Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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I am not sure if I am posting this is the right place. I don't post on the forums too often because I am not sure if I am doing it right. Anyway, this is Nancy, Opie's mom. Opie has lung mets. One is really big. Four or five others, smaller. He is drinking water and eliminating excessively. He is on the good day-bad day roller coaster. Yesterday was a very good day. Then he threw up throughout the night. This is most disconcerting because Opie is not a puker. He has a cast iron stomach. I can count on one hand how many times he has thrown-up in the past eight years and one of those times we made him throw up because we thought he ate a battery.
Anyway, I fed him rice this morning and a little kibble all by hand. He promptly went outside and barfed it up...not all of it. It looked like nearly all kibble, not much rice...is selective vomiting even possible? He is now laying on his feather bed panting and coughs occasionally. Every now and then he picks his head up and acts like he might be gagging a little. This has all come on so fast.
The vet prescribed Deramaxx 100 mg/day about a week or so ago. a couple of evenings past Opie seemed to be in more pain. Ears held tight; rapid, shallow breathing; muscle twitching, so I gave him tramadol--the vet said to give him tramadol on top of the Deramaxx if I thought he was still in pain. It didn't seem to help and in fact I think it made Opie more uncomfortable...overdose? Then the next day, he was his old self again.
I have a call in to the vet for recommendations. I don't want Opie to suffer pain, but the good days keep stringing me along. This is so sad to watch...such a good boy.
Any thoughts, comments, recommendations, relaying of similar experiences and actions taken will be appreciated. Sorry for this post being so lengthy.
Oh Nancy....so so sorry to hear about Opie. I am at a loss for words. This must be so very difficult right now watching him go through this. It's such a balancing act with these pain meds too. Hopefully the vet will have some answers for you. Since he is vomiting a lot, maybe dehydration is compounding some of this? One time, Kobe got very sick and vomited a lot and his vet hooked him up to IV fluids for a few hours because he was so dehydrated. It really helped him. I am saying lots of prayers for you and Opie and let's just hope that he gets through this ok and you will see more good days ahead. We are thinking of you.....
Kami (Mackenzie's Mom)
My sweet golden Mackenzie. She became my angel on Dec 29, 2010 at the age of 8 1/2 although she was always my angel from the time we brought her home. She was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in Sept 2009 and officially became a tripawd (front leg) on Nov 5, 2009. She will be forever in my heart and now she's running free with all of our other tripawd heroes. I love you Mackenzie!
I am so sorry to hear that Opie is not doing very well. I don't have any advise. Emily's cancer went to her spine so I have no experience with lung mets. I did, however, want to let you know I will pray for you and Opie and that when the time is right you will know it. Everyone says our dogs let us know but I was skeptical but in the end Emily did let me know and I pray Opie will let you know, too. In the meantime Karri has a great suggestion about calling your vet. If Opie is dehydrated from vomiting he would certainly not be feeling well. If he ate a battery once he could have ust eaten something that is making him vomit.
Debra & Angel Emily
Debra & Emily, a five year old doberman mix, who was diagnosed with an osteosaecoma. She had a right rear leg amputation on May 19, 2009. On November 10, 2009 she earned her wings and regained her fourth leg.
I don't have any recommendations as we have not hit that spot yet. But I am sending prayers upwards for you and can hear the pain in your words. Hang in there and come here often...bless you and Opie
Oh Nancy,
I sent you a PM but just know that I am thinking of you and Opie.... I have zero advice and can only send you big hugs from here in Maine to you and the Opster.
XOXOXO
Tracy & Maggie
Maggie was amputated for soft tissue sarcoma 10-20-09
Maggie lost her battle with kidney disease on 8-24-13
Sending lots of good thoughts to you and Opie. This is what we all dread so much. Stay strong, you'll make all the right choices.
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.
Nancy, we are sending prayers and good thoughts your way. Stay strong Opie!
Shelby, the P.P.
Oh my gosh it is days like this that I hate opening this website. All paws crossed prayers being said for you and Opie!
Darlene (Angel Tehya's Mom)
I'll have to read this when I compose myself. I couldn't past the 1st paragraph.
Comet - 1999 to 2011
She departed us unexpectedly January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.
She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.
Nancy,
I'm so sorry to read about Opie... I know you must be so worried...
All I can tell you is to contact your vet, if you haven't already. Hopefully there is something they can give him to make him more comfortable... and to help his tummy. Could even be something as simple as the Rimadyl causing GI problems, thus all the vomiting. Has he been taking any pepcid to help his tummy while he's on it? Are his gums still pink? Is he having any difficulty breathing... is he coughing?
You and Opie are in my thoughts and prayers... I hope and pray that this isn't the beginning of the end... That's something you'll have to discuss with your vet... and Opie.
Sending you a big loving hug!!
Angel Jake's Mom
Jake, 10yr old golden retriever (fractured his front right leg on 9/1, bone biopsy revealed osteosarcoma on 9/10, amputation on 9/17) and his family Marguerite, Jacques and Wolfie, 5yr old german shepherd and the newest addition to the family, Nala, a 7mth old Bengal mix kittie. Jake lost his battle on 11/9/2009, almost 8 weeks after his surgery. We will never forget our sweet golden angel… http://jakesjou.....ipawds.com ….. CANCER SUCKS!
Deramaxx is probably the NSAID most likely to cause GI upset so could be the cause of the vomiting. It is a good pain reliever but might need to be decreased to reduce side effects. Your vet could also prescribe sucralfate (Carafate) to help with the vomiting. Is Opie also on steroids like Pred for the lung mets? That could cause increased thirst and also vomit.
I hope that he can feel better soon!
Pam
Dear Nancy and Opie: We are sending you lots of love and good, healing thoughts. Romeo has had a long history of GI problems, so we know the vomiting really takes its toll and is heartbreaking to watch. Romeo had a hard time w/ all the NSAIDS we had to abandon that class of drugs. IV fluids (w/ anti-nausea meds) can work wonders. I agree w/ everyone---a trip to the vet seems in order. Could it be something unrelated to cancer----remember Oslo's sock?
Hang in there, both of you. You're a trooper Opie. Eve and Romeo
Hi Nancy and Opie
I am so sorry to hear about Opie's condition. Until now, he was doing so well, or at least it sounded that way. I always look forward to seeing his snowy face and hearing his stories.
I am glad tazziedog Pam read your email and gave you advice. Your GI symptoms do not sound like anything I have read from the other lungmet dogs (Caira Sue, Yoda, Maximutt, etc) this year, so I was wondering about whether the drugs might be causing a problem (as I said, thank dog Pam spoke up). You definitely need to be careful that he does not get dehydrated.
You said Opie has lung mets, but why does he seem to have pain? Does the vet think there are mets somewhere else causing pain? Or is it discomfort realted to the lung mets or difficulty breathing. It sounds as though it is still worth trying to figure out what the main short-term problems are. He could have some good times left if you can figure out and deal with those things.
Come on Opie! We are rooting for you!
Susan
Thanks Pam for posting. Nancy if you don't know, she is a vet.
I don't know exactly what to say because I'm devasted. I know how you feel and my heart breaks for you. Please, please let it be the Deramaxx that is causing the upset tummy and hopefully he'll feel better once you stop it.
He is so special and as you obviously can tell, he has a big place in my heart. All I can do is offer my most sincerest wishes for him to have better days and to send all of you lots of love.
Comet's Mom
Ge 'Lena
Comet - 1999 to 2011
She departed us unexpectedly January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.
She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.
Big hugs coming your way. Here's hoping that this is just a minor setback. Take a cue from Opie and enjoy the "good" days as much as you can. We're thinking of you and sending lots of pawsitive thoughts.
Stay strong.
Tai Dog and Laura
Tai – 9 yr old lab. Diagnosed Osteosarcoma Dec 18/09. Front right leg amputated Dec 21/09. Started chemo Jan 7/10. Lung mets discovered Sept 16/10. Valiant to the end on Oct 26/10 when cancer reappeared in a leg and we made the decision to set her free. Forever in my heart where not even cancer can take her from me.
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