Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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So Wookie is just a little past the 4 mo mark since his right hind limb amputation for OSA.
And he is doing great! Well... at least he feels great, so I am very happy. He has mets all over the place now. I am no longer doing any diagnostic tests on them. As long as he is happy and not in pain, we will stay the course.
We stopped doing chemo after the 5th treatment because it seemed to be having no effect (mets kept popping up). So now he's on alternating Palladia and Leukeran, Prednisone to help with his appetite, Pepcid, finishing a course of Flagyl for diarrhea, started edible clay (thanks for the tip, Jerry!!!) which seems to have FINALLY stopped the 4 wks of diarrhea, K9 Immunity Plus, and all the dog biscuits he wants!
He still really likes going to the dog park so we go 4-5 times/week, although he will no longer play with the other dogs. He played great after his amputation, but he hasn't played at all for ~6 wks. At first it was very hard for me to watch, I wanted him to play and be his "old self". But I can see that he is happy to go to the park, is very interested in what is going on, loves for people to make a fuss over him... so how can I be sad about that?
He is just such a love bug and has the most beautiful, expressive, liquid gold eyes. It still crushes my soul to think that I am going to lose him, so I try very hard not to think about it. Every morning that I wake up to a happy Wookie face, I am so thankful for another day with him.
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'm glad to see an update on Wookie, and glad to read you both are doing as well as you are. He is pretty special isn't he. When these dogs hear the word cancer, they just look at you like "who has cancer?"! He was dealt a bad hand, but it looks like he knows how to play it. He's eating and happy and right now that is the main thing.
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/
Oh Wookie! Four months? Seriously? You are truly amazing! When things seemed so scary and bad, you go and turn around and defy the odds. Yay!
Thank you for showing us how to take life day by day, soaking up every glorious moment as they come. Each day is precious, and you've shown us how to make the most of the little things in life.
Yay Wookie!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Awww, Wookie, what a good update. No matter what is happening, the only thing that matters is that you are happy. Right now. That is all any of us can ask for. Keep on feeling good!
Lisa
Zeus was a Husky mix diagnosed with Osteosarcoma at age 11. A visible lung met and suspicious spot on his liver meant a poor prognosis-six weeks was our vet's best guess. We decided to fight for our boy and his right front leg was amputated on 12/1/11. We did six rounds of chemo, changed his diet and spoiled him completely rotten. We were blessed with 10 great months after diagnosis. Against the odds, the lung met remained a single met and grew very little over those months. A wonderful furbaby with the most gentle spirit, he fought with a strength that we never imagined he possessed. We have no regrets...
http://zeuspod......pawds.com/
It sounds like you know how precious these days are. I'm glad that Wookie is happy - that's what is most important. I know the feeling of the stage that you're in, and all that I can say is that I look back and feel happy that my K and I hugged, played, and loved each other every single day of her life. She led the way - showing me that she didn't want to waste days with me being morose. It sounds like Wookie is showing you the same thing!
Thanks for your words on my Shyla's situation. I'm pretty scared - I feel like lightning may be striking twice within a year. Weirdly enough, it was the left ulna for K and it's the left ulna for Shyla... I know it's coincidence but it's spooky to me.
K, an 8 year old chocolate lab, was diagnosed with osteosarcoma of the radius and ulna on 12/23/11. She had stereotactic radiation to kill the bone tumors, and 3 rounds of carboplatin. On 3/16/12, lung mets were found. We tried several different kinds of chemotherapy to slow the lung mets but none worked. Finally, mets appeared at other sites, including her spine. She earned her angel wings on July 15, 2012. K changed my life, and I'll never forget her. Our/my journey is chronicled at romp-roll-rockies.blogspot.com.
Wookie, I am so glad to hear that you are a happy boy. I love, love, love your avatar; you do look ever so happy. Sounds like you've managed to teach mom to "Be More Dog " too. Hats off to you Wookie, you keep those good days coming.
Catherine and Spirit Scout
Scout: January 31, 2002 to November 7, 2011
Scout's diagnosis was "poorly differentiated sarcoma"; amputation 1/11/2011. Scout enjoyed 9 fantastic years on 4 legs and 9 glorious months on 3 legs. If love alone could have saved you…
I am so glad to hear that Wookie is feeling good these days. I loved having the opportunity to meet him a few weeks ago. Hoping for many more good days ahead. We are thinking of you here in Michigan...
Sue and Queen Nova
Dane Mom Sue at nova.tripawds.com and Mom to Beautiful Great Dane Queen Nova, a Blind Tripawd, who kicked cancer's butt from 11/08-03/13. The Queen is Spirit Nova now, but her legacy lives on here at Tripawds!
Thanks for giving us an update on Wookie. Our dogs are so adaptable. He may not feel like playing any more but he still enjoys going to the park. He is making the most of what he can do and not dwelling on what he can't do. A powerful lesson for us.
Keep enjoying every precious day.
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/
I've been wondering how Wookie is doing. So glad to hear he's still a happy boy, enjoying his outings.
Enjoy every moment! Please give him a hug from me and a nose-poke from Rita,
Jackie, Angel Abby and MBBunny Rita'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!
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