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Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat

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Swollen (?) front leg/paw + shivering
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Member Since:
3 August 2021
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8 August 2021 - 9:18 pm
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You guys are awesome! Thanks for the reassurance! It means so much. 

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1 October 2017
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8 August 2021 - 9:33 pm
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I have been following your story and you've gotten fantastic advice ❤

I just want to chime in and agree that you're doing a wonderful job,  every living being handles recovery in their own way,  and you should be seeing the gleam of the light at the end of the tunnel any time now. 

You're so in tune to Sante's needs,  she's very lucky to have you as her pawrent. Hang in there ❤

Hugs,

Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry

Huckleberry's Blog

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3 August 2021
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8 August 2021 - 9:44 pm
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Thank you! 

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3 August 2021
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10 August 2021 - 12:02 pm
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Two week post-amp check went well. Aspirated one big lump and found it to be fatty. Surgeon offered to do ultrasound and aspirate liver and spleen to investigate the mast cell cancer further. I elected to let Sante have 2 weeks of no poking and vet stress now until the oncologist appointment on the 25th. Gonna try going off the Gabapentin completely and use metacam for short-term muscle soreness now. 

She seemed to turn a corner yesterday with brighter eyes and more wags than I've seen in the two weeks. 🙂 Time now for good times outside and building up stamina for walkies. 

Virginia







Member Since:
22 February 2013
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10 August 2021 - 1:07 pm
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We love fatty lumps arpu d here!!  YAY for a good check up and YAY for  even more sparkle coming back!

FWIW, a reprieve  from coming and prodding is very therapeutic!!  Sante is doing great, especially  so early after recovery, and that says all is well in Sante's  world!!👏👏👏

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!

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
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11 August 2021 - 2:12 pm
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suzoutside said
I elected to let Sante have 2 weeks of no poking and vet stress now until the oncologist appointment on the 25th.

What a cool idea! I'm loving your thought process. The cancer journey can get so overwhelming, we want to do everything and we want it done now, but sometimes we forget the priority is making sure our Tripawd is having the quality of life we wanted from amputation. So YAY YOU!  Maybe they can do the diagnostics that day while she is there at the onco vet? You may want to see if that's possible, they might tell you not to feed her that morning just in case.

Soooo glad she's getting her mojo back! Let us know how she's doing without the extra pain control. We are sending Tripawd Power your way!

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

Member Since:
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11 August 2021 - 2:30 pm
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Thank you. We were having a great day then she seemed to get uncomfortable. Staring at me and trembling a little. So I gave her gabepentin thinking I weened her too fast on surgeon instructions. Gave her dose 2 hours ago and she's acting so strange. Just went outside to lay down (on the gravel) with her tail between her legs. Hoping the gabepentin kicks in and that's the only problem ... 🙁 Otherwise she's moving well and eating and drinking and peeing and pooping. 

On The Road


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24 September 2009
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11 August 2021 - 9:09 pm
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Oh darn! I would let them know about her pain signals , the tail between legs is one sign she's still hurting. I hope the new dose works better. It's such a tricky balance! Stay strong, you'll get there.

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

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8 September 2021 - 8:09 am
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July 14: Surprising gut wrenching diagnosis

July 26: Amputation

August 25: First Oncology appointment / Decision to do CT and other diagnostics to determine what we're dealing with (one or two cancers, in what stages)

September 7: Big scan day ... 

Sante has mets in her lungs already. More discussion to come but chemo not recommended and likely some drugs to slow the mets. 

Not the outcome I was hoping for ... 🙁

Virginia







Member Since:
22 February 2013
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8 September 2021 - 9:06 am
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Had to read this a couple  of times to make sure I read it right.  Needless to say, we are all quite stunned.  This piece of s**t disease  is so brutal and cunning and devious.   All we can do is try everything  possible  to give our dogs a good quality  life.

And right now Sante is pain free and completely  oblivious  to any ole medical report.  She does not have a time frame  stamped anywhere on her butt and continues to be Sante.  And that is all she cares avout....along with spoiling  and extra treats.

This is not the "end", not by a long shot!  Many dogs have gotten a great deal of extended  quality  time even with mets.  Our Founder Jerry is one of them!! 

While this is a kick in the gut to hear, there ARE things that can be done to keep Sante stable and thriving!!!      Your Onco will probably  mention  Palladia  as well as nutritional  and supplement  support.  Mushroom therapy  may be helpful in Sante's case too.  And Metronomics is used by some too.  

Let us know what follow up plan is being offered when you get a chance, okay?  This is NOT the end and Sante has no intention  of "throwing in the towel"!  She's  a strong gal with strong  and determined hoomans by her side!!   She is still Ssnte and that's  all that matters to her.  Medical  reports  don't  mean squat.

(((((((((((((((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!

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8 September 2021 - 12:05 pm
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Thank you. I will report back. 

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
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8 September 2021 - 12:28 pm
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I'm so sorry! It's hard not to be heartbroken with a finding like this, I feel so bad for you. We humans, we don't cope with this kind of news well. But like Sally mentioned, Sante is still Sante! She doesn't care what the report says, she's not worried about her future or even trying to predict it the way we do. She's just being herself, and wondering why you are so upset. 

Mets suck, there's no getting around that. But there's no way to accurately predict what will happen. We've seen some dogs live with mets for much longer than anyone predicted. Our Jerry went seven additional months, and other dogs have gone longer, even a couple of years. So you never know. The oncologist can guesstimate based on averages, but they can't stamp an expiration date on Sante's butt.

So get the information to help keep this poopicontty disease stable and from getting worse, and remember that Sante is following your lead. Our emotions get reflected back by our pets and although it's unrealistic to try to ignore how you feel, do your best to stay strong around her (while setting up a punching bag in your garage or something so you can take out your feelings!). 

Let us know what they suggest OK? We are here for you and your sweet girl.

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

Member Since:
3 August 2021
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9 September 2021 - 5:34 pm
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So the 7 page CT report is in from Sante's big Tuesday. 

They still have not been able to find the source of the mast cells in her lymphnode ... I asked the obvious question "Well is it possible it was on the leg we removed?" Answer is "Sure, it's possible." I've decided to stop thinking about that potential second cancer and focus on the mets in her lungs. 

She has an enlarged "reactive lymph node" where her amputated shoulder was ... inflammation is the guess. I can feel it today. There was no lump there before today that could be felt. She even yelped today when I just absently rubbed her. 

Recommendation is to start Palladia on Monday. And give it Mon/Wed/Fridays, with Metacam (anti inflammatory) in the days between. Will be given for a total of 6 months if all goes well. Recheck after 2 weeks, then after 4 weeks again. 

She also has arthritis in her remaining shoulder, poor kid, and a couple bulged discs ... we'll continue regular physio. 

S

On The Road


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24 September 2009
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9 September 2021 - 5:43 pm
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Geez I'm sorry you didn't get more definitive answers. That's so frustrating. But you have a GREAT attitude, I can see Sante is rubbing off on you. Yes, focus on the major concern at hand, and with a plan like that, know that you are giving it your absolute best shot at kicking cancer's butt.  It sounds like a reasonable way to tackle this situation. And in the meantime we will keep our paws crossed that the source of the mast cells is gone gone gone with that leg. 

If you'd like to get her into therapy to help with her other issues, remember the Tripawds Foundation can pay for your first rehab visit , so please take advantage of the program!

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

Member Since:
3 August 2021
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9 September 2021 - 5:46 pm
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Do you have any thoughts of things I need to be aware of with the Palladia? I am relieved it's given at home ... no stressful appointments. 

She has been in physical therapy and will continue ... we have a wonderful care team at Canine Fitness where she's been receiving care for over a year. 

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