Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hello,
We just wanted to send an update on our 10 year old Dobermann, Inca. Inca had her front left leg amputated almost a year ago, due to a chondrosarcoma.
Her first two weeks were difficult but she bounced right back to be the complete nut case that we knew and loved.
Her three month lung xray was completely clean.
Then, unfortunately, we found another lump right on the edge of amputation site. This was a melanoma. Such bad luck.
It is under the skin and was about the size of half an orange when we were worried about it. The vet said that it there wasnt really a way to remove it, as the margins they would have to remove around it, would have been to close to her spine and they couldnt guarantee to get all of it.
It didnt bother her and so it didnt bother us.
Until Monday.
The lump just ballooned over night and she was very out of sorts.
She went for a short walk and looked completely wiped by it. She was drinking a huge amount of water and was more incontinent than usual.
We took her to the vet, he did a blood test and said that there was nothing to unusual. He thought that there may have been a haemorrage. He gave her a steroid shot and told us we may be facing a very tough decision.
Well in true Inca fashion she has bounced back AGAIN.
She's amazing. The melanoma is still huge and we are under no illusions, it's a case of keeping her as comfortable as possible for as long as is humane. Being "prepared" isn't going to make that day any easier, but for now she is eating and walking well and not going anywhere yet!
Would love to know if anyone out there is dealing with serious urinary incontinence? Common in spayed bitches I know, Inca's has become an issue. Propalin and Incurin have no effect now and with increased thirst due to the steroids it's just flowing straight through! She gets upset at the thought that she has soiled herself and her bed, and it's becoming difficult to keep her bed clean and dry. I have used puppy training pads and have heard of incontinence pants but as yet haven't found them anywhere. Please be assured she is still very happy in herself and the second she stops being happy we will step in and make that decision.
Regards to all
Ken, Suzanne and of course Inca xxx
Awe, we had a dobie when we first married. She had incontenence issues too as she aged. We lost her at age 8 when someone broke into our house while we were gone and dragged her down the stairs with the aid of her choke chain.
Trouble has mild incontenence issues when she has to be on prednisone. I've found that giving her concentrated cranberry capsules helps and also seems to help with the urgency. You might give it a try.
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 have had good luck with DES (estrogen) either alone or with the PPA. As long as you don't have her on a high dose every day it is very safe. For a Dobie I would usually give 1 mg once daily for 7 days then give 1 mg once or twice weekly as needed. This drug has to be compounded and you will need a prescription from your vet but it is not too pricey.
Pam
Inca,
It's good to hear from you again, congratulations on having such a good year (other than that nasty melanoma)! For those unfamiliar with Inca's progress, here is the backstory and a video.
We're sorry about the incontinence issues, but you'll see here that many Tripawd pawrents have dealt with it before. It's definitely manageable as Dr. Pam says.
You're right; being prepared doesn't make the inevitable easier, but it does help make the most out of every day you have together. The Tripawd spirit of living in the Now is strong within your pack. Whatever happens you will all do fine on this journey as long as you remember to Be More Dog .
Good luck with this hopefully small hurdle, we hope she continues to thrive and live a hoppy life. Keep us posted OK?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
It sounds like Inca is doing pretty well! As far as incontinence goes, my rottie mix (female) had it and when the pills no longer worked I bought the training pants at the grociery store. the kind that say pull ups "40 to 60" lbs.
My rottie didn't have a tail so it was easy and they didn't break away like some diapers do. It was cheap in comparison to the doggie diapers!
Good luck,
Elizabeth
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.
Ken and Suzanne,
I'm sorry to hear that Inca has developed a second cancer. Her story sounds a bit like my pug Maggie. She was a long term survivor from the mast cell cancer that resulted in her amp. Last winter she developed incontinence, stage 1 kidney failure, and then was diagnosed with a melanoma tumor in her mouth. Like you I was not able to treat the melanoma and we focused on quality. Mag had a big crash in March, then rallied. We had a wonderful three months, I let Mag go in June when the tumor started causing pain that I could not manage.
For Mag's incontinence we used Proin (PPA), but is sounds like that is not working now? I know Dr. Pam had some concerns about long term use of this, but I knew we were not looking at long term use so I didn't worry about it. Proin solved our incontinence problem the day Mag started on it. Because of the kidney issues we tried to not medicate for it, but it got really bad, and Maggie was upset and uncomfortable. One morning was so bad that I had to give her a bath to clean her up- that's when we started the meds. We did try doggie diapers, but I discovered that they won't stay on a rear amp dog !! I bought people incontinence pads at the drug store (not too embarrassing) and lined all the dog beds and all the furniture that Mag got on.
I hope Inca has lots of good days ahead.
Karen and the pugapalooza
Hello everyone,
Its taken a long time to be able to type this update.
We lost Inca on the 4th of January. She was doing remarkably well right up until Christmas, then on Christmas day she started vomiting.
She was unable to keep any food down after that. We took her to the vets took her in between Christmas and New year, and after what seemed like a small improvement she went down hill again. We had deep snow in Dublin over Christmas which complicated moving around outside for her. For the last few days she slept most of the time and when she did go outside she had no interest in lingering longer than it too to pee.
Once the snow vanished she had no interets in walks or food, just in sleep and cuddles.
At that stage the energetic, lively, adorable, cetifiable nutcase dog of a dog we knew was gone.
We made the decision that no one ever wants to make and said good bye to her on the 4th of January.
We want to thank you for all your support and kindness. The forums and site proved to be a great source of information and encouragment.
Inca's Pawrents
Thank you for the update, we are deeply sorry for your loss. May sweet Inca run free of pain and rest in peace at the Rainbow Bridge.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
So sorry for your loss of Inca. I had no idea that dogs can get melanoma. RIP Inca, and watch over your loving pawrents!
Sending you lots of golden hugs...
Cathy
Oh, I'm so sorry to about Inca. Sometimes it's hard to write when it happens.
I lost Comet in January too and it's still painful, so I understand your pain.
My deepest condolences.
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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