
Keep up the great work, and let us know if we can do anything for either of you OK?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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