Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hi all!
Thank you for the tips on Prednisone in my last post and all your kind encouragement. 
Yesterday was Titus' 20th month Ampuversary and we went in to have his lungs checked. Compared to March when we first found the much dreaded lung mets, yesterday was a saddening again as (he was on Prednisone starting late April) the tumors have almost doubled in capacity by yesterday (largest measuring 12x8cm). I was hoping so much for the bonus perks of Prednisone for controlling the tumor growths.
The vet estimated the tumors occupy >50% in the left lung, and there's one visible tumor in the right. His left lung sounds muffled with restricted airways and bronchitis, while the right still sounds great. Titus' appetite has shot through the roof since Prednisone and he has not coughed up much blood ever since either.
Just in case anyone's wondering, he's currently on 10mg of Prednisone, Eltroxin (Titus is hypothyroid), K9 Immunity and TF, organic flaxseed oil and arthritis supplements with his bi-monthly Cartrophen shot. I am hoping to cut down on his pills to have him enjoy his meals but he doesnt seem to mind as he's always starving!
On another note, he'd lost almost 8 pounds in 5 weeks with no change in the amount of food we give. I know cancer can cause significant weight loss but at this rate, I'll have to double the amount of food in no time. Has anyone have similar weight loss experiences while on Prednisone and lung mets at this stage?
I've also changed his deep water bowl to a much shallower dish and that helped a lot with his coughing up of phlegm right after. No blood as well as he doesn't hack as hard.
I've been fortunate to be able to spend most of my time with him now that i'm mostly home. It's definitely hard to control his excitement as we go on walks and brief swim sessions, and regret later when his shortness of breath catches up with him.
Hope all the Tripawds out there are doing amazing. Hugs to all of you.
xx
"A dog is the only thing in the world that loves you more than he loves himself."
OSA in left hind leg–30 August 2008. Ampuversary–4 October 2008.
Titus earned his wings on 15th July 2010.
He is dearly missed and our love lives on.
Happy Ampuversary, Titus! 20 months is amazing! We're sorry to hear the mets have grown so much. We don't have experience with that yet - so can't offer anything other than words of encouragement. What a good idea to switch his water bowl - I wouldn't have thought of that. We'll have extra treats here in Titus's honor today to help him celebrate 20 months!
Hugs,
Holly, Zuzu and Susan
Holly joined the world of tripawds on 12/29/2009. She has a big little sister, Zuzu, who idolizes Holly and tries to make all of her toys into tripawds in Holly's honor. And she's enjoying life one hop at a time!
http://anyemery.....ipawds.com
I'm sorry you are fighting lung mets, but he seems to be doing well, even though they continue to grow. You have been blessed with a large amount of time in which to enjoy him, so many folks are not so lucky. Keep celebrating those ampuversaries. Each and every one is a gift.
Keep fighting, Titus, 20 months is an amazing accomplishment. We are going to celebrate right along with you!
Shanna & Spirit Trouble ~ Trouble gained her wings 3/16/2011, a 27 1/2 month cancer survivor, tail wagging. RIP sweetheart, you are my heart and soul. Run free at Rainbow Bridge.
The November Five - Spirits Max, Cherry, Tika, Trouble & Nova. 11/2008 - 3/2013 An era ends as Queen Nova crossed the Bridge.
I, too, am sorry that Titus' lung mets have grown. I think if I were you I would try not to have regrets when Titus over does it with walks and swimming. Enjoying things like that is what living is all about. Please remember you are letting Titus live with cancer. We all know the ultimate outcome but Titus is enjoying those activities now! I am celebrating with you for the 20 months you have had with him and looking forward to each additional day that you have...and may they be many.
Debra & Angel Emily
Debra & Emily, a five year old doberman mix, who was diagnosed with an osteosaecoma. She had a right rear leg amputation on May 19, 2009. On November 10, 2009 she earned her wings and regained her fourth leg.
Carol said:
The vet estimated the tumors occupy >50% in the left lung, and there's one visible tumor in the right.
Similar to Jerry's metastasis. He lived a happy life until one entire lung and ±10% of the other became consumed. It's amazing how much more lung capacity dogs have than humans.
We just posted two new Tripawds Health Videos from our Veterinary Cancer Care clinic tour, discussing metastsis, radiographs and follow-up scans. Stay tuned to Jerry's blog for more videos and complete interview posts coming soon.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
That's great that you can report 20 months!
It's never easy to hear the dreaded news of lung mets and for that I am sorry. But I certainly wouldn't regret the swimming and walking afterwards when he so excited to do it! Just try to think of it as a tiny consequence of getting to have fun! (sort of like eating chocolate and dreading the calories later)
Good luck with his weight. I'm sorry I don't have any cancer experience so I too, can only give words of encouragement.
Comet's mom
Comet - 1999 to 2011
She departed us unexpectedly January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.
She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.
Twenty months? WOWWWWEEEE!
The mets stage is so hard, but wow, 20 months is incredible, that's nearly TWO YEARS! Titus, you are beating the odds, congrats!
Hopefully someone else can help with the weight loss issue, I'm not sure what I can offer except to say that my pawrents kept my weight up by feeding me lots of high fat foods, like cottage cheese, eggs, olive oil and super fatty ground meats. I'm pretty sure it helped stabilize my weight.
You guys are rock stars in the canine cancer world, congrats! It's great to hear from you.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Twenty months is incredible. So sorry about the growing lung mets though...we haven't come to this part of the journey yet. But, wow, Titus still has all that excitement and joy for walking and swimming.
That is simply amazing.
Carmen, Catie and Riley
Catie -
Birthday – November 4 2003
Amputation – January 13 2010
Crossed the Bridge – June 2 2011
We found lung mets in Gus a week ago, they don't seem to big yet, and started him on prednisone , and now with a gracious gift from Dasha, have started him on K-9 immunity this week also. Right now he is doing great, although I am wondering if he is keeping weight on also, but his appetite is good, can't say he is eating more, we just let him eat when he wants to. We haven't had any problems with coughing or blood yet either, hoping we can slow that down. Our vet is looking into a couple different drugs recommended here on tripawds, but 20 months, man I'd give anything to think we could make that, way to go, paws up, Gus and Dan
My buddy Gus had a left front amputation on April 7, 2010 and lived a great life until July 26,2010
Congratulations on 20 months! I will envision you having many more wonderful times.
Lexi (Daisy's momma)
Daisy, 12 years young, had left forelimb amp on 5/19/2010 due to osteosarcoma. She left her body behind and joined the other spirit tripawds on 7/16/2010.
So grateful for each day with her!
Lexi (Daisy's momma)
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