Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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So, Happy got his VAP put in today for his radiation..They put in the port because he has to do 5 weeks of radiation, and they say it's hard to find a vein every day for that long(I can imagine)..He is more fussy and in pain than from any other surgery or procedure, including the amputation..His breathing is shaky and he is just whining..I hope it's just the pain meds making him whine, but he is not too Happy..We are getting the hang of going with the flow, but has anyone else had a VAP put in for anesthesia/radiation purposes? Even the vets say there is not a lot of literature on the type/location of this tumor, but they are optimistic about the recovery.
I'm afraid I don't have any advice, but I would be interested to hear how Happy does with the VAP over time. Our oncologist recommended that I consider having a VAP put in because Percy's veins are getting scarred and difficult to use for chemo. I've been hoping not to have to do that because I hate to put Percy thru another surgery and because I'm kind of worried about whether it might be accidentally dislodged. They did tell me that they often recommend a VAP for radiation treatments (though we're not doing radiation).
Oooh. I don't know anything about having port put in on dogs.Â
Just wanted to clarify for others:Â VAP is Vascular Access Port Implantation
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.
I don't have experience with VAPs in dogs, but I know several people who have had ports for cancer treatment or other long term illnesses. The port is much preferable to being poked daily or several times a day. And with daily treatment for 5 weeks Happy might not have a vein available without the port.
If he is really uncomfortable you should talk to the vet- make sure it is in correctly. Hopefully he is just reacting to the pain meds.
Good luck with the rad treatments- be sure and let us know how he is doing.
Â
Karen and the pugagplooza
Thanks for the clarification Comet.
Poor Happy. I agree, talk to the vet and let them know how he's acting. It will relieve your mind (and ours!) to know that everything is OK.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hang in there Happy and mom. Â We've been thinking about you. Â Sending good thoughts your way... Â
Mary, Lucy's mom
Lucy's front right leg was amputated 12/19/11. Thankfully there was no tumor, but her nerves were found to be degenerative. Â Life as a tripawd is Lucy's new adventure!!
we don't have any experience either, other than gayle's 'dad' had one for eight weeks of IV antibiotics when he had a staph infection. for his, the major concern was keeping the site clean and sterile... hope the pain/whining is just a temporary bump in the road, and happy can get used to the new hardware. sending our best ET juju to happy and you too!
Â
charon & spirit gayle
Life is good, so very, very good!!! Gayle enjoyed each and every moment of each and every wonderful day (naps included). She left this world December 12, 2011 – off on a new adventure.
Love Never Ends
We don't have any experience with this but just wanted to let you know we are sending Happy good thoughts so he will be Happy again soon. No one wants a not-Happy Happy!
Hugs and kisses to your sweet boy,
Jackie, Angel Abby's mom
Abby: Aug 1, 2009 – Jan 10, 2012. Our beautiful rescue pup lived LARGE with osteosarcoma for 15 months – half her way-too-short life. I think our "halflistic" approach (mixing traditional meds + supplements) helped her thrive. (PM me for details. I'm happy to help.) She had lung mets for over a year. They took her from us in the end, but they cannot take her spirit! She will live forever in our hearts. She loved the beach and giving kisses and going to In-N-Out for a Flying Dutchman. Tripawds blog, and a more detailed blog here. Please also check out my novel, What the Dog Ate. Now also in paperback! Purchase it at Amazon via Tripawds and help support Tripawds!
Thank you everyone for the warm wishes! That means a lot! When we went back this morning, I let them know, and they checked it out thoroughly..He is scratching at it some, and they even just did the anesthesia through a vein today. Thanks for the clarification there with the VAP! Yeah, I wasn't realizing what a 'surgery' it was, although they told me it was. There are two scars with edema around it, bruising, and he keeps trying to shake his head and get comfortable. I do think he improved today, and he even got a jolt of spunkiness and chased me a bit! Cute boy..now he's sleeping 🙂
That's great he had some spunk!
I'll send "happy" thoughts to Happy! 
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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