Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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So they are starting early this year - was outside with Jasper Lily last night and I think we heard a lone firework ... a big boom and needless to say, she was ready to BOLT. The look of terror in her eyes, those ears straight up tall and as close together as they can get and tail between her legs. Even seeing her favorite neighbor didn't help. I carried her upstairs and she ran for her safe spot - under my bed in her airline carrier. I dragged her out and put her thunder shirt on her and put her on the couch and this was the face I got:
Totally 'resting bitch face' and a combo of fear. And those ears ... look at them!!! Who knew she could move them so many different ways. Someone commented that she had a nice faux fur liner on her thunder shirt but that is her fur puffing up from fear.
We knew she would be scared this week - she found respite last year in the bathroom on the purple bath mat. I've never had a dog THIS scared of fireworks before. I don't want to 'drug' her each night ... (and I will give her an ACE pill on Sat night). Do I just let her run under the bed and hang out in her safe spot? I wonder if music would work but I did have the TV on last night and she was still scared. Do I try and comfort her? Can I leave her home alone Sat night? I know she will be safe and secured (I'll close all the windows so she hears less) but will it be worse for her NOT having me in the home? I just don't know. I hate seeing her so scared.
Any thoughts? I feel so bad for her...
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
Murphy was always crated on the 4th. We pulled the shades, turned out the lights and turned up the radio in the room with him. Maybe something in the crate to keep her busy would help. She feels safe in her little "cave", so I would tend to let her be there.
We have no idea how Ollie will react to fireworks, but plan the same for him. There were a couple of distant thunder rumbles last night, and he whined once. Then he went back to sleep.
Gus wasn't afraid of the thunder, but lightning scared the you know what out of him.
Kathi and the Turbotail April Angel...and the Labradork
Murphy is a five year old Lab/Chessie cross. He was hit by a car on 10/29/12 and became a Tripawd on 11/24/12. On 2/5/13, he had a total hip replacement on his remaining back leg. He has absolutely no idea that he has only three legs!
UPDATE: Murphy lived his life to the fullest, right up until an aggressive bone lesion took him across the Rainbow Bridge on April 9, 2015 and he gained his membership in the April Angels. Run free, my love. You deserve it!
Those ears mist have a separate brain all their own! Jasper can sure put them in some outrageous positions!
I've never found the right solution either. Someof my dogs not bothered in the least..some a little unsettled and scared. But one, Mickey Motto was petrified to the point of hurting himself..running wildly over, under and through things. Dark closet, comfy bed...clawing the door, the walls trying to run away from the fear. Out of desperation, my vet did prescribe ACE but with caution......I never used it though. Being scared seemed less risky than the ACE. I found if I sat in the closet with him at least he didn't try and chew down the house. Needless to say, I wasn't always home and able to do that! Of all his blood relateded siblings (Benny was one of them and not fearful at all), he lived the longest...14 yrs...and a big boy too! So as much as we'm hate to see them so scared, I guess it doesn't shorten their life span.
Id say just try the music, let her go to her safe spot under the bed and let her stay there I til she feels ready to come out. Try and "ignore" that she's scared and just act normal. Easier said than done, right?
Purple mat? She went to the purple mat? Jist so you know, anytime I seem a vibrant true p u rple I think of Miss Shelby Lynne
Even Though she's scared in her picture, she's still so darn cute it makes me smile everytime I see her!
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!
There are other options besides acepromazine for fireworks. Ace works well for sedation so for dogs that bark at loud noises but aren't fearful it may work fine. But it does nothing for anxiety so truly fearful dogs often do better with alprazolam or trazadone. Both are safer than ace and take the fear away without excessive sedation. The only drawback is that some dogs are so fearful that these drugs don't work because the adrenaline response overrides the effects of the drug.
You can also try natural methods like Rescue Remedy or lavender oil although for truly anxious dogs these also may not work.
I am lucky because the dogs I have right now are not fearful so I just stay home with them and crank the radio or tv.
Pam
Our first dog Lucky was scared of the noise from fireworks and thunder. He'd always go and hide in the walk in shower or the bathtub. He'd be trembling from the fear and I would go sit with for a while. He'd eventually would come out after the noise stopped.
I know it's heart breaking seeing them scared. We can only do the best we can to comfort them. Plus with doggie Xanax (I'm assuming it's one of the meds Dr Pam mentioned) July 4th could be a little less scary for some pups!
And the face on Jasper. ..adorable!
Hugs
Sahana and her Angel Leland and Lucian too
November 17, 2009 - June 30, 2014
May you finally be healthy and running free at the Rainbow Bridge. Until we meet again my sweet boy!
Ugh. I feel for pets this time of year. Really don't like fireworks one bit. That's why we always take off and go someplace quiet on the 4th, we feel so fortunate to be able to do that. {{{hugs]}}
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I love that 'resting bitch face'!! 'Round here we call it stink eye.
Harmony was really afraid of thunder, but we started working with her to get her mind off the boom. We turned up the TV, played ALOT of ball and squeaky toy. It finally worked, thank goodness, because the severe weather around here is notorious. We live out in the country so fireworks aren't really a problem, but they make the same "boom"!
Harmony became a Tripawd on 10/21/14 (MCT). She left us way too soon on 11/1/14.
"We miss you so much; our love, our heart, our Harmony."
- Pam, Ron and Melody, Meesha, Doublestuff and Mariah Carey
Thank you everyone! Dr. Pam, I'll ask about some Trazadone. .. I wish I still had Shelby's from her amp when she was so anxious.
I mainly worry since we live SO close to the beach where they set off the fireworks. I'll close up the windows and blast some Enya and hope for the best and let little JL rest under the bed in her 'safe' spot. I think if she just sits under there and rides it out she will be fine. I just hate to see her shake so much. I read some stuff online about music and turning the music on earlier and giving treats so she can associate treats w/a good time.
I guess bottom line, I'll stay home this Sat night. It will stress me out more to think of her hiding under the bed all alone. And I don't really love the fireworks either. And maybe we can have a good round of 'fetch' since that's her favorite game with the tennis ball.
It's so odd - Shelby didn't mind them - at all. She loved to look at the pretty colors. Nothing scared Shelby and Jasper is afraid of her shadow.
But doing SO much better at the beach... This was our sunset last night - no filters needed! Portrait of a dog at the beach at sunset!
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
GORGEOUS!!
Harmony became a Tripawd on 10/21/14 (MCT). She left us way too soon on 11/1/14.
"We miss you so much; our love, our heart, our Harmony."
- Pam, Ron and Melody, Meesha, Doublestuff and Mariah Carey
Simply beautiful. ..and the sunset is breathtaking!
Hugs
Sahana and her Angel Leland and Lucian too
November 17, 2009 - June 30, 2014
May you finally be healthy and running free at the Rainbow Bridge. Until we meet again my sweet boy!
It is weeks like this that we HATE beach living!!! Grrrr.... idiots setting off LOUD booms last night and combined with thunder and odd 'mid-west /southern' like rain storms, Jasper Lily is having a rough week. 🙁
I put her in my bed last night and she would sit up straight - with those dumbo ears as tall as they can be. Total fear on her face. So I took some pillows and built a littler fort around her ears / head and that seemed to soothe her... I just HATE seeing her so scared. I cannot leave her this weekend and go out. She will be petrified if her madre is not in her home with her. Even if she's under the bed.
I am going to try and her rescue remedy spray we have tonight on pillows and her bed to see if that helps her. 🙁 🙁 🙁
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
Beautiful picture of Jasper Lily and her sunset. Thanks for the "pretty"!
We HAVE to have pictures with her "pillow ear plugs"!
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!
For you Sally!!! This was last night when we tried to get back from the beach and our sunset walk BEFORE the booms (not so lucky).
And then at 230 a.m. some a$$ clown set off sonic booms or gunshots! Jasper d@amn near scratched the he!! out of my face in her effort to jump over me to get off the bed. I grabbed her and got her settled (again) only to wake up 2 hours later to what I can only assume was a wild animal 'adult' party in my courtyard. I live in the city!!! LOL ... ironically, the 'activity' didn't seem to phase Jasper at all but I couldn't sleep through that!
Oy... more coffee for me and a thundershirt tonight for Jasper and no more beach walks until post 4th.
Everyone have a safe and happy 4th and protect the fur-babies!!! 
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
JAAAAAAASPERRRRR!! Kissing that sweet mug right now!!! K I S S I N G! You are sooooo pretty Jasper Lily!
Those sunsets make living I. "the city" well worth it, along with the sunny weather.
And then we have poor Jasper Lily burrowing under pillows like a Meerkat trying to hidem from the the fireworks! Don't mean to giggle Jasper, but I am! That picture says it all about your disdain for fireworks! And then to be able to hear things from far away Planets with those ears....these BOOMS must nearly break your eardrums! I'm sorry sweet girl.
You two have a great weekend and enjoy the time together!
Much 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!
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