Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Thanks all!!
Amelia has been really wiped out since her vet visit on Thursday. I am operating on my gut that all of this isn't reoccurrence and the cascade of events. Over use-- phantom pain -- then she stopped moving-- got dehydrated-- consistent injections of biphosphosphonates-- her last dose was 3 weeks ago-- uti and moderate constipation--
SO-- what I have done-- she HATES the lactulose-- this morning I mixed the miralax into her food and I will switch to the miralax vs tha lactulose. She really has needed encouragement to eat since Thursday and the enemas. BUT we did do our first at home hydrotherapy yesterday morning-- my thought was two fold-- she needs to move AND when I feel terrible that shower/bath always helps reset me-- She did GREAT. She made it 10 minutes-- Did some standing and walked back and forth in the tub a few times letting me help her move that rear leg to midline --which she has significant atrophy now and it is no where near midline to support her-- I think this is a HUGE piece of litter box struggle. I was going to do hyrdrotherapy again today but she was tired yesterday and I don't want to over work her so I will do every other day until the rehab place lets me know what they suggest. She did eat, drink and took a good nap after the bathtub and then was purring and seemed to perk up last night. This morning I only gave her gabapentin and hid the miralax and she ate and drank for me. Moved around a little to get on my lap and let me pet her. She is resting now. She hasn't pooped since thursday but she also hasn't really eaten much and was totally cleared out. I guess Friday she did go.
I have a call with Dr. Parshley probably Tuesday afternoon/evening. So anything you all think of for me to ask I am all ears!! I am hoping I can get her in for acupuncture now that I have a couple more places to try. I am going to call tomorrow.
I forgot to say thank you all! I am so worried right now! So thank you all!
I figured on the lactulose, how often did they prescribe the lactulose and dose? Do they have you giving it two times a day?
Were you able to get the dosage in before switching to the Miralax?
You want to do the same dosing in Miralax. You can do 1/8 tsp 2 x a day or 1/4 tsp 2 x a day. You gauge how much by what the poop looks like too runny give less 1/8 tsp 2 X a day - too hard 1/4 tsp 2 times a day. Again please continue to give the Miralax and do not stop.
Questions I have had your first post Phantom Limb and litter box regression
post you wrote this
Amelia was diagnosed with extensive osteosarcoma this past October. They did chemotherapy to start and we finally decided on a very risky hemipelvectomy January 7, 2021. It was all or nothing as the mass was wrapped around the head of her femur and had pushed her colon and was affecting her tail and bottom two vertebrae.
I would ask if the tumor was pushing against the colon, is it possible there was nerve damage done to the colon?
Would Amelia benefit from a motility drug to keep the poop moving?
If the oncologist is worried about C, what does she want to do to check a CT, MRI? Is Amelia strong enough right now to endure that? Being sedated etc. ?
Was there any evidence to have her question with the colon x-ray? Any masses?
Did the colon look distended or just full of poop?
What are the side effects of bisphosphonates in cats?
Can this be the cause of constipation for Amelia?
She hasn’t pooped since thursday but she also hasn’t really eaten much and was totally cleared out. I guess Friday she did go.
So we understand - Did she poop on Friday? If so, what did it look like? Did she strain to go, and how did she go? Can she stand to poop?
Has she been peeing? Ok?
We have a motion-activated camera set up at the litter box to see who uses the box and when. To see if Saxton is straining to poop etc. This is tough when Amelia is not using the litter box, but if you are still keeping her in one room, that is an option to help you see what is going on and when. It will be helpful for you and the vets to see this.
You are working on both problems physio to help gain strength in that back leg and giving meds to soften the poop to make it easier to go.
I love she did great in the tub. Whoo-hoo, Amelia! We would love to see the bath hydrotherapy and what was needed, what they suggest. I love you can do this at home.
Please, no worries, you did thank us;) We understand how exhausting and stressful this is. Hang in there, ok! Your not alone, and the answers are going to come. You are doing everything you can to help Amelia! We are here to help in any way we can!
Please keep us posted!
(((Big hugs)))
Holly & Purrkins💝💝💝
Outside looking in....I think your worry basket is starting to lighten up👌
She is eating some and drinking and seemed to do well with the hydrotherapy. .She's enjoying g her lap time with you and purs in contentment.
In my unprofessional opinion, it does not surprise me at all after enemas Friday and eating very little thst she hasn't pooped.
Is the hydrotherapy a plan you developed working with a Vet? Anyway, I would think doing the first round for ten minutes really did wipe her out.
FWIW, I think with tripawd dogs, the first round or two in a hydrotherapy tank they only do for a couple minutes max and build up slowly with therapy once, maybe twice a week. This is just my experience with tripawd dog Frankie who hated it and only did two sessions. He was really wiped each time and that was just for a minute or two tops.
If she's resting comfortably not in any pain,and starting to eat better that's good👍
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!
Well....as I was typing my ramblings, Holly comes along with GREAT insight as always!👍
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!
YOU are NEVER rambling Sally;)💝 I agree 1000% on being wiped out on the enemas! She had 2 of course she is wiped out. Saxton takes a day to recover with one! I can't imagine 2! She was cleaned out completely so I would expect it to take a few days for poop. Do let us know if she pooped on Friday?
I have no experience with hydrotherapy and Sally KNOWS Frankie did hydrotherapy so YES triple the tired. Don't overdue and listen to Sally!
💝💝💝
Gosh I wish I had more insight for you but never having gone through an issue like this I just need to offer my moral support. You are doing everything possible to help her as far as I can tell. Ditto Jackie and Sally, everything they suggested sounds good to me.
Sally I do believe she is doing the hydro under the guidance of her therapist. I would use care to not overdo it though, it’s gotta be exhausting after all she’s been through.
I hope you can get her into acupuncture, there are so many GI issues that it can address. Let us know what you find out.
We are sending lots of pawsitivity your way!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
jerry said
Ditto Jackie and Sally, everything they suggested sounds good to me.
Oopsie, Jerry, it must have been a long day for you it is Holly, not Jackie 😁
💝💝💝
Yes it was! Sorry!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Just had a thought about this:
she HATES the lactulose– this morning I mixed the miralax into her food and I will switch to the miralax vs tha lactulose.
Have you tried feeding her the lactulose/miralax with something totally yummy and different than her usual food, on a paper plate? The more you can disassociate the medication with her normal food, the more likely she is to want to eat regularly.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
LOL on the gif! 
I agree on meds in food. The big difference with the Miralax it goes undetected with no smell or taste. However, I make sure the cats get what is needed by syringing for any med or supplement. I know most people are not comfortable doing it. I syringe the Miralax to Saxton with a bit of Churu Lickable Purree Wet treat tube.
You could get away with it in the churu tube as a treat. Separate bowl, add a little water.
Hugs,
Holly & Purrkins💝💝💝
Good advice!! I have been mixing the miralax into her food the past couple times. She did have a poop yesterday finally. It was borderline harder, but decent sized-- I guess. I will get her some soft treats and try that. Thank you all again for the feedback on hydrotherapy. I did speak with the therapist on the phone right before I picked up Amelia from the vet last week. She can't get into an appointment until the end of April, which was why she talked me through starting at home hydrotherapy since at this point I am VERY concerned about the atrophy on the other rear leg. The one thing I didn't ask was amount of time in the water and number of days per week.
I have an email in to her, so I hope I hear from her today. But I am going off what you all have said and I agree, she liked it but it wiped her out. I have been extremely emotional since yesterday. I don't know why.
Just worry I guess. Thank you all again for all the support and excellent advice!
Okay....let us do the worrying for you. Thing is, doesn't look like we have anything to worry about!
She POOPED and it was a good 💩! Her little system has been through soooo much and it may ve that her "new normal" for awhile is every other day. And you are probably studying her 💩 more than you ever th possible. There may have been times in the past when it was a little bit ha4d on ocassion and you never not. There may have even been a time when she skipped a day every now and then. Obviously you want to stay in top of things, but it does sound like you can worry a little less and realize improvements are continuing!!
So this is just me being curious. Can so video what the hydrotherapy you are doing with her in the tub? Would love to see what that entails. And she doesn't mind being in the water?? That amazes me! She' WILL regain her muscle strength, so try not to worry about tha
Now, api ds like you need some CHOCOLATE and so e good rest!! You have every eight to be "emotional " and stressed! You have been through one heckuva stressful ordeal ! It is soooo import to take care of you during all this, okay? Aybe you could arrange a couple of hours away. Not sure what that would look like. Maybe a walk on some Nature trail somewhere! Something in Nature is always soothing to the Soul. Find a bench, take a book and soak up some sun. And of course, bring lots of CHOCOLATE!!
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!
Yaay, for poop whoo hoo, yes we celebrate poop and even more so when we have constipation issues, okay. Celebrate pooping!
We keep a chart on Saxton's poop to know how many days pass to know if we are getting into trouble or not! I encourage you to do the same okay. Use the stool chart to go by if it is still too dry or broad; add a little more Miralax. Make a note of how much Miralax your giving and the results.
I'm with Sally; we would love to see Amelia doing the hydrotherapy & the gadget temperature control you had to buy to do this.
I can add another ditto for taking care of yourself! We have to walk away and get some fresh air ourselves. Do you have someone that can relieve you? For any amount of time? Time away not watching and worrying because we are no good to anyone if we don't. It's normal to feel the way you are right now. You are tired, worried, and discouraged, thinking the worst. Stop believing what we don't know. Try okay. Take one tick at a time, as in tick-tock, it is all any of us can do.
Try to stay in the present Amelia pooped on her own!! That's massive!
The vets will be pleased to hear Amelia is pooping.
Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Sending big hugs and continued pawstiive energy!
Holly & Purrkins💝💝💝
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