Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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You know how you get a sense that something is off? Some imperceptible change in your dog just floods you with dread? Last night Max just seemed a little different. Not himself but nothing I could pinpoint. This morning, too. He laid on the floor and didn't come pester me for our morning walk, and then when I got my shoes and the leash he didn't come charging at me, all eager and ready. He had to be persuaded.
Once we got outside, he brightened up a bit but was slower than usual. Plus, he seemed to limp, which is a hard thing to see on a tripawd. I felt up and down his legs, and he had no reaction. Then I ran my hand up and down his spine, and he flinches every time I pass over the middle of it. His torso contorts and twists. The spine almost seems to dip at that spot.
So we turned right back around, and he seemed glad to be heading home. He's sleeping again. On any other day he would be staring me down and following me around and making it completely understood that it is high time we hit the trails already.
Ive left a message with the oncologist and am pacing with anxiety for her return call. He is 4 1/2 months post-amp and no chemo has halted the progression of his lung mets, which showed up a month after surgery. But the progression has been slow (still had 90 percent lung capacity a month ago) and his energy and activity level have been off the charts amazing. He is only 3 1/2 years old, so arthritis is unlikely. Could he have spine metastasis? I am sick with worry.
Hold on...there could be sooooo many thi gs! If you weren't on this "journey", you would be thinking exactly what I'm thinking....OVERDOING IT and sprain his back or slipping/injuring a disc!! Mlrwe than likely that's what you're deaIing with.
Lots of rest and Prednisone should take care of it once the vet checks him over.
If the vet agrees, .aybe give him some Tramadol to help take the edge off. Back injuries hurt and can certainly make him want to just lay around. Max is such a smart boy! I'm sure the vet will have you bring him in to pinpoint the cause and get him on a good treatment plan.
To hear how he is betting the odds with those naaty lung mets is soooo inspiration!! Max offers so much hope to others in so many ways.
Hang in therr and let us know what the vet says! We're here!!!
Sending lots of love and hugs!!!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle too!
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!
Breathe, you can do it.
Spinal mets are very rare, we hardly ever see it here. It can happen, but not often. The only way to know for sure is a MRI.
Typically this type of symptom is indicative of a pulled muscle. What has Max been doing lately? What kind of activity is he up to these days? How long and how often? Usually some R&R will alleviate, along with gentle massage. Here are some links to check out:
http://tripawds.....?s=Massage
Let us know what your onco says OK?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Pulled muscle or pinched nerve were my first thoughts, especially since his torso moves when you rub over it. Tripawds walk with a different gait and seem more prone to twisting things. Keep us posted on how he is doing. Lori, Ty & Gang
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.
Spinal mets are typically very painful and typically occur a little later in the course of the disease so a muscle pull or disc irritation are more likely. Your vet will have to perform an exam to know more.
Pam
I want to say that that's about the time when Murphy's back seemed to start bothering him. He's figured out a great way of stretching it out, and we do some good massaging of his back & hips for him that seem to help. He loves to jump up on our bed, lay on his side and starts to arch his back...he really arches back pretty far and we rub his back while he does it. He moans & groans, so it must feel good! Lol
I would suspect that maybe Max just has a sore back. I know Murphy sometimes walks all hunched up and after a good stretch he's a bit better. Some days Murphy is more stiff than others, maybe Max over-did it yesterday. Whenever Murphy seems off, we give him a rimadyl and he's usually better the next day.
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
Alright, alright. You are all correct. This wouldn't be my first bout of hypochondria by proxy. But he's definitely a little off. Still no word from the oncologist, but our next trip to WSU is next week. I just love my little fella so, so much and just ache for him.
We were at the lake for the long weekend, and he ran around like a maniac. Yesterday we did about 7 miles on the trails (not all at once). But this is routine stuff for us, and most days it is impossible to wear him out. He wakes up brand new time and again, ready to do,it all over again. Maybe it's catching up with us. If only they could tell us what's going on.
Thanks to you all for your endless understanding and support. I'll keep,you posted.
I think Max is telling you what's "wrong". And what's "wrong" is this boy still needs to slow it down a notch..or twenty....at least until he recovers! He's having a huge amount of activity for a tripawd!! That Max is one of a kind, that's for sure!!
Glad you're feeling more relaxed. We all understand hypochondriac all to well! It's who we are and what we do around here!!
Now get some rest...and make Max do the same!
Hugs!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle too y
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!
My Dobe Nitro sees a vet that does chiropractic adjustments...his spine,neck and back were so out of wack from his new gait, and he was in a lot of pain. He now gets adjustments every 4 weeks, and is 15 mos post surgery for a front amputation. Something to think about....but I totally get the thinking the worst. Good luck, and keep us posted.
paula and nitro
Nitro 11 1/2 yr old Doberman; right front amp June 2014. Had 6 doses carboplatin, followed by metronomic therapy. Rocked it on 3 legs for over 3 years! My Warrior beat cancer, but couldn't beat old age. He crossed the Bridge peacefully on July 25, 2017, with dignity and on his terms. Follow his blog entitled "Doberman's journey"
"Be good, mama loves you".....run free my beautiful Warrior
susanna said
Alright, alright. You are all correct. This wouldn't be my first bout of hypochondria by proxy. But he's definitely a little off. Still no word from the oncologist, but our next trip to WSU is next week. I just love my little fella so, so much and just ache for him.We were at the lake for the long weekend, and he ran around like a maniac. Yesterday we did about 7 miles on the trails (not all at once). But this is routine stuff for us, and most days it is impossible to wear him out. He wakes up brand new time and again, ready to do,it all over again. Maybe it's catching up with us. If only they could tell us what's going on.
Thanks to you all for your endless understanding and support. I'll keep,you posted.
There's a spot in Eva's back, like, almost midway but definitely closer to the tail then the head. Every night, and sometimes midway through the day too, she'll come give me this weird look, and I'll know she wants to rub on it. So I rub not too hard but pretty firmly on the spot and she immediately lays onto the ground and twists around like crazy, but she loves it. She'll have me rub it real firm for maybe two minutes before getting up and wandering off. But if I had ever thought spinal mets were possible i probably would've thought that the first time she did this. I always think she's got a slipped disc or something but in reality it's just a tense muscle in our case!
We saw our oncologist today. Max's x-rays brought sad news: the progression of his lungs mets has accelerated. They were progressing pretty slowly but they've sped up considerably. He went from 90 percent lung capacity to 70 in just five weeks. She thinks he has inside of three months to live.
She, too, noticed the sensitivity in his back and can't rule out spine mets. If it's indeed that, I guess it'll make itself known in no uncertain terms eventually.
Not regarding the three months thing as anything other than an expert opinion. It holds weight but I understand anything is possible. That said, I'm obviously very, very torn up but I'm going to buck up and make the most of whatever time we have left. Max keeps licking the tears off my face!
Okay, of course not what you want to hear.
However, I've read this thread over and over. Even ith the increased mets, he's still not showing any major symptoms of decreased lung capacity, is that right? Other than slowing down a bit, right? And it was just several days ago that he was definitely overdoing it and, as you said, "running around like a maniac"! Eight now, there is no reason to believe he has spine mets, but every reason to believe he has definitely caused himself to have a sore back.
Nooooobody..and I do mean noooobody can put a timeframe on Max!! Max will decide when it's time to transition...not a vet.
My Happy Hannah had ..as my vet described it...a met the size of a baseball!! Yeah, she slowed down some, but she found lying around getting tummy rubs, cupcakes and ice cream very agreeable! Oh, she still jad enough energy to go outside and seek out deer poop! And I let her!!
Max is NOT letting any xray, or statistic, tell him how he should feel. He doesn't cou t days in the cale and he doesn't worry about tomorrow. He is just enjoying the bliss of being with you NOW!!!
You must VOW from this point forward you will NOT let that piece of crap disease interfere with savoring every treasured second you and Max have together! And you know what? It is clear...so clear...that your love for Max is so strong you are able to Be More Dog ...BE MORE MAX...and stay in the present with him and enjoy every moment...because Max sure is enjoying all this loving and spoiling!!
Lots of treats, lots of drive thru burgers, lots of ice cream, lots of steaks and tons of oictures!! You and Max are going to be very busy living life to the fullest!!
Sending you lots of lovea d surrounding you with a great vig hug!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle too!
PS...We'll be looking for those pictures okay?
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!
Oh Susanna... I am soooo sorry. No one wants to hear this news... it's so hard and there is nothing I can say to make you feel better. Max is doing his part by trying to lick away the tears and bring you joy. I know it is said time and time again - no time stamps here! And "Be More Dog " but from someone who lost her beloved best friend over a year ago, I know that I would give anything for one more day to BE A DOG! Live each day to the fullest and love Max like you never have before ... and I know that's a LOT of love and hopefully... those ugly mets will slow down.
My heart is with you.
alison with spirit shelby in her heart (and little jasper too)
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
Dang I am just so sorry. This disease just does what it wants to and there's no telling. I hope with all my heart that it slows down and gives you more time together. For now, just remember that Max doesn't know any better, he doesn't care what tests say, he just wants your tears to be gone and for the pack to be happy each and every day you have together. It's a hard thing for us humans to learn but it's their greatest gift to us. Unwrap it, savor it and know that no matter what, Max will always be the wisest teacher there is.
Let us know if you need anything at all OK?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
You all are so kind. Thank you. What a great support this.
I know everyone says Max doesn't know any better? Well, I kinda think he does. The day after his amputation a friend said, very sincerely and sagely, "I bet he's grateful." I've shared moments with Max when he's made his gratitude abundantly clear. And every single damn time we've gotten bad news, Max has responded with some kind of unquestionable affirmation of his existence, his being, his desire for life. Even if I wanted to give up on him he wouldn't let me. He was a miserable, uncooperative patient when all this started. Now he sits still for exams, cooperates for blood draws, submits for IVs... I don't think he's innocent of his fate. I truly believe he knows he's dying. He is so selfless but not, I think, self-unaware.
Which makes his instinct to live in the moment all the more endearing. I'm trying to reserve my grieving for the day those moments run out. We will "Be More Dog " until then. I'm at the mercy of whatever comes.
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