Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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In six months you might want to reconsider all those tests, particularly the xray and ultrasound. Before you do them you could ask the vet what could possibly be done if the cancer had metastasized.
Mona goes for her yearly physical and just this year they did blood work because she is over 10 years old. After 2.5 years since her cancer first appeared the vet believes she is cancer free. She would have symptoms I would notice if she had cancer.
If you have this discussion then maybe Purrkins will never have a bald belly again!
Kerren and Tripawd Kitty Mona
Thank you! I wondered how often you guys went for follow up on Mona.
Mark and I were discussing this all last night;)
We are going to ask our Holistic Vet for his opinion on all of this too.
Im not sure either way yet, Bloodwork sure X-ray ok, not really ok on the every six months as there is still the radiation factor, not to mention the stress on Purrkins going thru all this. Ultrasound ,well I was not thrilled with that this time.
The cost ,well thats all out the window, kinda a pointless conversation at the moment. Lots of charging.
Im on the fence with it all right now.
They are all about testing at the University and I understand their point of view.
I want to do what is best for Purrkins and his quality of life is what is most important. Will be interesting to see what our Holistic Vet says, I have a great deal of respect for his opinions and love his ideas on things .
Thats another question I have on my list for Our Holistic Vet ,on what would we do if it does spread.
We will have all of these discussions with him. All need addressed and will feel better equipped to know what decision to make in the future.
We would love to have no more bald Purrkins, we were just starting to feel normal again and whammo.
I do not regret this 6 months recheck however it was terribly stressful but a huge relief as well.
Will let you know what our Dr Matt says.
Thank you
Purrkins says thank you also ,he says no more belly shaving its cold!
Hugs to you and chin scratch to Mona and Eli
Purrkins! We are not worthy of seeing your face....yet.Cameras really are pesky inventions and show things like shaved bellys! I mean, really... as if!!!!
Had to laugh at university truth: they LOVE to test! At least you have months and months and months to think it all over! Because you are the Purrkins, you get the final vote!!!
Glad to hear Purrkins is home, recovering, and setting the universe straight!
Hugs and PyrPaws all around!
Chubby bellies are made for smooching and tickling!! It's just that much more to love! 🙂 🙂
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!
Yep thats what they are all about testing, testing as you are well aware of. We do understand why and glad to have them available .
They can get to a point where they just dont know when to stop. Been there too.
We are grateful we can get some other opinions and will make a better decison on what is best.
Yes he is back to his sweet self today.
He turns his head when I get the camera out, but I will outwit him;)
Hugs!
Holly & Purrkins
I agree they are, and I do, its too cute and pink !😻
We just need to get some chub off for his sake. I really think he will just get around so much better.
It's so hard with cats, But we are sure working on it!
Much to Purrkins and his brothers displeasure !
❤️
Testing...not testing...such a personal individual decision.
One thing to factor into the equation. IF something were to be found, would you want to do further treatment or whatever, and would it even be an option? At some point, is it time to be free of Vet visits with poking a d prodding, or do you always feel like you "need to know"? Some do, some don't.
And for now, don't even have thst on your radar!!! Enjoy the bliss of how well Purrkins is doing!!! And, as you know, NOW IS ALL THAT MATTERS! And NOW, all is splendid in Purrkin's world!! 🙂
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!
Yeah ,I dont know those answers on what we would do or not do.
I want us to be free of all this too. Its sorta double sworded.
I was just prepard for sorta for the 6 months thing and wasnt all that prepared obviously. It was all a big replay of trauma, major stress for us all.
I really thought this would be it, ok we are done its gone and its over.
I think I will feel better when our Dr. Matt says one way or another? Yet to be determined.
Yes ,all I want to do is enjoy the now, I was doing a good job at that until this 6 months thing.
Purrkins says no more MSU I have no doubt on that one! I know they dont think like us, but you still have to wonder what they are thinking. This is the place I lost my arm and Mom leaves me here again.
Really Mom the camera again? Come on!
Im trying to sleep here!
If you insist i will play but I will not look at that camera !
Had to try - there is sweet Purrkins for those that haven't seen him! Laying on his moms robe.
P.S.
Sally we are honored to be in the same calendar with Have Happy Hannah and Franky .Happy June
We too will also be anxious to hear what Dr. Matt says. Thanks for the update after your appointment.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
He is SUCH a beautiful cat
Ruby, Staffy, born June 2022, became a Tripawd, November 2023, adopted January 2024.
Also Angel Tripawd Meg (aka The Megastar), who died in April 2023, aged 14, after seven glorious years on three, and Angel Staffies Elsie Pie and Bille. In the pawprints of giants...
Great photos! Amazing how cats can convey so much by their expressions.
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.
Wanted to check back in and tell you what Dr Matt our Holistic Vet had to say. For anyone interested.
Purrkins went to see Dr Matt for his acupuncture on Saturday and we asked our questions.
Dr Matt said every 6 months retesting is “standard protocol” its what they call restaging ,once you have had a cancer diagnosis.
One more time this year and then we can back to yearly exams.
Taking the leg is likely curative for Purrkins type of cancer but its never a sure thing and no one Dr. Matt , Oncology , Surgeon will commit to saying forever cancer free. (understandable)
To make things a less stressful we will go to another traditional vet that Dr Matt has referred us to.
He will be able to do all the testing in the office and we would not have to leave Purrkins for the day like we have to do at MSU.
If something would show up in the future we will deal with that then. (type of cancer , treatment ,holistically or traditional )
There are too many variables and too many what if’s and what then etc.
We are not going to pursue those questions until IF or when we need too.
We are putting our mindset back to we are cancer free and staying cancer free we will hop on and follow up with another 6 months and then happily go to every year.
We will continue holistic care with Dr Matt and continue acupuncture treatments and checking chiropractic etc. 4 times a year. He calls these “tune ups”.
Since Purrkins has became a tripawd (6 months technically this week) he has only needed one chiropractic adjustment ,
He had two areas that needed adjusted -the Atlas (1st vertebra of the neck, carries the head)
and the sacral vertebrae.
These needed adjusted simply because he is a tripawd and things do get out of whack.
added the photo in case anyone is interested. On where those are at.
We feel more comfortable. For us, we believe thats is the least we can do for Purrkins and we should recheck him.
Dr Matt used to practice traditional medicine for 9 years in emergency care. He Left traditional medicine to practice holistic medicine and open his own practice.
To us, his opinion takes the best of both worlds and combines them into one.
Purrkins is comfortable going to Dr Matt's and loves his accupuncture treatments he voluntarily hops up on Dr Mats cushion !! Yes on his own! 
He purrs during his session! Dr Matt is amazed at him! He has never quivered or protested to go there.
I know this is not the norm for all kitties. Purrkins is not the normal kitty obviously . If Purrkins was stressed over going to Dr. Matt's it would be a different story .
HUGS!
Holly & Purrkins
That update oozes confidence and pawsitivity, I love it! Especially:
We are putting our mindset back to we are cancer free and staying cancer free we will hop on and follow up with another 6 months and then happily go to every year.
Yep, that's the way to hop forward. It's what our animals want for us. Not to live in fear of "what if" but to focus on the gifts we've been given right here and now. Good job!
Those areas where Purrkins needed fine tuning are common across all Tripawds from what I understand. Whether cat or dog, the compromised gait takes a toll on those areas.
And I agree, you are SO lucky to have Dr. Matt as a vet! Best of both worlds indeed. Let him know if he ever wants to participate in an interview with us we'd be honored 🙂
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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