Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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I am always second guessing myself. Especially since they said the CT shows the cancer probably metastasized. But the vet and the assisting vet still recommended surgery for pain management and taking into account his general health.
I hope I am doing the right thing.
The vet me a video clip of Jolie and he is fully awake and moving around. His eyes look surprised but not in distress....
That's so great that they sent you a video. I know that was quite a relief to see him moving around even if his ass were a little bit draggy. Yes, you were doing the right thing to remove the pain and give him quality. Since you have a broken foot you can imagine how awful it would be to continue trying to live with all the pain of it before it was fixed. Just having that pain gone and knowing that he is on the road to recovery has to be a relief for both of you.
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 just visited with Jolie at the hospital. He is not eating and doesn't seem to recognize me.
Oh dear, what are the odds of breaking your foot? UGH, I'm so sorry. You both will be recovering. I agree, Sally. Interestingly, this helps you see/imagine Jolie's pain.
Yes, we can only imagine the pain from osteo. You and your vets are helping Jolie and getting rid of that pain. He will have surgical pain, but that will last about two weeks. Your motto is We did this for JOLIE. We did this for JOLIE. Repeat with me. We did not do this to JOLIE we did for Jolie.
None of us like the corner we get backed into with C and amputation, but we have to find gratitude we can HELP!!! Do your best to put the second-guessing aside. Amputation is done; Jolie came through surgery and will be home soon. It also helps to put Jolie in the human category - what would we do for humans? There's no question the leg would go, and they would work on the Mets somehow. I hope that helps so you can move forward easier.
I love that the vet sent you a video, and Jolie is doing well.
I just visited with Jolie at the hospital. He is not eating and doesn't seem to recognize me
The same thing happened to me when I went to see Purrkins. They are whacked out on meds. Purrkins would not eat in the hospital setting either. They thought Purrkins would eat for me if I came, and he would only lick one taste of food for me. Then I had to leave him like that. I was shaken up and unsure if it helped either of us, but it was worth trying. Things will improve when you pick Jolie up and bring him HOME! I know I was distressed, too, but all I can tell you Jolie is doped on meds and in the scary hospital setting, all he wants to do is come home. When do they expect to release him?
(((HUGS)))
(((HUGS))) I genuinely understand how upsetting this is. That was when I questioned the vet and vet tech. Are you confident we did the right thing here? I did not see my Purrkins!!! I remember members here telling me it was the hospital meds, and they were spot on it was and being in the scary hospital setting and all those dreadful noises. I didn't like hearing all the animals crying, so we can only imagine how scary it is for our furmily to be whacked out on meds. This is temporary, I promise.
Purrkins was there four days and three nights, and I felt it was too long for Purrkin's personality, but he was in excellent care and on mega meds, which are needed.
Hang in there. I know I couldn't wait to get Purrkins home. Take this time to prepare a recovery space for Jolie to come home.
HUGS
Thank you for this. I did question my decision exactly like you did and I did kind of question the vet too.
Thank you for your encouraging words
We know how upsetting all this is.
As Holly said, she experienced the same thing with her cat in the hospital setting. Others have too, both dogs and cats.
It's so hard for us to remember that this is MAJOR surgery and Jolie just had a leg amputated, muscles cut, bones cut, nerves cut etc. Even if the pain meds make him feel a little whacked out right now, it is very important that the pain is managed.
I'm guessing they may have given Jolie fluids. If not, you can suggest it as it's always a good reinforcement to give to a senior cat. Did they mention if he has peed yet or if he's drinking on his own yet? The fact that he showed some Mobility already is amazing.
It took me a solid 3 weeks at least to stop questioning "what had I done TO my dog?" That's the phase you are in rtght now with Jolie. It was at least 3 weeks, maybe more when I finally said "I am so glad I did this FOR my dog.'
Many cats want to hide when they first get home. Holly always suggests blocking off spaces where they might try to hide, like under a bed. But you do want a nice quiet place for him where he doesn't feel vulnerable and feels safe.
We know this is not easy. We get it. Stay connected to us and we will help you get through the roughest part of recovery. No matter what, remember that you made the right decision and that painful leg had to go. The pain of recovery is temporary. The pain of bone cancer is unrelenting and only gets worse and worse and worse.
(((((((((((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!
Yikes! I'm sorry about the break! Now you two will both need to take it easy and recover. If it's any help to you, maybe leaving him at the vet for another day or two will be better for you guys? Maybe not, but it's always an option.
Recovery seems really scary when you've never been through this, but we know you have what it takes to help Jolie heal. Keep us posted and feel better.
Thank you so much everyone. You are right in that I felt backed into a corner with no other options. He is not eating or drinking on his own. I visited yesterday at the hospital and held him for about 30 minutes trying to get him to eat or drink to no avail. He is on I.V. with a pain skin patch.
Ohhh, the pain patch...guessing it's the Fentynal morphine patch. That will definitely make him whacky....handles the pain but makes the "weird " sometimes. Not surprising that he has no appetite que yet. Glad the have him 9n fluids👍
Glad you got to visit him. Even if he didnt seem all together with it, he knew you were there!♥️
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!
NO, Jolie is not right now, but he will! Im honestly not surprised this was our experience too.
I hope they assured you Jolie is good with his fluids and pain meds. He likely won't eat until he gets out of the hospital. He will not be thirsty while on fluids. No reason to drink. I hope Jolie will nibbles before that, but he may not! If it is Fentanyl; Purrkins had the same, yep!
Pain meds will mess with appetite, and we need those meds now, and we will need some to come home with. Recovery is no picnic, but I promise you will SEE your JOLIE once he is home. I saw my Purrkins in the car on the way home.
I 100% agree Jolie knows you were there. One and a half days, and he is home!
Have the pain meds talk, please- Pain meds and duration are the keys to a smooth recovery.
(((HUGS)))
I really appreciate the support you all are giving me.
I'm scheduled to bring him home tomorrow. He will sleep next to the bed on one of his preferred spots. I will keep him there I think.
I'm very apprehensive about him being unresponsive at home. I hope I am able do everything that he needs.
I have scheduled 2 weeks of vacation so I can provide for his care. Hopefully he will improve enough during that time so that I can go back to work on 8 January
If the Bets don't think Jolie is ready to go home they'll suggest he stay another night. His vitals are all good, he's getting fluids and he probably would be happier at home with you
Write down your Vet''s number. I'm sure they wouldn't mind you calling with any questions. In the meantime, we are here to support you, okay?
Had to chcuckle.....only "cat people and dog people" use their vacation time to care for our animal companions!
You've got this!
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!
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