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Saturday 27 October 2012

Standing Strong then Walk !

              The thought that you have a 4 legged dog one day, and then a 3 Legged  the next , would mess with anyone's head ? But with Bone Cancer you also have to cope, with the fact that this is not the end of your Pet Problem's. I think that it's best to put that part to the back of your mind, as the 3 leg's is your main distraction at this time, and let's tackle one Hurdle and keep the rest for another day !

            As I spoke to all of you in my previous post about the emotional dealings, of  when your dog has had their leg removed. But now I'd like to talk to you about the first time you get your Dog to walk, when you are there with your Dog, and it's first day of a new way of life.  My Page on Tip's goes into the physical need's and give's you some practical advice, so that your pet's home coming will hopefully, be as stress free and easy as possible. 

           So if you haven't read that I would suggest you have a look, as it will hopefully give you some idea's to make the transition easier for You and your Pet. Simple thing's like carpeting any slippery floor's, or tip's to prevent your Pet from chewing out the stitches. Have a look at the pages as they may have some idea's that you have not thought of, or maybe you have some tip's of your own that I could add to the list to help other people as well ?

         But this Post is about how it feels to have left with 4 legged Dog, and then to return home with a 3 legged  one ?  

Confusing , Hurtful , Powerless, Empty , Devastating, Heart Breaking , Angry , Scared ............. All of these and any other emotion's that can be either felt or acknowledged are perfectly normal.  All these feelings and more are understandable and will be felt at some time during this nightmare time.

 BUT you can't show any of these NEGATIVE emotions around your Pet .............. Easy to say and very  HARD to Do !!

          Faking it is the way to go, and it's the only way to be around your dog !

        I want you to realise that your dog does  
               NOT  FEEL ANY  OF  THESE  EMOTION'S  !!!


Does this Dog look like she has Emotional Issue's ??

                This dog, my Fizzles and she never once felt sorry for herself or hid herself from the world, as she was So Upset as her leg had been removed ?  She smiled her way through some of the most painful and bravest of time's, her Spirit made it easy to cope with, and she never once lost her Smile. There were time's when I didn't think I would be able to manage, or whether I would be able to deal with the thought of losing this incredible dog.

          She showed me time and time again, how truly amazing she really was, and the day I went to see her the day after her amputation, was one I will never forget. I had asked her to Stand up, and she stood, now all she needed to do was walk !!! The courage that animals show us daily, with not a single thought for themselves, should be an inspiration to us all.

           We had no idea as to whether Fizz would be able to support her enormous weight on 3 leg's, it was something that had scared my vet and I, and to be honest neither one of us had actually mentioned the WHAT  IF  ?? I was going by day to day and this day was a  Suck it up and Just Do it DAY !! I would be untruthful if I told you I was sure that everything would go well, or that Fizz would be able to cope. But I know at that moment Fizz needed me to be there for her and, for me to stay there by her side

         When I started walking in front of Fizz and told her to walk ................. it was a moment of complete magic,  and worthy of some serious background music !! This is the moment that your Pet's life has led up to, the training, learning , bonding and loving, all those years that you and your Pet have Lived and Loved. It's now ..........No~one know's your pet the way that you do ?? 

 The only person that your dog would go that extra step for is YOU !!

Fizz 2nd Day after her Amputation !!


               My Fizzles was an amazing dog, but so too are the thousand's of other Animals that have a Amputation from Accident's or Illness. The only part of Cancer is that the removal of the Limb is just a Stop Gap and in the end will only lengthen the animals life for a while. But if I'm honest I didn't comprehend the full picture and I had these Rose Tinted Spectacles On and the Dream that it would all be Ok in the end ........... cos the Good People always win at the end of the Films.  

         I think people should see Bone Cancer as a lot of small Battles some days you win and other's you end up scratched up a bit ?!? So take each day as a new day and make each Battle into a small victory. 

The first WIN will be the moment your Dog  Stand's  Up  and  Stand's  Strong  !!! 

My Fizzle's was Standing one mark for the Good Guy or in my case Good Girl !!

         This is where you have to grit your teeth, and make sure that you have someone else holding a support under your Pet's tummy, just in case they fall. Once you know that they are not going to let your pet fall, you will feel much more assured, that your Pet will be safe when they try to walk !!

Its all psychological and the Psychologic's is not for your  DOG ... It's  for  YOU !  

          When you know your dog will be safe, you will then be able to start walking yourself, and your Dog will follow you ....... So it's up to you. 

         When I knew that Fizz was not going to fall, I just started walking and she followed, Sian and Emma stood either side of Fizz. As I started walking ahead of  My Fizzly and she walked, Sian and Emma were holding the Cot Bumper with Fizz walking in between them. The Fact that Fizz was so strong, helped to hold her up and she held her entire weight without any need for Sian and Emma. They were there just in case she fell or became unbalanced, she was holding her weight without them. 

         But Fizz was walking by herself less that 18 hour's after her leg was removed, and she was even able to go down 2 step's, to go outside of the Clinic to try to walk about. We got outside and she just followed behind me, she had to sit down for a few moment's to catch her breath. But she was walking, and she was walking better, than anyone could have possibly dreamed.

          Sian and Emma kept repeating how they couldn't believe it,  they kept saying she's holding herself up and we are carrying No Weight !!! 

                 They also couldn't understand how relaxed I was, and not fazed by Fizz's amputation and how calm I was being ???    I was calm because I knew my Fizz needed me to be Calm, and with me being calm she remained calm and it was just another walk in the park ! 

She looked up at me from her sitting down breather, and I just looked at her and said  

  " Ok Fatty get up and keep walking !! "

       There were a group of Firemen doing a Training Session and they looked over at Fizz, and I could see their faces dawning on the fact of what, was happening with this huge Rottweiler. They were just standing still not talking or moving, Just Watching this Dog sitting down in the middle of the car park ? 

I could almost hear the well wishes that must have been flowing through their brain's.

       They just stood there and watched, I couldn't make eye contact with anyone, as I knew I would break if I did !!  I knew that if I had looked at anyone right at that moment, I would have weakened and I was not allowed to be weak in any way.  I turned around and looked at Fizz, eye to eye and then I said it ....... 

        I said  " Come On, we have to keep walking ! " 

Fizz looked at me and if she could have sworn at me I think she would have ?? 

But she was a Lady and Ladies are always polite !! 

                  So instead this 10 Stone though Probably 8 and a half stone Rottweiler as she had her leg removed remember ,  just looked at me and huffed.  Then she gritted her teeth, moved her remaining back leg into a better position and  squeaked once as the Elastic Tape covering her Incision was catching on her shaved skin !!

       Sian and Emma at the ready just in case she fell, me in front of her avoiding all eye contact !!

  This Bravest  of  Creature's,    My Fat Lump who defied all the odd's.  

        She pulled herself up and stood there not moving just still, gathered her thoughts and regaining her balance. 

 We look at each other ..... I turn around and once again we started walking  ............  

      The Firemen started Clapping and Cheering her ..........

               ( Her own little Cheer Leading Squad !! 

                      and that's when the tears began to fall down my cheeks.

    I gulped back my tears and said  " Ok Lets go Home  !! "


The Bravest of the Brave ~ My Fizzle's 

                           

Monday 22 October 2012

Emotionally coping with an Amputation ?

     

 YOU  HAVE  MADE  THE  RIGHT  CHOICE !   

        When you have made the big decision to remove your dogs limb, you are so wrapped up with all the various thought streams, that are flowing through your brain ? That once the decision has been made and your vets have taken over, and your dog is due to have their limb removed.  You are left feeling totally drained and completely numb, and in this sort of  LIMBO . The fact that you have had to make the decision goes against everything, that we thought what is a good Pet Owner should do or be  ??

          But let me tell you that making the decision of amputation IS being a good Pet Owner, there is nothing that upsets me more than when I read people comments that that removal of a leg is Cruel or Their dog does not look like it is in pain ?? Fizz would never have shown us that she was in Pain, and she would have continued to suffer in silence. Without showing an outward sign of the total agony, that she must have felt with that Cancer growing larger by the day.

          The removal of the affected limb, will once the healing from the amputation is completed ..... will remove this constant pain that your dog was suffering daily. Please believe me when I say that the non ~ removal of that limb is nothing more than that of  Cruelty, and then you would be a  Bad Pet Owner ?  So this means that the hardest choice that you have had to make since deciding on buying a puppy, This is the   RIGHT  CHOICE.

          The fact that you know deep inside you that your pet is hurting, then the decision of amputation is a easy one to make. Because you love your pet and you don't want them to suffer, this is the right choice  I know its hard to comprehend or get your head around. But you have made completely the right  CHOICE  for your Pet,and when you see your pet after a few days after the amputation you will  KNOW  that it was the right choice and your heart will start to beat easier.
 
THE  REALISATION  THAT  YOUR  PET  IS  VERY  ILL.....
    
           When I first found out that Fizz had Bone Cancer, I knew that she would have to have her leg removed quickly, so I was lucky because I had already had, that thought inside my mind. It must be harder on those of you who haven't heard about Bone Cancer, or what it means to your beloved pet. This was one of my main reasons for Starting this  BLOG  !  So that I could try to help people who are given this awful new's and don't understand what it means for you, or more importantly means for  YOUR  PET .

           The emotional drain on a caring pet owner once they discover that their Pet is not going to Survive is a totally devastating one . I know I lived it, when I was told that firstly Fizz would die in 4 weeks time, had I done nothing ........ almost destroyed me. I couldn't imagine nor wished to contemplate my life without my big girl in my life ............ because she was my life ??  It seems strange to think like this especially as I had  2 other Dogs, a husband and 2 children. 

           But Fizz and I were connected totally and completely, if you have not had this connection with an animal. It is hard for me to explain to you , but I think if you are out there looking for help and information for your Dog / Pet. Then maybe you already know exactly what I'm talking about and where I'm coming from, so you are just like me  HEART  BROKEN !!   I can't tell you that its going to get better after reading this page,because I would be lying if I said that.  

           I want you to know that I understand that feeling of helplessness and the total WHY  MY  DOG ?  I can Honestly say that I don't know why.
         
           But I do know that you will realise a couple of days after the amputation, that you have made the  RIGHT  CHOICE  for your pet. The thought that even though your pet is having to go through this Major Operation and is still not going to be totally cured, or miraculously healed is something that is hard to realise or live through. 

          This is the cruellest part of this awful disease and something that I myself found very hard to get my head around. Was that even though Fizz was going through the surgery of her leg removal it wouldn't stop her Cancer, nor stop the fact that I was going to lose her. But I knew that the removal of Fizz's leg would for a SHORT time it would ............

 A )  Remove the PAIN that Fizz was dealing with.

 B )  Give me MORE TIME with my Best Friend.

       These are the main reason's that I allowed the Amputation, and something that helped me to make the decision and gave me some Solace. I hope that reading this may in some way help you come to term's, with the the horrific realisation that an amputation will actually be better for your beloved Pet. I hope I give you peace of mind, that removing the limb will benefit your pet and allow you to spend more time with a member of your family, whom you're not willing to lose just yet ?

THIS  IS  YOUR  TIME  TO  BE  STRONG  FOR  YOUR  PET !  

                As I have told you before Fizz and I had this amazing bond or connection and whenever I was upset by something or feeling down. Fizz would be the one who I would turn to, I would go into the garden and just sit down, she would sit next to me and would just be there ........... we did not have to say a word she would always put her right paw, on top of my left foot and she would stay there, not moving. She was my strength, Best Friend, and its something that I find very difficult to put down onto paper or tell you all in my Blog.

       It's because of her and her strength and undying spirit that has made it possible to be here telling you her story. I want her Life to mean something , her life means something to everyone whoever met her but ......... its more than that. I want her story to be leading light and a lil bit of hope, for other people and pets that are suffering from this debilitating disease. Fizz was an incredible dog who suffered through many things, and she never lost herself, she was always just my Fizz. 

       Her attitude could have been changed so many times, through her life with everything that she went through, but it didn't. Its this enduring spirit that I feel needs to be shared and I hope it will give other's the ability to see past this CANCER and be able to realise that no ~ matter what your dog looks like.  Their true character will never change, and even with an amputation your pet will always be yours. The strength that your dog will show you, the remarkable acceptance of whatever may come into their lives. They never feel sorry for themselves and will never have a chip on their shoulder or Woe is ME ?? 

      Your pet will have been there for you as well, I'm sure they have and they have sat next to you when you have been at a low point in your life. Animals have this ability to feel, to feel how you are feeling instantly, they don't need to be told why you feel sad or ask what is the matter ?? They just know, they don't care if you haven't brushed your hair or your not in your Sunday Best, they don't judge you ever. 

              Animals are Totally Un~Selfish they don't Do Something to Get Something ! They just want you to feel better and if sitting by you for an hour means you will get better, they do it willingly and without a hidden agenda. They will do it just because they LOVE YOU ! Its as simple as that, Now this is your chance to give back. This is the moment that your dog's life so far has led up to, all those times when they gave out love to you. This is the time for you to be there for your dog, totally and just for the reason that you LOVE your pet and you know they need  YOU NOW !

SEEING  YOUR  DOG  FOR  THE  FIRST  TIME  AFTER  THEIR   AMPUTATION  ???                                                  
           
           The day after Fizz had her 6 hour operation to remove her leg, I received a phone call from my vet Sian . I was told that they had tried to get her standing up and she had not reacted well to them, so could I come in as they would not be trying again until I was there ???    Their actual comment was    "We tried to move her and she growled at us so we're not trying again until you get here !!!!! "

          My Fizzly was a huge Rottweiler , with Rottweiler attitude and if she felt that she could get away with a lil grumble to be left alone ............ she would grumble ! She would never have tried it with me as she knew I'd have given her a sharp poke, or a clip round the ear ! I will go into how Sian our Vet learn't how to deal with Rottweilers by being around me and Fizz later. I will make a page for controlling a dog just by being a certain  ENERGY  on this site and my other Blog    http://zenas-doggytails-help-and-tips.blogspot.co.uk/   I will also talk about Sian and Fizz teachings on other Parts in  Fizz's  Story  Parts  that are found on the side of this Page, but as usual I'm going off topic !!

        Getting back to this page ........ We left instantly as I wanted to be with Fizz asap as I needed to be with her, to see how she was doing as I hadn't seen her since before her operation. Even though I knew she was having the amputation, I'd taken her there the morning before. I had even signed the form allowing them to take off her leg, all of this I knew, but I still was in the  Dream ~ Like state  of what the " Hell "  was going on !!!
           
          I didn't know what I would see when I got there, and the sick feeling of  O.M.G  was just running through my entire being. I don't know what I thought would greet me when I saw her for the first time ?? I didn't know if I'd start crying or not be able to look at her minus leg ? One thing I did know was that I wouldn't be able show Fizz, how bad I was feeling deep inside my gut. I knew that I could not treat her any differently or otherwise it would effect her state of mind, and if I collapsed then how could she maintain herself and remain strong ........ ?

           We got to the Vets and Sian and Emma the Nurse were waiting for our arrival ?? We went inside the Surgery, complete with our Cot Bumper Blanket and that's when I knew !  I suddenly knew how I should be, its was amazing and in a strange way spiritual,  Now I'm not a religious nut !!       I believe that there is a higher power, and I believe at time of great stress our paths are lightened by a Guide be it Spiritual or not ......  But I know that at that time my panic and sickness evaporated, and I suddenly saw what I should be doing and how I could best help My Fizzly.

            I walked into the Back Hospital and there in a bottom cage was my Fizzles, the EMPTY SPACE where her leg should have been was the most graphic scene I had ever witnessed. It left me totally bereft of how this young dog ( 6 years old )  had gone through all of this, and must have been in a whole lot of pain. I just stood by the doorway, taking in the sight of my dog without her back leg,

          I had to swallow my emotions and I knew I needed to walk into that room, as if it was the most normal sight in the world. I had to pretend that it was just another day in the Fizzle's and Me Life Stories !!! and the leg removal was just as normal, as Fizz going to the vets for her yearly inoculation's. So that's what I did I walked into the room and this dog My Fizzles, who I  LOVED  TOTALLY !! My Fat Lump saw me walk into the room and her eye's lit up and her lil tail started wiggling.

         I just walk up to the cage and just bend down to give her kisses !! and this Rottweiler started crawling on her front legs and managed to pull herself closer to me ! I bend down to her and she pushes her head under my hand in the proper Rottweiler way, and we stay like that for a few moments, 

Saying nothing and Feeling everything ~ just as normal. 

        I then say " Ok Fattie its time to get up "  Just as if she was perfectly normal and not missing a leg ! and that's how I did it ........... I just acted, and it was the hardest thing I have ever had to do in my life. I faked it totally, I wanted to curl up next to her and just burst into tear's, But I knew that I couldn't do that I had to be strong ...... I had to pretend that nothing had changed I had to FAKE IT !!

       I loved that dog to pieces, and the fact that she had always been strong for me, and had always looked after me and my family.  It was my time to repay her, for all that she had done for me and I was honoured to do so. I then moved her head off my leg, put her lead on her and I got up,

 then I just said " Ok Fizzly GET  UP !!! " 

That Dog gritted her teeth squeaked a lil bit as she turned herself a bit so that her remaining Back leg was under her .......... and she just  " GOT  UP " Sian and Emma rushed around to put the Cot Bumper under her Tummy just in case she fell ........... and then I said Ok Let's Go ??


With that She Started Walking ..............

                  My Fizzly 2 Days after her Operation !

         


Tip's to help with an Amputation.

      When the night before Fizz was having her back leg removed, I sat on her bed next to her and I started crying, she came over to me as started licking my tear's......... she then looked right in my eye's. She looked at me and in her eye's I knew that she needed me to be strong, so that's when my Smog lifted and I knew that she would be fighting this and I had to too ! 

         The day she went into surgery was a day I went into action, I knew she would need special care when she came home and we had to provide things around the place to make her transition easier.

 Here are some of the things that we used to help Fizz before and after her Amputation.

COLLECT  THE  ITEM'S  YOU  WILL  NEED

SOMETHING TO SUPPORT YOUR DOG'S BODY.
OLD RUG'S OR CARPETS.
GATE'S OR STUFF FOR FENCING OFF AREA'S.
DOG FLOWER POT COLLAR OR STUFF TO PREVENT CHEWING OUT STITCHES.
OLD DUVET OR COMFORTABLE BEDDING.
GET SOME READY MEALS FOR YOU AND THE FAMILY.
DIARY TO WRITE DOWN FEELING'S OR VET MEDICATION DETAILS. 

THINGS TO DO BEFORE THE OPERATION :-

1. CALM  DOWN :- EASY TO SAY ???
            I know its easy to say and very hard to do, but you have made the hard decision. It is now time to take a breather, its out of your hands now, and your vet is taking over. You have thought things over and in your heart you know that the amputation is for the best. Take time with your pet and just enjoy being with them, they don't need you panicking and it's going to achieve absolutely nothing. Except from making you feel worse and cause your dog to worry. So the night before TRY to act normally with your pet and just take time to just calm down and love your pet totally.

2. SLEEP :- 
                  Well try to !! Try to get some sleep and even if it mean's Curling up with your Dog !! But Please try to rest because this is the Calm before the Storm ! When your pet return's home then you will have to be there with them all the time. At least for the first few days or when they are able to walk around unaided, So before the Operation and During the time your pet is in your Vet's Surgery then rest up. Spend time with your family, order in a Takeaway and just be quiet and try to SLEEP. Because when your pet returns you are going to be needed so make time for You ...........  before You Take Time For Your Pet.

3. START A DIARY :- 
                                    Not only will this give you a chance to take stock of what is going on, it also give's you somewhere to rant and rave ........ write down emotion's that are too hard to talk about. It also is something that you can do while your waiting as there is a LOT of waiting when you have an animal with Cancer. It's more than that it's Memories and funny bit's , Sad Bit's and Bravery Bit's and there will be a whole lot of those I Promise You !! This is also the place to write down what the vet has said or done and a good place to go back to when you need to remember when things happened ??

     It is also somewhere you can look back on when time's are hard and you will be able to say I survived that and NOW I can do anything.

4. MAKE MEMORIES :-
                                         This is something that I WISH THAT I had been told before My Fizzly passed ......... I wish I had more memories not that I will ever forget My Fizzle's but I wish I had taken more films picture's ........ I wish I had more things that showed how my Fizz was ?? I think this is one of the reason's I started this so I could keep my memories and use them to help others.

5. SHOPPING :-
                           Go shopping and get some easy meals or ready meals, stock up your freezer. Because if you are anything like me you will not want to leave your pet for a long time after they come home !!!
Make sure you have your Pet's Favourite Food and Various ones as when we are feeling sorry for ourselves we all like to have something that make's us feel better....... So spoil them.
                                                            
       Make sure you have Cheese , Pate or soft Meat Paste ?? Something that you can easily squish a Pill into and your dog would actually want to eat it ............ you will have a lot of Tablets to give your dog and even the best behaved dog will get eventually fed up with you ramming a pill down their throat 3 times a day !!!

THING'S TO DO THE DAY OF THE OPERATION.

      The day of the operation is going to be a long and difficult one ....... Fizz's Operation was over 6 hours long ! So this is a perfect time to get things ready for your Dog's return home. Otherwise you will probably sit in a heap and cry most of the time that your waiting !!! Clock watching does not WORK, I tried it and it's really amazing how long 15 minutes is .................... 

      So keeping busy and the time will go much faster, I promise and doing these thing's on this most special day ?? Will make you feel like you are actually doing something to help ............. and the belief that what you are doing is going to benefit your beloved Pet will make you feel that you can do something and you are important. Your Dog already know's how important you are , it's you that thinks your lacking !!

1. SORT OUT YOUR DOG'S SLEEPING AND RESTING PLACE :-
    
   When your pet returns home they will be unable to turn around and may find getting comfortable a Big Problem, we used a old Duvet as it's soft and comfy, but unlike a Blanket it will not be able to get tangled up around the dog. So when it's time for your Dog to go Outside then it will be easy to get your dog up and moving without the risk of any of it's other legs getting caught or slipping. 

2. PREVENT CHEWING OUT STITCHES :- FLOWER POT !

        The Incision must be given time to heal and most dog's are a NIGHTMARE with CHEWING OUT Stitches and Fizz was no exception. I have written the full explanation in my page Dealing with the Amputation Incision which you can find on the side column, this tells of how I got Fizz to stop chewing her Scar. In the end we used Bi~Carbonate of Soda This is the baking powder used for Biscuit's ?? 
      I know sound's very Strange but read the Page and it will become Clear. IT WORKS 

3. COT  BUMPER :-  HELP'S SUPPORT  THEIR  WEIGHT.
           
       The first thing I did was to find something soft to be used under her Tummy to hold her weight and make sure she didn't fall onto the floor and damage her Incision. When I looked up what to use, they said Towel's or Sheets. What we used was actually a COT BUMPER which is the padding that is used to stop Babies hitting their heads when asleep in their Cot.

           The reason why I thought this would work was that it was padded so it wouldn't hurt her tummy and it was long enough that you could stand up and walk easily along side her. So it was easy for one person to lead her and another to hold her weight in case she fell.

         In Fact it worked out really well and it's something that I would definitely recommend someone would use a COT BUMPER if their Dog was going to have an amputation. 

4. CARPET  SLIPPERY  AREA'S :-  PREVENT'S  FALLING  OVER.
       
        The other thing we did was to actually carpet every place where Fizz would be walking on ?? This also included the OUTSIDE as well, so we used old carpet on our wood deck that is outside our home. So Fizz could go to the toilet outside without the risk of Slipping and Falling.

5. FENCE  OFF  DANGER  AREA'S :- NARROW SPACES 
      
        We also fenced off area's in the garden, so Fizz would not try to go by our pond, and down narrow area's where she would find it difficult to turn around, and we fenced off the steps going up to the top Garden. 

THING'S TO DO WHEN YOUR DOG COME'S HOME 

1. COPE :- 
                   The first thing I want to tell you is the removal of the leg is shocking for anyone and feeling SHOCK or REVULSION is not anything new nor is it something you should feel bad about feeling it.

        The Incision Scar is something that can firstly scare you. and the shock of seeing your dog with their MINUS leg is something that is hard to look at let alone adjust to. I was talking to my family this morning running through this Post as I normally do when I write something new.

Poor thing's they are my usual Guinea Pig's )

       I asked them how they felt when they saw Fizz for the 1st time after her removal ??  ( I have a medical background so I knew what to expect, but even I was un~nerved by the lack of leg ) 

     So I asked them and they said that the IMAGE that was running through their head's imagination was much worse than what they actually saw the first time after her leg was removed. This actually surprised me as I felt that they would have been horrified by it ?? 

But it shows that the thought of something is always much worse than the real life living it or viewing it option's 

      This in itself is helpful because I thought that my family were shocked by her removal but in fact they felt that it would be a whole lot more awful than it was when they actually saw her for the first time !!

2,  PREVENT CHEWING OUT STITCHES :- FLOWER POT !

       The Incision must be given time to heal and most dog's are a NIGHTMARE with CHEWING OUT Stitches and Fizz was no exception. I have written the full explanation in my page Dealing with the Amputation Incision which you can find on the side column, this tells of how I got Fizz to stop chewing her Scar. 

In the end we used Bi~Carbonate of Soda This is the baking powder used for Biscuit's ?? 
I know sound's very Strange but read the Page and it will become Clear. 
                            IT WORKS !!  

3. SUPPORT YOUR PET :-
                                              Make sure that you always use something to support your dog until you know definitely that they are not going to fall over and Damage the Incision and always make sure that the Incision is kept clean, and if your dog does fall then let them help you when they feel they are ready to move again they will let you know !!

Don't Beat yourself up if your pet does fall, because if we never fell ........... how would we learn to pick ourselves up !!

4. USE  A  LEAD :-  SAFETY
     Another thing is using a lead for a few day's.... this may seem obvious to some,  but making sure you can either control where your Dog Goes but also so you are next to your Pet, so if they slip and you haven't got the Towel / Cot Bumper Support then you can use your own leg as a balance if your dog does slip.

FINALLY :-   Your Dog will amaze you daily and please don't miss out on the bonding and love that your pet shows you and that you show them. This TIME will fly past so enjoy every moment you spend with your pet and just take time to just BE ! 

                                             
         We were lucky that Fizz was amazing after she had the amputation, and to be honest I think that most dog's will be amazing no matter what breed or size etc. Mainly because all animals do not have the hang up's !!! 

That we as humans have......... they don't care what they look like and more importantly they 

DON'T FEEL SORRY FOR THEMSELVES !!
     
So my main tip for you is DON'T FEEL SORRY FOR YOUR DOG !!

 Love your pet and as always they will give it back to you 10X over, so make memories as we are all here for such a short time. Sadly some of us are here for Less than they should be. Enjoy the little thing's and Love the Pet Thing's and Take Time to Cuddle, Sit and talk to your pet as their time is short and it's too special to Miss a Second ........ So Take Picture's Film's and live for your moment's because believe me when I say .........
                              YOUR PET IS LIVING FOR YOU !!

  I have a list for you covering everything I have talked about above, so copy the list and Tick off thing's when you complete them !! See I've found another way for you to waste your time  :)

Find something to help support your dog after the operation,
Sort out a Soft and comfortable bed with easy access,
Cover any Slippery Floor or Outside Places that may be dangerous,
Try to relax and rest before the Surgery and while your dog is staying with your vet's
Start a Diary for Feeling's or Vet's Advice or Medication,
Get Some of your Pet's Favourite Food in case they don't feel like eating ??
Sort out what way's you are going to prevent your pet from chewing out it's stitches ??
Prepare some easy meals before hand,
Get Some Cheese, Pate or Soft Sticky Meat Paste so you can easily give your Dog it's Medication !!
Try to rest up and get some sleep,
Spend time with your pet and just enjoy,
Take picture's and films ( A Lot )
Treat your pet the same,
DON'T FEEL SORRY FOR YOUR PET.

Monday 15 October 2012

Amputation ~ Is it Right for Your Dog ???

             You have been given the awful new's that your best friend has got a disease that is going to change you and your pet's world forever. It does not matter what anyone say's to you, or how many article's about Bone Cancer that you continue to glance through ....... in hope's of a miracle cure or medical break through ?

      Firstly I know exactly what you are thinking , feeling , wondering or any other " ing " You can possibly think of ..... because I lived it and I have survived. My story and the whole reason behind this Blog is because of that 1st day. The unimaginable sense of total helplessness that I felt the moment I got told that My Fizzly, did not have Arthritis...... My Fizzly had Cancer.

      When my vet told me, I knew that PAIN was my first point of call, I know that we all love our pet's and want them to be with us FOREVERBut it's the Biggest Job we have when we decide to take an animal into our hearts,home's and live's. Dealing with the responsibilities of an ill pet is also the hardest, and it's the JOB of making those hard decisions that make pet owner's good one's instead of a Bad One's.
        
      The Biggest Decision of Amputation may be taken out of your hand's and this is where your Vet's Knowledge and the understanding in your own Pet come's into Play ? As I wrote in my last Post the first thing your vet will do is to take an X~ray of your dogs Chest, as Bone Cancer is very aggressive and it then passes from the Limb to the Lung's very quickly. If this is the case then the reality is that Pain Relief will be suggested from your vet and to just take time to love your pet and spend as much time with them as you can.

      If like Fizz there is no sign of Cancer in her Lung's then we go back to Amputation or NOT ?  The thought of Amputation is such a Devastating Image that it leave's everyone cold. The idea that a person would have to make the decision to remove a part of their beloved Pet, goes against every grain of what an owner thinks they should be. But in being a good Pet Owner it's making these decisions even when it does make your heart go cold with just the thought.


This was My Fizzly 2 day's after her Amputation !!

        Bone Cancer is one of the most painful Cancer's and it's this debilitating Pain which causes most dogs to be put to sleep. Amputation will get rid of the Pain being felt by your dog INSTANTLY , well after the healing of the removal , but that is something that last a few day's ~ while Bone Cancer has been a source of Constant Pain, since your dog first developed the Cancer. 

      The first thing to think of is will your dog be able to actually cope with the Amputation ??  So Size, Weight, Age and in my case with a Rottweiler the main thing to think about is  TEMPERAMENT.  Will your dog handle the hand's on and dealing with the Incision and after care ?  If you have doubt's then talk to your vet and see whether they feel that your dog is Suitable.

     I will now talk about how Fizz and I coped with her Amputation, and hopefully you will get some insights into whether your dog's case is similar or not and please feel free to talk to me on here or privately via my                   email    zena-zoo@hotmail.co.uk    and I will try to help in any way I can.

    As I have said before we thought that Fizz had Arthritis,  and My vet and I were totally shocked when we saw the X~rays especially as the Mass was so Big and Fizz as usual shown  NO  HINT  OF  PAIN . But as Cesar Millan says Pit Bulls and Rottweiler's are built for Pain ???  My Fizz took this to a new unbelievable level !!  Once we got over the shock of the X~ray and Fizz's lack of admittance of Pain ( Numpty ) The first word's out of my mouth were          " Ok, when do we Take It OFF ?? " 

    I knew that the removal of the leg would stop her  PAIN  and once you get your head around that, then the hardest thing is actually Saying it out Loud ? I promise you it get's easier the more time's you say it ....... and once it's easier its time to decide. Now with Fizz for those who have read her Story Part's you will know that she was an incredible dog. So I already knew that with her temperament,  I knew she would handle the operation and after care with ease.

      The next question was would she be able to handle the Amputation physically ??  Fizz was a Rottweiler so her size played a part, especially as she was an enormous Rottweiler !!  As I have said in Fizz's Story she had already had a problem with that leg,  so I knew that she had coped on 3 leg's before. With this fact I knew that Fizz would physically with an Amputation, as she hadn't properly used that leg for years.

      If Fizz had got cancer in one of her front leg's then I honestly think, that she wouldn't have been able to cope. Mainly because all her weight " as she was a Rottweiler " was found in her Chest, as she was a very heavy and big chested Rottweiler. So I think that honestly I would have had to have just used Pain Relief and in my Vet's word's she would have lived for approximately 4 weeks.       Considering she was just 6 years old it was a possibility that I was not prepared to contemplate, and one that I wouldn't wish that on anyone.

         Once I had decided that it was Best for Fizz to have her leg removed, my mind was still completely numb. I knew what the books say about to deal with amputations and ways to deal with it ??  When it is your dog and your life it still doesn't seem real, and I know I was walking around in this smog.

        Then the night before Fizz was having her back leg removed, I sat on her bed next to her and I started crying, she came over to me as started licking my tear's......... she then looked right in my eye's. She looked at me and in her eye's, I knew that she needed me to be strong, so that's when my Smog lifted and I knew that she would be fighting this and I had to too ! 

         The day she went into surgery was a day I went into action, I knew she would need special care when she came home, and we had to provide things around the place to make her transition easier. I have put a page on the side telling you some Tip's to help Deal with an Amputation  I hope this will cover some of your question's and make the thought of dealing with the Amputation a little less SCARY !! 

     But Some of the Tip's I have put on that page are simple thing's that we did or used when Fizz had her leg removed.        
                  Find something to help support your dog after the operation,
                  Sort out a Soft and comfortable bed with easy access,
                  Cover any Slippery Floor or Outside Places that may be dangerous,
                  Try to relax and rest before the Surgery and while your dog is 
                  staying with your vet's
                  Start a Diary for Feeling's or Vet's Advice or Medication,
                  Get Some of your Pet's Favourite Food in case they don't feel like 
                  eating ??
                  Sort out what way's you are going to prevent your pet from chewing 
                  out it's stitches ??
                  Prepare some easy meals before hand,
                  Get Some Cheese, Pate or Soft Sticky Meat Paste so you can easily 
                  give your Dog it's Medication !!
                  Try to rest up and get some sleep,
                  Spend time with your pet and just enjoy,
                  Take picture's and films ( A Lot )
                  Treat your pet the same,
                   DON'T FEEL SORRY FOR YOUR PET.

       As I said above I have gone into a lot detail, on the Tip's to help Deal with an Amputation Page on the side Column so Please have a look, and if you have any other Tip's or things that you have heard or done yourself then please leave me a message and I will add them to the page as well.

      The most important thing I have to say is  PLEASE  DON'T  treat your pet any different, as this will effect your dog way more, than the Cancer Would ever change them.We were lucky that Fizz was amazing after she had the amputation, and to be honest I think that most dog's will be amazing, no matter what breed or size etc. Mainly because all animals do not have the hang up's !!!  That we as humans have......... they don't care what they look like and more importantly they  DON'T  FEEL  SORRY  FOR  THEMSELVES !!
     
  So my main tip for you is  DON'T  FEEL  SORRY  FOR YOUR  DOG  !!

      Enjoy your time with your pet before and after the operation take Picture's , Film's write a Diary as it will make the whole thing easier, if you know when you last went to the vet's,  what did they say ??  and how many pill's do I give them etc  ?? 

      But it's more than that its memories, and memories will make you stronger, and in time it's these precious Memories, that will in turn make you heal ............




Tuesday 9 October 2012

Osteosarcoma ~ Bone Cancer ??

       I know that this Blog is supposed to be a place, where people can come to talk or get help or advice from other people about Bone Cancer. I also wanted this Blog to be where you can find out tip's for coping, or just have somewhere to just rant and scream without Judgement or Complicated Scientific Information.

     But I have decided that for everyone of you who has not gone through this awful illness, that I would try to explain the basic's to you . So that you would have an idea of what Bone Cancer is and how it show's itself  in Dog's etc.

     For those who don't know, I was a Microbiologist and worked in a hospital, before I became a mother or an owner of a Seriously Gorgeous Rottweiler named Fizz, So when Fizz was diagnosed I did have a inkling into what Bone Cancer entails well ~ with people anyway ?? So I was in an advantage or maybe a disadvantage when it came to knowing what this prognosis would mean for My Fizzly !

     As I have said before, when I first heard that Fizz had an Osteosarcoma or Bone Cancer I went onto my computer and started looking for everything and anything about Dog's and Bone Cancer and even with a Scientific background I still found it totally daunting ........

           Osteosarcoma is the scientific name for Bone Cancer which starts mainly in the Long Bones so in Dog's the legs are the normal starting place. It seems that Pedigree Dog's are more likely to get Cancer of any type ?  But bigger Dog Breeds seem to get Bone Cancer a lot more than smaller ones ........

           Bone Cancer is started when the Cells in the middle of the Bones called Osteoblasts these are basically the immature cells that are the building blocks for the mature bone. When a dog has bone cancer these cells begin make more than is needed and they do this very aggressively and very quickly. So your dog will begin to show symptoms suddenly, in Fizz's case her back leg started limping, in the beginning it looks like arthritis and nothing else.
Fizz and Ruby when my Fizzly was younger.
           So it is not normally found until it's very obvious and after an X~ray has been done  ........... by this time your dog is very ill and in a lot of pain ?? Bone Cancer is one of the most aggressive form's of Cancer that a Dog can get. Not only does it get larger very quickly it makes the bone grow out of shape, which means it's one of the most painful Cancers. But not only that, but it is a Cancer that METASTASISE'S quickly, this mean's that it is a Cancer that moves to other parts of the body VERY QUICKLY.

          Dog's with Bone Cancer of the long bones, the Cancer normally passes to the CHEST or LUNGS very quickly, so dogs that are treated for Bone Cancer get treated for Lung Cancer straight away....... as it's assumed by the time you know that your dog has Bone Cancer it will have PROBABLY already started to infect the dogs LUNGS. 

          This is because 90% of all dogs who have Bone Cancer that Cancer has spread quickly to the Lung's. So Dogs suffering from Bone Cancer, the first thing done is an Chest X~ray to find out if it has spread to the lungs already ?? If it has then normally Pain relief is given and no other treatment is offered.

          But if the Chest X~rays are clear or look Clear ? 
       
          Then the AMPUTATION of the Limb is recommended this is because of the Pain that is felt from this Aggressive Cancer is so severe that without it, your dog would be in so much pain it would be unfair to keep him / her with us. Once they have recovered from the Amputation they are treated with Chemotherapy. This will slow down the spreading of  the Cancer to the LUNGS. It will not stop the Cancer Spreading but it will slow it down.

        In Fizz's case her femur in her Back leg had only about 1 to 2 Inches left of NORMAL BONE  left top and bottom of the entire bone. The rest of the bone had grown out to the size of a large GRAPEFRUIT !! 

        This is why pain relief should be top of your list when it come's to the dealing of Bone Cancer in your dog. I will be dealing with the choice of Amputation in my next posting, but I wanted to explain to people who haven't dealt with this nightmare situation of  Bone Cancer. Which I would not wish this on my worst enemy as it's one of the cruellest diseases that can be found. Mainly because you can have a perfectly all right and healthy dog one minute. Then after one X~ray you can be told, that if I did nothing ......  My Fizzly would have been dead in 4 weeks time.

Fizz had an x~ray on the 24th September and her leg was removed on 13th October with a Biopsy in between.
          Some Breeds seem to get it more than others, I have a Link to a Bone Cancer Veterinary Paper that I will put under this paragraph. It Claims that Rottweiler's have a 1 in 8 chance in getting Bone Cancer ?? Though I don't know the actual  % rates, but it seem's that most Bone Cancer Pages seem to have their major share of Rottweiler's with this horrible disease.
         
           It also says that Great Danes and many other Breeds have the likelihood that they may develop Bone Cancer. But I myself have had some of these other Breeds and they lived perfectly long and healthy lives. So as normal it's a case of the Luck in the Draw and There for the Grace of God go I ........ and any other platitudes that you can think of ??

            The Link to the VCA Animal Hospital Paper on Bone Cancer  

     The Link above is a good one and is well worth a look as it explains the Scientific process of Bone Cancer, and it does it in simple language which is easiest for everyone !!

     My Vet was crying when she phoned me to tell me that Fizz had Bone Cancer, and if I had done nothing she would have been dead in 4 weeks ........... at 6 years old I felt this was not an option ???

     Her Chest X~ray was CLEAR so we decided to Amputate the leg and try Chemotherapy. I was told that with Chemo she would live for about 6 Months ................ My Fizzly lived for over a year !!

     Not long enough for me but passed all Vet's predictions, Fizz past when she was ready and not before. 

But the time she was alive SHE LIVED her life with Zest, Bravery and more than anything LOVE ........... It's this love that kept her with me longer and my Love in turn kept her with me .......... and this is all a dog can do for you and all that your dog needs from you ................ LOVE.


The Love of MY LIFE .... Miss Fizzles.
                                  

Saturday 6 October 2012

Your Dog Has Cancer..... WHAT NOW ???

          You have known that there is something wrong with your pet.......... you've done the tests......... your vet has given you the possibilities .................... you've had the X-rays................ you have now had the results and no matter how many times you have thought about it ........ talked about it .............. tried to forget about it ................. hidden from the chance of it........... you realise that it's not a bad dream your 
    Best friend does indeed have CANCER .............. WHAT........... NOW ????

        I know exactly how you are feeling, I have been right where you are ?? and  I know how much it hurt's and how much you wish it was different, but I'm sorry my lovely but it's not going to just vanish because you want, wish or NEED it to. It's here and your Best Friend needs you and they need you to be there for them now??  no matter how hard this is you have to start by putting your feelings to one side. 

        This is very easy to say and I know how very hard it is to do ......  If you need someone to scream at then scream go into a field and let loose !! 

       But when you come back in it's time to deal, the main thing you have to remember is that Dog's don't know what Cancer is and they don't care that they have got it ??? Human's are the only species that feel's sorry for itself and we claim to be the most intelligent !!!

       Your friend does not realise what is happening to them ........ they will definitely notice if you are in a complete emotional wreck and that is the only thing that will be worrying them. So please I know it's hard but try to not change how you behave around your pet because that will upset them. Animals don't have the issue's that we have, they just deal and they do it well !!

       So my main point in this posting is FAKE IT !! When you are with your pet then fake it ! what I mean with this is when you are on your own you can cry your heart out, break down come on this Blog and vent and rant.  This is what I made this Blog for ............ So you would have a place to come when you are in your darkest time's and come here and just know that I and all the other's that visit this Blog are here for you.

     But when you are around your pet then try to act normal , and your pet will be normal. They don't care that they are ill, they won't feel sorry for themselves if they have an amputation, animals accept things they don't worry about looks or lil thing's like loosing a leg ??? But they do care and they do worry if their most important person in their life is treating them differently or breaking down every time they come near you or you walk past them.

     When Fizz was diagnosed I completely broke down, she was my baby and I adored her, but she showed me over the time from the date she was diagnosed to the date she went to heaven. How truly amazing an animal can be and it's something that is completely amazing and spiritual thing to be around and as much as her passing Killed me I feel honoured that I was around such an amazing creature and that creature adored me totally ....... and over time I have realised that she has taught me more in her short 6 years than I had learned in my 40 .............. and we say that we are the most intelligent thing on our planet 

    We know NOTHING ???  and I know that you will realise this over time. Anyone who has an animal who is seriously ill, will learn that Your Pet will teach you more than you have ever taught them.  With their acceptance of their illness, their spirit and love for life, and the total love of others including You. 

    You will learn more than you ever knew before and that I promise you that this will be the everlasting Gift that your Best Friend will give you......  and this will be, you realising that what I'm telling you is true. It may take month's before you realise but it is something that shows that even when our Pet's have past they still fill our live's completely. 

    And that is the biggest gift of LOVE that your pet will ever give you.


The Bond of LOVE Forever.