Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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I wasn't sure what fourm to post this under so please feel free to move. First I want to send out a thanks to moderator Shanna (aka, Trouble) for her help in finding topics and info regarding recent developments with Fortis. Reading about Wiley, Yoda, Tika and Caira Sue has been a big help. I will keep this short, unemotional, and to the point. Those of you who have come to know me on a deeper level will know BS when you see it 
CD.
On Aug. 13th Fortis started coughing. The coughing was extreme at times lasting from 30 minutes to an hour/episode. Small amounts of bloody phelgm were coughed up throughout the day. He continued to cough the following day but no blood was apparent.
On Aug. 24th x-rays were taken that indicated Fortis had at a minimum, 8 lung mets.
I never witnessed Fortis coughing prior to the 13th. During the 3 weeks that followed I only witnessed an occasional cough and no blood. His activity level, appetite, and over all disposition remained normal.
ON Sept. 3rd Fortis began coughing again. In comparison, there was a lot of blood this time. What appeared to be large clumps of tissue were coughed up along with the blood. This went on for most of the day. The following day Fortis continued to cough blood but in smaller amounts and with no tissue masses observed.
ON Sept. 4th Fortis was put on prednisone and responded almost immediately.
Today, Sept. 11th Fortis is doing well. During the previous week he hardly coughed. Once again Fortis' energy level, appetite, and over all disposition remain high/normal. The high is probably a result of the prednisone.
In any case, it seems Fortis had a lung met burst! I had never heard of this until Shanna pointed me in the right direction. There is a lot more that I could say on this topic but I promised to keep it short. I am only posting this now for future reference. If anyone now or in the future should want or need to talk more in depth about this very scary occurrence please feel free to contact me via pm and I will give you my number. Warning.............I like to talk!!! 
Anybody that has my number please don't hesitate in giving it out in the months or "years" ahead.
As Mary said (aka, Caira Sue) "It's not a sign of the end. It's a sign of the process. Cancer is a crappy journey, because we all know how it ends"
P.S. Congratulation Tripawds for reaching your goal. It's beautiful and speaks volumes about this community. 
Thanks for listening,
Fortis'Dad
Fortis says Howdy!
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Well its great that Fortis is doing better on the prednisone, but I am sorry to hear that he had a lung met burst.... He is quite the fighter that Fortis. Fortis the Fighter. Kind of catchy!
Chloe and I wish Fortis many more good days (no coughing) and many more swim days! He has been a champ through this whole thing and you should be proud of his tenacity. I certainly am, especially since he became part of Chloe's tripawd family pack 
An inspawration for sure!
Keep enjoying life Fortis!!!
-Chloe's mom
Chloe became a rear amp tripawd on 7-29-10. Another tumor was removed on front leg 2-20-14. Found 3rd tumor on neck 2-2015, but she's still kicking cancer's butt at age 14. Chloe's blog
Thanks Chloe's mom. You bet I'm proud of him. He's my boy! The Chloe tripawd family pack......I love it. Were in good company. Thanks.
I bet your just full of anticipation with so little time left before your Chloe is back with you. Live it up Chloe and Grad. student Mom.
Fortis'Dad
Yep!!!! I just made a new post on my forum about preparing for her arrival!!! ONE WEEK!!!
-Chloe's mom
Chloe became a rear amp tripawd on 7-29-10. Another tumor was removed on front leg 2-20-14. Found 3rd tumor on neck 2-2015, but she's still kicking cancer's butt at age 14. Chloe's blog
I am sorry to read about the lung met burst, how scary that must have been. What a relief to read that the prednisone has worked so quickly and Fortis is back to being Fortis again. Thanks for offering to talk to us when or if we ever get to the same place. This community is so awesome.
Fortis the Fighter, please keep on fighting the good fight!
Jo Ann & Tasha
Tasha 8 years old, First cancer diagnosis 6/26/09, Last cancer diagnosis 9/26/09, Amputation 10/01/09, Loving our girl moment by moment.
Tasha lost her battle and became my Angel on May 4 2011. Forever in my heart….
Lungs mets schmets! He's the most handsome and happiest boy ever!
Fortis,
You are no lightweight and even though you had me spooked about the blood coughing (okay, I cried), I knew in my heart that you are a fighter! And if anyone can go toe to toe with cancer, it's YOU! Your dad may need paramedics next time but not you!
Lots of wuv - big boy!
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.
Awe, shucks! No recognition needed on my part. I'm so happy it helped. You guys are pawesome, and I'll do whatever I can do to help my fellow Texan out. I didn't think until now to mention it, but they can take Robutusin for a cough. Be sure to check with your vet first. I don't know if they prefer to keep the cough going until everything is clear or if they prefer to stop it. The few time Troubs has had a severe cough (not cancer related) we finally got it under control with Robutusin.
Glad to hear "our" big boy is feeling better.
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 have really hoped for Fortis. I am in awe that he is so strong willed and determined to stick around. I think he is magnificent. So are you Brett, any member here can feel the love you have for each other. My prayers are for you both to have the best of days, many more to come.
Elizabeth and Sammy
Diagnosed with osteosarcoma in the right front leg 8/23/10,
leg fractured 8/27/10,
leg amputated 8/30/10
http://sammyand.....pawds.com/
I couldn't begin to say how special Sammy is to us. Living and laughing with and loving this wonderful boy is priceless.
What a scary experience Brett, thank you for being so courageous and kind to share it here so that others can learn what to expect if this happens. We are just SO glad that Fortis is feeling good. What a DAWG!
Yep, we've had others experience it here, and it's never a good time.
Shanna, you're right; Robutussin DM can be given, sugar free is best. I was told it would help me too. I think it did, sorta.
Thanks for the congrats Brett, we couldn't have reached our goal without the amazing support of you pawesome pawrents, so thank YOU!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
My human family across the country are pulling for you Fortis. and we all say "Howdy" back! And a brush of an angel wing from JD.
Spirit Angel JD's mom
JD
One Tough Girl
(1999-2010)
-Diagnosed with osteosarcoma of her left front leg –
-Amputation July 23 2010 –
-The cancer didn't get her, but she is gone-
-She fought the cancer and loved life till bloat brought her down August 29th, 2010-
Now she watches over her mom and two new sisters, the Quad-Paws Serena and Maya
"Fortis the Awesome"...
Cemil sends Big Dog strength, not that you need it, but a little extra couldn't hurt. We support each other.
Hoping for many more happy days in the Fortis swimming hole. Lung mets can't get the Awesome One down.
Mary and Cemil
Cemil and mom Mary, Mujde and Radzi….appreciating and enjoying Today
Brett,
Its really important here for folks like you to leave your story for those that follow, just like Mary and Caria Sue did to provide some help and comfort (and Wiley, Yoda and Tika too!).
But lets plan on having Fortis continue to post for a while yet though, OK?
Good to hear that he is doing well on pred- just what your man needs- steroids!!! He really needs to bulk up .
Karen and the pugapalooza
Bret, glad to hear it was just a bump in the road for Fortis, as we all know this road ain't very smooth, and when you can dodge the big bumps it sure makes you feel good. Enjoy your time with him, which I'm sure you do. I never heard of those things bursting, you learn something everyday. As my daughter told me years ago, every time you learn something you get another wrinkle in your brain, sure glad it's wrinkles you can't see cause I'd look like an old man from what I've learned about this crap that puts us through this meat grinder, Paws up to the big guy, Spirit Gus and Dan
My buddy Gus had a left front amputation on April 7, 2010 and lived a great life until July 26,2010
I have been on the phone for like hours with a good friend and just now realized all the kind responses. Wow, you guys are really great. Thanks for all the support. You guys are so so kind.
Dan, I bet over this past year I look like I've been put through a meat grinder. 
. I think my brain has said enough already....the face is taking the brunt now! Tonight is a good night though.....a great phone conversation followed by all these kind supportive comments. Wow is all I can say.
Fortis has been very patient with me tonight (he knows my battery was in need of a charge) but It's past time I gave him some attention. Thanks again everybody.
Brett
I have been on the phone for like hours with a good friend
You have friends? 
Back at ya' - FD! I now know what you sound like! Wooooooooof!
And let the record state Ms. Shanna, I was born in Abilene - so keep me in the fellow Texan loop.
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.
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