Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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I can tell something's not right...
What can I say? She's a big girl dobie-mix cancer survivor and we've had 11.5 good post-amp months, but the past couple of days something has changed and I have a gut feeling that we are sadly turning a corner. She's still a smiling happy pup, and she seems fine as long as she's lying down, but whenever she's standing up, she's constantly panting and even though we live in California, it's not hot here.
She spending much of the day resting, but she's been a lazy girl for a while now (hey, she's about 12 years old and that's super senior citizen in big dog years). She's eating and drinking normally, but didn't take her place under the dining table by the high chairs like she always does, which is a first.
In general, she's slowing down and has been restless at night and we know the inevitable is headed our way (weeks? months? Who knows). Thankfully, she doesn't seem to be in any pain and *maybe* this is nothing, but....
At any rate, we are confident that she'll let us know when she's ready to go but until then we'll enjoy each day and just make sure that she's comfortable and pain-free. Honestly, as soon as there's ANY indication that she's not happy, we're prepared to do what's right. If there was a full moon, it would explain almost everything, but that's not the case.
My dear mother passed away just a few months ago from cancer and I feel like I've just gone through all this. <sigh> Let's hope I'm just being paranoid because I can't bear the thought of having to explain to my three little girls why we experiencing another loss. 🙁
Thanks for listening,
Mari and Mika the Wonder Dog
So sorry to hear about Mika's lethargy, we hope for your sake it is nothing and that it is just a phase. However if it isn't then you are already doing everything you can by enjoying the time you have left. Maybe you can tell your girls (if the worst case scenario happens) that Mika is going somewhere to keep your mother company. Sending warm wishes and good thoughts!
-Chloe's mom
Wow you are close to Chloe and I!! We are in Santa Cruz!
Chloe became a rear amp tripawd on 7-29-10. Another tumor was removed on front leg 2-20-14. Found 3rd tumor on neck 2-2015, but she's still kicking cancer's butt at age 14. Chloe's blog
I'm sorry to hear about Mika (and your Mom). Hopefully Mika's behavior is nothing serious or indicative of something bad.
Sending positive thoughts your way.
Zack, King of Dogs, 1996 to 2010
Zack lived a full 14 years, even to the end.
The joy and memories he provided us will last a lifetime.
Surviving him is his sister, Izzy, a 12-year-old boxer mix quadpawd.
And the latest addition, Zula, an 11-month-old pit bull mix tripawd.
Oh Mari,
I'm so sorry to hear of Mika not seeming to feel well. I will send all my pawsitive thoughts your way. You've been through so much and my heart goes out. Maybe it's just old age! Or better, may you are just paranoid! 
But because I know you are a realist I can say this to you, keep a check on her gum color. If her gums or tongue start turning grey, then there may be something internal going on. Or if her stomach starts seeming a little swollen. I'm not trying to scare you, but with Comet that is how I knew that it was bad...Lethargy and grey gums.
Again I'm hoping this is all just a bad case of indigestion and it will pass! So just know I'm sending you tons and tons of positive energy!
Angel Comet's mom
Comet - 1999 to 2011
She departed us unexpectedly January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.
She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.
Mari and Mika,
One year…wow! Congratulations on this huge milestone.
Try to remember….One year is like ten in dog years. No matter what, always remember that. That's a long time to us and it's a great reason to pull out all the stops and throw a HUGE pawty. You have both been through so much, especially these last few months. Rejoice in the beautiful times you have together and celebrate the life you share.
Mari you know Mika better than anyone else. Perhaps indeed these signs are that something is amiss. I gave my folks very similar ones. There are things you can do to make any cancer-related physical changes less stressful, please talk to your vet about them (Prednisone comes to mind). Oftentimes these symptoms can be alleviated for a while. It worked for me.
Meanwhile, read this post, Buying Time on an Emotional Budget. I wrote it after finding out I had mets. I hope that reading a dog's perspective on the inevitable will bring some comfort to you. As for your girls, there are good books recommended by the Argus Institute which you can get through the Tripawd's Amazon store.
I hope this helps. We are always here to listen OK?
Now, go get the pawty started, we have come celebrating to do!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Oh yea! I forgot the pawrty and happy stuff! Geeze! Ignore me, I'm wearing black!
A year is super fantastic! Get your red party hat out and give Mika a cookie! Cookies will heal anything that ails you!
Comet - 1999 to 2011
She departed us unexpectedly January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.
She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.
Thanks everyone for your support! And no worries, Ge'Lena, I am really grateful for that piece of advice about looking for graying gums. The truth of the matter is, as Jerry pointed out, Mika is oooold. LOL Even if she had never got cancer and still had 4 legs, we'd probably be at this point anyway. The fact that I'm still grieving for my mother just makes this seem all that much harder to take.
I have no regrets – I'm just hoping that whatever happens, it's not too hard on HER. I'm afraid it will be very difficult on my five year old, since Mika sleeps in her room. Naomi negotiated this arrangement because she claimed that it wasn't fair that her little twin sisters had each other in their room and mommy and daddy had their own room but that she was all by herself, so Mika should sleep with her! Hard to argue with that logic!
By the way, one of Naomi's favorite books was your recommendation, "Annie Loses Her Leg But Finds Her Way". Right after Mika's amputation, we were at the grocery store and my little 4 year old tells the person behind us in the checkout line, "My dog was sick and has three legs now." and the surprised woman says, "Oh my!" To which Naomi replied, "Well, Mika lost her leg, but she found her happiness." 🙂
Poor Mika. Poor us…
P.S. the link Buying Time on an Emotional Budget seems to be broken, but I'm very interested in reading it if you can point me iin the right direction.
Mari, I had to join the others first in celebrating your 11.5 months, and your 12 years! Give Mika a cookie, she deserves it!
I'm very sorry to hear about your mom, I can certainly see where that would compound losing Mika now. i like the idea of Mika going to take care of your mom, it really is a comforting thought.
Now for an alternative view of what may be going on. Trouble is oooolld too, so I see some of the things you describe in her, but they are intermittent. One day she doesn't seems so perky, and lays around a lot. A day or two later she's up and will make a couple of parameter checks of the yard. Good days are the ones where she wants to go out and check every blade of grass. For some it is maddening, for me it is a gauge of how she is feeling.
Trouble has started that panting as she hops, it takes a lot of effort to get that old body moving! She was doing it pretty badly before I changed her glucosamine. Could Mika just be having arthritis pain? It had me thinking we may be nearing the end, but after a full evaluation, it was just arthritic changes. I started her on Dasuquin 9 days ago and I can already tell a difference. It isn't as remarkable a difference as some I've heard about, but it is definitely helping.
You have a wonderful attitude and are so based in reality, I won't worry for you, but I will definitely send a ton of good thoughts your way. Here's hoping you and Mika have many more days together.
Shanna & Spirit Trouble ~ Trouble gained her wings 3/16/2011, a 27 1/2 month cancer survivor, tail wagging. RIP sweetheart, you are my heart and soul. Run free at Rainbow Bridge.
The November Five - Spirits Max, Cherry, Tika, Trouble & Nova. 11/2008 - 3/2013 An era ends as Queen Nova crossed the Bridge.
Hooray for the upcoming ampuversary!!!!! How EXCITING! And even if something internal is going on, that doesn't mean that Mika has to stop enjoying herself - my profile pic is Jack about a week before he turned invisible (his liver was pretty much one huge tumor)...he doesn't look like he's worried about much of anything, does he? I hope you and Mika have tons of happy moments left!
<3 Laura and Invisible Jack
genkimari said:
P.S. the link Buying Time on an Emotional Budget seems to be broken, but I'm very interested in reading it if you can point me iin the right direction.
I fixed it for you Mari.
Like Shanna says, you have a great, reality-based attitude that will get you through whatever happens. If your girls are anything like you, which I'm sure they are, they'll do fine too.
For now, it's time to go out and celebrate this one year milestone!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Mari,
Let me add my condolences on the death of your mother. I am so sorry to hear of her passing. I lost my father in November, one year after losing Emily, so I know how hard it is.
On a positive note, congratulations on One Year with Mika. I'm sorry she doesn't have the perk she used to but it really could be just her age. Because you have just experienced such an overwhelming loss you may just be super sensitive to Mika. You know things to look for and I truly believe that Mika will let you know when it is time. In the meantime, I love how it sounds like you are embracing your time together.
Debra
Debra & Emily, a five year old doberman mix, who was diagnosed with an osteosaecoma. She had a right rear leg amputation on May 19, 2009. On November 10, 2009 she earned her wings and regained her fourth leg.
Well, guys...my husband had to carry her to her bed tonight. Her back legs are giving out on her now, so we'll see if she makes it through the night or if this is a slower process. Our vet is closed tomorrow and I don't know if we should bring her somewhere else or wait until Monday. She's still smiling, lovey, and sweet, but I looked into her eyes and she told me she's ready.
Just now one of my three year old twins woke up and cried for her. That's a first. Geesh.
Now off to post some "what do do" questions. I wish I had better news to share with you all...
~ Mari
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