Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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MRSA
Culture came back NEGATIVE! Wound is healed except for one small spot. Instead of putting him on another whole round of the shots, we elected to inject the antibiotic right into the open area. The vet said that he looks better than she has ever seen him. Get this, he gained 4 and 1/2 lbs. He has muscle wasting on his head though. I made a very hard call today. They started to talk about restarting the chemo. I told them no. My reasons are #1 financial and #2 his quality of life. I want him to have some normalcy at home. He has been run back and forth for vet procedures so many times. If this stupid infection and additional surgeries would not have presented themselves, I may have taken another path. I am ready to just let him be a regular dog for awhile. I am not saying this is right or wrong, just a decision I had already made. ( it helped that Hubby said no more chemo) I asked about metronomic, but they did not seem so keen on that. They said that it is not the proven treatment for histeosarcoma. I know I will second guess whatever I do. I am just so afraid to reduce his immune system again. But what if it really would give him more time? Hard decision. I think I may call that Dr. Loops from NC. Any thoughts on that? I still have him on k9 Immunity and I just ordered Apocaps
. I always said that if I got cancer, I would do 1 chemo to jump start things and then treat holistically. So that is plan for now. I know that in the future, I will have to just know that I have done the best that I can with what I know.
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.
Yay on the negative test! I understand and your reasons for not continuing chemo are very understandable. I hadn't heard that about metronomic therapy and histeosarcoma but I'm sure others have and may be able to share an opinion on it.
I don't have any other advice for you. It sounds like you have a sound plan you are comfortable with. Ty deserves to just be a dog after everything he's been through. I'm glad he's doing so much better. We need to see more pictures!
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
That is GREAT news!!! So happy to hear this! I understand also, poor Ty has been through so much already. Its all about quality. I agree with Amy, we need pics!!
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”
Congratulations Ty and Amy! You did it!
I'm glad you have a solid plan for Ty's care...I don't have any advice about metronomics or holistic treatments but for now Ty is home and you both can enjoy today....because none of us is promised tomorrow!
Many hugs
Linda and Tucker
Best. News. All. Week!
This is just fantastic, you and Ty are ROCK STARS! 
What incredible odds you both faced, congratulations on being so strong and such an amazing advocate for him. YAAAAY!
As for not doing the chemo, I'm with you on that, I would have made the exact same decision in this case. You're an awesome dog Mom!
Your protocol for helping him stay strong sounds good. We would love to hear your feedback on K9 Immunity here if you get a chance. Remember to introduce new things slowly, it will be so beneficial in the long run.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
YAAAAAAAY!!!! I am so incredibly happy to hear that Ty is getting better!! We need some more good news in this community right now. He's a love and I agree, he HAS been through a lot. Let the lab be a lab!!! Go Ty, go go go TY!
Paw love,
Claudia and Angel Jersey Girl
YAY WAY TO GO TY!!!! KEEP IT UP!!!
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
Are you kidding me?? There is NOTHING for you to second guess EVER nnthis journeywith TY!! You get TNE BEST ADVOCATE WHO NEVER GAVE UP AWARD
THIS IS INCREDIBLE NEWS!! YOU DID IT LORI...YOU AND TY DID IT!! So many times yoj were close to "gicing up". Each time you followed your inner voice and said "NO"! You trusted your i stincts! Yo disn't listen to the "professinals"who had given up a long time ago. Yo pushed and pushed and pushed for answers. Ty has taught yoj and everyone sooooooo many life lessons on this journey!! He's a Zen Master!!
As far as chemo? APPLAUSE toyou for NOT pursuing it!! I kow we all here say there is no rightor wrong decision...every decisionout of love is the right decision. I think everyone here would agree, to pursue chemo would be a WRONG DECISION!! NO reason to ever second guess on that one! As yo already k ow, some seemingy get extended time with chemo...some get no extended time...and same without. It's just a crap shoot!
TY deserves to just be Ty and enjoy whatever time he has!! You're so tuned i to Ty, yo KOW he would say just let me be hapy beingnhome, bei g loved and being spoiled!! He wouldn't give a rip about trying to get "extra" time if it meant going back snd forth to the vets..i jectins..blood drawn, possible side effects, etc.
I'm just over the moo hapy for yoj and for the future you have before you!! Tme to ENJOY, ENJOY, ENJO and be worry-free and hapy!
And YAAAAAY for hubby!
I'm in awe of your courage and determination Lori! Brilliantly dne!!
Huge, huge, huge bowlof ice cream for everyone!!
Sally 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!
Yay, Ty! We really needed this kind of good news here today, and yours is wonderful. It sounds as though Ty is doing a great job of being a Labrador (read that as "pig dog"). Just what he needs to do to get his strength back. Kudos to all of you for persevering through this ordeal.
Kathi and Murphy
Murphy is a five year old Lab/Chessie cross. He was hit by a car on 10/29/12 and became a Tripawd on 11/24/12. On 2/5/13, he had a total hip replacement on his remaining back leg. He has absolutely no idea that he has only three legs!
UPDATE: Murphy lived his life to the fullest, right up until an aggressive bone lesion took him across the Rainbow Bridge on April 9, 2015 and he gained his membership in the April Angels. Run free, my love. You deserve it!
This is what I came here looking for! A great report on our Ty! YES YES YES YES! We couldn't be MORE happy for you and Ty! Soooooooo AWESOME!
I support your decision. He's been in and out so much of the vet's office, that time to just be at home would be marvelous. Plus, there's no good way to tell if chemo will work or not. Treating it holistically sounds great. Support his immune system, boost it, and cancer may not come back. Who knows?!
So maybe in a week or 2 when Ty is really going well, review his diet and supplements and make sure they're were they need to be to help him out. There are loads of resources here! Generally, a no/low carb approach, whole and unprocessed foods, anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs, if there's 1 that works for him; and supplements/food!), and immune support. Some of us use mushroom therapy, omega3 oils, and other supplements.
We're here to CHEER you on! And support you as you migrate this next, greatest chapter of Ty's life. CONGRATS!
~ Katy & Jackson
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!
Yay for Ty and way to hang in there Amy! You guys have had a rough road, I'm so happy to see Ty finally getting better.
Karen
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
We need our "Ty Fix" for the day!! WITH PHOTOS!!! YAAAAAAAY for our "Ty Fix"
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!
Agreed!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
YAY ty!!! I love seeing good news on Fridays! I know that decision must have been hard. But you are so right that he just needs to be a dog and not have to go to the vet so much. We chose no chemo from the beginning and have been using Dr. Loops for holistic treatments. He is very friendly and he does a 5 min free consult if you want to just check him out and see what he has to say then you can decide whether to schedule the full appointment. So far, Cody is doing great and doesn't really mind the remedies we have to give him.
Good luck!!!
Cody and Family
Cody is our 7 year old Australian Heeler mix boy. Diagnosed on 2/20/14 and became a tripawd 2/21/14! We chose a homeopathic approach and he is being treated by Dr. Loops our of NC.
Ty update!!! Ty update!!!
~ 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!
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