Tripawds Three Legged Dog & Cat Forum Archives
Tripawds is your home to learn how to care for a three legged dog or cat. Explore 17+ years of forum archives for stories and answers to questions about dog leg amputation, and cat amputation recovery. Enjoy fresh discussion and connect with members in the new Tripawds Support Circle.
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Heather
Tazzie and I had been wondering where Zeus was hiding the last couple of weeks. We always enjoy his smiling mug (old avatar) and friendly lope (new avatar), and everything the two of you have to say.
Hang in there Zeus - you can fight that kidney problem. You mean SOO much to your mum. And you both mean soo much to all of the other tripawds.
Susan & Tazzie 2
p.s. to Zeus - Tazzie says you can call him a girl anytime.
I got your email....I wish there was better news 
Hang in there, he's made it this far he's not about to give up now. I hope his kidneys can be stabilized. Mac has some kidney problems now because of the cancer and what has helped me is the reminder that dogs can do okay on just 1/4 of ONE kidney. It's amazing how resilient they are.
I'll be crossing my fingers and thinking about Zeus all day.
(I'm sure he'll be ok....after all we have to do the Virginia meet-up soon!) *hugs*
Your in our hearts and prayers, we also praying for guidence for the doctors and all the medical folks.
More thoughts and prayers coming your way!
Yoda&Mom united: 9/5/06 …….… Yoda&Leg separated: 6/5/09……… Yoda&Leg reunited: 10/14/09 ……… ……………….………….………….……. Yoda&Mom NEVER separated! …………………….….……....….…… Though Spirit Yoda currently free-lances as a rabbit hunting instructor for tripawds nationwide
Hi Heather and Zeus, hope the news tonight are positive. He is so dear and seems to be laughing in his avatar pic.
We'll be thinking about you both and crossing paws to the best.
Spirit Horacia, Castaño, Olympia + human family Cecilia, Georg and Julia - - - Hori first diagnosed 8/6/09, ampu 8/12/09, run over the bridge 9/10/09 – We miss you every day dear girl!
My prayers are with you and Zeus. I am sorry for this new health inssue you have to deal with. Please keep us posted. A lot of prayers are going up for him.
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.
Here's to hoping things are looking up bg fella ...
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Good luck with Zeus!! I hope that they can get his kidneys going again. He is a very strong dog and he has all of us pulling for him.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Pam and Tazzie
You and Zeus are definitely in my prayers tonight! Be strong, good buddy! ((HUGS))
All our prayers to one of the veterans. Zeus story has been an inspiration for us all. We are here for you now. Restful, healing thoughts coming your way.
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.
I cannot say it any better than Shanna & Trouble. All our prayers and thoughts are with you now. You have been an inspiration for many of us and will continue to be. You have tought us how to fight, with our companions, for the quality of life our TriPawds deserve.
Bob & Cherry
Dear Heather and Zeus - we are thinking of you and sending prayers on your behalf. We haven't been on for a while, but felt compelled to check in today .....
Love,
Barney B and Linda in Texas
I'm truly speechless with all the love and support. Thank you through streams of tears.
I don't have a huge update - we are still in the waiting phase, but here is what I know so far:
- His kidney counts came down (blood work was taken this morning) after only 12 hours on fluids which apparently is great news. (Pam - chime in here anytime please). Check in was last night around 7:30 and they took his blood this morning.
- They did an ultra sound too this morning - his kidneys are smaller than "normal", but they need previous measurements to determine what normal is for him. BUT, nonetheless, they are small and the color is "bright" in some areas which would lend itself to lymes - but he has had vaccinations for lymes and had his tighter in June which came back negative. He is on frontline and I haven't pulled any ticks off him this summer. But they haven't ruled it out.
- He is eating, no vomiting and going "potty" normally.
- He has IV fluids and anitbiotics
- His blood pressure is raised - it was 175 this morning and 260 tonight, so they started him on meds for that. Normal is 160 (?)
- They took urine cultures and we are waiting on those results...I think a day or two.
- They will take blood again tomorrow morning and hopefully we see those counts coming down. If not - we're in big trouble.
From what I understand, he will stay on IV fluids until his counts level out. Once they level out, we will know what we are facing in regard to damage and treatment. Again, from what I understand - this could be a few days. 
I went to see him tonight - he was so proud and avoided me for a few minutes. I was only allowed to see him for 20 minutes - they don't want him off the fluids too long and they won't let me back in the ICU 
I fed him his dinner (bland kidney diet which he gobbled right up) which I KNOW is wonderful and positive, we went outside for a couple minutes then we hung out talking about our upcoming vacation on the 13th and how much fun we're going to have at the beach doing NOTHING but playing and napping and eating and playing and napping and eating. 
We chose September to go so that my babies could run on the beach (silly rule that dogs aren't allowed on the beach between memorial and labor day!), so he HAS to be here for that man!
They came and got him and wow - he did not want to leave me. He put the brakes on big time which of course just tore at my heart. I was a good girl and didn't cry at ALL until he was out of sight and sound and well...you know. 
Wow - I didn't see this one coming a thousand miles away. I'm trying so hard not to do the would have's and could have's...my heart knows that it's out of my hands and there is nothing that I could have done to have forseen this, but my mind is playing games with me. 
This just plain sucks...no way around it. I do feel hopeful that this will be manageable and he will be around for awhile longer - he is strong and he is a fighter and his will to live is beyond me, but I know that there is also the inevitable, I just hope that isn't "today".
I will post in the morning when I have news. I mean it with all my heart that I can't thank everyone enough for this support and love. I actually feel it as if it were in the room with me. Thank you - I now fully know the power of tripawds.com and the love that exists here.
Love
Heather and Zeus
Heather and Spirit Zeus - Our life changing journey…from the earth to the heavens…one day at a time…always together
Thanks very much for the update. Continued prayers for our veteran fighter. You go Zeus!! We need your inspiration!!!
Bob & Cherry
Heather,
How high are his blood values? The main kidney indicators are BUN, creatinine, and phosphorus. Is he anemic? The fact that he is eating and making urine is very good. Depending on what part of the country you are in it is also a good idea to test for Leptospirosis, a bacteria that can affect the kidneys. Your vets are smart for doing a urine culture; did they mention if he has protein in his urine?
It sounds like he is getting great care! His blood pressure really is high and that can be secondary to kidney disease and IV fluid treatment or could be a primary thing that is making his kidneys worse. I am glad that they started him on blood pressure meds (usually benazepril or amlodipine).
Please keep us updated.
Pam and Tazzie
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