Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Thanks so much Christine & Sophie for the great reply in my thread under coping with loss (from when I wasn't going to amputate Zak. Wow.. that seems like so long ago now.. I'm so very glad I did the amp. It was hard to know if it was right for him then but I know it was now. Zak has done awesome post amp & I'm very proud of him!) I understand what you mean by losing your post. That's happened to me a couple times and is super frustrating.
I met with an Oncologist I like a lot (after meeting with one I didn't like much at all) He spent a lot of time with us & answered all my questions. We were there for several hours. I felt like we were in the right place.
I started him on Carboplatin yesterday. I was itching to get treatment started. I didn't like the idea that those evil little guys are spreading all around in my boy so I wanted to get something started on him asap. Plus some of the research I read says that the sooner you start the more effective the treatment.
It's in motion now so we'll hope & pray it works at getting all those little devils.. and that he does well on the chemo. Last night & this morning he's having some issues with nasua & panting but I hope that will pass very soon. I hate to see him suffer.
Best wishes to everyone on the board.. Jenna & Zak
OK... Friday scared me a little. Zak had been doing so well with his recovery that I was hoping things would continue to go well.
He had a really hard time after I fed him & most of the day yesterday. He panted like mad & seemed to be in distress. I tried a bunch of the suggestions I read to help him but it didn't do any good. Maybe the meds are playing a role too because I have to give them with his meds and they make him pant a little. I think that this panting was tied more to the food & chemo.
I hope he doesn't have this happen to him everytime I feed him. I was difficult to see him like that. This morning he seems to be handling better so I pray it continues. I've been giving him chicken broth to help when he starts smaking his lips so maybe that's been a help.
Please keep us in your thoughts & maybe pass on any helpful suggestions if you know of any.. Thx!
Jenna & Zak
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Zaks mom said:
... pass on any helpful suggestions if you know of any.
Just hang in there and remain strong for Zak. It's early and the meds are certain to take their toll ... what Zak needs most now is time to rest and recuperate, even if that means panting to help make it through the medication's side effects.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
How is Zak this morning? I'm hoping he feels better real soon. It's so difficult when they aren't feeling well and can't tell you why. Sending good thoughts to Zak as he recovers.
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.
Hi.. Ya.. So far, (yesterday & today) he's been better. He still has a upset tummy/gurgling but no where near Friday. I was getting a little nervous on Friday about how this was going to go. Seeing him suffer like that was difficult.
One thing I did was cut out all the supplements I was giving him & will slowly introduce them one by one to see if one of them might be combining with another med/supplement causing him to have an upset tummy on top of any side effects of the chemo. I really hope things continue to improve.
Thanks so much for checking in...
Jenna and Zak
I'm so glad he's doing better. I certainly hope he came home with anti nausea meds. If not, I would surely ask for some. Another thing I'll share from our vet. When I asked about starting a cancer fighting diet and supplement, he asked me to consider not changing anything until we were through with chemo. He wanted to be able to know if the chemo was causing a problem without trying to rule out a change in diet or the addition of supplements. Stopping the supplements may be a wise choice.
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.
Zaks mom said:
One thing I did was cut out all the supplements I was giving him & will slowly introduce them one by one
Jenna, we think this is a great idea too. Little by little, pawstep by pawstep is all anyone can do. It's hard, but try not to be in such a hurry. Any sudden changes in our diet can take their towl.
Take your time and allow plenty of rest for a good recovery. We hope he continues to do well. Keep us posted.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Ya.. me too.. I took out everything as far as the supplements go & am letting him settle out for a bit. I'll keep him like that until he's off most of his meds. Then slowly bring in them to see how he does on them.
He still amazes me... Such a brave little boy handling all this as well as any pup could. Just love him so much. 🙂
They are amazing creatures, the pups! (Sophie is also a pup, albeit closing in on 11 herself as well!).
I was cuddling with Sophie yesterday and it occurred to me that it was 4 months 2 days post amputation (4 months 5 days post diagnosis). I know I know I know that I can't count on anything beyond the day, but she is so happy and lively and I felt so glad for this time, and however much more we are lucky enough to have. I remember your first anguished post, and am glad that you found a way that felt right for to help you two have some more good time(s) together.
I agree with the folks above about getting the anti-nausea drugs to help out! It also sounds like it makes a lot of sense to wait on the supplements- my oncologist recommended the same.
Good luck, and thanks for keeping us posted!
Christine & Sophie
I'm just catching up on this post- I am so glad to hear Zak is doing better. We are 7 weeks post amp and doing great. Today we went for our walk that we used to do everyday prior to finding out Wrigley had cancer. We haven't had this walk since about beginning of Nov, when she started limping. It was wonderful to do it again. ( however they do prefer the river cause they can go off leash, this walk is through the hood and too many cars to be off leash for this walk ) But just to have this time is so great. Makes you really cherish each and every moment.
Wishing you many many days with Zak.
Seanne
Seanne and Angel Wrigley
Hiya Zak - I'm just catching up on this thread...I'm glad to hear that you're feeling better.
They ARE brave - you are right on. Amazing...full of honor and loyalty, love and compassion and a zest for life. We are so blessed to have them in our lives.
Keep us posted on how he continues to do with chemo - we pray that he does well.
Seanne - that first walk with them after amputation is just...well, a gift isn't it? I'm so glad to hear that Wrigley is doing well too.
Hugs to everyone ~
Love mom and Zeus
Heather and Spirit Zeus - Our life changing journey…from the earth to the heavens…one day at a time…always together
So glad to hear that Zak is doing better.
It is rough watching them not eat at first but things will get better. I agree that taking him off of the supplements & reintroducing them one by one later will be helpful. Give him plenty of good rest & keep us updated !
Wishing Zak all the best,
Shannon & Pony
I'm sorry. I had to drop out for a bit. I've been in this whirlwind since I found out Zak had cancer, the amp, the chemo.. Everything else in my life was put on hold. (That's OK.. ZAk comes first but now that we've gotten his stitches out & he's moving around well, I had to get caught up on some other things in my life.)
Seanne– We have a very special bond in common. My other 'child' is named Wrigley. A big goofy Golden Retriever. I just love seeing your Wrigley when you post. How pretty she is in her pic! Your walk with Wrigley sounded lovely. **Zeus– You're always such a great source of inspiration. We love that!**
Sophie's Mom– AWESOME!! 4 months post amp & going strong. So happy to hear it! I'm a big fan of the snuggle up in bed with Zak like you. I try to think about my days with ZAk like you do with Sophie & so many other people do on the board. That every day is a gift! I don't know if I'd have that perspective if I hadn't learned so much from the people who've already gone through this with their pups. THANK YOU for all that! It's been a tremendous help to me.
ZAk's been on anti-nausea meds since we started his chemo but they haven't totally done the trick. He's gotten better but still suffers nausea & panting. Mostly after his dinner. Tried 4 small meals but then he just suffers all day instead. Shortened it to the AM/PM meals we used to do & now its just the evening meal where he's having a problem. I know other people have had it much worse with vomiting & diah. Chemo's just a rough drug overall.. it has to be to do the job.
Another bump in the road is that the poor guy has to get knocked out to get a tooth that broke pulled next week before his next chemo round. I feel so bad because he's been thru so much already but its about to get infected. I feel like I gotta do it now.
Through it all he's still as brave & stoic as before. Just a real champion.. Love that boy so very much!!
Wishing all the kids on the board good health & many, many, more good days!
Jenna & Zak
Jenna, no apologies necessary, we know you and Zak are dealing with a lot. Just spend time with your boy, that's all that's important!
Sounds like the chemo road is a little bumpy, but we're betting Zak is going to do just fine. The tooth surgery is a bummer, but like any dentist visit, it's one of those things we just have to get done.
By the way, your outlook sounds fantastic too, we can tell you're dealing with these challenges like a trooper. Zak is proud of youi!
Hang in there, it'll be over before you know it. Keep us posted.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Jenna,
You mention one of the things that we don't talk about as much on the site, but which is so true- the rest of life and its obligations, demands (and of course good parts too). I've found since Sophie has gotten sick that I've had this fantasy of just being able to "drop out," go hang out with her in a cottage in the woods where we can just hang out and take walks all day... Of course, life doesn't tend to oblige these fantasies, and one hard part of this and trying to cherish every moment with her is that I end up feeling almost guilty about the other parts of life that also need attention (and sometimes resentful of them too). We just all of us do the best we can, and hopefully have or can find or recruit some supports along the way (I work nights, and have always paid a young man who lives upstairs to take her on her late afternoon walk- now she hangs out up there with them until I get home, and I am so grateful for things like that. I used to have the kind of job where she could always be with me, which it sounds like you have, and the separation has gotten so much harder since she got sick...).
Anyway, sortof blabblng on here, but mainly wanting to say- yeah, it's often all hard and complicated, and also, often wonderful too. Good luck with the surgery next week! We're so sorry to hear that Zak is having a hard time with the chemo, and hope that that gets better soon! Which chemo is he on now? First? Second? You just do the best you can, one day at a time...
Christine & Sophie
p.s. hope your Wrigley is holding up well through all of this too!
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