Mitch

It’s been about 2 months since Mitch’s op. I haven’t posted for a while but now is time for an update. He goes for his third chemo on Wednesday. Each of the last two times it did knock him back a bit. He looses his appetite and has an upset tum, he seems more tired and his back end sags more than normal. This lasts for around 4 days. It doesn’t start immediately after the chemo but the day after that.

However, generally things are okay (fingers crossed). We’re not having him x-rayed to check if the mets have spread. If they spread they spread and x-raying won’t do much good. He’s not quite as lively as before the amputation but he is still enjoying life. His weight has now gone up a bit-he had lost some through not eating in the couple of weeks following the op. So he looks healthier now. He can now lie on his back with three legs in the air. This took him a while to get the hang of but he can do it now. He enjoys his walks and food and has even started being a bit naughty again.

He decided to shred his bed a week or so back. This was something he used to do often when he was well. When I saw him doing it again I didn’t know whether to hug him or tell him off, so I did both! He also ran off, or rather hopped off when on a walk. This was a bit of a nuisance as he tired himself out and had to be helped home with the aid of a scarf supporting his back end. I am ordering one of those ruff harnesses that Jerry had. This will help, I hope with getting him in and out of the car too.

All in all, things are good. He does however, know it is easier to get attention off us than it used to be. He has got very adept at looking sad and ill until we rub his tummy and/or give him a treat. It’s amazing how effective a tummy rub is at making him feel better.

Here’s wishing all tripawds a Happy New Year.

Okay, he spends a lot of time lying down. He always has been a coach potato. I shall try to get some later of him standing up but these are the only decent ones so far.

Here he is washing his front legs- a favourite occupation. Note also he has reclaimed the sofa after his op.

And here he is assuming his normal resting pose.

Generally things are good. Occasionally we’ve had a few downs. Mitch seemed very tired a day or so after the chemo and we had to get stuff from the vet to deal with his very upset tum. Another day we had a lot of whining and Mitch was unable to settle in any of his beds. We think it might have been the phantom leg problem. We eventually got him settled with lots of cuddles and very gently stroking his stump. Occasionally too he has fallen, though picked himself up and carried on.

However, things are really looking good. He rarely sits up panting now. Also he eats from his bowl rather than by hand. And yesterday I opened the back door to let him out and you should have seen him move! Three legs or not he was out there, well, like a greyhound! I think he must have seen a cat or something. Luckily he didn’t catch whatever it was.

Today we went to ‘the field’. This is an open area of grass that prior to the op we’d walked all three dogs on. Mitch has never been allowed off the lead on it as he isn’t very good at recall. We haven’t been back to the the field until today as it seemed slightly to far for him to hop. Anyway I thought we’d go in that direction though maybe turn back if Mitch got tired. But, he kept pulling on the lead as we neared the place. So I thought we’d give it a go. Once on I let him off the lead. I thought although he can hop quickly he can’t keep it up over a distance so no danger of him running off. He was so happy. And, Abi, our young greyhound who is allowed off as she does respond to calling, was even happier. The two of them were off exploring together. She did a lap of honour. And, Mitch came back with Abi when called. Not sure I shall let him off the lead when his hopping improves though!

I think perhaps we over did it slightly so perhaps a rest tomorrow but it was fun for us all.

Went for first chemo today. We have been referred to another vet about 2 hours drive away for this. Was a long job. Mitch was x-rayed. Good news, no mets – yet. Also blood tests, etc. Apparently, our vet says that in general vets in Britain tend to concentrate more on quality of life so they don’t recommend high dosage of chemo chemicals as much as American vets sometimes do. The idea being that they don’t go for cure but the dog having a happier life for longer. Don’t know if that’s true but that’s what the vet thought. Could be nonsense.

Anyway, Mitch had various tests done then the chemo. We picked him up 5 hours later. He was, and is, very sedated. In fact, totally zonked out. This is, we were told due to the sedation, not the chemo.

While filling in the time we picked up some bubbly to bring home. It had a pic. of a kangaroo on it which seemed apposite given Mitch’s new means of locomotion.

He is now home and sleeping. Has only accepted water and a few cocktail sausages. Mitch’s new food intake has meant we now have tones of meat in the fridge (I’m a vegan and husband is a veggie). I buy ready made stuff as I don’t know how to cook meat.

Starting to ramble, probably the Yellow Tail. We have been toasting Mitch and hoping for the best. Also thinking of Jake and others.

Regards to all three leggers and their helpers.

Well, Happy days are here again. At least for a time. Mitch is slowly picking up. Still a bit of a reluctant eater and much more tired than previously, but on his way to becoming the old Mitch. He had a couple of staples removed Monday. The vet says she was pleased with him. He starts his chemo tomorrow. As it’s a bit of a drive we have to get up at 5am. Mitch is no more an early bird than we are!

This morning I wondered where he was. He wasn’t in any of his usual dog beds. Then  found him on the sofa, just like in the ‘old days’. About half an hour ago he was lying on his back with legs in the air. This only lasted for about 10 seconds, but I was very excited to see it.

I have been telling everyone what a great site this is. It really helped me to see that Mitch wasn’t the only one going through the awfulness of amputation, and to see that things would improve.  And thank you again to Jerry and friends.

Well another day, and guess what, Mitch barked at another dog! Normally he’d be told off for that, even though his barking is always of excitement not aggression. It is another first since the op. And, he hopped to the back door to say hello when I got in from work.

I think I may take some new photos of him soon, now he’s starting to behave a bit more like the old Mitch.

Thank you to all well wishers. I will keep you posted and I know he’s got a bit of a way to go yet but I feel things are looking brighter.

Well, got off to a bad start. Shivering and panting this morning so gave him more tramadol. However, got home this evening and there was Mitch up on his legs to say hello, first time he’d got up to greet me since the op. Husband (Paul) said he had walked slightly further than yesterday. So I am feeling absolutely delighted.

Mitch ate a bit more yesterday. Still only corned beef and fairy cakes with peanut butter on but more than previously. He also ate half a steak and kidney pie. Those used to be his favourites.

His tramadol intake has been cut slightly, at least I didn’t have to get up in the night to give him another.

I think he looks a bit brighter. I hope I’m not kidding myself.

Hello, Mitch is an 11 year old greyhound who had his leg amputated 13 days ago due to cancer. I have been looking at this tripawds site several times as I needed to know what would be likely to happen. Like most people, really scared.
Mitch is still on tramadol and metacam, but we are trying to reduce his tramadol. At present he has two tablets twice a day. Tried to cut down a bit more last night but had to get up and give him another around 4am as he was shaking and panting. He isn’t eating a great deal, which is a bit of a worry. I have tried loads of things and all he’ll take is corned beef and fairy cakes with peanut butter spread on them. His amputation site is also still leaking a bit and red in parts, though the vet seems to think its okay.

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