Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hey all!
Quick question...how often do your Senior Dogs eat? Belle still eats 3 times a day but today hasn't shown any interest in food and it's 1:30pm here in Nashville. She's been snoozing all morning but has been outside to potty and such.
How worried should I be about this? She was up at roughly 3am and ate some leftover food that was out so maybe she's just not hungry yet?
I know I'm probably overthinking this but it's hard not to when you've been through so much...and she's 15:)
Thanks for listening,
Brittney and Belle
Hey! I'm afraid I have no advice I just wanted to root for Belle. She's somewhat of a little beacon of hope for us 😊
Manni is 'only' ten and a half and gets fed twice a day. Now if he doesn't eat he's certainly under the weather. Dogs are good with little to no food for quite a while but I understand that you worry, who wouldn't? Maybe just watch her for the rest of day? If she's otherwise fine I'm sure she'll start eating again.
Like I said, I'm sorry I can't be of more help!! But please keep us updated, we're all rooting for Belle!
all the best!
tina & Manni
Guardian of Manni the Wonderdog. -Or was it the other way around?
Osteo and amputation in Dec 2015. Second, inoperable, primary osteosarcoma found in June 2017.
The end of our adventures came Dec 10, 2017. 2 years to the day.
Miss Belle of the TriPawds Nation Ball and Queen Bee!!! As you know, you can do what you want whenever you want so we at Da Bear HQ are delighted to hear that "room service" was available at 3 a.m.!!! You keep that up as all great divas are known to snack in the night:) EmmaRose at 14 1/2 eats twice a day and wishes she ate more but she is taking prednisone so...( it maaaaaaay also be the return of the thyroid cancer but we tell ourselves it is the prednisone:)
However, other seniors at Da Bear HQ have not infrequently been picky about what and when they eat: even going so far as to miss a meal or two or just for fun an entire day ( which then sends us on a Super Senior Shopping trip whereby we buy any and everything that we can think of from the grocery store...) So maybe Miss Belle wants you to consider an extra special shopping trip to stock her " room service" fridge? I bet Sally even has a shopping list???
Now, if Miss Belle is the slight bit nauseous and not eating because of this maybe try famotidine? CharlieBear developed a vomit after eating habit for a few days ( likely due to all his meds) and we tried that first ( but then ended up on omeprazole). Without the omeprazole, honestly, CharlieBear would be off his food. Both OCDs are very safe but with a senior would double check with your vets.
We hope that Belle returns to eating soon and that Sally sends her list. Best wishes, huge hugs, and PyrPaws all around!
Hi everyone. I felt the need to give you all an update on my sweet 15 year old pup, Belle.
May 12 was her 9 month ampuversary. Grateful for that and every day we have with her. We never dreamed we would have this much time with her after her amputation. She's my miracle♡ Now some not so great news...
2 days ago she was running a fever, so I took her into the emergency vet. They confirmed that she had a flare-up of pancreatitis. Perhaps this explains the fact that she was not very interested in the food that we had been giving her since her amputation.
While she was in their care they went ahead and did another chest x-ray and did confirm that her lung mets have started to grow quicker then they had in the past few months. Our oncologist said to expect more bad days than good over the next couple of weeks. This news was almost unbearable to hear.
We are keeping a close eye on her as we hope to clear her of the pancreatitis. Once we have done that we will be able to better tell where she is health-wise. Before being diagnosed with pancreatitis she was slowing down a bit, but still wanting to go for walks and was even running up our driveway after those walks.
Also, over the last few weeks she has started panting a bit more but we assumed this was due to the 20 mg of Prednisone she was taking every day.
Our oncologist believes that the temperature spikes and panting are a result of the lung mets. I want to call on my tripawd friends to see what your experience was like once your pup was diagnosed with multiple lung mets.
Right now we have no idea how to move forward because we definitely don't want her to suffer, but we don't want to cut her life short as well.
Any advice you could offer is always greatly appreciated!
Love,
Belle and Brittney
Awww....sweet, sweet Belle, we need to get you feeling better!
Panting can definitely be a "side effect"'of the Prednisone. Can't speak to the fever spike. I don't believe a fever was involved with Happy Hannah's met situation, but I could be wrong. She did tire very easily, but that wasn't "painful" per se. She also panted and her breathing pattern was more "noticeable"..a bit more of an effort but nothing thst seemed too horrible for her.
In Happy Hannah's case though, it got so she wasn't able to sleep at night because she couldn't find a comfortable position for easy breathing. I knew things would not get better. I knew she didn't have to start "paying a price" for more loving and spoiling. She had loving and spoiling everyday I had her by my side! I knew the scales were starting to tip out of her favor with no turning back.
Could I have gotten a few more weeks with her keeping her "somewhat stable" without her going into a crisis situation? I don't know and I'll never know. It was a risk I owed it to her NOT to take. It wasn't important to her to hang around another couple of weeks (if that), that was for me.
In Happy Hannah's case, it wasn't about cutting her life short, it was about making sure what life she had left was not full of suffering.
You have an amazing senior gal who has a few "issues". But goodness knows, she is one tough cookie who has handled all these challenges with the heart of a young champion! 🙂 Everything that you are seeing could simply be, in part, "symptons" of old age. Old age does, indeed, slow one down in so many ways.
What are they doing for Belle's pancreatitis? When do they expect you to see improvements? Was she prone to this in the past? I think it's usually hard to diagnose sometimes.
It does sound like the pancreatitis could certainly be making her feel "off". Add a fever to the equation and that could make her feel yucky too! Hopefully you'll have more clarity once all that clears up.
Just continue to make EVERYDAY BELLE DAY!!! Now is all that matters to Belle a d she has no worries whatsoever about her tomorrows.
Oh, and almost forgot, HAPPY AMAZING NINE MONTH AMPUVERSARY SWEET BELLE!!! 🙂 🙂 And you keep 'em coming, okay? 🙂
Lots and lots of 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!
I'm sorry things have been tough for Belle and you lately. It's been a ruff road, clearly. But at least you know what you're dealing with and can move forward.
It's good you're working with an oncologist, but here's my take on what your vet said:
Our oncologist said to expect more bad days than good over the next couple of weeks. This news was almost unbearable to hear.
I don't agree. Not that the mets cannot spread rapidly. Sadly, we've seen that happen with members. BUT, my thoughts about this go deeper than what your vet meant to say. What I mean is, your expectations will set the tone. If you expect bad days, you shall receive them. If you hold hope in your heart and greet each new day with "How can I make this the BEST DAY EVER for Belle?" you shall receive a BEST DAY EVER in return. Want proof? Just follow along with Eurydice's posts about living with lung mets.
Jerry's lung mets were large, and yes, he did show some side effects, and sadly, they did get worse. BUT, between the day we were told he had mets and the day he became an angel, seven months later, we made the most of every second together. It was hard to stay strong some days. I cried a lot when he wasn't around. But Jim kept reminding me to hold the tears back, that there would be plenty of time for crying later. And there was. For the time being, Jerry and our pack lived each day to the fullest for as long as he was comfortable. We had no regrets.
I wish you and Belle many, many more great days ahead. If you have a tough time and you want to talk, remember the Tripawds Helpline is always around OK?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi tripawd family. I hope that your Holiday weekends have been filled with lots of love.
Our sweet Belle left this world peacefully on Saturday surrounded by the one's who loved her so deeply for 15 years. We had several hours of time to spend with her before Lap of Love came to our home to help us let her go in a way that I consider the most beautiful gift I could have ever given her; a way to say goodbye with no pain.
Belle's story needs to be heard. She beat every odd that was against her, even when the vets said she couldn't. We are writing a memoir in her name to include stories from our own experiences with her as well as the experiences of others such as my brothers, Mom, Dad, her doctors, etc. Her legacy will live on through us.
To those who are out there still fighting the good fight with their incredible pets; never give up. When we were told the surgeries were dangerous, when we were told it was a bad decision, when we were questioned by many as to why would you "put" her through all of that...I told them we knew Belle's spirit was strong and she wasn't ready to go. We would have lost the last year and a half if we would have not taken that chance and believed in our girl. So many more walks, so many more car rides, so many more unbelievable memories, so many lives impacted because Belle overcame it all. When I would walk her and people would ask how old she was, they could never believe it. 15 years old!!! She rocked 3 legs for the last 10 months and never let it stop her. Not once. She would run through the park, hop all around the back yard, and still played our little hide and seek game. She had a fantastic quality of life!!!
But Saturday, we knew. I looked in her eyes and felt it, and she looked ready. And on some level, she knew that I was ready too. I got to say everything I needed to say...how proud I was to be her mom, how proud I was of her for fighting so long, how much I would miss her, how much she meant to me all these years. She is irreplaceable.
She was laid to rest on Saturday afternoon. We sprinkled Daisy seeds and Snow in Summer seeds over her final resting place. I can't wait to see those beautiful flowers bloom.
We thank you all for being here every step of the way the last 10 months. Belle's journey could have been very different had we not discussed this incredible family here at tripawds.com.
All our love,
Brittney and Belle
Brittney, the tears are flpwing so hard...and they are "mixed emotion" tears. My heart breaks for you because BEAUTIFUL BELLE needed to run to the Bridge. But my teats also flow because this is one of the most beautifully articulated "words from the heart" tribute any dog could ever want.
I'm going to come back with a clearer head, but I just wanted to reach out to you quickly and surround you with our love.
Elle could NOT hsve been loved .ore and she knew it. You gave her the gift of release when she told you she welcomed it....and she knew, as hard as it will be....she knew you would be "okay". It may not feel like it now or for awhile to come, but you WILL be okay and so much better because Belle graced you with her presence for fifteen glorious years
With much love and supportive hugs
Sally and My Chunky Spiritual Being Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie
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 Brittney, I'm heartbroken to come back and see this after the long weekend, I'm so very, very sorry. My heart aches for you and Belle and the whole pack. How I had hoped that she would live forever despite the vet's prognosis.
As hard as it was you stayed strong for her, you followed your gut feeling and you made sure she did not suffer. You gave her the life she so deserved and up until the end of her last minutes, she knew she was cherished and loved. No dog could ever ask for a better human.
Her presence will be deeply missed by the entire community, and her story will never, ever be forgotten. She had a long, full life that proved to the world that age is just a number and "disability" means nothing to a dog. What an amazing girl.
On behalf of all of us here, you have our deepest condolences. And always know that you are in our hearts and thoughts. Belle's spirit lives on, always.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Brittney and Belle,
I just read your post about Belle and wanted to let you know how sorry I am for your loss. 15 years old is impressive, what a strong and beautiful girl. It sounds like your strength and love empowered her to live a very happy life. What a gift you gave her. I can't think of a better way to go than to be surrounded by love and to know that you have given your all which you and Belle most definitely did. I think your idea of the flower seeds is wonderful. I am so sorry that you had to say goodbye but so happy to know that Belle was able to spend her time with you surrounded by love and joy. I wish healing for your heart and hope that your mind will be filled with fond memories of your girl.
Thank you for sharing your story and your Belle with our community. We will say a toast to you and Belle.
Love, Amy & Rusty
I am so sorry to hear about Belle's passing, but so glad you got the extra time together. Please know that we all grieve with you.
Otis - 106 pound lab/Dane mix, lost his right front leg to osteosarcoma on Febuary 9, 2016. Four rounds of carboplatin completed in April, 2016. Lung mets August 25, 2016. Said goodbye too soon on September 4, 2016. Lost his adopted sister, Tess, suddenly on October 9, 2016. likely due to hemangiosarcoma.
Wherever they are, they are together.
Thank you for all of the kind words. Life is very different around here. Without my "routine" I find myself with a lot of free time in the mornings (I own my own business and do not start in my studio until around 1pm every day) so I have had to discover new ways to occupy my time.
We are doing ok. I think having so many months with Belle that were truly a gift made it more comforting for us all to say goodbye. For 10 months after her amputation we knew each day was so precious and I took advantage of that time to the best of my abilities. Whatever she wanted she received! I knew in my heart that time was not on our side so one may say I started my grieving process early, yet I still did not anticipate troubles to come, but lived in the moment as genuinely as I could.
This quote will hopefully serve as a reminder to anyone out there worrying about what's to come with their sweet, sweet pets:
“The secret of health for both mind and body is not to mourn for the past, worry about the future, or anticipate troubles, but to live in the present moment wisely and earnestly.”
These words got me through some very tough times with Belle. I hope they help someone as much as they helped me.
Enjoy every single second you still have. A diagnosis of cancer does not mean the life of your pet is over. It merely means a new way of life will be realized and the two of you will become closer than you ever imagined. Your animal is going to teach you so much as you travel down what sometimes may be a bumpy road. But just remember, you're in it together. Trust your gut and trust in your friend, because only the two of you know when it's time to say goodbye in this life.
I'm so glad I trusted my instincts and gave Belle 10 more incredible months as a spunky, defying the odds Tripawd dog. I know now more than ever that when someone's spirit is strong, they can make miracles happen...because she was my miracle pup.
Keep fighting the good fight!
Brittney
Brittney,
What a beautiful post, thank you for taking time to let us know how you are doing. Who is that quote from? It's lovely.
I hope you don't mind but I'd love to share this as a Tripawd Tuesday feature. Your wisdom and insight is so helpful for others. If you're OK with that can you post some photos here that you'd like to include?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I don't know how I missed this. I have been following beautiful Belle's story from the beginning. Truly your love for this precious girl shines through in your tribute. What a leap of faith you took in giving Belle that chance. You knew your girl wasn't done yet. Having had Belle with you for those 15 years leaves a huge void. She was such a big part of your life. And she will continue to be as those flowers bloom and shines her beauty for all to see. I'm sorry you had to give Belle that last gift. You did it with so much love and grace. Belle was as lucky to have you as you were to have her. A true love story. Sending you healing light and peace.
Linda & Spirit Mighty Max
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