Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Yeah, I jist saw Caudia's post and I was wonderng the sa e thing about why the vet seemingly was painting a gloomy picture. Looks like al ost everyone here knows of dogs who have these things...even big ones...bt they can be treated certainl for a while without compro isng ther quality.
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!
Thank you all ...your love is uplifting and warms my heart and soul in places I never thought possible. To say I feel your hugs is an understatement ... I know we all love together, laugh together and grieve together and it helps me. So much! Thank you Katy ... I am definitely on my way to being drunk on wine and NyQuil. Lori - your support means so much to us and I am SO glad Ty is doing better!!! We are all fighters! All of us are STRONG!
Sally - you are 100% right. This is a place I can come and feel safe and supported and not judged because we are all going through or have been through this battle. It bonds us in a way unlike any other and I do feel safe here - to vent, to cry, to admit defeat and fear. And I thank you all for that outlet. Because NO one here will ever tell me to give up on her. I know my dog unlike anyone else and she will indeed tell me when it is enough.
As far as the vet, she does want to start on the anti-seizure meds and is just assuming it's related to the cancer but there is no evidence. I could get an MRI on Shelby but that will either prove it's the cancer OR it's nothing but the treatment will be the same so I won't put her through that. I think her concern is the lack of stability when she walks but they have an acupuncturist that comes on Mondays and if she's not better tomorrow, I will keep her there and ask for that on Monday. I have to try everything.
I have calmed myself down ... was able to eat a bit and chat w/a friend who actually can't come over but is my lifeline tonight if I need anything else. (She's at work ... ooops). I still want one of those valiums they gave Shelby though.
Here are some photos of my girl from our visit. they aren't great because she was so drugged but she knows who mama is. And Claudia, thank you for saying that about my being a great mom. It's been hard but I know that I would take a bullet for this dog - I will fight for her no matter what. And when we are done fighting, I will rest knowing I have done everything in my power for her but at the end of the day, I am not God and I cannot create miracles ... but I do and will rest knowing that when I rescued Shelby - I gave her the absolute BEST life a dog would ever want.
Drugged with crying mama!
Nighty night my friends ... It's 9ish (PST) and it's NyQuil time so I can try and wind down... I think shutting off the laptop will be good ... and no calls from the vet is very good news. I am guessing baby is resting and sleeping ...
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
Awww....best bedti e story with oictures t help s all rest easy!
Drugged or not' Shelb IS SHELBY STRONG annd those ShelbEars say I'm ready formore chicken!!
Yeah' that makes great sense ot to do those tests as the treatment ks the same.
I hope you can bring her home tomorrow....assuing she's not too drugged a d yo aren't too HUNGOVER!!
What a pair!!
The Acupu ture is a great idea...it ma take several sessions vt I think it will hek. As fsr as "stavility right now....-err....excuse me doctors...but ave you looked in Shelby's eyes?? She's just a smidge stoned right now and doesn't even k ow wat walking looks like!!
Sleep well Sweet Alison...nowing youARE THE best momand best friend to Shelby and she KNOWS it!!
LOVE AND LOVE AND MORE LOVE!!
Saly and Happy Hannah
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 have nothing really to add - everyone has said it all. I love the idea of a virtual pajama party - how many nights have we all needed one of those? I hope you can feel that love Alison, I really do.
Everyone is behind you and Shelby - I've been thinking about you both all night.
So many x's and o's,
Erica
Jill is a 9-year-old tuxedo kitty. She was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma in June 2012 on her toe in her right hind leg. Her leg was amputated on 12/12/12 and she completed four rounds of chemo (2 of Carbo, 2 of Doxy) in April 2013. "Like" Jill's facebook page: https://www.fac.....tty?ref=hl Proud member of the WINTER WARRIORS!!!! Her blog can be read at http://jillsjou.....ipawds.com. xoxo
Can't be here much right now, but I'm thinking good thoughts for both of you. I log on every night to read updates.
My quad pug Tani has had seizures most of her life. She is on pheno-barb and tolerates it well, and it controls her seizures for the most part.
Sending strong, positive energy south from the Bay Area.
Karen and Spirit Maggie
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Hope you get a good report on Shelby this morning. Love th bottom picture where they brought her food out. That is itself a good sign. Her tonghe is already going. She is absolutely adorable! And everyone is right, you are a GREAT PhenomInal Mom to Shelby girl!!!!
TY GUY, Best Black Lab ever! Diagnosed and had amp in January, 2014. Kicked MRSA's butt. Earned his angel wings on April 16, 2014. Run Free my boy and don't forget a shoe. Ty is a proud member of the " April Angels". Ty sent us Daryl, a Tripawd rescue in Sept. of 2016. Daryl is 5 +or -. We are also Pawrents to Chandler, a Border Collie mix who is 15 and 1/2, Lucy, a Corgi who is 7, 2 minis, 2 horses, and a feisty cat named Zoe. Zoe had a non skeletal Osteosarcoma removed in July 2015. No Chemo, she was at least 16. She is going strong although she is now completely blind. She is now close to 20 and her hobbies are eating and sleeping in front of her personal heater.
Hi Alison
Hope you both had a restful and rejuvenating rest last night.
It is a new day.....the pics from last night show that Shelby is still the same old girl...perhaps a bit stoned...but happy to see her mama and food 
Many hugs
Linda and Tucker
Sending you and Shelby both lots of hope and hugs!!
Mom to Tripawd Angels Jake (2001-2014) and Rosco (2012-2015) and Tripawd Tanner. “Whatever happens tomorrow, we had today; and I'll always remember it”
You are an amazing mom to Shelby, Alison, and Shelby is such a fighter. Love the pics...that last one anticipating the chicken says it all.
Glad you got some sleep. Hopefully today will be a better day. If you need to smile think of Shelby's 'chicken tongue' lip-smacking photo. That's a girl who knows her priorities!
Hugs and love to you both.
Deb and Lexie
Deb and Angel Lexie* Diagnosed at age 13. Tried radiation first; wish we had amputated upon diagnosis (even with lung mets). Joined Club Tripawd April 2014 & Lexie loved life on 3 legs! Advice: Start physical therapy as soon as your vet clears it, especially hydrotherapy if available :-) See Lexie pics here.
Love the photos. SO sweet. Love Shelby ears!
I woke up, like you, thinking about Shelby. We're here when you know something and can update. Sending loads of pawsitive energy!
~K&J
ACL tear in right hind leg 12/5/12 and scheduled ACL repair surgery 12/21/12. Pre-op xrays revealed osteosarcoma. Amputation 12/28/12. Chemo (carboplatin) started Jan 10, 2013 and ended on April 5, for a total of 5 doses. He handled carbo like a champ! No side effects. We started metronomic therapy at his third chemo and have been also doing some holistic treatments. He's a lively, playful 10 year old huskie-boarder collie and a very proud member of the Winter Warriors! Our love. Our funny little guy!
Thank you everyone for your concern, your loving messages of support and your compassion. this is what I know so far. I called last night about 10 and she had just had another seizure and they put her on the anti-seizure meds (not sure why they didn't do it earlier but maybe they did and gave her another dose). She ate a HUGE meal at 9 p.m. last night and they think she got excited when they came to see her at 10 which might have caused it ... but it was little.
I called around 5:30 a.m. this a.m. and she made it through the night with NO seizures!!! The guy told me he had "great" news - no seizures and he sounded positive. Said she ate again for them at 1. He said the meds make them hungry. I said shelby is always hungry! She has peed / pooped (in her cage b/c I don't think they will let her walk since she's unstable on those meds).
He said she was pretty drugged and comfortable. They always say comfortable. Is that code for something?
The doctors do rounds around 9 a.m. and the dr who saw her yesterday will be back and will give me an update after that. I hope to go see her early this afternoon if not bring her home. I am cautiously optimistic about her being at home but this is an insane work week for me and this is scares me.
As for me - I got about 4 1/2 hours of uninterrupted sleep - thank you 1/2 half bottle of wine and NyQuil p.m. I went to an early spin class today since I was up and knew there was nothing else I could do until I hear from the doctor.
@ Karen - she's on that same anti-seizure med ... said it makes them druggy and they are trying to find the right balance. I suspect she's sedate since she's in the vet, she's probably scared and while they gave her a TON of blankets to lay on and I know are loving on her, she's not at home. It's stressful for her.
XO
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
I'm so glad she had a good night and you got some rest. I hope the docs have some better idea of what's going on, I can't even imagine how stressful this is for you both. {{{{{hugs}}}}
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi Alison
Sounds like good news to me!
I applaud your decision not to have the MRI done - the course of treatment will not change and it will be stressful for both of you.
I'm glad they started Shelby on the anticonvulsant and that she had a great night!
Here's hoping she can come home today or very soon - even though you have a crazy work schedule next week she will be happier at home with her Mom....and the bathmat if need be.
Many hugs
Linda and Tucker
Just heard from her doctor - she is "concerned that Shelby is so sedate" - but she's had a couple of seizures in 24 hours AND they gave her a heavier than normal dose of the pheno barb (plus the valium from yesterday) I would imagine I would be comatose too! She can't even stand (obviously) but they are going to give her a dose of mentonal (?) to help reduce some of the sedateness. She will eat for them and she's sleeping now. I am going to go see her in a couple hours but she is not coming home today, sadly.
We are not out of the woods yet, despite the good news about no overnight seizures but I am holding on to our positive energy that she WILL pull out of this. The dr said the drugs take a few days to work through the system anyways (which makes me wonder why she said it was bad news that shelby was sedate if she knows these drugs do that!!!!).
It breaks my heart to see her drugged but I know she knows that I am there and I will sit w/her for hours if they let me. Just to make sure Shelby knows how much I love her and that I am ALWAYS going to be there for her.
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
Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers. Hang on to all the pawsitives! Eating, no seizures through the night, peeing and pooping. The medical staff tending to Shelby sounds incredible and pawesomely caring and loving! Phenobarb can really knock them out so it's not surprising she's so sedate. They will find the right balance for her.
We are all here pulling for you and Shelby. Keeping our paws crossed that you both have a good day.
Hugs,
Amy & Spirit Libby
Liberty (Libby) was diagnosed with OSA on 1-22-13. Right front amputation on 1-31-13. No IV Chemo. Metronomic Therapy started 2-19-13 along with supplements and some home cooking. Lungs clear until 1-06-14. She's still her happy, hoppy, bossy self. Living the dog life to the fullest and a proud Winter Warrior. :) RIP my Libby 4-21-03 to 3-19-14
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