Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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I'm a real worrywart and recent events haven't made me any better.
Storm is still panting when up and about although he is fine when resting. He had his bloods done on Monday to check his WBC and the vet was really pleased with the results and while I was there I mentioned my concerns re the panting. The vet gave him a full health check and listened to his chest and said that Storm was obviously panting but that he thinks that he has always been a dog that pants especially when he is a little bit stressy and that he couldn't find anything that concerned him including any obvious evidence of pain. His chest x-Rays were clear 4 weeks ago and he had his first chemo treatment 2 weeks ago. Do you think that I'm worrying about nothing? Storm appears really well in himself, is eating well, his colitis has cleared up and he is eager for his walks, bugging us the minute we get in from work to take him out and is in heaven now that we have let him have his ball back on his walks. Do you think that it's the exertion needed to adjust to life on three legs that could be causing the panting?
Thanks from the worrywart extraordinaire.
Welcome to the land of worry warts ... I was the worst (or I felt that I was). My vet had to finally tell me to chillax!
I don't know Storm but I do know that my vet ALWAYS said to trust a mother's instinct and I always did that w/Shelby and now with little jasper. I would say keep an eye on Storm ... it could be the adjustment on 3 legs, the changing of the walk, etc ... I am sure it is nothing but I am not a vet - just also a loving pet mom.
Hang in there and keep us posted!
Shelby Lynne; Jack Russell/Shiba Inu mix. Proud member of the April Angels of 2014.
October 15, 2000 to April 8, 2014
Our story: Broke rear leg in June 2013 - non-conclusive results for cancer so leg was plated and pinned. Enlarged spleen in September 2013 and had it removed and was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma and started chemotherapy. Became a Tripawd January 8th, 2014 and definitive Hemangiosarcoma diagnosis. Three major surgeries in 7 months and Shelby took them all like a champ only to lose her battle to cancer in her brain. We had 8 amazing extra months together and no regrets. #shelbystrong #loveofmylife
Oh ueah, we all have earned Master's Degree at the University of Worry Warts!!
Energy level good!
Eating, drinking good!
Attitude good!
Pooping, peeing good!
Give me my doggone ball back...good!
Blood work good!
Xrays good...great!
Listening to chest good!
Vet says all is good!
Storm says all is good!
Mom doing a great nob of worrying when there is noting to worry about! Excellent!!
Yes, exertion on three legs caused panting with my Happy Hannah too!
NOW GO AND ENJOY LIFE! STORM SURE IS!!!
Love!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle 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 think you might have to battle the rest of us to be crowned the worrywart queen around here! And yes, I think adjusting to 3 legs takes a lot more exertion (and conditioning) for the bigger guys. So that could be all it is.
As hard as it is not to worry, if he's not in pain and everything looks good to the vet and he's happy and eating well and eager to go for walks----well, then just enjoy having him here, with you, right now. Love him & spoil him. Don't let the cancer take that away from either of you.
Active 10+ Pyr mix suddenly came up lame with ACL tear in left rear leg. Scheduled for a TPLO but final pre-op x-rays indicated a small suspicious area, possibly OSA, which could have caused the ACL tear. Surgeon opened the knee for TPLO but found soft bone. Biopsy came back positive for OSA. Became a Tripawd 9/18/14. Carbo6 with Cerenia and Fluids. Pain free and living in the moment. Crossed the Bridge on 7/12/15 after probable spread of cancer to her cervical spine. A whole lifetime of memories squeezed into 10 months. Here's her story: Eloise
He's so pawesome! Yes, it's hard work being on 3 when you're not quite a kid anymore. If you want to ease your worries, how about doing some gentle exercises with Storm to help him with strengthening and conditioning? Have you seen our e-book Loving Life On Three Legs ? Lots of good tips there and of course in our Tripawds Gear blog too.
But like Alison said, do listen to your instinct and if you ever get the sense that there's more to things, call your vet, that's why they are there. For now though, it sure sounds like he's doing fantastic, so don't forget to celebrate that very big achievement! Life in the Now is the best place to be, it's all our dogs want for us.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
The people have spoken wise words. Max is almost a constant panter as is my older dog. My collie not so much. This is probably Storms new normal. If the Drs not worried I would take that as a good sign
Yep, welcome to the land of worrywarts! Not sure how warm it is where you are, but I have noticed my heavy coated pups panting a lot more than my Lab, who coincidently is a Tripawd. They are also both rather nervy dogs. You should have seen my Chandler the other day. Our smoke alarm was beeping and he got me up panting, pacing and pawing at my bed. He then panted, paced and finally climbed in my lap. So if Storm is a bit anxious, maybe he is picking up on your worry? I recently had a chest X-ray done on Chandler, due to a med mix up and subsequent peroxide purge. Didn't work and I thought sure he had aphixiated some peroxide. Vet did X-ray probably more to humor me than anything. Lungs fine, heart quite normal size. He still pants. The difference now is that the 2 things I worried about are not there. Enlarged heart or lung tumors. In this journey, it is so hard not to worry. I miss the days of innocence when I just enjoyed my dogs and did not worry so much. My vet told me to watch respiration while they are sleeping. If it is not fast or labored, they are most likely fine. Not sure this helps a whole lot, but just wanted share. Lori, Ty & Gang
TY GUY, Best Black Lab ever! Diagnosed and had amp in January, 2014. Kicked MRSA's butt. Earned his angel wings on April 16, 2014. Run Free my boy and don't forget a shoe. Ty is a proud member of the " April Angels". Ty sent us Daryl, a Tripawd rescue in Sept. of 2016. Daryl is 5 +or -. We are also Pawrents to Chandler, a Border Collie mix who is 15 and 1/2, Lucy, a Corgi who is 7, 2 minis, 2 horses, and a feisty cat named Zoe. Zoe had a non skeletal Osteosarcoma removed in July 2015. No Chemo, she was at least 16. She is going strong although she is now completely blind. She is now close to 20 and her hobbies are eating and sleeping in front of her personal heater.
Thanks everyone, it's great to know that you are not alone. He has got his second lot of chemo next week so I will speak to the oncologist and see what she thinks, might have to do some x-Rays just to put my mind at rest. The upside is that he is happy and active and each day is an adventure. Guess you never stop worrying about them.
chellie said
Guess you never stop worrying about them.
Ain't that the truth!!!! Glad he's loving life and is happy! Hugs!!
Shelby Lynne; Jack Russell/Shiba Inu mix. Proud member of the April Angels of 2014.
October 15, 2000 to April 8, 2014
Our story: Broke rear leg in June 2013 - non-conclusive results for cancer so leg was plated and pinned. Enlarged spleen in September 2013 and had it removed and was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma and started chemotherapy. Became a Tripawd January 8th, 2014 and definitive Hemangiosarcoma diagnosis. Three major surgeries in 7 months and Shelby took them all like a champ only to lose her battle to cancer in her brain. We had 8 amazing extra months together and no regrets. #shelbystrong #loveofmylife
Last night we counted how many times an hour Wyatt Ray , also a Tripawd, panted. He doesn't have cancer, but he panted a LOT. I think we just don't notice these things until something happens.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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