Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hello friends!
Skyla and I hope everyone has been having a wonderful summer. We had many wonderful days, but some tougher ones more recently.
My amazing girl - 11 year old Rottweiler mix - is a front leg amputee since June, diagnosed end of May with osteosarcoma. She recovered beautifully. Her energy was improving and she seemed happier without that bum leg.
She has recently declined a bit. Her energy is down, her motivation down, and she's starting to remind me of pre-op Skyla. Our short walks have been impossible now; my lady just wants to lay down most of the time. I've tried to keep her moving and in shape, and she initially really enjoyed building up her strength. I now see her really struggling over the past few weeks. I suspected pain so I restarted her on Vetprofen (anti-inflammatory) to see if that would help. It does seem to help somewhat, but not 100%.
The last few days I feel strongly that the pain is in the wrist of her remaining front leg. She yelped when I had ahold of her wrist while putting on her harness yesterday. Unfortunately our Tripawds can't really "limp" and are forced to use all remaining legs, even if they're in pain! It breaks my heart to see her like this.
We go to see her vet on Monday. I initially thought her decline could be due to the wildfire smoke we've been under, but the smoke has lifted considerably and it doesn't seem to have changed anything. I will be asking about doing x-rays (we have to go to her surgeon for those), acupuncture, adjusting medication, rehab, etc.
Any similar experiences, friends? Any thoughts on whether this could be a sprain or something more serious? I'd love any input or advice!
XOXO,
Rae & Skyla
Hey Rae and Skyla the SuperStar 
I'm sorry that Skyla has shown signs of slowing down. Yes, it could be something as simple as a sprain that just needs more R&R and the right combo of pain management and rehab therapy. She's an active girl and it's likely that her adventures have caught up with her mobility challenges.
We had a scare like that when Jerry almost blew out his knee. Acupuncture, R&R and Meloxicam helped him recovery. Since then we've learned so much about balancing the right amount and type of activity for a Tripawd. Here are the things we wish we knew then that we know now.
Ask your vet for a referral to a canine rehab therapist. If they don't provide one and you need some suggestions for a clinic, let me know, I see Bend has some good ones.
We're sending lots of love to your girl for a restful and complete recovery!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Awww Skyla, sweet,sweet Skyla! Don't want to see you hurting and limping so let's get this figured out, okay?
Do you have any stronger pain meds arpund? Any Tramadol perhaps?
I don't have any input for you. Just want to send lots of healing energy and hoping for a really good outcome!
In the mea time, continue to spoil and give her cheeseburgers and ice cream I've amazing how much better dogs feel when they've jad cheeseburgers and ice cream!! 🙂
We'll be watching for your update on Monday.
Lots of hugs
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!
jerry said
Hey Rae and Skyla the SuperStarI'm sorry that Skyla has shown signs of slowing down. Yes, it could be something as simple as a sprain that just needs more R&R and the right combo of pain management and rehab therapy. She's an active girl and it's likely that her adventures have caught up with her mobility challenges.
We had a scare like that when Jerry almost blew out his knee. Acupuncture, R&R and Meloxicam helped him recovery. Since then we've learned so much about balancing the right amount and type of activity for a Tripawd. Here are the things we wish we knew then that we know now.
Ask your vet for a referral to a canine rehab therapist. If they don't provide one and you need some suggestions for a clinic, let me know, I see Bend has some good ones.
We're sending lots of love to your girl for a restful and complete recovery!
Thanks so much, Jerry and friends! We appreciate all of your wisdom. Jerry sounds like quite the adventure dog himself. Who knew it would get us into trouble!
REALLY hoping it's just a sprain. That means we'll get through this. My mind has been running wild and I'm having a hard time waiting until Monday; I'm debating taking her in on emergency vs waiting for her familiar team. It's rough watching them hurt :(( my biggest fears are there's a fracture, or another bone tumor. Both unlikely, I know. But still...the mind is my worst enemy!
Pending what happens at our visit, I'm definitely going to look into rehab! I've heard absolutely wonderfully things about a local therapist.
Thank you endlessly! We'll keep y'all posted!
benny55 said
Awww Skyla, sweet,sweet Skyla! Don't want to see you hurting and limping so let's get this figured out, okay?
Good evening, dear friends!
Your encouragement is helpful at a time like this! I'm a bit of a mess, thinking the worst...fracture, another bone tumor, oh, the terror!
I actually just added Tramadol in tonight - great minds think alike! She also got some CBD infused treats and a little ice session on her sore spot. She's lost her spirit but she's still wants all the love. And food too, of course!
As I replied back to Jerry, I may end up taking her in as an emergency this weekend, especially if she gets even a hair worse. I'm also going to see if I can set up an x-ray appt ASAP, assuming our regular vet will want to accomplish that. That way come Monday, we are one step ahead.
Thank you, thank you, thank you! We wish you all a wonderful weekend ahead! I'll keep you posted.
Of course your mind is running rampart with all the uncertainties! This journey can drive us bat s**t nuts sometimes with worry and we always are busy making up worst case scenarios!
And, of course, week ends are when our worrying gets completely out of control but all our normal Vets are closed!
Itsq not a bzd plan at all if things get "a hair worse" to go on in and get ahead start with the xrays. Hopefullw the Tramadol will jelp take the edge off and sweet Skyla can rest a vit more comfortably.....inbetween eating!!!
We're all cheering fornyou Skyla!! Lots of positive energy from everyone here who adore you!! 🙂
Love and hugs
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!
Well, today certainly brought the news that we just weren't ready for.
I was lucky enough to get an appointment on a Saturday with the clinic that did her surgery, just a different doctor. She had a 103.5 fever upon arrival. We opted to do blood work and x-rays of both her sore front leg and 2-view chest views. Her leg looks ok, but there is definitely soft tissue swelling present. Her chest views showed two lung mets. Sighhhh. I know, the worst news.
The vet thinks she has pneumonia, secondary to the lung mets. The fever pairs with the pneumonia, and is likely the cause of her feeling pretty lethargic lately. She's now on two antibiotics to hit it hard, and continuing the anti-inflammatory to help with her leg pain.
I'm trying so hard to be positive, but inside I am broken. My dear old girl looks miserable, but she smiles at me whenever we make eye contact. I want to keep it together and be strong for her. The devastation is hard to swallow.
We haven't considered any chemo through this journey so far. Any thoughts on fighting back that way? I'm hoping once she kicks the pneumonia she can live many, many happy days even with the mets present. They'll just never be enough minutes with this pup!
Okay, not the news you want to hear and of course it just takes you to your knees. And we are here to help you backmup and put in your Warrior fighting clothes!
Now, I'm not dismissing the mets at all; HOWEVER, the fact that the pneumonia s the culprit in causing her to feel bad, and the fact that her leg xray was clear, certainly does give you some reasons for a bit of optimism for more quality time!
I really, really, really think you will see some of her sparkle come back once the pneumonia is out of her system and once the swelling in her leg is gone.
Take some deep breaths and get yourself back into research mode. One route many have taken here with mets is Palladia. In some cases it seems to keep the mets at bay for quite awhile. Check into Metronomics too.
Darn, can't remember which blog I just saw, vut they are starting their dog back on Carboplatin now that mets were discovered. It was a "unique" protocol before that with TWELVE carbo treatments. If I recall, they also actually removed part of the lobe that had the first round of mets and the dog recovered from surgery with no problems!!
Maybe good ole' Jerry can come behind me and figure out which blog I'm referencing:-) 🙂
And YES, many dogs continue on with great quality time for loving and spoiling long after mets are discovered!! As you already know, Skyla could care less about xrays! Nothing has changed in her world! She does care about continuing to jave the best rime ever with you!! Stay in the moment and make every moment count!! That's the best kind of "treatment"!
Lots of hugs
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!
Hi Rae,
Sorry to hear that. I know it's a complete disappointment. And I KNOW you can continue being strong for her. Here's your new mantra:
Skyla doesn't have an expiration date stamped on her butt!
Skyla doesn't have an expiration date stamped on her butt!
Skyla doesn't have an expiration date stamped on her butt!
As Sally said, Skyla is still Skyla. And the antibiotics can help her fight that pneumonia. Finally, mets don't mean the end of the road. Many dogs go on to live a long time after mets are discovered.
We did pursue metronomics once Jerry's mets were discovered. We feel it gave him more quality time than without. Did your vet recommend Palladia or metronomics ?
What did the vet say about the soft tissue swelling? Please remember the Tripawds Foundation will pay for Skyla's first rehab visit . If you can get that swelling under control she can start to feel tons better. Combined with the antibiotics she'll be unstoppable Skyla again! 😉
I know the blog Sally is referring to but I can't find the link. Grr. I'll keep thinking...
{{{{hugs}}}}}
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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