Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Well, there was no need to do a biopsy, according to the oncologist. He felt that at this point (looking at x-rays, lab work, etc.) that we are looking at 6 months (although I know many of your lucky pup have beat crummy odds!). The oncologist says that generally what he sees at this point is at about 3 months after a diagnosis like Mika's, it takes about 2-3 months for it to spread to her lungs, and then she has about another 3 after that.
For us, radiation or chemo is not a viable option due to cost and not wanting to go through it to add just a few more months to her life. Soooo, the next question is whether to go through the amputation on Thursday or to instead, add Tramadol to her current Rimadyl to alleviate the pain, and let her continue to live out whatever time she has with four legs. Hubs is leaning towards the Tramadol since she would still be pain-free and not have to undergo the surgery, but me being in denial (or Pollyanna, depending on how you look at it) thinks amputation might be the way to go, since I plan on her being around for at least a year and would like her to be her happiest for that time.
So my update for today? More uncertainty. Our regular vet will consult with the oncologist tomorrow and then we'll make a determination. The schedule for surgery on Thursday is still being left available.
Can I just say, as you all know first hand, this STINKS!
Thanks as always for your guidance and support,
Mari (Mika's mom)
I'm so sorry to hear your latest news - that does stink. For what it's worth, once Holly was through her first 2 weeks after surgery she has been a much happier, more energetic pup than we had seen in months. She had been on Deramaxx and Tramadol for about 2 months before surgery, and the difference for her was remarkable. But each dog is different. Whatever you decide is best for Mika, we'll all be here for you.
We're keeping you in our hearts...
Hugs,
Holly and Holly's mom
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
Ok, I'm fickle, but from the time I posted to now, we decided. We're going to join your illustrious club. I want to look back and say, "I'm so glad we had this YEAR (plus) with her pain-free!" It's the right thing to do.
Thanks for your comment, Holly's mom. 🙂 WHen you wrote that, "She had been on Deramaxx and Tramadol for about 2 months before surgery, and the difference for her was remarkable." Do you mean that Tramadol made a remarkable difference or that the amputation made a remarkable difference, even though Holly was taking the Tramoadol?
Glad to hear she's doing so well!
Mari
Mari, we just read both of your posts.
Oh boy, all of us have battled that decision. Most of pawrents were given the poor prognosis. And all of them had to make that hard decision. But you know what? Pawrents know what's best for their pups, and deep down, once they get past their emotions, they figure it out. Sounds like you have reached the right decision for Mika and your family.
We support pawrents no matter what their choices; amputation or not, chemo or not, etc. All that matters is what's right for our various situations. Whatever you opt for from here on out, you can count on us for support.
Something to consider: I was given six months to live. I lived 17 with no chemo, and another 7 months with oral chemotherapy (metronomic protocol). So I like to say, always remember that nine out of ten prognoses are wrong!
Keep us posted!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Best wishes with whatever you decide. Just keep in mind that with the tumor continuing to grow, the pain will only get worse, and you risk dealing with a traumatic fracture someday. Not to mention Tramadol can keep dogs pretty dopey.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi again, Mari and Mika,
Great to hear that you've made a decision - sometimes the worst part is when you're deciding. Once you've decided then you can continue to move along, whatever the path!
Sorry I was ambiguous - I meant that the amputation made a remarkable difference for her. For Holly, we've had no regrets about her amputation - she's so much happier and more energetic now than she had been. And we're so happy to have our Jolly Holly with us again!
Best wishes this week - we'll keep you in our hearts on Thurs as Mika has her surgery.
Hugs,
Holly and Holly's mom
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 glad you made that decision. I'm a firm believer in whatever decision is made out of love, is completely the right decision. That being said, I also evaluate the decisions we are faced with by looking at guilt. We look at our options and play this little game where we pretend to choose each option and see what our feeling are based on the possible outcomes of that option. For example, one of the reasons that we chose not to do chemo was because McGwire already has a compromised immune system (allergies, long term steroids, liver issues, etc.) and I'd feel horribly guilty if we put him through chemo and he didn't handle it well and if even worse it put him aplastic anemia which our vet was very concerned about. Turns out for us, it's been almost 7 months now and he's (until a recent hiccup) has been doing amazing. The only other thing you should definitely do is to not look back and wish you would have...
Good luck and we'll be thinking about you on Thursday. Make sure you take time to take care of each other after the surgery!
Hi Mari,
As others have said- sometimes the decision making is the hardest part.
Don't pay too much attention to the statistics- they are just numbers that are NOT BASED on Mika. Some here have out lived the prognosis, some have fallen short. We really don't know what time we have, and the good part of that is that our dogs don't care. They live in the moment and only know today. We like to say here that we all need to be 'more dog' and not focus on dates, or prognosis or whatever. We need to take our cues from our pups and be happy that the food dish was full TODAY!
Easier said than done of course, and the first couple of weeks after the amp can be difficult. But when you are past that part of the healing process Mika will probably surprise you with how well she does.
Any you have found a great support group here who can help with whatever questions you have.
Any hopefully we will get to meet you soon at one of the NOR CAL tripawds meet ups.
Karen and the pug girls
Mika and Henri are going to be ampu-buddies! Both have their surgeries scheduled for Thursday. Yes, the first two weeks after surgery can be difficult but in Emily's case she was happier after the surgery than before it. The pain of bone cancer must be so horrible. As far as the six months go, well, dogs don't have a calendar. They enjoy life at the moment. We had our Emily for only 5 1/2 months after amputation (and she did have chemo). It is never enough time but we know that we did everything we could do for her to live her remaining time pain free both from the cancer and from the fractures that were sure to come.
We would have supported whatever decision you made. You know Mika best. I am, however, glad you decided to go with amputation.
I will be praying.
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.
Thanks everyone as always for your encouragement and kind words. Debra, it's kind of funny to see sweet Emily's pic as your avatar since she looks a lot like Mika, who is a also a dobie mix. Strangely, I'm ok with her losing her leg, I'm just worried that it will be hard to not focus on the amount of time we will have left. But I also recognize that it's my hang up and not hers. It's why I didn't really want to bring her to an oncologist, but it was important to my husband. Oh well…this way we have all the info we can to make the best decision
Good luck, Henri! Good luck, Mika!
Believe it or not, she's coming home the same day as her surgery! YIKES!
Let the three-legged adventures commence!
Best,
Mari (Mika's mom)
Mari,
It is the greatest challenge for us all to learn to balance optimism with the reality of this horrible disease. It is a big life lesson and gift for each one of us, a reminder that every moment matters!!
I will be thinking good thoughts for you & Mika
Grateful for every moment we had with Paris…..no regrets!
Honoring her life by opening our hearts & home to Addy!
We will be thinking of you on Thursday … sending lots of pawsitive thoughts your way!! I really hope all goes well, especially with having to bring her home the same day. YIKES is right!
Like you, I wasn't so worried about losing the leg, it's losing my dog I was (am) terrified of. It can be hard for me to focus on living for today. I am a worrier, so I am constantly overanalyzing everything … "Was that a cough?! Is he sleeping more?! Are his eyes yellow?! Do his gums look pale?!! Did he just make a noise?! Is he breathing?! What did his poop look like?! etc …" (Honestly, I should probably be on medication. ' class='wp-smiley' /> ) Hopefully this website can help calm you, like it has helped me. It's so wonderful to know you are not alone, there are people you can talk to who are going (have gone) through the same thing. It sucks you had to find us, but we're glad you're here!
-Gwen & Harley
Amputation on 11/10/09, due to Histiocytic Sarcoma in left elbow. Angel Harley earned his wings on 06/24/10.
krun15 said:
As others have said- sometimes the decision making is the hardest part.
Mari and Mika,
Well, you now have the decision process behind you and no one here would ever honesly say that it was an easy decision. Do not let the prognosis or life expectancy numbers freighten you. They are only statistics - averages over a very large number. We have very wonderful companions who make good recoveries but for far too short a time. Emily and Jake are two examples. However, there were five of us who had amputations over a four week period starting in mid November 2008. The Tika made 11 months, Cherry and Max approximately 14 months, and Queen Nova and Trouble are still counting. Live and enjoy every day to the maximum, always keep your vision on the horizon, but do not let disapointments get you down. For nearly all of us, it never was about the quantity of time, but rather the quality of time.
We were at Henri's posting first, so I posted my usual suggestions for helping prepare for the surgery. Rather than repeat those suggestions here, I would ask that you LINK HERE to that posting. I have been told that they do help.
We will be thinking of you on Thursday and will be sending pawsitive thoughts,
Spirit Cherry's Dad - Bob
PS: We all were hoping that you could make the Mill Valley gathering on Saturday. I will probably miss the next one depending on schedule - Maui is calling. I need to show Spirit Cherry the humpback whales.
Hopalong Harley said:
I am a worrier, so I am constantly overanalyzing everything … "Was that a cough?! Is he sleeping more?! Are his eyes yellow?! Do his gums look pale?!! Did he just make a noise?! Is he breathing?! What did his poop look like?! etc …" (Honestly, I should probably be on medication.
We will be thinking of you and Mika on Thursday. I am so glad that you have made a decision you are comfortable with and decided to go with amputation. When you first hear 3-6 months it is so scary. I remember thinking, the healing will take a good month and then that will only give him a couple of weeks and is it really worth putting him though that..????.... But though my research I found a website that said dogs cope extremely well on 3 legs. I knew within 24 hours amputation was for us and that was 7 months ago now and Koda is still having a blast and smiling everyday!!!! We did get a sign the day before amputation I took him to the pet store for a bath and the I was telling the girl about his amputation the next day and she commented that another 3 legged dog comes in and he gets around so well. Everything was backing the decision we had made and then the afternoon of Koda's surgery I found this wonderful site.
The first 2 weeks are hard and I remember wishing they were over, and wishing that the weeks would pass so his hair would grow back but then I remembered to not wish it away as my boy was still with us.
Storm and Koda
P.S. Gwen you summed the worry part up perfectly!!!! I so suck at doing the quotes properly. Oh well....
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