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Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat

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Kylie is having a rough go lately & not sure if Tramadol is helping or not?
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14 July 2017 - 7:09 am
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Thank You Mommatux!! I appreciate the reply & the links, I'll check them out!

Kylie is doing OK I guess. I am just finding it harder and harder to get Kylie to eat anything substantial. Also she sleeps a lot, but we know that is the sedation effect of the Tramadol so I'm getting used to seeing that. Its the fact I can feel her spine and ribcage that freaks me out. What in the world do you feed dogs that will get enough calories in her?! I can't even tell you how many different canned dog (& cat!) foods I've bought and tried and thrown out. She even turns her nose up to most human food too, even meat (fried liver in butter she used to love), roasted chicken, ground beef, cold cuts, etc.Ā  She doesn't even eat the Ritz crackers anymore which was our go-to. sad

I am open to any ideas!! I have already looked at all the forum posts that Jerry shared already on how to get your tripawd to eat, and I've went on google too. Getting very discouraged here..

On The Road


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14 July 2017 - 8:42 am
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First, you never need to apologize for expressing your feelings here. We all understand how draining and difficult this is for you OK?

Now, some ideas you may not have seen:

Maybe Patchy's recipe will tempt her to eat:

A Grain Free Dog Food Recipe for Hoppy Tripawd Bellies

Satin Balls are popular too!

And a meatballs recipe:

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

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14 July 2017 - 8:54 am
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Thank you! I will give anything a tryĀ 

Virginia







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14 July 2017 - 10:20 am
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superkylie said

Kylie perked up this afternoon and also began taking some food. My mother in law showed up with some different milk bones which she always gobbles up so that was good. Then when she was out, we handed her some of ours (which she had just refused from my husband haha) and she ate those too. Probably had about 10 small sized milk bones. They're only 18 calories each but its better than nothing.

I'm slowly learning to live in the moment and make the most of each day and not dwell/think/worry about what lays ahead in the coming days/weeks.Ā Ā 

superkylie said
He doesn't think she's in pain, he thinks she's tired, weak and drugged up., there is a difference.

I swear she knew I was upset because she just came to get me & looked more alert lolĀ  We went outside and I filled her kiddie pool and she enjoyed putting her feet in and drinking it! She even walked around the yard a bit. Sometimes I swear she is just bored. She was looking at me & "smiling" at one point and I just hugged her. I told her she better know how much I love her & we're trying to make her feel better. That's all I can do. Then I asked if she was "hungry?" and I got the ears up and head tilt! So we went inside and she didn't want anything I offered lol Liver, hamburger, chicken (all cold mind you) and hamburger helper (heated up) didn't want that either. Made her toast & peanut butter, nope. Though she will lick the peanut butter off the knife. She did have a milk bone but just 1 and no longer interested in my homemade cookies. sigh. Oh well, still drinking alot so that's good. and she's back to napping, snoring actually lol. I bet that wore her out.sleepyĀ Ā 

You a d Kevin are doing a really good job of evaluating things. You are also doing an unbelievable job of making the best of each moment and being able to focus on those times when Miss Kylie shows you her little sparks of "perkiness":-)

It's so cute that Kylie ate all of her mother-in-law's treats, and then ate some she had refused from Kevin before! And then took herself to her kiddie pool for a bit of a cool down. Kylie is SUPER in sooo many ways!! šŸ™‚

Keep on trying every yummy human food you can think of. Although it's not "exactly" human food, Honest Kitchen is human grade food dogs found really yummy. Also, did you get a chance to try "Pet Fresh" (refrigerated...Whole Foods carries it and sometimes Target)?

Lots and lots of hugs and love and positive thoughts!!

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!

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14 July 2017 - 5:34 pm
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Thank you so much for saying we're doing a great job! šŸ™‚ Today has turned out to be a better day. I'm hoping it is the Gabapentin kicking in like the Oncologist said would happen by the weekend. She seems to be more alert. Her appetite is still not great but at least she is grazing on milk bones all day long. I am going to buy the ingredients to make the recipes above tomorrow and see if she goes for it.

We don't have a Target in Canada and the Honest kitchen is a small fortune to deliver here. I did buy a tube of raw dog food at the pet store but she is not interested in that either. I also fried the last piece of liver I bought and it was a no go.

Thankfully she still takes the "cheese balls" I give her, which is cream cheese with her pills inside šŸ˜‰

She started Palladia today too so we're anxious to see if she responds to that in a couple weeks time. What is others experience with how long it takes to take effect? Our oncologist said 5 weeks. Rockys Dad said his Vet told him 2 weeks. Any one else been told any different?

Thanks! and hope everyone has a great weekend

Chris & Kylie xo

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14 July 2017 - 8:17 pm
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I am just starting to read up on this and I also want to say that I think you are doing such an amazing job at being her advocate and caring for her. This must be exhausting for all of you.Ā 

I don't have much to add but I did want to share a few things.Ā 

- My Vet told me to be prepared for Schlomo to wobble for a week or so in adjusting to a higher dose of Gabapentin but that it would balance out. I started him on a higher dose yesterday and he is really wobbling tonight.Ā 

- When Schlomo doesn't want to eat I do two things; one is CBD Oil, it relaxes him, it is a potent pain killer and gives a healthy appetite. I don't know where you live but if it is accessible to you I highly recommend it. The other thing is Sardines, I mix them into things in their juice or give them to him straight. That and a little coconut oil can help with him.Ā 

I am sending loads of light and healing your way.Ā 

Hugs to you and your brave, wonderful girlĀ heart

Mascha & Schlomo

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15 July 2017 - 8:15 am
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Thanks Mascha for your input! Wobbly describes Kylie well!Ā  We live in Canada so I don't know what CBD oil is or how to get it.

We have new problems this morning!!! way-confused

Not only was she up at 5am (which she hasn't done for a while) but we went outside so she can lay in the grass. Mosquitoes here are TERRIBLE this year so we didn't even last an hour. I had long sleeves and pant AND bug spray and they bit me anyway! She had a heck of a time getting back up the stairs to bed even with my help. She seems to have trouble settling in a comfortable position again.

So then I'm making coffee and see her slowly hopping/wobbling around and notice what looks like a boob swinging!! I check her and sure enough there's a fairly large pouch hanging from her chest probably the size of a baseball that I don't think was there yesterday!! It is higher up from her shaved abdomen area where the new tumour is. It is more like her chest area between her front legs. Now I'm petrified something else is happening! and OF COURSE its the weekend so our Oncologist is not working, and its a gamble if our regular Vet works this Sat or not, I think she worked last Sat. But I"m thinking I should phone to see.Ā  This is really scaring me! She seems Ok in general (well, for a dog with cancer hopped up on pain meds for palliative reasons that is ..)

Advice?? Thoughts??

I took some pics

Image Enlarger

IMG_0790_zpsogsatoia.jpgImage Enlarger

Its the pouch you see hanging behind her left front paw in this last pic

Schofield, WI
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15 July 2017 - 8:30 am
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Definitely call and see if your vet is working today or any vet is for piece of mind and to have a trained pair of eyes take a look at it. Ā You are doing a wonderful job and certainly are on top of everything! Ā Sending hugs for you both! Ā Why do these things always show on weekends! Ā So frustrating!

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15 July 2017 - 8:46 am
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Kylie is very lucky to have you!Ā  If the new pouch doesn't seem to be bothering her or in danger of rupturing, if it were me I might wait until Monday. I would think a new vet would need her history, want to test and examine it, etc.Ā  It would depend on my level of worry!Ā  Hopefully there is a weekend vet around, or even better, your own vet.

CBD oil is cannabis (marijuana) oil. It is something I considered for Tai, though she seems to be doing well enough on her medications and supplements.Ā  However, when I asked my vet about it, she didn't have any experience with it, probably because there aren't trials.

Here is a link to buy in Canada

https://www.can.....ions/pets/

Hugs to you and Kylie.

Tracey & Tai

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15 July 2017 - 8:49 am
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Ugh! I second this kind of stuff always happening on the weekends. I would call and ask. Is it possible for it to be a seroma /hematoma? It's probably uncomfortable for her to lay on?Ā 

Thinking of you guys. I hope you are able to talk to someone about this!

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15 July 2017 - 10:50 am
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Thank u guys so much for the responses, I'm quite a worried Mom here. ImĀ so afraid this will be the last day we have her! ImĀ terrified!

I did get a Vet appt but it's not until 3pm,Ā so another few hours to wait. WereĀ keeping her quiet and resting & imĀ watching her breathing to seeĀ if it worsens. Her usual Vet is not working but another Vet whoĀ knows her & our situation is working, so I'm happy with that.Ā 

So I guess we will see how urgent/serious of a situation we have here & make decisions from there.Ā 

Realistically I know there is no curing her at this point but we were hoping we had more quality time with her while we go through Palladia treatment.Ā 

After a few down days she finally seemed to perk up & be more herself last night & we got really hopeful. Then today this. She's only eaten one milk bone & that was at 5am. She wasn't ableĀ to poop this morning, despite her best efforts. Meanwhile she ate half decent yesterday so I expected a poop. But it's probably just too much effort or pain to push.

I amĀ just going to sit &Ā be with her until we go. She has been sleeping here, butĀ periodically she will wake, look around for me/us then lay her head back down. She occasionally breathes more rapidly too. Maybe I'm overreacting but I don't feel good about this. If she's hurting with no potential good outcome then I'm ready to let her stop fighting. If there's a chanceĀ this is a quick fix & we can return to how Good she was yesterday then I'm ready to keep fighting for my best friend!

ill keep u posted on today's appt. & outcome

prayers & positive thoughts welcome Ā 

xox

Virginia







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15 July 2017 - 11:19 am
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Oh Kylie!!! For goodness sakes girl!!! You have got to stop scaring your Momma like this! GEEZ!!!

Rather than worse case, is it lossible that, while outside she got vitten by a spider, or some other critter? Something similare must happened to a co-worker's dog. An out of the vlue lump type swelling. Don't recall the particulars of what the Vet said, but I think Benadryl was the treatment. Certainly with everything Miss Kylie has in her system I wouldn't give a Benadryl without her Vet's approval!

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!

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15 July 2017 - 11:31 am
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That's true.. she has spent some time in the long grass sleeping. And when she's notĀ feeling good she doesn't even care that the mosquitoes are sitting on her face biting her ā˜¹ļøSo who knows what else could have bitten her. You know what, it's possible so let's not rule it out at this point. I'm quite happy hanging on to any glimmer of hope I can get.Ā 

Virginia







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15 July 2017 - 12:12 pm
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Yes, Kylie likes to through out thkse glimmers of hope....even kf it's just for two days in a row...then ine day with not many glimmers....then back to the flimmer days...yeah, she's something else!

I just saw your previous post, guess it was as I was typing my pervious post....anyway.....

You've had days where she doesn't poop....she's had days when she just eats a couple of milk bones....soooo....other than a lump of saggy fluid, she is not showing any signs at all that this is anything "urgent" at all. A d even if it is something "serious", that doesn't mean it's anything "urgent"!!

Hesitant to through this out there....I'm talking about in the future....but just for your peace of mind for down the road...not today, okay??? One thing I want to throw out there to hopefully bring you some "comfort". Her regular Vet/Onco can better advise you, but whenever it does appear clearly that Kylie is ready to leave her earth clothes, AND SHE'S NOT SHOWING YOU THAT TODAY....I truly believe you would have a few days ro make plans for the Vet to come to the house IF that is important to you. It's just a personal preference one way or another when people feel like they have a bit of time to make plans like thst.

Oh, a d You may ask about a stool softener if that might help.

Okay...rambling a bit!

Update when you can.....and stop in the way home for a cheeseburger and ICE CREAM. And a Starbucks Puppy Latte!!!

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!

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15 July 2017 - 4:55 pm
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A VERY tough day here. We saw the Vet. She is not concerned about the sac, said it's edema a side effect from the new med Palladia, though rare. But she felt overall Kylie's condition is rough. She has trouble walking around, she has very little appetite, She's on a lot of pain meds, she's weak, & even has a fever which she's probably had for a while. (Which explains the desire to lay in the cool grass) šŸ™Ā 
They just really can't do anything more for her. Cancer just sucks!! mad
So reality has hit and we are going to take the weekend to say our goodbyes. She has an appt Monday to be put down. Vet agreed the cancer is so aggressive & Kylie is done fighting. She tried. We tried. She had an extra 10 months of quality life after amputation but this new tumour is large and even on these new meds, It's clear she just doesn't have 5 weeks to find out if it will shrink the tumour or not. Kevin is having a hard time with all of this. This is his first pet of his very own. We are both so attached!Ā 
Vet offered to euthanize if that's what we wanted. We just couldn't bring ourselves to let her go today, we were not ready. Well I was more ready than Kevin. He keeps get hung up on those few "good days" & feels we should eat to see if she "bounces back" but luckily I had the Vet as back upĀ to explain that Kylie likely won't bounce back & quality of life will never be as it once was. It's time to let her go.

Soooo weĀ compromised & we decided we will take the rest of the weekend to love & spoil her and kiss and cuddle her! Then Monday we will be more mentally & emotionally prepared to say our goodbyes. Vet agreed it's a good plan, said we were basically torturing ourselves by trying to decide to put her down today before closing time. As it was we were already there 30Ā mins past closing but she didn't care. Said she is there for us. She even gave me a hug on the way out, i love ourĀ Vet hospital šŸ™‚ and that wasn't even Kylie's usual Vet! They are all so good there. Even offered home visit for appt Monday if we preferred. They've been awesome, she didn't even make us pay for the visit. We were there over an hour.Ā 

If things turn worse before then, we have the business card for the emergency Vet service in town. In meantime we got a cremation booklet as well to look through. We want to memorialize her as best we can. I'm liking the idea of the necklace with her ashes inside.Ā heartĀ Then a piece of her will always be with me.Ā 

She seems comfortable here at home now, just very exhausted. Big day. Hasn't eaten much but kevs off to the grocery store with a list. I cannot stop cuddling & kissing her. I want to always remember what the soft fur on her head feels like on my lips.Ā 

Thanks everyone for everything. We love u all for the support & compassion you've shown usā¤ļø We couldn't have come this far without you. Xoxo Ā Yeah team Kylie!Ā 

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