Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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I'm so glad to hear he's resting now, and hopefully seeing those crazy pink elephants and feelin' good with the pain meds. Poor pup. Taking all that muscle has just gotta hurt. I'm confused, I thought osteosarcoma tumors only grew directly on the bone, not in muscle?
Your plan sounds reasonable. We all have our paws crossed that the ultrasound brings good news.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Jerry, osteosarcoma can spread anywhere it wants to, unfortunately... just as it can spread to the lungs and internal organs, it can spread to skin and muscle, although that's much more unusual.
The abdominal ultrasound this morning showed a large mass in one of the sublumbar lymph nodes. Just more bad news.
I talked to his oncologist and he said clearly this cancer is taking a very aggressive path, spreading by both the blood and lymph nodes, and seems to be evading the immune system. He's going to make calls and will get back to me in the next 24-48 hours to see if there's anything else we can try. But honestly, I think we're done with chemo. To get pulmonary, lymph node and muscle mets in the space of 2 mos in the face of pretty aggressive chemo and Palladia... I just think we're done.
Wookie seems 100% back to normal from his surgery Sunday night to remove the mass on his neck. That will be his last surgery as well.
It crushes me that I can't save my own dog. I guess all I can do now is keep him as happy as possible for as long as he has.
Cancer sucks.
Right hind limb amputated 7/3/12 for OSA, started on alternating cycles of Carboplatin and Doxorubicin and oral Palladia. Single lung met 9/1. Met in the neck muscle removed 9/30. Large mass in sublumbar lymph node 10/2. Rescue chemo with ifosfamide 10/6. Mets to the rib and axillary lymph node 10/21. Started Leukeran and Pred 10/25. Wookie left this Earth for a far better place on 12/4/12. I miss you, Boo, you were my heart.
I am so sorry you have gotten all this news and you now know how aggressive this ugly thing is. I personally know how defeating it feels and how helpless you feel as your dogs' owner and his vet. It is a crippling feeling. We will be thinking and praying for you and Wookie.
I hate this disease and it's so unforgiving....so like I said before...Wookie doesn't know he has cancer. Enjoy every moment with him and don't let that cancer consume what time you have left....which could be a lot more than you think. Cancer has already used up so many great days of my dogs' life and I'm not going to allow it to use up any more joyful days we have.
All our Best to you and Wookie! He is such a cutie!!
Suzie and Rizzo
Jack Russell born in 2001. Mast cell cancer found Dec 2009 and right rear amputation. Five rounds of chemo done before all treatment stopped. Living life to the fullest!! Read my story at http://rizzo.tripawds.com
I'm so sorry to see your last post. You're right cancer does suck and it sure doesn't play fair. I know you must be heartbroken and it has to be even harder being Wookie's vet. You and Wookie are in my thoughts and prayers.
Harley is an 8 year old Golden Retriever. Amp surgery for an infiltrative lipoma canceled due to two masses in chest. A rescue, he found his forever home on 3/18/07 and left for his eternal home on 1/09/13. His story and medical history are at http://myharley.....pawds.com/
Cancer does suck. No argument here. You are faced with the tough decisions and that sucks too. You and Meeko will be in my thoughts and prayers as you decide how to proceed with the journey.
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'm so sorry to hear the cancer is spreading aggressively despite everything you have tried. It seems like that happens a lot in the human world, too - no rhyme or reason. Wookie is lucky in one way - he has you to make sure however much time he has left is good time without suffering. That's definitely not a small thing. I still hope your oncologist has something else to offer Wookie -
Kelly, I am really sorry that Wookie's cancer is so aggressive.
I know the helpless feeling when you realize there is nothing you can do but let the cancer take its course, I faced this with Maggie too. It took a few days but when I came to grips with our situation there was a tiny bit of relief. No more treatments, no more decisions to make, no more vet visits. I focused on making each day the best day we had together. I tried really hard not to worry about the future and just live in the now. When we get to this point in the journey it is one of the few things we have control over.
All that being said I hope that the oncologist might have something to offer, and that you and Wookie have much time together. Take your cue's from Wookie, and lean on this community when you need to.
Sending strong, positive and peaceful thoughts your way tonight.
Karen and Spirit Maggie
Im so sorry that this is happening to Wookie,
Wookie is lucky to have you,
We are thinking of you,
Amanda & Porthos x
Angel Porthos, Pyrenean Mastiff, 7 years old Os front right leg, DX 18 May 2012, Amputation 14 June 2012, Hip Dysplasia, Two TPLO surgeries. Is now somewhere over the rainbow, 21 November 2013.
I'm sorry to hear this as well. This disease is just so vicious and unfair.
I had the same experience Karen mentions - once there was no more "fight" there is to some degree a sense of peace. It's just ALL about focusing on enjoying every moment. No vet visits, no pills, nothing that isn't fun. Take tons of pictures of Wookie - and make sure you are in them.
Hang in there,
Jackie
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!
I am just so sorry to read your latest post. Cancer sucks and it doesn't play fair.
When Magnum's lung mets showed up we were given 6 months prognosis with Palladia. I just knew in my heart it wasn't going to be that long and steeled myself for 3 months. But, the bone mets had also shown up and we only got 6 weeks. I guess what I'm trying to say is make every day count because you just don't know how long you've got.
Jackie's advice above is really good - lots of photos, including yourself and videos!
My heart goes out to you.
Karen and Spirit Magnum
Magnum: 30th May 2002 to 5th May 2012. Lost her back left leg to osteosarcoma on 5th Sep 2011. Lung mets found on 20th Mar 2012 but it was bone mets in the hip that ended her brave battle. Magnum's motto - "Dream as if you'll live for ever, live as if you'll die today" (James Dean). Loyal, loving, courageous and spirited to the end. My beloved heart dog, see her memoirs from Rainbow Bridge ...... http://princess.....pawds.com/
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