Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Unfortunately I am not able to update that Snoop us doing better. We were hoping to see a significant decrease in his pain, but so far it hasn't happened.
We have inflammation on v5&6 and signs of calcification on 6. This was found in an ex ray two weeks ago. We were put on predisone, and tramadol and told it could be 4 weeks plus to see improvement.
Well once predisone was weened off Snoop rolled backwards immediately. Vets put him back on predisone, tramadol and gabapentin. Besides back, left rear leg is now become very strained and sore. He needs help getting up and down and going outside. We are doing acupuncture every other day at the house. We have been considering doing cold laser therapy also. Our onco wanted us to hold off for a week to see between meds and acupuncture for some improvement and talked about his concerns with the cold laser therapy and cancer. We understand the concern but are willing to possibly begin next week if he's still struggling.
Maybe someone here has dealt with back issues and could share.
I can't begin to tell you how stressed I feel these days. The emotional seems to becoming even physical.
Esther and her Snoop
Oh, Esther,
I'm so sorry that Snoop is in so much pain. And so sorry that you are in so much pain, too. We worry so much about our babies.
I'm not familiar with the issues of cold laser therapy and cancer, so I can't weigh in on that. But I will say that quality of life is most important and if the cold laser therapy can help his quality of life right now, I would choose to try it for my dog.
My dog, Seven, has back problems. He's on constant low doses of Tramadol and Gabapentin, and when he has a flare up, I increase it to the maximum doses until he's under control again and then slowly back off. Do you know if Snoop is taking the maximum doses?
I hope Snoop is feeling better soon. And I'm sending you lots of hugs.
xoxo
Carol
Oh Esther, this is jjust so darn rotten and so darn UNFAIR! To hear that courageous fun boy is hurting breaks my heart! As often is the case, it's probably harder on n you than it is the "patient"!
No, I don't have any specific advice other than Pred. and pain meds have been used on my dogs that have had back issues and yes, Pred. can take awhile to get the inflammation down and, if I recall, sometimes long time use is required with a reduction in amounts over time.
I do know cold laser therapy has been used here by people on the site. I'm sure Rene will give you the links and point you in the right direction. Also, check out Dasequin (?) ..or Adequan.(?) .....not sure I have the right names.
Don't know what to tell you about his leg becoming weaker. It could be, possible that it "appears" weaker but it's really just a side effect that makes his leg appear less strong.
Stay here with us and don't try and handle your frustration and concern on your own, okay? There are so many first hand experiences here, some one will chime in wwith insight. And yeah, if cold M laser tjera Poy can make Snoops feel better then that's quality and, as you know, this whole journey is about quality! And spoiling and loving.....You've already mastered that!
I wish I could do or say something to ease your stress and to make Snoop ' s recovery speed up! The old "Give me patients and hurry up! I need it now!" is something I wish we could make happen at the snap of our fingers!
You hang in there and know that things WILLOW get better for that precious Snoop Dog! We all love him so much!!
Keep us posted, okay?
Love and hugs!
Sally and Happy Hannah
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!
Oh Esther and Snoop, I'm so sorry to hear the meds aren't doing as well as you thought. I don't know about the issues between cold laser therapy and cancer, but I agree that if it can increase his quality of life that I would do it. I have had CLT myself after a torn IT band. It really seemed to help. It wasn't painful at all. At most, it was a little bit of a weird sensation but not in a bad way. Also, I wonder if his back leg is becoming strained b/c he's putting a lot of pressure on it trying to take pressure off his back?
I hope someone here can chime in more about this.
HUGS
Mom to Tripawd Angels Jake (2001-2014) and Rosco (2012-2015) and Tripawd Tanner. “Whatever happens tomorrow, we had today; and I'll always remember it”
{{{hugs}}} I'm so sorry his healing isn't progressing the way anyone wants it to. I know how upsetting this is. Dang.
Well, as for cold laser and cancer...I understand that in a general sense, some studies have shown that lasers are thought to stimulate cancer tumor growth, but the jury is still out on that. As Elizabeth said, when it comes to cancer, it's all about quality of life so if you're willing to try it, why not if it helps him feel better?
How many acupuncture sessions has he had? It's my understanding that it could take 6-10 sessions before real relief is felt.
Has anyone talked to you about stem cell therapy? I am hearing amazing things about how it's helping with chronic arthritis in animals but again, the jury is still out. See:
http://www.peti.....-Dogs.aspx
http://veterina.....ryId=45708
Just some thoughts. . . . I'll keep thinking about other ideas. hugs to you both.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I don't have anything to offer since I don't know but I want to offer love and support!!! Know that I think about your and Snoops and send you lots of healing energy!!!
XOXO
Alison & her Shelby fur-ever 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
I also am not familiar with back issues, but could his leg pain stem from the back? Also, when Ty was put on Prednisone ( for other reasons) every time we weaned him down, he got worse. We just settled on a dose that took care of problem, but was not crazy high. Can they increase it a bit? So sorry you I are going through this. It is so hard to see our furbabies in pain. I hope they figure it out soon for you. Love from, Lori and Ty
TY GUY, Best Black Lab ever! Diagnosed and had amp in January, 2014. Kicked MRSA's butt. Earned his angel wings on April 16, 2014. Run Free my boy and don't forget a shoe. Ty is a proud member of the " April Angels". Ty sent us Daryl, a Tripawd rescue in Sept. of 2016. Daryl is 5 +or -. We are also Pawrents to Chandler, a Border Collie mix who is 15 and 1/2, Lucy, a Corgi who is 7, 2 minis, 2 horses, and a feisty cat named Zoe. Zoe had a non skeletal Osteosarcoma removed in July 2015. No Chemo, she was at least 16. She is going strong although she is now completely blind. She is now close to 20 and her hobbies are eating and sleeping in front of her personal heater.
Hi Esther
I don't have any advice but I just wanted to say we are sending hugs and pawsitive vibes for Snoop.
Hope things turn around quickly for him.
Hugs
Linda and Tucker
My quad pug Tani has some back problems due to missing a lumbar vertebrae and pretty bad arthritis. She also has arthritis in all four legs. In addition to rimadyl and gaba I give her adequan injections, it is an anti-inflammatory. It is expensive, and doesn't work for all dogs, but it has huge benefits for Tani.
I hope you find a solution for Snoop.
Karen
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
So sorry to hear this, Esther. I know it hurts us just as much to see them in pain.
At PT last time we ran into an owner whose dog had back issues and has been on stem cell therapy and that, along with some water treadmill sessions, seems to be helping. We've been doing cold laser therapy with Lexie every 3 weeks or so and it seems to help.
Ditto the comments about upping the pain meds when needed; sometimes the higher dose can make a lot of difference.
Keeping fingers and paws crossed for Snoops and you and your family...
Hugs,
Deb and Lexie
Deb and Angel Lexie* Diagnosed at age 13. Tried radiation first; wish we had amputated upon diagnosis (even with lung mets). Joined Club Tripawd April 2014 & Lexie loved life on 3 legs! Advice: Start physical therapy as soon as your vet clears it, especially hydrotherapy if available :-) See Lexie pics here.
Well we had our first cold therapy laser yesterday am. I think Snoop was grateful for not even having any acupuncture, the needles in some areas have been sensitive. He was a trooper but he always is. He's such a sweet dog, it absolutely kills me to see him hurting. Were going to have our second session Mon and keep going as it may take 5 sessions to see some hopeful improvement. His prednisone was increased even more. So well see. This is going to be a long haul, but I have faith in Snoop. He's been a tough guy so far and has handled a lot so were trying to take each day as it comes. I'm trying to Be More Dog
!
Thank you Carol and Sally for your kind words, they always help.
Renee thanks for additional info, we are going to ask Dr about the stem cell therapy Mon am.
Thanks Elizabeth for sharing your personal experience with laser, gives me food for thought for even myself! Your injury must have been horrifically painful.
Lori we've all asked where that leg pain is coming from over use, stressed or the back. Just trying to treat All of him. Jeez wouldn't it be easier if they could talk!
Linda thanks for the pawsitive thoughts, well take all we can get.
Alison thanks for the support, and we've been busy here but I've been reading when I can, and I am so happy for you for you and your little girl. She's adorable and she came to you with Shelby direction. We've adopted a lot, it takes time but it is so so worth every minute. Watch the bond, as you know getting Shelby it just gets better and better.
Karen thanks for the injection info we've talked about that and will consider all option.
Deb, we've joined you in the cold laser therapy, I hope Lexie is doing well and seeing some benefits.
Again thanks all, we appreciate everyone's support.
I have to say there have been days lately where I'm just exhausted emotionally. It's tough for me to admit it because I feel like I don't have the best control, but as I'm getting older I find sometimes I just can't keep it together as well.(or it least what I was kidding myself about)
What sinks about this whole lousy cancer is the constant feeling of no control, and fear. I'm tired, so tired.but....Snoop looks at me with the big beautiful eyes and says Momma lets keep going! Boy is he smarter than me any day!!
Esther and her Snoop
Hi Esther,
So sorry you are going through all this, but like Alison, Lori, and Linda, I have no experience with back problems in any of my Labs to date, I just want to offer my support for you and Snoop while having to deal with this stressful situation. And like everyone, I do hope for a resolution for him very soon.....my heart hurts when someone here and their pup or kitty is going through a rough time.
Keeping you and Snoop in my thoughts,
Love,
Bonnie & Angel Polly
Esther,
I'm so happy to hear that you're trying the cold laser therapy and that Snoop's prednisone was increased. Hopefully he'll be feeling better soon. If he hates the acupuncture, maybe that's a good enough reason to stop, but I'm wondering if both cold laser and acupuncture can be done. My Seven just had both done last week for his back. Also, is Snoop taking the maximum doses of the Tramadol and Gabapentin . Prednisone helps inflammation, but Tramadol and Gabapentin will control his pain levels until the inflammation is down...at least that's how is was explained to me...Obviously i'm not a Veterinarian.
Yeah, there's no control when you deal with awful cancer. I know what you mean about the emotions exhausting you physically also. But you have Snoop there wanting your love and attention. Give it to him and he'll make you feel better!
xoxo
Carol
Hang in there Esther, we are all here for you to lean on and you can vent here anytime. You're so right; one look at Snoop and you just know, he's going to come through this with flying colors. He's a strong boy, he'll get there. Let us know what the vet says about stem cell, I'm curious.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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