Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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It is HOT in LA and by hot I do mean hot. And humid. It feels like Florida in the summer and we don't have AC at the beach. Yesterday's beach highs registered 90 degrees. And in a top floor apt with no breeze, it's pretty uncomfortable. I looked into getting a window unit with AC but there is no way I can safely get it in the apt and the landlord basically said no. (Never mind, my electricity bill would totally sky-rocket).
So Jasper seems fine ... BUT she feels warm when I touch her. Now I don't recall if Shelby ever felt warm to the touch when we would have extreme heat for us. Jasper has plenty of water (and she's drinking), she isn't super panting except when we go outside - then it's normal panting. She moves a bit slower on our walks but I can't blame her - my run was super slow too. I feel like I am being paranoid but my dog felt warm to the touch today and I think after you go through an illness with a dog, you just become that "mom" about every little thing.
I am at work now but I am worried about her. Wondering if I should call our vet. Of course, I looked on Google and that was a mistake.
Jasper has lots of access to "cool" places ... at home. She was under my bed in her airline carrier when I left. She's got a big bowl of water and I have fans blowing.
She's fine, right? Black dogs just feel warmer than blond dogs ... I feel bad for her but short of getting a hotel room for the weekend (which I am seriously considering) there isn't much else I can do. Except maybe get more fans but I feel like those just blow around the hot air.
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
I thought of you today when I heard that it was 103 on the coast in Long Beach and raining? WTH? Yikes!!!!
She's gonna be fine. Yes, black dogs do feel hotter, I know our Wyatt does, his fur is always reflecting sun. Check her gums and give her plenty of cold water and I'll bet when the weather cools down so will she.
Hang in there!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
We understand completely! But hes, she's fine!! Hot AND humid in California is rough on you West Coast people...and dog people!
Neither of you should be doing much more than a walk outside for now. Dogs are definitely susceptible to heat stroke here in Virginia on those excessively hot and humid days, and it doesn't take much at all. AND, BTW, Jasper does not have heat stroke! It's pretty mich sudden collapsing!
I think you SHOULD get a hotel room just because you and Jasper could make it a mini vacation! Treat yourself to a nice dinner in a/c and four or five bottles of wine and youll be just fine! And ice cream for Jasper Lily!!
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!
Not sure why Jasper's pitiful fan photo didn't show up earlier.
Thanks all! I am just being a nervous nelly ... I am going to pick up some more fans (if I can find them) on the way home. It's really just miserable. I can't even leave our door open to get a breeze since "someone" would escape and I don't want to have to leash "someone" in the house! 🙂
She's just moving slow and I assume it's her way of coping ... she's probably annoyed with the heat as much I am. And yes, Rene - over 100 in Long Beach yesterday. Thunderstorms, lightening, beaches closed ...I feel bad for the people down there that have lost their power (those that actually have AC). I also put a damp wash cloth on JL last night to try and cool her down.
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
If you're a nervous nelly, then we're all in the same boat!!!
Around here, for about a month, the "feels like" temp was well over 100. I worried soooooooooo much about Mel and Meesha, but every day when I got home they never once failed to meet us at the driveway. Our property has about a zillion trees, and we also put a kiddie-pool outside for them to waller in. When I had a chance, I would take a cool, wet washcloth and soak their faces and heads. Meesha got to where she looked forward to the ritual where Mel, who has thicker fur I might add, always balked.
Have you thought about getting a cooling pad for her to lay on? They sell them at any of the pet stores.
Love, love the pic of her and her fan!!
xoxo
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
Yeah, good idea with damp cloth. I've done that plenty of times with the dogs and my own self. Also, if she will lay on it, a damp towel...put it in freezer for a few minutes...nice and cool.
Her picture is sooooo sweet! She looks very comfy!
I think a Starbucks PUPPY LATTE would cool her off brilliantly!! "Don't beIieve me just watch"!! HINT!!!
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!
As Tani aged she seemed to be hot all the time. I got a couple cooling gel pads for her and the worked really well. You don't have to keep them in the fridge, but I always did. I put a pillow case on to keep them clean but you don't need to, they wipe clean. I would put one under her when she was panting and it cooled her right off. I used them in bed for her too if she was too hot to go to sleep. Once she stopped panting she would go right to sleep. In fact she sucked all the cool out of the thing- you could have used it for a heating pad when she was done! That's why I kept two around, for really hot days I could swap them out and always have one cooling in the fridge.
Here are the kind I have: cooling pads
Obie has a single coat so I have not had to use them with him (Tani had a super thick double coat).
It's been over a 100 for a couple days here as well, I think the AC has kicked on by 10:00 am all week!
Karen
p.s. and yes, at my, um, stage of life I have used them for me too 
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
How about a small window a/c for your bedroom. I think it would help both of you sleep. Those cooling pads sound pretty good too that Karen posted about. My black dogs are always warm even when its cooler out. I think fans, window a/c and cooling pads will help LOL.
xoxoxo
Michelle & Angel Sassy
Sassy is a proud member of the Winter Warriors. Live long, & strong Winter Warriors.
sassysugarbear.tripawds.com
07/26/2006 - Sassy earned her wings 08/20/2013
05/04/2006 - Bosch, Sassy's pal, earned his wings 03/29/19 fought cancer for 4 months.
"You aren't doing it TO her, you are doing it FOR her. Give her a chance at life."
All amazing suggestions .. thank YOU!!!! I left work a bit early because I was worried and I was feeling weak/dizzy from the heat (even though my office at least has AC). I just feel off.
Jasper was fine but panting ... she still feels warm to me but her gums look fine (pink - not bright but pink) and I put a cool cloth on her for a bit.
Thanks for the link on the cooling pad... I will get her one. I think I am more miserable than her, actually. She just tries to go under places that she can't really fit but I guess it's secure to her? She's such an odd dog sometimes.
I wish I could get a window unit but my landlord would go bat-sh!t if I did that or tried to get it installed. And LA is all sold out of fans ... hotel stay looking better and better but I think we will cool down this weekend and next week. This does feel like New Orleans in August! But definitely puppy latte this weekend! 🙂
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
Alison, you got very good info and ideas from everyone here, and what Karen said about the cooling gel packs are a great idea..... Dogs regular temp is much higher than ours to begin with, at 100-102, and they have a tougher time cooling down as well, so as long as she is acting fine otherwise, I wouldn't worry. And yeah, those black dogs really retain some heat! My black Labs always have, and what else do they love to do? Lay right out in the direct sunlight, go figure, lol !!
Love,
Bonnie and all my girls
I'm so sorry that you guys out there on the West Coast are dealing with some crazy high temps. We're coming into mid-Sept and yesterday was the first comfortable day here in I don't know how long and rainy (usually 90+ temps). Anyway, Jasper will be fine as long as she does get over exerted. Lucian HATES this hot weather (as do I) and when he comes back in from a short walk around the property to do his business his tongues hanging out dripping drool and panting like crazy. He'll stretch out on the hardwood floor or tiles and when he moves they're pretty warm to the touch. It just takes our black fur kids a little longer to get cooled down. I've also given Lucian ice cubes (he's a chewer as you know) or even those little single serve cups of vanilla ice cream. I don't know if they actually help in their cooling but if I'm hot nothing beats a big glass of ice water and/or some ice cream...
Hang in there ladies...Fall temps surely have to be around the corner!
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!
They have those room air conditioners that you don't have to put into a window, and they have wheels on them so you can move them around easily. They run about $300 though .... we bought one a few years ago when I was working midnight shift and our ac went out...my husband had to find a quick fix for me lol
I don't ever take our dogs temps, but I know if you feel their forehead - just hold your hand their for a few seconds, and if it feels too warm, you can usually tell if they have a fever. I would give her some icy things - like ice in her water, which I know won't last too long while you're at work, but you can make like a big frozen treat overnight and put it in a bowl for her to lick during the day. There are some great ideas on pinterest.
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
Donna... I swore last summer after these high heats in Sept, I was getting one of those and I didn't do it! Sadly, here in LA, most fans are sold out and those are sold out or unavailable... grrrrr....
BUT thankfully we are cooler today. I can breathe again and Jasper and I went down to the beach yesterday for a bit ... it was still hot for her and she was breathing pretty hard when we got back and wouldn't drink so I did "ala Sally" and put some "Frosty Paws" in her water and she drank it up! Then I worried that she drank too fast and was going to get bloat or puke. She had neither.
But today.. I am home from work because of the holiday ... and it is pleasant in our casa. Jasper is laying on the floor moaning for no reason but I am sure it's from lack of attention being paid to her or happiness that it's cooler!
And we are supposed to get RAIN!!!!
Thank you all.... I just worry about my little black fur-baby... but she's a smart cookie .. she's handling things her way!
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
100 degrees and no A/C? I'd be pouring ice water in my dogs baby pool and laying in it right next to the dogs!
Mom to Tripawd Angels Jake (2001-2014) and Rosco (2012-2015) and Tripawd Tanner. “Whatever happens tomorrow, we had today; and I'll always remember it”
Not sjre if it's true or not, but I heard there is at least one Starbucks in California. If it is true, they serve nice cool refreshing PUPPY LATTES!!!! For Pete's sake, get that dog on video slurping down a Starbucks!!! We ARE going to get a donation out of Starbucks..."don't believe me just watch"! I don't think I'll EVER get that song out of my head MICHELLE!!!!
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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