Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Great news! And if keeping her there is what it takes to get the best possible care, then of course she stays another night.
Otis - 106 pound lab/Dane mix, lost his right front leg to osteosarcoma on Febuary 9, 2016. Four rounds of carboplatin completed in April, 2016. Lung mets August 25, 2016. Said goodbye too soon on September 4, 2016. Lost his adopted sister, Tess, suddenly on October 9, 2016. likely due to hemangiosarcoma.
Wherever they are, they are together.
For Madison!
Love
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!
So relieved to hear she's doing better. This was a scary bump in the road! Hopefully tomorrow you'll have her back home where she belongs. Hugs!
Linda, Riley & Spirits Mighty Max & Ollie
So happy to hear she is on the mend.... another night is tough but at least you can visit. I loved visiting hours at our vet. It just gave me some peace.
Hugs!
Shelby Lynne; Jack Russell/Shiba Inu mix. Proud member of the April Angels of 2014.
October 15, 2000 to April 8, 2014
Our story: Broke rear leg in June 2013 - non-conclusive results for cancer so leg was plated and pinned. Enlarged spleen in September 2013 and had it removed and was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma and started chemotherapy. Became a Tripawd January 8th, 2014 and definitive Hemangiosarcoma diagnosis. Three major surgeries in 7 months and Shelby took them all like a champ only to lose her battle to cancer in her brain. We had 8 amazing extra months together and no regrets. #shelbystrong #loveofmylife
I went to see Madison after work today. I walked in while the doctor was on the phone with my husband.
When I got there she wagged her tail at me. I opened the cage door sat down on the floor next to her and got to spend about 30 minutes with her. She's eating food, and she started shivering while I was there. They got a blanket and she put her head down on it and fell asleep while I pet her.
She's on an IV. Yesterday the onco told me it was IV fluids only and they were giving her shots of antibiotics- 2 different drugs.
Today the doctor told me that while her white cells are coming up, it's not enough. Yesterday she had 0 and today she had ".2." I'm using quotes because I don't know if that's the actual measure, or a number they're telling me to indicate it's too low. I asked why they're coming up so slow, due to the low amount, age, some other issue? He said the chemo had a "profound" effect on her.
Then he said she can't come home tomorrow.
He's going to check her blood again tomorrow and see how they're going and maybe she can come home friday. Her fever has broken and her temp is down to 102.
I know that in theory, that's the best place for her. That's who can make her better. But I just don't trust them. I'm going to call my regular vet in the morning and see if he knows anything about normal white cell counts and ask his opinion.
I know there's some good news in this. White cells trending up, temp down, but I'm scared and I want her back. I'm sorry if that sounds a little petulant.
It doesn't sound petulant at all. You want your baby home with you, that's perfectly natural. And while she's getting what I'm sure is excellent care, you probably feel like she'd be happier at home. I think its a good idea to call your regular vet - maybe he can call the specialist and get some more information, who knows. At least he'll maybe be able to explain what the other vet told you.
I'm so sorry this has been so hard. Hopefully she'll just keep on getting better, because she is indeed getting better. So that's the good news!
I am finding the level of communication here just bizarre. Our oncologist gives me a written report each visit, which is shared with my family vet. He calls the next day to find out if I have any questions. Definitely call your family vet - he may be able to get more info and present it to you in a more understandable way. And he may be able to tell you a bit more about what to expect and when she might be able to come home.
Otis - 106 pound lab/Dane mix, lost his right front leg to osteosarcoma on Febuary 9, 2016. Four rounds of carboplatin completed in April, 2016. Lung mets August 25, 2016. Said goodbye too soon on September 4, 2016. Lost his adopted sister, Tess, suddenly on October 9, 2016. likely due to hemangiosarcoma.
Wherever they are, they are together.
This morning's update - still lethargic and no new news. Hubby is there right now, trying to feed her some turkey.
I called the regular vet - today's his day off, but spoke to his office. They said he sometimes comes in on his day off (that's dedication) and if he does he will call us. The oncologist's office did call them and brief them this morning, but didn't give them actual numbers or details, just the same report we got.
I told the tech at my vet's office that I need to better understand what's going on, that I trust my regular vet, and I need to hear it from him. She was very empathetic.
My goodness what stressful times you and sweet Madison are going through ...
I wish she would be cared for somewhere where you would feel comfortable and reassured ... As your heart is telling you you are not happy where she is do call your vet and try an alternative ...
It is really appalling their are not explaining everything clearly to you, you are her mom and you've got to know what is going on.
Sending you a big hug and big cuddles to Madison we are thinking about you both
Eurydice 77kg/170lb Great Dane limping end of April 2016, amputation (right front leg/osteosarcoma) 4 May 2016 6 courses of carboplatin followed by metronomic therapy, lung mets found 30 Nov 2016. 3 courses of doxorubicin, PET scan 26 Jan 2017 showed more mets so stopped chemo. Holistic route April 2017. Lung X-ray 5 May 2017 showed several tennis ball size mets, started cortisone and diuretics. Miss Cow earned her XXL silver wings 12 June 2017, 13 months and 1 week after amputation and 6 1/2 months after lung mets, she was the goofiest dawg ever and is now happily flying from cloud to cloud woof woofing away :-)
Oh just saw your last post, so happy your vet will get back to you maybe even today and what a lovely and dedicated human he is keeping in touch even on his day off.
He should get the the full results sent to him not just the report but then I am sure he will.
Good luck and lots of love going your way XX
Eurydice 77kg/170lb Great Dane limping end of April 2016, amputation (right front leg/osteosarcoma) 4 May 2016 6 courses of carboplatin followed by metronomic therapy, lung mets found 30 Nov 2016. 3 courses of doxorubicin, PET scan 26 Jan 2017 showed more mets so stopped chemo. Holistic route April 2017. Lung X-ray 5 May 2017 showed several tennis ball size mets, started cortisone and diuretics. Miss Cow earned her XXL silver wings 12 June 2017, 13 months and 1 week after amputation and 6 1/2 months after lung mets, she was the goofiest dawg ever and is now happily flying from cloud to cloud woof woofing away :-)
You don't sound petulant at all. You sound like a very worried mom who wants some clear concise answers! Which you should be getting! Enveloping you and your family and sweet Madison in healing thoughts and prayers!
Linda, Riley & Spirits Mighty Max & Ollie
Your love for .adison comes shining through and that in itself will help heal her. I'm so glad you are getting these visits.
I'm sure part of the lethergy is from being at the vet and exhausted from all the commotion there. She'll do better when you get her home!
And ine more thought. If all they're doi g is a tiviotics and IV, would you be more co fortsbke taki g her to your regular vet and let them do it?
Plis, Ive jad my vet set things up for me where I've been avle to give dogs IV at home . He gave me great I structio s at the time a d knew I would be avle to ha dle it. Would still jave ro take her in for blood work but at least she woukd be home!
Lots a d lots of love
Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!
During my husband's visit today he got her to eat some turkey! When she was first home from surgery and refusing her food, I pulled some turkey slices out of the fridge. She liked them so I went to the store and bought the lowest sodium turkey I could find. We wrapped pills in it and shredded it in her bowl to help her eat her kibble. Hubby said she didn't want it at first, but he was sweet, gentle, and she ate a pretty good amount.
The oncologist spoke to him while he was there and again told him Madison is lethargic and now that her stool is very watery. My husband didn't flip out, but did point out that she hasn't eaten since Sunday and has been on IV fluids for three days. I'm not positive what the response was to this.
He's doing the next round of bloodwork at 2. I'm going to go again after work and try to get her to eat more turkey.
Also, YAYYYY TURKEY!!!
You sound like a dedicated and great dog mom that is a TRUE advocate for your baby and that is the best kind of mom! It takes a village for sure but you are doing great. Reminds me of some of my 'battles' for my baby. Stay strong and keep on!!!
YAY for turkey and keep us posted for sure!
Hugs!
Alison with Spirit Shelby in her heart
Shelby Lynne; Jack Russell/Shiba Inu mix. Proud member of the April Angels of 2014.
October 15, 2000 to April 8, 2014
Our story: Broke rear leg in June 2013 - non-conclusive results for cancer so leg was plated and pinned. Enlarged spleen in September 2013 and had it removed and was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma and started chemotherapy. Became a Tripawd January 8th, 2014 and definitive Hemangiosarcoma diagnosis. Three major surgeries in 7 months and Shelby took them all like a champ only to lose her battle to cancer in her brain. We had 8 amazing extra months together and no regrets. #shelbystrong #loveofmylife
TUUUUUUURKY!!! YAHOOOOO FOR TURKEY!! 🙂
And good for your husband not flipping out! Lpts of fluids, no real substantial food sou ds like the makings of waatery poop to me!!
Try a juicy hot drive thru cheesburger with thst turkey...and pizza! Lroper nutrition can co e later
OTS OF LOVE!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!
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