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.
Join The Tripawds Community
Learn how to help three legged dogs and cats in the forums below. Browse and search as a guest or register for free and get full member benefits:
Instant post approval.
Private messages to members.
Subscribe to favorite topics.
Live Chat and much more!
Register
Log In
Members
Add Topic
Offline
Hi All! My beloved Golden Retriever, Eddy, was diagnosed in July of this year with Osteosarcoma. He had his back left leg amputated August 8, 2014, and began chemotherapy soon after. He has thus far had 3 chemo sessions of Carboplatin and has done really well. On our last visit, almost a month ago, they did chest films before they administered the chemo. Two of the three films showed a 5mm shadow that was not on any previous films. Our oncologist decided to go ahead with the third chemo treatment, and said he will go another set of films before the 4th treatment. Well, that 4th treatment is now three days away. In literally the past few days, Eddy has started having a couple of "coughs" a day. He also seems to be panting more. Can anyone tell me what symptoms their dogs had prior to discovering mets in the lungs? I don't know whether I am being paranoid over every cough sound he makes, or if this is truly the beginning of lung mets. Thank you for any help you may have to offer. ~Betsy
Betsy Golden and Angel, Eddy. Eddy was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma 7-23-14, had a left rear amputation 8-07-14, had 3 rounds of carboplatin chemotherapy, a small lung met was discovered in October, had 2 rounds of doxorubicin, and unfortunately more lung mets were discovered. Eddy fought cancer valiantly and went to the Rainbow Bridge 1-6-15, at the age of 7 years and 359 days, just six days short of his 8th birthday. Best Dog, Ever....you will never be forgotten.
Hi Betsy, welcome to Tripawds. Your future posts will not have to wait for approval.
I hope you don't mind I moved your post here since your questions are about oncology and care.
I'm sorry Eddy is battling OSA, how is he doing other than the cough? Is he getting around OK, eating and drinking?
I dealt with a different type of cancer that didn't go to the lungs, so I'm going to let more experienced members answer your questions.
Remember, no matter what happens you have given Eddy the gift of pain free life with the amputation.
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
Hi Betsy and Eddy. Yep, this is a journey where every little hiccup or burp can throw you into a tail spin of worry!! And almost always, it IS just anhiccup or burp!!
To say not to worry is pretty pointless. However, TRY NOT TO WORRY!! M Happy Hannah had some sort of "something" show up during one of those "in between" xrays prior to another chemo treatment. It was NOT a met. It simply was attributed to "aging lungs".
Also, it takes alot of effort and energy for dogs to get around on three legs. The panting most likely is a result of the extra exertion it takes to get around now.
"Symptons" vary greatly dog to dog. When my Happy Hannah did develop a met one year and two months later, she never did cough and never did "gag". Your Eddy may simply have developed some allergies or picked up a cough at the vets.
Do keep us posted and tell us more about your sweet Eddy. GOLENS are such sweethearts. And we would LOVE to see some pictures!
Remember, y o u are not alone!
Now, B R E A T H E..........B R E A T H E......go eat some chocolate, rub Eddy's tummy and watch him wag his tail happily! All is well in Eddy's land!!
((((((((((///((/HUGS))))))))))))))))))
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle 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!
Thank you both for your awesome advice! Eddy is getting along really well! Winter has set in her in Minnesota, so that has curbed his outside time a bit. But, he is figuring out how to navigate through the 8 inches of snow in the yard, and he is eating really well and drinking a lot! He is on Rimadyl for arthritis he has in his remaining back leg. (He had a torn ACL two years ago in that leg). I have also been giving him Tramadol only at night, but I am wondering if that maybe what is causing the excessive panting, so I am stopping that as of today. Last night was probably the lowest point I have been at since we began this journey, and in the midst of my grief, that sweet little face showed up as I was lying on the couch, with a ball in his mouth. It was 3am and we played ball in the living room! Today is a new day and the sun is actually trying to peak out for the first time in days...I am trying to refocus and be positive for my boy! My wish since this nightmare began was for Eddy to make it until spring...his favorite season. I hope that he can do that! I am doing everything in my power to try to make that happen! I did some online research last night and I checked his gums and they look great...I also took his temperature and it is 101. which is normal.
Thank you both for the positive feedback. You really helped me! Thank you!!!
Betsy Golden and Angel, Eddy. Eddy was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma 7-23-14, had a left rear amputation 8-07-14, had 3 rounds of carboplatin chemotherapy, a small lung met was discovered in October, had 2 rounds of doxorubicin, and unfortunately more lung mets were discovered. Eddy fought cancer valiantly and went to the Rainbow Bridge 1-6-15, at the age of 7 years and 359 days, just six days short of his 8th birthday. Best Dog, Ever....you will never be forgotten.
I'm glad Eddy is doing better today...and what pup wouldn't want to play at 3am...I take that as a good sign!
My Leland didn't deal with cancer so I'm not familiar with lung mets but I have read on here where people have noticed Tramadol increasing the furkid's panting. Some furkids do better on Tramadol than others. My Leland was one that didn't do so well so we discontinued it and just gave him Gabapentin to manage the pain. Hopefully you will start noticing a difference in Eddy since you discontinued the Tramadol.
I'll be keeping you and Eddy in my thoughts.
We'd love to see some pictures of Eddy if you can.
Sahana and her Angel Leland
November 17, 2009 - June 30, 2014
May you finally be healthy and running free at the Rainbow Bridge. Until we meet again my sweet boy!
Betsy and Eddy, welcome! I really really love your attitude and can tell that you two have an amazing bond that will get you through anything. We dealt with osteo and the ever-present fear of lung mets as well, so I totally understand your worry. The cough is a very dry hack, and I'm sure your onco has told you, you will know it when you hear it. Symptoms vary between dogs but generally a consistent cough is a sign of advanced mets. Now keep in mind that MANY dogs have lived longer than anyone though possible with lung mets, including our Jerry, so you never know.
What I learned the most with this journey is that there are so many things in this world we cannot control, so why worry until we know exactly what we're dealing with? Instead, Be More Dog ! Watch Eddy's cues, he's a good teacher as you know, and all he wants is you to be happy with him here and now.
I hope you get some very good news. Keep us posted OK?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Welcome, Betsy and Eddy.
My Johnnie is also a Golden Retriever, also OSA, front-leg amp. As said in previous posts, do try to take him off Tramadol and see how he does. Usually dogs are weaned off the Tramadol in the post-op phase, which means 2 to 3 weeks.
Johhnie's 6-month ampuversary will be on Nov 20th, and what I can say from these past six months is that they have been really intense. I have learned to value and enjoy each day of his company, and my husband and I have organised our routine in order to work more from home in order to be with Johnnie in all the spare time we can. I guess we have all learned to "Be More Dog " and to live one day at a time.
Hang on, and keep on posting.
Daniel a& Johnnie
Our awesome Golden Boy was diagnosed for OSA in April 2014 in the proximal humerus, front-leg amp on 05/20/2014. Finished chemo (Carbo6) on 07/10/2014. Ongoing treatment: acupuncture + K-9 Immunity Plus ( 3chews) and home-cooked no-grain diet. Stopped Apocaps because of liver issues. Liver issues: controlling altered enzymes with SAM-e and Milk Thistle. October 17: started having seizures. Taking fenobarbital for seizures. April 18: started prednisone.
I love the visual of Eddy bringingnyou a ball to play with at 3 a.m.! And THAT, my friends, is howwTripawds learn very quickl y we will do anything they want anytime they want it!!
Also another reminder that Eddy feels fine and isn't worried avout a thing!!
And as far as Springtime..yeah..no problem!! Eddy's up for frolicing among the Spring flowers!!
Extra hugs to you and Eddy!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle 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!
Well, received the dreaded call from the oncologist this morning, after dropping Eddy off for his treatment, and the suspected lung met is exactly that, a lung met. It has doubled in size to 11mm, from our last visit despite our there carboplatin treatments. And, there is now another one that has popped up, at 4mm. Right now, I am having a good cry! Trying to get that out so I can regroup and be positive when I pick Eddy up. Our oncologist is in touch with the Univ of Calif Davis, and they are going to use a trial drug on Eddy to see if it has any effect. This has been quite the roller coaster ride the past three and a half months since Eddy was diagnosed on 7-23-14.
Any advice anyone can share on living with lung mets would be GREATLY appreciated! Also, I just want to thank all of you and especially Jerry's dad for this site. It has been a great source of information and most of all, comfort!
~Betsy
Betsy Golden and Angel, Eddy. Eddy was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma 7-23-14, had a left rear amputation 8-07-14, had 3 rounds of carboplatin chemotherapy, a small lung met was discovered in October, had 2 rounds of doxorubicin, and unfortunately more lung mets were discovered. Eddy fought cancer valiantly and went to the Rainbow Bridge 1-6-15, at the age of 7 years and 359 days, just six days short of his 8th birthday. Best Dog, Ever....you will never be forgotten.
Betsy, I just responded to your other post.
Unfortunately, waaaaaay to many of us understand what you are going through.
Just want to add again...as part of the treatment...is to make sure yo let NOTHING robnyounofnyour time together!!! To grieve for what has not yet been lost, prevents you frm focusing on the gift of all the joys of having Eddy with you right now.
Maybe something you can reframe to help you stay in the present.....its not about living with Eddy with lung mets.....it's about living with
EDDY with happiness, joy, spoiling, loving,snuggles, ear scratches, tummy rubs, butt scratches, ice cream, cupcakes, steak, letting him get in the trash and telling him "good boy", letting him drink out of the toilet and then kissing you! Yeah, Eddy's having a blast living life to the fullest!!
Love to you..
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle 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!
Betsy, I'm sooooo sorry. Damn cancer! 
We are crying with you, and we will be here to help you be strong too. Many of us know exactly how you are feeling and there's no easy way to get through this, it just bites. BUT, you have the right frame of mind, by getting the good cry out now and being strong for him when you pick him up. You will see that he doesn't have the burden of knowing the news, and without that he lives in the same blissful place he always does. Whatever the prognosis, he will be the same loving, happy, fun dog he always is. Animals are simply amazing and great role models for us.
We have lots of info here about coping with lung metastasis. I'm glad to hear that your vet is going to work with UCD. Was the drug he mentioned Palladia?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
1 Guest(s)
