Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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My boy has started coughing and panting, he also now has a big hard lump on his spine and seems weaker on that side when he walks.
We have been talking to our vet here in Vanuatu and our specialist at CSU and both agree that its most likely mets (we havent done xrays) if we take him in the jeep anywhere it will be to the beach one last time and not to the vets.
We gave him 5ml of Robitussin DM the other night and that seemed to help with the coughing but he is still panting allot. I gave him some tramol encase he is in pain but tramol makes him pant so tonight we are going to try Gebapantine as pain relief, and continue with meloxicam.
He is still eating very well, playing, can walk out to the garden by him self, barking.
Around 4 weeks is the prognoses at this point.
He was doing so well, my brave boy. It will be hard loosing such an important part of the family so close to Christmas, I dont even know what I will tell my daughters, they are almost 3 & 4 years old and love him so much.
My computer is full up of recent photos and videos of him and the family together, we took some paw prints a couple of weeks ago (that was good fun!) I cook his break fast every morning, i keep wondering if im forgetting to do something before he leaves us?
I would love to have any advice on symptoms we should be looking out for, any tips to make his end days more comfortable.
Im devastated
Amanda & Porthos
Angel Porthos, Pyrenean Mastiff, 7 years old Os front right leg, DX 18 May 2012, Amputation 14 June 2012, Hip Dysplasia, Two TPLO surgeries. Is now somewhere over the rainbow, 21 November 2013.
Amanda, I'm so sorry to hear you are at this point. It sounds like you have covered everything. Lots of photos and videos are the things that you will look for later. In particular, make sure you have good photos of yourselves with Porthos.
Just immerse yourself in every precious day and enjoy being in the moment with Porthos as much as you can. Just keep loving him. Take it one day at a time.
Keeping you in our thoughts and prayers.
Karen and Spirit Magnum
Magnum: 30th May 2002 to 5th May 2012. Lost her back left leg to osteosarcoma on 5th Sep 2011. Lung mets found on 20th Mar 2012 but it was bone mets in the hip that ended her brave battle. Magnum's motto - "Dream as if you'll live for ever, live as if you'll die today" (James Dean). Loyal, loving, courageous and spirited to the end. My beloved heart dog, see her memoirs from Rainbow Bridge ...... http://princess.....pawds.com/
Amanda, I am so very sorry to hear this. What a handsome boy! My heart is breaking for you-you are doing everything you can to make these extra special days. He is so fortunate to have a wonderful family. Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Joan and Lily
Our beautiful Lily was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in her front leg on 12/14/11 at age 8 and had amp on 12/16/11. She completed 5 rounds of carbo. She was so brave and kicked cancer's butt daily! She lived life fully for 4 years, 3 months, and 15 days after her amp. My angel is a warrior princess. I miss her so much.
Oh, Porthos, this news makes my heart hurt. Amanda, I have been in your shoes recently and I can tell you that the hardest thing about this part of the journey is to not lose time grieving. It was an effort, but I didn't want to waste one moment with Zeus. Please know that your family will be in my thoughts.
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/
I'm so sorry to hear that Porthos is at this point in the journey. You have he right idea...give him lots of love and cherish every moment with him.
You may want to talk to your vet about Prednisone. Bo was on it during his final weeks and it made him feel good, even though his body was failing. It was good for us too to see him happy. Pred. doesn't cure, keep that it mind, but it does help with appetite, energy, etc.
Stay strong and keep us posted. Give Porthos a belly scratch for us.
Meghan & Angel Bo
Thank you all so much for your words, this forum has really touched my heart.
I have started looking in to Prednisone as an option for Porthos. At the moment he is sleeping after having two gebapantine and some more Robitussin, I will see how he is tomorrow, just take one day at a time.
I cant believe that emotionally I am back to how I was when Porthos was first diagnosed, Id hoped that I had become a little braver over the past 6 months but apparently I haven't dealt with it at all.
Porthos had been doing so well that I suppose I chose not to dwell on his cancer, he was happy and seemed healthy so I kept positive.
He is such a huge part of my life. I just cant imagine him not being here.
Angel Porthos, Pyrenean Mastiff, 7 years old Os front right leg, DX 18 May 2012, Amputation 14 June 2012, Hip Dysplasia, Two TPLO surgeries. Is now somewhere over the rainbow, 21 November 2013.
Amanda, I'm so sad to read this.
Please know that you ARE brave, and you have been, which is why Porthos has done so well over these last few months. He has thrived because you believed in him, I have no doubt that's why.
This point in the disease is heartbreaking, we remember it well. But please remember, he is still here and knows nothing is "wrong."Even though he will have good days and bad days, it's the good ones that will win out for both of you if you focus on those special moments, like just sitting on the couch together or playing with the kids. The only way cancer can 'win" is if you allow it to, by focusing on the end and not the present moment. This is also known as "anticipatory grief," which we have lots of info on in our Grief Support Resources post.
You are doing everything you can, by just taking things day by day. Yes, the Prednisone can help. He might go on for much longer than anyone expected with a good quality of life, many dogs do even at this point in the disease, and we have all our paws and fingers crossed that you get many, many more days together.
{{{{hugs}}}}}
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Amanda, I'm saddened to hear that Porthos has reached this stage of his journey, but I'm truly heartened that you have been living these last six months EXACTLY how your boy wanted (and hopefully taught ) you how to live...to Be More Dog !
So much sound advice has been given...all of you will be in my thoughts...sending you thoughts for strength, peace and hope.
Anita, mom to Xena, Roger and my angels, Spammy & Chloe
p.s. please give your boy a gentle hug for me OK?
I'm so sorry to hear this news about Porthos. He has fought a brave battle, and he is a strong boy. I can only echo what others have already said: don't lose time with your boy by being sad now; there will be time for tears later. Porthos loves his family, and his family is what is important to him. So return that love to him every minute of every day that he is with you. Porthos and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers.
Oh Amanda, I'm so sorry to see that you are at this stage in the journey with your beautiful Porthos. This part is so very hard. Try hard to enjoy every moment. I know it's not easy; we humans can't help imaging what's ahead, but Porthos won't be thinking about that. He'll jsut be thinking how happy and loved he is.
Hang in there,
Jackie, Angel Abby's mom
Abby: Aug 1, 2009 – Jan 10, 2012. Our beautiful rescue pup lived LARGE with osteosarcoma for 15 months – half her way-too-short life. I think our "halflistic" approach (mixing traditional meds + supplements) helped her thrive. (PM me for details. I'm happy to help.) She had lung mets for over a year. They took her from us in the end, but they cannot take her spirit! She will live forever in our hearts. She loved the beach and giving kisses and going to In-N-Out for a Flying Dutchman. Tripawds blog, and a more detailed blog here. Please also check out my novel, What the Dog Ate. Now also in paperback! Purchase it at Amazon via Tripawds and help support Tripawds!
I'm sorry you have reached this point with your boy. I know it might seem like you haven't gotten any braver, but you have. None of us walk this cancer path with our pups without gaining strength and courage. I've heard many people here say that when mets appear it is almost harder than the original diagnosis, so being emotional makes sense. But Porthos needs you now more than ever, and you will be there for him like you always have been.
It's hard not to imagine what the future will bring, but at this point you have to let that go and focus on what is now.
Sending strong, positive thoughts your way tonight.
Karen and Spirit Maggie
We have made the decision to chance a trip to the vet with Porthos.
We need to have him examined properly and to xray his lungs and the lump on his spine.
He is still panting quite allot (hardly coughing at all) and we are concerned that the cancer may have spread to his hip.
We have decided that we need to really know what is going with him on so we can make the best decision for him. Im worried our boy is in pain.
We obviously dont want to let him go him too soon but we dont want to leave it too late either.
Im trying to get him an appointment for the vets on Tuesday morning.
If the cancer has spread to other bones I think we will bring him home that day and then arrange for our vet to come to our house the next morning to help him on his way.
It going to be a heavy week, im gonna be leaning on you guys im afraid.
Amanda & Porthos x
Angel Porthos, Pyrenean Mastiff, 7 years old Os front right leg, DX 18 May 2012, Amputation 14 June 2012, Hip Dysplasia, Two TPLO surgeries. Is now somewhere over the rainbow, 21 November 2013.
Amanda, you can lean on us anytime no matter what.
We fully believe that information is power. Know what you're dealing with, then go from there. Take things moment by moment, and remember we are here for you.
{{{{hugs}}}}}
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
The end of the journey is just so hard. You are doing all the right things. I was adamantly against vet visits and tests, we never took Tate in for follow-up x-rays or anything. But it is helpful to know what you're dealing with, it settles a lot of things in your mind.
This can be a very special, sweet time too. I hope you have time for one more trip to the beach but even if you don't, I know you will cherish every moment. Tate revelled in the attention, we'd both lay on the floor petting him and sharing our favorite stories. I wrote them all down and love to go back and read them, it never fails to bring a smile to my face.
http://tate.tripawds.com/
August 16, 2006 to November 28, 2011
TATE ~ Forever in our hearts.
I'm so sorry that you've reached this difficult time. You have gotten some great advice here, and I will second what Tate's mom said - I just spent tons of times lying on the floor with Holly, petting her and telling her stories, and telling her how much I loved and adored her. We also just laid their quietly and I listened to her breathing and her heartbeat and tried to memorize what they sounded like. I watched her sleep and just tried to memorize every single thing about her. That quiet time together is something that I will always cherish.
We will be thinking of you.
Hugs,
Alex, Angel Holly, and Clyde
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