Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Damn! damn! damn! It's been 9 days since mets were discovered. The new drug isn't tolerated, or maybe it's the F'ing cancer.
Rosie won't greet me when I come home. Her eyes are running on-stop, she's so lethargic and this morning I had to coat her breakfast with peanut butter and hand feed her! She can hardly stand and I had to basically carry her outside and then to eat. The only time I've ever had to do that was after her amputation.
Have a call into the Onco. Will hear from her today. I think it's time to say goodbye to the best dog ever and I can't quit crying!
We go through so much and are gifted with so much as they recover from amputation and learn to navigate life on 3. When her sparkle came back post amp it was one of the best days of her and my life.
It's only been 3 months since surgery. I wanted more time.
I keep hoping that something will change, and that when I get home from work she will be there smiling and tail thumping.
She seems so sad. Just stares at me. She will perk up when I rub her belly and tell her what a 'great dog' she is.
I want to help her go peacefully if it is time. How do we 'know' when it is?
Mom Kellye and Rosie the Wonder Tripawd 💕❤️💕🐕💕❤️
It is not uncommon to have ebb and flow during this journey. It is not uncommon to have lethargy and nausea and vacant stares. You know Rosie better than ANYONE and have always LOVED her and acted in HER best interest. The journey can be horrible but, in and of itself, mets do not necessarily mean the end of the road nor does not eating for a day or two or vacant stares or nausea or lethargy.
What meds is she taking, does she seem uncomfortable, how has she been acting the last week or so, is she eating anything on her own, does she need her medications adjusted, is she in an ebb time, etc. The quality of life scale is a helpful tool when everything is just too damn hard to think through.
Rosie knows where Rosie wants to go. Hopefully the onco will be able to help and you and Rosie have time together just by yourselves. There is no way to know what is right or wrong or what may be down the road. You and Rosie will be eternally inseparable NO MATTER WHAT.
I am sorry that you and Rosie are going through this.
Sending HUGE HUGS, ETERNAL BEST WISHES, AND PYRPAWS ALL AROUND.
Oh Kellye, I'm sorry! Maybe it really is the new drug that makes her that lethargic. It's just not fair. I hope you get a call back soon to ease your mind maybe a little. They can definitely tell you a little more regarding the "time" issue but in the end people here always say "you'll know" so I am hoping and praying for us and for you that this will be the case.
You're in my thoughts. I have no words right now.
Tina
Guardian of Manni the Wonderdog. -Or was it the other way around?
Osteo and amputation in Dec 2015. Second, inoperable, primary osteosarcoma found in June 2017.
The end of our adventures came Dec 10, 2017. 2 years to the day.
Oh I am so sorry ... this indeed is the worst part of this disease ... I really hope it is the medication.
Hugs and love!!!
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
DITTO Tina and CharlieBear!
Only watching from the outside, I would definitely want to eliminate the drug as the culprit! It DOES have side effects!!!
Find out from the Onco what you can give her to rid her of these side effects ASAP! How long does it take for drug to clear her system and what drugs does she need to reduce the side effects that are already there.
You certainly know Rosie best!!! It could, indeed, be the mets, but it seems just as likely that it could be the Distinub (sp). Have the vulk of these symptoms shown up since the treatment???
Yes, lethargy is a "sympton ", but it is not a "painful" tired. Is Rosie sleeping fairly well at night?
I can only say in Happy Hannah's case (who the Vet said had a met the "size of a baseball"), did not have "severe" symptoms like you are describing. Obviously, every dog is different and every case is different. She DID have some "yucky" eye stuff which actually cleared up with some antibiotics. She was also on some Prednisone and an ocassional Tramadol. There was so other "treatment" to confuse the issue. So I knew whatever "symptoms" she developed were related to the met.
Does she show any tenderness along the spine, the back area?
PLEASE update after you speak to the Onco...And get a second opinion is you need it!! Also ask what palliative help they can offer. Prednisone can help and it usually stimulates the appetite. Something for nausea may help too.
In the meantime, keep giving her those nonstop tummy rubs and tell her what a good girl she is!!!! As hard as it is....And it's nard....stay in the moment.....don't think about the tomorrows...Just stay in the now...And in the Now Rosie is still with you waiting for more spoiling and loving!!
I know one thing for certain...And I mean this...whatever nappens Roside would not have traded this extended time for ANYTHING!!! This dog has had more loving a d spoiling and treats and tummy rubs while on this jkurney than most dogs ever have in a lifetime!
We are surrounding you with positive energy, clarity and love and peace
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie 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!
I'm so sorry. I hope that the issue is the medicine, and that it can be resolved. I'll be looking for an update, and we are thinking of you.
Thanks for all the love, suggestions and support. I LOVE my Oncologist!
She called me first thing this morning and we went over her symptoms in detail. She is coming in to the office extra early tomorrow to see Rosie. She will give an exam and assess what's going on.
She thinks it's likely not the new med, but a decline due to disease progression. Rosie had 3 doses and was given ondansatron for nausea.
My daughter stayed with her today. Says she's peeked up some, but still can't stand and can't walk without assistance.
As far as palliative care goes we will discuss tomorrow.
Onco says all is not lost. After Rosie's appointment last week she shared Rosie's case history with her other Oncos across the country through a list serve to see what experiences they've had with others with similar disease process as Rosie. A few said they've had some success with a drug typically used for humans with osteoporosis. It helps with bone pain and also has helped with fatigue, breathing issues etc. it's ordered from a specialty pharmacy and is being sent To Onco. If it looks like she might benefit from it, we will give her a chance.
Bottom line- I can't let her suffer. The good news is I will be with her 24/7 for the next 4 days and should get a good idea of exactly what's happening.
My local vet is coming to my house Friday to provide a 2nd opinion.
Will keep you all updated. Thanks again!!!
kellye ❤🐕❤
Thanks so much for taking the time to update! I know you have a lot going on so we really appreciate it. And actually, everything considered, this is a better update than the earlier one, that's for sure!!
I'm glad Rosie has perked up some and still seems comfortable. And it's wonderful that you have such a good Onco AND regular Vet!!
I'm glad you will be able to be home and observe her, plus get all that time for loving a d spoiling and rubbing her tummy while telling her what a good girl she is!!
Needless to say, we'd love to know the drug your Onco is suggesting. Try and get some rest! Rosie is a strong gal and she just may surprise everyo e by getting over this hurdle!!
We'll watch for your update tomorrow when you can! Feel better Rosie!!!
Hugs!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie 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!
Update! We saw Onco today and did another x-ray to compare to last week. It's definitely worse, but not as bad as we expected. So that's good news! The largest tumor is pressing on her heart.
We are going to as the vet says throw everything at her to see what works. So we're going to restart the dastanab and see if that helps - we're going to do it every day at the higher dose and just see what happens. We go back in a week and and will reassess at that time. Of course at the vet Rosie was happy tail wagging etc., but they did say they could definitely see a decline from last week. Her front leg keeps buckling and she is breathing really heavy and has to stop and rest after about 10 feet of hopping. The oncologist said the words nobody wants to hear, last few days. I think she just meant that it could be to help me prepare, even though I already know this.
Some of Rosie's favorite foods are peanut butter, ice cream and popcorn with lots and lots of butter and Parmesan cheese. So we're going to make sure that she gets plenty of that over the next few days and leave it in gods hands. Right now I'm laying on the couch with a dog on either side of me and we're going to take naps. Thanks again everybody!
Thanks again for updating us in the midst of all these ups and downs!!
That silly girl.....perking up at the Vet! 🙂 🙂 She's something that gal!!!
And "not worse"...that's good.
And I'm sure Rosie is applauding your fabulous meal plan!!! Love it!!!
Yep, you have the right idea...SPOIL, SPOIL, SPOIL AND THEN SPOIL SOME. MORE!!!
Paws crossed for continued stability and more improvement!! So she is walking on her own....even if just a few feet?
PICTURES!! We need pictures of our sweet girl....with buttered popcorn and ice cream dripping from her jaws!
Lots of hugs!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie 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!
Thanks
I've uploaded several images to my blog media gallery but can't get them to post. They're awesome!! Help please.
You're in the editor if you want to add a comment. There's the picture icon up on top and if you go on that a little window opens up asking you for the URL of the picture you want to post.
You get the URL by going into your media library and then click on the pic you uploaded as if to edit. It shows you a URL which you copy and then paste into the window that opens in the editor.
Please give Rosie a big hug from me. Tina
Guardian of Manni the Wonderdog. -Or was it the other way around?
Osteo and amputation in Dec 2015. Second, inoperable, primary osteosarcoma found in June 2017.
The end of our adventures came Dec 10, 2017. 2 years to the day.
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