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Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat

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British Columbia Washington State: Affordable Amputation Needed.
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Schofield, WI
Member Since:
13 August 2015
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16
13 July 2016 - 12:07 pm
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just jumping on here to offer support.  Lisa said it so well, you've been the best advocate Princess could have!  Please do keep us posted on today's  pre-op consultation.   Keeping everything crossed here too for your family and your beautiful girl!

Linda, Riley & Spirits Mighty Max & Ollie

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
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13 July 2016 - 12:43 pm
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Really really really glad to hear that this is all lining up for sweet Princess. She is so lucky to have such a great family.

We are sending you lots of love and well wishes for a successful surgery and speedy recovery. Please keep us posted OK?

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet



Member Since:
27 July 2014
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13 July 2016 - 2:12 pm
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Hi Christopher,

I'm happy to hear that the BCSPCA can give you a discount and you can take Princess close to home. It sounds like she's under good care with the vet who caught the other infection.

Buprenorphine (Buprenex) was also given to Mona for pain after her amputation. She went a little nutty from it and would race around the house and would then crash and sleep. Like you say, all cats are different.

Please know that you are doing everything you can for her and she feels the love. I hope things go well with today's appointment and you and the kids get more time to love Princess.

Kerren and Tripawd Kitty Mona

p.s. ask the vet about feeding Princess wet kitten food after the amputation. Mona devoured it. The vet may have another suggestion to get her eating again.

Virginia







Member Since:
22 February 2013
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13 July 2016 - 5:00 pm
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Goodness gracious! Talk about challenges! YIKES!! And that "YIKES" goes for you too! You've had your own battle with that piece of crap disease! You and Princess are both WARRIORS!

Sitto everyone! Yoh clearly love Princess and are doing EVERYTHING possible for her! She had some unforseen hurdles these past weeks and you seem to have her on the road to recovery.

I know the vet will want her in as strong a condition as possible before pursuing amputation. It sounds like you are in excellent hands and they will assess her situation carefully. Amputation isnt always an answer for everyone for a variety of valid reasons. It doesn't mean that other treatment plans can't be pursued. It doesn't mean that she can't have a quality life. You've already been able to restore quality just by clearing up the infection.. Good job!

It's not about days on aa calender. It IS about making every day count...every moment! Good ess knows she is loved and happy! 🙂

Hugs to all!

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!

Member Since:
30 June 2016
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14 July 2016 - 2:17 am
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Amputation, after discussion with my BC SPCA vet Dr Lekkas today, has been tentatively put-off for approx 20 days. 

14 extra days to be certain the Clavamox has thoroughly cured the intestinal infection + 5 days without Clavamox so she can receive another blood/urine analysis.

Though Princess has responded well to the antibiotic, the 5 or 6 days she has been on it is not enough time to have completely cured her internal issues, which included her struggle to replenish red blood cells, bacterium in her kidneys.

The infection on her leg tumor has significantly been improved by daily cleaning the infected area, topically covered with Flamazine, covered by sterile gauze and NexCare no-hurt tape. The Clavamox is also supplementing fighting the infection on the tumor.

Like I wrote previously, the day we brought her home from our first meeting with Dr Lekkas, Princess was in very bad shape and I was convinced she would not make it through the night. Yet in these past 7 days she has made a significant come-back.

I was not surprised, though, in fact I was expecting Dr Lekkas' reservation today to do the amputation tomorrow as the full curative course of her intestinal issues are still uncertain. And  another blood/urine analysis should be done to make sure they are.

This is where you may say the bills are adding up. Every time another test, x-ray or analysis is suggested. Should we do the amputation now when she is likely not healthy enough to survive it ?

It is a Catch 22. On one hand it is unwise to amputate with her current intestinal issues. On the other, is the cancer migrating up to her body from her limb ? The latter is a question I believe most vets are not able to say with any certainty., as Dr Lekkas explained.

Taking those extra 15 to 20 days to be certain her intestinal and blood issues are cured versus playing Russian Roulette by delaying the amputation and potentially allowing the cancer to reach her body and organs. 

The prognosis is not optimistic either way. 

So we mutually decided to delay the amputation, complete the Clavamox treatment, return for a second blood/urine analysis, and take it from there in 20 days.

I started out circumspect (because of the high cost) about what I thought originally were unnecessary redundant  tests and analysis in preparation foe an obviously unavoidable amputation. For a younger, more overall healthy cat I would be mostly right, but a cat of Princess' age and fragile health these tests and analysis are inevitable and unavoidable.

So, I guess I will get back to you in 20 days ? Wish us God speed. 

Virginia







Member Since:
22 February 2013
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14 July 2016 - 8:34 am
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Thanks for taking the time to update. The meds really seem to be doing a good job of taking care of the infection. I REALLY like the approach your vet is taking! Amputation is not the kind of surgery that should be done with so much infection that still needs to be cleared up.

For now, just take it one day at a time and enjoy staying in the present with her. Just continue spoili g and lovi g and making every moment count. You are a great Dad to all three of your "kids"! You are doing everything possible for her. At this point, as hard as it is, you just have to trust that if it's meant to be (the amputation), it will take place. Sometimes hurdles like this pop up that can prevent the surgery, only to find out later that, had the surgery taken place, it would not have gone well due to some unforseen things that should up. Our animals have a bizarre way of making the decision for us sometimes.

We have to see pictures of your Princess! One thing we do around here is take lots of pictures! We love 'em!

Give her some extra catnip on top of a scoop of ice cream! 🙂

Hugs to all!

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!

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
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14 July 2016 - 10:22 am
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Ditto, that vet is a smart, compassionate human. I do like their approach as well. As frustrating as it is for your family, it's better to be safe at this point. Spoil that sweetheart as you are undoubtedly doing and we'll all send our love and healing thoughts your way.

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

Michigan
Member Since:
2 April 2013
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14 July 2016 - 11:25 am
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I agree that it's better to make sure that Princess is healthy first before surgery.  You would never forgive yourself if you rushed into surgery only to find out that the infections caused further complications.  So like Sally said, enjoy every day that you have and let's see what happens in 20 days.

Donna

Donna, Glenn & Murphy 

Murphy had his right front leg amputated due to histiocytic sarcoma at 7 years old. He survived 4 years, 2 months & 1 week, only to be taken by hemangiosarcoma at 11 1/2 years 6/12/17  
Read about Murphy's Life on Three Legs

Donna.png



Member Since:
27 July 2014
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14 July 2016 - 2:57 pm
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I agree with the others that Princess is getting the best care from you and the vet. I used to have a cat where any surgery was of a concern due to his heart. So I really appreciated the extra care given.

I understand your concern about the cancer spreading. Many cancers are slower growing with the elderly, maybe it's the same with our pets? The reason the tumour on her leg burst could be that it ulcerated. I'll send special thoughts that it just grew out of the skin and is not spreading up the leg.

I wanted to let you know about a pet credit card that may help you with your payment options: https://www.petcard.ca/  I don't know how the interest rates compare to your current credit card but it may offer more flexibility.

Maybe your kids would be keen to fundraise through a bottle drive or garage sale? Every bit helps and it may help grow Princess' fan club. We're all fans here!!

Kerren and Tripawd Kitty Mona

Schofield, WI
Member Since:
13 August 2015
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14 July 2016 - 5:21 pm
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Kudos to the vet for putting your kitties best intererest first and foremost.  20 days isn't that long to wait to give Princess the best chance she can have.  It'll be hard to wait but hopefully you'll see miss Princess getting stronger every day.

Linda, Riley & Spirits Mighty Max & Ollie

Michigan


Member Since:
11 July 2016
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26
14 July 2016 - 6:24 pm
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Thanks for the update , I got on to see how you guys did today. We wish you gods speed in Princess getting well! You want her in the best health going into any surgery. One day at a time is all we can all do! 

Holly and Purrkins

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