Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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I'm feeling very scared and sad about how Tshuvah's doing. It was one week ago that we got the horrid diagnosis of OS and Tshuvah had her left foreleg amputated. She is moving around very well...when she chooses to move, which is not often. she's still hiding in closets. And worse, to me, is that she's still barely eating.
This afternoon my vet suggested withholding all medication to see if this is all a medication effect, in the hope that Tshuvah will start eating again tomorrow. She finished her antibiotics today and the Previcox that the surgeon prescribed. We were intending to keep her on Previcox (or another NSAID) for a little longer for pain tx but maybe she just can't tolerate them. She was also still taking 1 tramadol twice a day. Her incision looks so good that I think the staples might be ready to come out on Monday, 10 days rather than 14 after surgery.
I have wanted to start her on an artemisinin protocol since we still don't have the path report back and neither of the two oncologists we plan to meet with want to see us until the path report is back. But I don't think I should start artemisinin or anything else until Tshuvah is eating and drinking more normally and comes out of the closet.
But then I wonder if maybe she's so far gone into the cancer that she'll never come back to us. The radiographs were positive, suggesting the tumor wasn't terrifically far advanced and that her lungs do not have visible mets. But her behavior says otherwise. Am I expecting too much too soon? The vets and the techs I've spoken to all seem to think she should be eating more and isolating less by now.
Help, this is so scary.
Beth
Beth with my beloved Tshuvah, 10 year old "TaosDog". Provisional diagnosis osteosarcoma on 6/10/10, amputation of left foreleg same day, firm diagnosis of hemangiosarcoma 6/24/10. Set free on 9/9/10. Treasured forever.
http://labrador.....ipawds.com
I forgot to mention that our vet prescribed sucralfate (?), which I believe is an anti-ulcer type medication, to address possible GI distress. I gave her one with the pill-gun before dinner and can give her as many as three per day for the next couple days.
Beth
Beth with my beloved Tshuvah, 10 year old "TaosDog". Provisional diagnosis osteosarcoma on 6/10/10, amputation of left foreleg same day, firm diagnosis of hemangiosarcoma 6/24/10. Set free on 9/9/10. Treasured forever.
http://labrador.....ipawds.com
Sucralfate is a great drug... like a bandaid for the tummy... helps to prevent GI problems from the NSAIDS... I'm sorry to hear that Tshuvah's still not feeling quite herself yet. It really is a big surgery... and then there are the effects from the pain meds. Its alot to take, for sure...
With the appetite... have you been trying to entice her with some yummy treats, like cheese, yogurt, peanut butter, etc?? How is she taking her pills? Are you forcing them down yourself, or are you hiding them in treats and food? Many dogs here have lost their appetite after their surgery... mostly from the effects of the pain meds... Once they were weaned off the pain meds, many of them got their appetite back. Hope that's the case with Tshuvah!
Please keep us posted on how she's doing...
Sending you and Tshuvah a big fat hug!!!
Angel Jake's Mom
Jake, 10yr old golden retriever (fractured his front right leg on 9/1, bone biopsy revealed osteosarcoma on 9/10, amputation on 9/17) and his family Marguerite, Jacques and Wolfie, 5yr old german shepherd and the newest addition to the family, Nala, a 7mth old Bengal mix kittie. Jake lost his battle on 11/9/2009, almost 8 weeks after his surgery. We will never forget our sweet golden angel… http://jakesjou.....ipawds.com ….. CANCER SUCKS!
Oh, Beth, what a worry for you. It sounds like you're a little frantic - I probably would be too - but I don't really know what to say. What do you feed her? Some dogs don't like their kibble for a while post-surgery. Have you tried enticing her with some cooked hamburger and some rice, just a little bit warm (more aromatic that way). It's never failed to inspire appetite in Catie when feels poorly (mainly post chemo treatments). Catie's appetite post-surgery wasn't as poor as Tshuvah's and not for nearly as long; in fact, the surgery didn't do too much to her appetite at all.
How concerned is your vet about her lack of appetite and her need for isolation? (Do you trust your vet?) How's her fluid intake?
I really hope she improves soon.
Catie -
Birthday – November 4 2003
Amputation – January 13 2010
Crossed the Bridge – June 2 2011
I'm so sorry Tshuvah is still not eating. I wish I could add something. Fortis never lost his appetite. I'm sure advice will come your way shortly. You might try to PM Pam (she is a Vet and has been a big help for me and Fortis) or posting under Ask A Vet.
My thoughts and prayers are with you,
Fortis'Dad
I'm sorry to hear Tshuvah is having a rough time. Sadie actually got worse the 2nd week post-amp. She lived in the mud room, and didn't eat much either. I went on a short (planned a year before sadie's diagnosis) vacation during Sadie's 3rd week post-amp. I had to board her at the vet for 4 days because my husband could not assist Sadie beause of his bad back. Anyway, what I'm getting at is she was like a new dog (actually, her old self) when I picked her up. I don't know if the change in scenery helped her or if it was just coincidence, but they said she did well most of the time she was there. I'm not suggesting you leave her at the vet, but maybe a change of scenery would be good. Maybe she picks up on your concern and is mirroring that vibe. Anyway, hang in there, I bet she'll do a lot better without all the meds. Keep us posted.
Hugs and sloppy Sadie kisses,
Lisa & Sadie
Sadie is my 9yr old Rott/Shepherd mix. Diagnosed with osteosarcoma in her right scapula 1/28/10. Our brave girl had her amputation 2/13/10 and her last chemotherapy on 6/6/10. Unfortunately, a tumor appeared in her back right leg and on 10/7/2010 Sadie's earthly journey came to an end. On 10/24/2010 we adopted Ranger, a handsome Rott/Lab mix tripawd (got hit by a car) I think Sadie sent him to us.
http://ranger.t.....pawds.com/
I am so sorry to hear that Tshuvah is still not eating. I have no advice, since Daisy did not experience that, but please know I feel your concern and will continue to send prayers your way.
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)
Beth, we can't blame you at all for being scared. It's so hard to watch them recuperate. All you have to keep telling yourself is, the first two weeks are hell, it WILL get better.
Previcox is a strong NSAID. It gave me an ulcer and scared the poop out of us. I stopped taking it and felt better. I personally don't like it, I've heard a lot of nasty things about it (dogs reactions) in some discussion groups. I'm not a vet, but this has been my experience.
I like Carmen's advice; tempting foods and home cooking can stimulate appetite. Have you tried boiled chicken and rice? So can things like adding small amounts of gatorade and sodium-free broth to her water to get her to drink may help jump start things.
According to our favorite vet Pam, there is an appetite stimulant called Remeron, as well as Cerenia, that you can have your vet prescribe for her, which should help too.
She will get better Beth. She's dealing with so much. She might just be nauseated from the strong meds, not eating, etc. All dogs are different in how they react to amputation but remember that what she is expressing is an instinctual feeling to just feeling bad. It's not regret, it's not fear of the future, it's not anything that humans might go through themselves. She feels bad, but you can help her feel better.
Hang in there and call your vet if you are still concerned in the morning OK? You're both in our thoughts.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I, too want to send my encouragement. I would be terrified along with you - so I wouldn't be of any help. But just wanted to say that we are thinking of you!
I bet once you take away the meds and temp something really tasty, she'll come back to her old self. It does sound like she just feels awful and is trying recoup the best she knows how.
Let us know in the morning, okay?
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.
Beth--
It's been a while since I've been on the boards, but I really wanted to respond to your worries. Our Tika was pretty much the same way, it turned out two things were happening with her. She was nauseous from the meds, and she was also having mental issues with them. Some dogs are really sensitive to meds. Tika was on deramaxx, tramadol and something else, it's all a blur right now.
We took her off them all except the deramaxx (anti-inflammatory) and the panic attacks and heavy panting stopped. Soon after she started eating boiled chicken and broth. However, when they've been off their food that long, don't them overdo it or you will get a lap or shoe full of doggie barf.
Also, the biggest thing I can suggest, is try not to panic. Tshuvah's picking up on that and it's not helping. They don't know really whats going on, but if they see you worried or upset, it's hard for them not to think it's their fault. And from the sound of things, hiding in the closet and such, you may have a little of that going on.
As far as food, when Tika got finicky about food, we'd haul out her favorites and then either act like we were eating it, or pretend like we were eating it. For a malamute, thinking that hey are getting the human's food is too much to resist. And really, try your best for healthy diet, but Tika got McD's french fries, pizza crusts, pretty much anything she wanted within reason.
For the first three days post op, I cried all the time. It upset my girl greatly. Slowly I learned to take deep breaths, look into her beautiful brown eyes and let her lead me. I started giving her massages, especially on the remaining hind leg. Remember that all her muscles are relearning how to distribute her center of gravity. Tika didn't move around much for the first two weeks. Especially since we took her off the pain meds, I'm sure she was sore from the surgery.
The final thing is, all vets and techs mean well, and they give you advice based on their experience. But our surgeon gave us the best advice: Here are the guidelines, every dog is different. Don't stress yourself or your dog out.
I really hope it will all pull through, you are in the 'two weeks of hell'. Remember everything your dog has gone through and think of it from her doggie perspective. And remember, things really have changed now, but it doesn't mean for the worst. Tika taught us so much in the 11 months she had with us after diagnosis. That is her legacy and she will be alive in my heart always because of it.
Take care, find your own center of balance, and Tshuvah will follow.
--Kim and Spirit Tika
Kim and Spirit Tika http://www.tika.....ogspot.com
Beth, sorry to hear your buddies not eating, Gus maybe didn't eat as much, but never lost his appetite completely, but what I did do is lunchmeat, and canned dog food, the ones with gravy, and he never missed that. I still give him that to make sure he has food when he takes his meds. The surgery is pretty major, and I suppose each dog will react different, both to the surgery and the meds, so hopefully you will get some answers soon, this is the rough part of the road and I know when you are at this stage, which we all have been at some time, you think it will never get better, so hang in there, no one said it was an easy ride but this is a great bus to be on while your taking it. Good luck, Gus and Dan
My buddy Gus had a left front amputation on April 7, 2010 and lived a great life until July 26,2010
Hang in there Beth,
It is really important for you to be strong and confident around Tshuvah- I know much easier said than done.
It is very good that the incision looks good, and that when she moves she looks good. She is recovering from a major surgery, and is on a lot of meds. My pug Maggie was very sluggish, and not too interested in food until she was off the pain meds, and the sutures came out.
It was difficult to get Mag to eat over her last three months- mostly due to kidney function issues. Maggie really reacted badly when I got outwardly frustrated when she would not eat what I offered her- so I learned to act like it was no big deal if she didn't eat the first thing I gave her. I also just stuffed her pills down her- I did not hide them in food. She always found the hidden pill then would associate food with bad stuff.
A couple of things that worked with Mag- she loved cheese. I got pub cheese for her, basically its whipped cheddar cheese. She would almost always lick some of that off my fingers. Once she got a little of that in her she would sometimes eat what I offered. I also syringe feed her much of the time. I also found that when she wouldn't eat solid food at first, she might after she got a little 'gruel' in her.
Caira Sue's mom had luck getting her pup to drink tuna water.
Kim is right- every dog is different. Let Tshuvah heal at her own pace. When Mag had her amp the only thing I got from the vet is 'dogs do really well on three legs- Maggie will bounce right back'. Mag took her time recovering from the surgery, and I was worried I had done the wrong thing- but she healed on her own schedule and eventually became herself again.
And when I really thought about it- the long adaptation time for her made sense. She was never a very adaptable dog, she did not like changes. So she was just being herself taking her time to get used to the new normal.
Keep talking to your vet with any concerns, and we are her to help too.
Karen and the pug girls
Hi Beth,
I'm so sorry to hear that Tshuvah's still not eating. Holly lost her appetite after surgery - I am pretty sure it was towards the end of the 1st week. And she didn't eat much for about 7-10 days. I was worried, too - so I know what you're going through. We tried all sorts of stuff - and what worked one time often would not work the next time. I stuck to small amounts every few hours. The things we tried that worked included chicken breast (small amounts on a little saucer with broth), ground beef, an egg, string cheese or mozzerella cheese. If there was kibble anywhere near any of the food we offered she absolutely would not even smell it. We tried rice, which sometimes she would eat and others would not. I was able to get her to drink chicken broth, so knew she was getting some nutrients. Her appetite did return once she was off all meds. She sometimes would take a biscuit. We never figured out if it was the antibiotic or the pain meds that did it to Holly. I'll also offer that when she was nauseous after chemo we finally found that canned tripe or canned or fresh salmon worked wonders - she would eat either of those. We were able to get the canned tripe at the local dog store/boutique.
Best of luck. It does get better... I would sit on the floor as if it was the most normal thing in the world and slowly hand feed her when she was at her worst. I figured getting her to eat even a little was good! We're keeping you and Tshuvah in our hearts.
Sending lots of hugs and healing thoughts,
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
There is already such great advice here that I don't have much to add. Tai didn't lose her appetite but she did have trouble dealing with the Tramadol so we took her off of it earlier than planned. Some dogs seem to like sardines and other smelly things such as the Tripe that was already mentioned.
I know it is so hard to stay positive when it seems like nothing is going as planned. These are HUGE changes for both of you!! I did spend time crying on Tai's shoulder but it really only upset her more so I eventually learned to try and keep a smile on my face and act like every day was yet another "happy day". I treated her like she was her old normal self and I think that helped. We did, and still do, lots of her fun things no matter how stupid they seemed to me ( like hunting for mice in the kitchen where I know there hasn't been a mouse for at least 15 years 
). Anything that felt like her "old routine" appealed to her the most.
I hope that Tshuvah starts eating soon and comes out of the closet. I love her name. What does it mean?
Hugs and tail wags coming your way,
Laura and Tai
Tai – 9 yr old lab. Diagnosed Osteosarcoma Dec 18/09. Front right leg amputated Dec 21/09. Started chemo Jan 7/10. Lung mets discovered Sept 16/10. Valiant to the end on Oct 26/10 when cancer reappeared in a leg and we made the decision to set her free. Forever in my heart where not even cancer can take her from me.
Thanks everyone. Certainly I am scared and sad, although I wouldn't say frantic. I'm not hovering, believe it or not.
Tshuvah's not eating again this morning; she's had two doses of sucralfate since yesterday. I have tried her favorite foods, including chicken nuggets, fresh salmon, and crackers. Right now she's chosing to stay in her bed in the backseat of my car.
this morning I did feel some kind of peace about all of this; beyond what I'm doing, I know that ultimately what happens isn't up to me. Its between Tshuvah and God. I will continue to seek the best possible care for her, continue to spoon feed her, protect her, whatever is within my capabilities to do for this little Holy Soul whom I love so much. But I can't make her better or different and I can't change this awful situation.
When I lost my beloved lab Yesha last July, he went from apparently healthy to beyond help in the space of 10 days with some kind of explosive soft tissue sarcoma in his jaw area. So I guess I'm coming by my fear and concern honestly. And in an insane aside, my 37 year old, pregnant sister was diagnosed with breast cancer last month, had a double mastectomy and her first round of chemo this week. So things are a bit hard around here. Tshuvah and I needed this like a hole in the head, as my mother would say.
Assuming that her lack of appetite is a medication effect, as the vet is suggesting, makes me wonder if chemo is a good choice for her. If her quality of life is about zero from a week of simplicef, tramadol and previcox, and she hates and is terrified of every and any vet she's ever known, what kind of chemo candidate does that make for? Well, that's a question for next week, not this.
Thank you all for your loving support,
Beth
Beth with my beloved Tshuvah, 10 year old "TaosDog". Provisional diagnosis osteosarcoma on 6/10/10, amputation of left foreleg same day, firm diagnosis of hemangiosarcoma 6/24/10. Set free on 9/9/10. Treasured forever.
http://labrador.....ipawds.com
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