Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
Tripawds is your home to learn how to care for a three legged dog or cat, with answers about dog leg amputation, and cat amputation recovery from many years of member experiences.
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Jacki,
I am so sorry that you and Mac are suffering so much. I can't believe that you are having so many problems getting doctors to even respond to you. It breaks my heart to hear you and Yoda's mom talk about being alone when it is Mac's and Yoda's time to go. I don't think having other dogs will make it any easier to lose Emily when it is her time but I do know I will still have furry necks to hug while I cry. Cancer and everything about it sucks.
Debra
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.
It truly breaks my heart when one of 'our' guys has a tough time. I'm so hoping you and Mac get some much needed input and assistance from the vet. Paws are crossed for you and good thoughts are coming your way!
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.
Jacki
Mac is on the older side and we have to accept that our dogs have rottenly short lives, even in the best of times. Still, I don't know if I could feel about a parrot or tortoise the way I feel about my mutt. But there is one side that always says "I'll never get a dog again" because of the short lives they live (relative to us). Anyway, that leads to other philosophical discussions we don't need to begin. As a good tripawd would say, yes, they teach us a lot that way, don't they. In any case, I know that losing a dog does not get any easier as the dog gets older. Our bond just keeps growing.
In my opinion, chemo would not have been a good option for you. You probably would have had kidney and GI issues and cell count suppression resulting in even more lethargy and complete loss of eating. Tazzie had these issues and he is considerably younger than Mac. In hindsight, we would have been better to start with metronomics than traditional chemo, but who knew that mets would show up this soon?
After the amputation, I just had to ask whether Tazzie was happy, in terms of deciding whether to continue or not. For a few weeks, the answer was not yes, but of course we give them time after the surgery to see how they fair. I can say Tazzie is happy now. But I'm sure the time will come when there is a different answer to that question. Sure wish we could send our pups over to other tripawd parents at times like this.
Susan & Tazzie 2
Thank you for your input. The last few days have been so unbelievably hard and since I don't have any friends it's been nice to have some online support.
I think it's....about that time. I took Mac to the vet for a vitamin B12 shot, which didn't help any. Mac has stopped in the past couple days being able to stand up by himself or walk without help. The vet said that it could be muscle atrophy and to force him to walk every so often. The specialist said that if he has a hemangio tumor somewhere inside it could have bled out and he's weak from that. Either way he has not been improving in moving around. Yesterday he had a bad episode of the colitis and there was lots of blood in his stool and he has been having very bad diarrhea since. He hasn't wanted to eat anything but a couple pieces of meat and beggin' strips. I noticed also something on his anus that is probably another blood-filled cyst like the ones everywhere else on his body. The prednisone is just not working and that was the only thing left to try.
I wanted to get another ultrasound to see if there is spread of the HS going on inside, but the specialist made a good point that even if there wasn't, Mac is not getting better. In many ways I feel like the dog I knew died on the operating table since afterwards he was just a body without his spirit really. He has never played again or done anything really besides lie down...he hasn't ever again wanted to eat any of his favorite foods....he stopped barking for the most part and when he does it sounds completely different. He has smiled maybe 3 times in the past 8 weeks. He went from acting like a healthy puppy to being a very sick old man.
I have been bawling nonstop cause I think I have to make the decision in the next week. I have never had to deal with this before so I don't know if I am handling it well or going crazy....probably more of the latter, although I don't think I'm gonna start shooting people from a clocktower or go all Britney and shave my head. I still would like to post some pictures of Mac on a blog but don't know if I'm supposed to resize them or if the higher quality ones will be all huge. I want to post some of not only his recovery and "tripawd" pics but of the earlier times, even if nobody sees them. I'm going to try to take him to the park this weekend.
Jacki, unfortunately, part of pet ownership is having to make some of those really tough choices. It is part of the payoff we get for having been blessed by having a goreous, loving soulful animal in our lives. As hard as it may be, put aside you and your emotions, and make your decision based solely on what is best for Mac. You will make the right choice.
My heart is with you in your struggle. I so wish it didn't have to be this way for you and Mac.
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.
Jacki,
I am so sorry. You have done everything you can for Mac and have loved him with all of your heart. Letting him go will be one of the hardest things you will ever have to do and the last thing you can do for him. I am crying for you. Please consider getting another dog, he would not replace Mac. I know that. But you can hug a furry neck as you cry. You have so much love to give and nothing can love you back the same unconditional way as a dog. If this is to soon, I'm sorry. I truely don't mean to sound insensitive.
Debra & 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.
jackiandmac said:
… I think I have to make the decision in the next week.
We totally understand how this is the most difficult decision one can make. We made it one year ago today for Jerry. The better you can prepare for the event the more peaceful it will be for you and Mac, wh will let you know when the time as come. Follow his lead and remain strong. Just remember, he can't make that final call for himself. It's the least you can do for him to help him move on to the bridge.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Dear Jacki, I am very sorry. Want to give you and Mac big hugs. I am praying for Mac will give you a clear signal when it is time, and that you have the strength and courage to make the call. It will be very difficult no doubt about it.
Treasure each day you have with Mac.
Thoughts and prayers are with you.
Hugs.
Jacki, I know this time really sucks for you, and for that I am so sorry. Even though we may be prepared for loss, it doesn't make it any easier. My thoughts are with you and Mac in this difficult time.
<3 Laura
Mac has had a very bad weekend. His remaining back leg almost completely won't work now and I'm not sure why. If it was muscle atrophy I don't think it would happen in one day. Since he cannot stand on his own and won't go to the bathroom with us holding him up, he has been peeing and having diarrhea while he lays down, all over himself. He is crying all through the night and his jaw has been quivering like when he is scared at the vet. We are giving him tramadol and part of one of my lorazepam pills to make him more comfortable and sleep.
Mac was born on or around my 14th birthday, and I have always liked to think he was born just for me. We adopted Mac on October 7th, 1996. I was hoping he'd at least make it to his 13th anniversary, but we are releasing him tomorrow. My mom is going with me along with one of my sisters who is driving down from Northern Virginia in the morning. We are going to try to take him to our local arboretum if he feels up to it just for a few minutes of scenery change before we go to the vet. My mom doesn't want me to go because she feels I'm not well enough…..all the crying and stress I guess lowered my immunity and I must have picked up the flu at the vet's a few days ago. There is no way I am not going to be there by his side. The gods themselves couldn't stop me.
I don't know if I will be able to come back on the forum right away. When the time is right I would like to make a picture blog of him. I was really hoping that Amy or Heather could meet Mac but I guess it's not meant to be. I would love to have another dog here sometime but the decision is not up to me. God I don't want him to go.....hemangiosarcoma is the crappiest thing ever.
We fixed Mac filet mignon tonight but he only ate 2 little pieces. I don't know what else to do except stroke him and lay beside him. Thank you all for your support….I would gladly take all those hugs right about now.
Dear Jacki, I am very sorry. I do not know what else to say. I am hugging both of you dearly in my heart. I agree with you... I would want to walk with Mac during the last leg of his journey if I were you. Just to be with him tonight, talk to him, kiss him, hug him.
I will be thinking of you and Mac.
HUGS.
I'm so sorry this disease has robbed you and Mac of so much. I so hope you find peace tomorrow and strength as you release Mac from his broken body. You'll be in my thoughts. Hugs to both of you.
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.
Jacki
I sure wish Tazzie and I could be there. You know that you will be in our thoughts. Thanks for letting us know what is going on.
It sounds as though your family cares a lot about you and Mac even if they have been negative in the last little while. I'm sure Mac is comforted by the feelings you share, even if he is physically very uncomfortable right now. This will be the best thing for him, although it sucks for the human staying behind.
Do post the pictures on a blog when you feel up to it. I love his mug.
Susan and Tazzie
Jackie and Mac,
I am so so sorry.
You have always been so brave through this whole thing and continue to be so. It's so SUCKS that it has to be this way. You've always done all that you can to make him happy and pain-free and now he will be. You have such a special relationship with him, and have comforted him through-out this ordeal, despite the physical pain he's been in.
If you are up for it, I'd love to meet up with you at the arboretum. ((((HUGS))))
Amy and the other Mac
Dear Jacki: We wanted to send our love to you and Mac. We are so deeply moved by your story and your devotion to Mac. We know he feels that love and is grateful for all you have done for him. You made the decision for surgery with your love and desire to save him and that is very noble. I think Susan and Tazzie make an important point---you and Mac had thirteen years together. So lucky for you, so lucky for Mac. Still I know the long years together mean for 13 years he has been your companion and so hard to say goodbye. I really believe Mac will watch over you as you have watched over him. Please don't be hard on yourself. Mac wouldn't want that.
Family is never perfect, but yours does seem to care very much and want to support you. Let them be there for you, but yes you should absolutely be there with Mac (for both you and Mac).
We would love to see more pictures of Mac when you get a chance.
Wish we could be there to give you both a hug. We will be thinking of you both tomorrow.
Love, Eve, Sylvia, and Romeo
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