Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
Tripawds is your home to learn how to care for a three legged dog or cat, with answers about dog leg amputation, and cat amputation recovery from many years of member experiences.
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I'm so sorry, this is a stinky way to start the week. I would be concerned too, yellow bile is definitely an indicator of something going on (Just don't ask me what, I'm not a vet). Please go get a second opinion and let us know what they say. And give Max lots of Tripawds smooches too.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Called the ER this morning and rang them up again because they hadn't called back. A different doc on duty took a look at Max's file and said the bile is most likely because he's got an empty stomach, getting some food in there should calm things down a little bit. They're phoning a prescription for an appetite stimulant to the pharmacy near my house, we'll see if that does anything and makes Max eat something.
I can tell he's feeling weak, he wobbles a little bit when he walks, and his little eyes look so sad… I'm trying hard not to panic, and I'll feel better when he's eaten something.
Can I just say that I hate valley fever with a vengeance? I know we're lucky that we're not dealing with the big ol' "C word" and things could be TONS worse, but I'm having a difficult time staying positive.
EDIT: ....aaaand they've given him a script for mirtazapine that we'll pick up this evening. Appetite stimulant, anti-nausea, prevents stomach/esophagus spasms, AND has a mild anti-depressant effect, hopefully it'll be just what the little guy needs. Fingers crossed!
Julie, mom to Spirit Max the Pomeranian,
the bravest poofle dog who ever lived!
Poor little guy - so sorry he is having so many tummy issues...
Any chance plain yogurt might help?
Hang in there!!!
Good idea, I have half a tub in the fridge left over from making puppy ice cream. We'll give that one a shot tonight after he's had his pill. Thanks! 🙂
Julie, mom to Spirit Max the Pomeranian,
the bravest poofle dog who ever lived!
Hi again all,
Sorry to be writing so much, but here goes nothing.
Little Max has been taking a turn for the worse over the last 24 hours. It's day 7 post op and still no appetite, even with the appetite stimulant he was prescribed last night (praying it just needs more time to work). Tried to force-feed him baby food today with zero success, I managed to get about 1ml into him and he threw it right back up. At least he's still taking water and it seems like he's keeping it down. DD is picking up some high-calorie food gel at the pet store on the way home from work, so we should have that in a few hours and will try it ASAP.
He slept on the bed last night, but rolled right off the edge twice in the middle of the night, something that he's never done before. After the second fall, I made him a bed on the floor and checked that he wasn't injured, but I still didn't get much sleep because I was worried about him.
He won't walk anymore, not even to the backyard to pee this morning, I had to carry him. I call his name from across the room and he won't so much as turn his head to look at me. I went and picked him up and held him in my lap while I gave him ear scritches, and he lay there limp like a rag doll.
I'm scared to death right now that Max has given up and we're going to lose the little guy. I'm going to break from working and just spend some time with him, cuddling up and being close; I can finish my work tonight when DD can spend some time with Max. I know that our decision to amputate was in his best interests, but if there's something going on as a result of the surgery and it means our time together comes to an end... I just don't know what I'd do.
Sorry to rant here, I feel like such a weenie crying in front of my computer, but I know you guys will understand. Thanks for listening, we <3 you all.
Julie, mom to Spirit Max the Pomeranian,
the bravest poofle dog who ever lived!
No need to apologize! We're sorry to hear about Max's troubles. What has your vet said about all this?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
We've seen 3 different vets in the ER, and if things don't look up quickly, I'm going to figure out a way to see the doctor who did the surgery. The ER vets have done a bunch of blood work and say nothing seems out of the ordinary, so it's just an issue of getting food according to several of them.
We tried the high-cal food and Max actually managed to keep some of it down when we smeared it on his tongue, so that's encouraging. I'm also going to call his regular vet to see if they could get him on an IV for less than it would cost at the ER, they're a smaller clinic and maybe less expensive.
Julie, mom to Spirit Max the Pomeranian,
the bravest poofle dog who ever lived!
We're sorry that you and Max are having a tough time. Bo never vomited, but he did "crash" hard around day 6. He would not eat or drink and was extremely unresponsive. I took this video for proof because I knew the minute we went to the vet he would try to make me look crazy!
We attributed his unresponsiveness to all of the meds. Specifically, Bo was "depressed" on the Gabapentin. I know a lot of dogs have a hard time on Tramadol, too. Oddly enough, Bo does fine on Tramadol, but almost immediately after weening him down/off the Gabapentin, he started acting more normal.
I know it is hard, and the first couple of weeks were really the worst. It wasn't until close to week 3 that Bo really started feeling better. Hang in there, come here for support, and keep us updated. Most of all, give Max lots of love for us!
I'm so sorry about Max and him not doing well.
Not to scare you terribly, but if he is dehydrated and still is, you really, really need to get him to the vet ASAP and get an IV in him. Dehydrated can cause brain damage and or death. It is really crucial this isn't put off.
I'm really sorry.
Wishing you all the best for Max.
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.
I'm keeping a close eye on his water intake to make sure he's not dehydrated. He napped by the water dish today and was drinking fairly often as far as I can see. The skin on his neck snaps back when I pinch it-- that's the test, right?- and his nose isn't dry, but we're definitely keeping an eye on him to make sure subcutaneous fluids aren't necessary
Thanks so much for the video of Bo, that's EXACTLY what he's doing! And come to think of it, the "depression" got bad a few days ago when he went back on the Tramadol, maybe that has something to do with it.
After two feedings of the gel, he's napped a bit and seems more responsive, which is very reassuring. Still need to keep an eye on him, but I'm much less panicky than I was a few hours back.
Julie, mom to Spirit Max the Pomeranian,
the bravest poofle dog who ever lived!
Oh I know how scared and worried you must be. This sounds very scary. Is Max on antibiotics? I think it can really hurt a dogs stomach and make them nauseous too and not want to eat. And like previously mentioned being dehydrated can really make them feel generally awful altogether. You said that he was getting some fluids down but maybe it's just not enough. And once the dehydration goes too far there is no way to fix it except through IV.Hopefully you were able to get him to the vet to find out what the problem is. I sincerely hope everything turns out ok. Hang in there. You are a wonderful Doggy Mommy! Praying for you and Max!
Didn't see your recent post yet while I was writing you. Glad you think he is not dehydrated and that he is a bit more responsive. Just keep doing what you are doing. You are taking very good care of him. I know just how you feel right now. It feels like an eternity and the worry is making you crazy. Adding little sleep to that just makes the whole situation exhausting. I spent a long time worrying not knowing what might happen next and feeling like it was never going to end. The only thing I knew is that I just had to keep trying and praying. Things did eventually get better for me and Valentina but it sure was a very tumultuous journey. But I am so thankful for this site so I could vent my worry,anger,sadness ,hope and eventually joy. Type,type,type away. That is what helped me get through a very tough situation. So sorry you and Max are having a rough time too. Praying for a turn around soon!
Yes any update? I'm a bit late to the thread I'm afraid so hopefully you've got to the bottom of Max's issue but your story reminded me of another members experience where her dog had damaged his throat during the op (the tubes I think) and that caused similar symptoms you have described. Did you get a diagnosis in the end, it might be helpful for future members to learn from what you are going through.
Zuki Wuggafer 30/09/06 - 11/11/16. Right hind tripawd due to Osteosarcoma. He had a strong 5 and half months as a tripawd but unfortunately a secondary issue with his spine ended our battle. He loved life, loved our family and was the best dog I could ever ask for. Truly my first love, forever in my thoughts and heart.
Read our story: http://zuki.tripawds.com/
beskew said
Any update on your sweet pup?
Zuki said
Yes any update? I'm a bit late to the thread I'm afraid so hopefully you've got to the bottom of Max's issue but your story reminded me of another members experience where her dog had damaged his throat during the op (the tubes I think) and that caused similar symptoms you have described. Did you get a diagnosis in the end, it might be helpful for future members to learn from what you are going through.
I just read her tribute to Max ....
Click on the link in her signature line. Apparently he just got worse and they had to let him go.
Donna
Donna, Glenn & Murphy
Murphy had his right front leg amputated due to histiocytic sarcoma at 7 years old. He survived 4 years, 2 months & 1 week, only to be taken by hemangiosarcoma at 11 1/2 years 6/12/17
Read about Murphy's Life on Three Legs
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