Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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I feel so bad for you and Charlie. I wish I could help. I like you have cried many times when watching my boy not be able to get up. I only say this because I want you to know that I understand. Don't give up hope. I have seen Fortis go lame many times since his surgery 8 months ago and yet he has always bounced back. Did your vet take a look at the front leg and shoulder area? Hopefully Charlie just over did it and with rest will be back to his strong self in no time. I know those stairs must be tough on the both of you. We're sending lots of positive thoughts your way. Please keep us posted.
Fortis'Dad
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Thanks big guy (from one big guy to another)! It actually helps A LOT knowing that we aren't alone in this experience. I spoke to oncology at the U and will bring him in for radiographs tomorrow morning. Just having a plan helps.
Ha! I just heard him drinking! That means he got up on his own and went over there. Small miracles.
Thanks for the encouragement. Hopefully it is just a bump in the road.
"I don't know where I am."
Yes, having a plan helps indeed. I feel better just knowing that Charlie got up on his own to get a drink of water. That's encouraging 
. We're keeping fingers and paws crossed for you guys.......just a tiny bump! Please let us know what the x-rays show.
Fortis'Dad
VQ, from what I know about acupuncture, there can be some soreness for the first couple of days. While it's not a quick fix, he will more than likely start to feel better soon. Until then, I would say definitely talk to the vet and let us know what the feedback is OK?
Try to stay pawsitive, we know it's so hard, but you can do it. Charlie's got the SPUNK, he will overcome this. We're all rooting for you two. xoxo
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Oh VQ!
We are here for you! Once you get xrays, your mind can be put at ease.
Dog Tears...if only they could be packaged and were worth money - I'd be rich!!
Let us know fiirst thing from the vet, okay?
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.
It is truly amazing how quickly they can lose mobility for apparently no reason. The first time it happed to Trouble, I went into full blown panic. That morning she us up and getting around good. About 2PM she layed down in the kitchen, not too unusual. An hour later I started trying to get her to move - nothing doing, she just laid there and looked at me. I gave her 1/2 a pain pill, an hour later, still not moving, I gave her another 1/2. At a few minutes til 5PM I jumped on the phone and called the vet. Brought her in, he found nothing causing the problem. Gave us some Rimadyl and sent her home. I FINALLY got her from the car to the kitchen. Spent all evening sitting in the kitchen floor with her. Drug her on a blanket from the kitchen to the bedroom. The next morning she wouldn't get out of bed. By the time I got home that evening, she got up and went out, then ate and went back to bed. The morning after that she was back to herself.
It is scarey as hell. Many of us know that feeling and truly feel your pain. Hoping you and Charlie are much better in the morning. Hugs to your and lots of healing thoughts coming to Charlie!l
Shanna & Spirit Trouble ~ Trouble gained her wings 3/16/2011, a 27 1/2 month cancer survivor, tail wagging. RIP sweetheart, you are my heart and soul. Run free at Rainbow Bridge.
The November Five - Spirits Max, Cherry, Tika, Trouble & Nova. 11/2008 - 3/2013 An era ends as Queen Nova crossed the Bridge.
He is refusing to move from the landing. At first I thought I heard him cry. I run over there, it was the whole "I want up!" cry, not pain cry. It's happened a few times so far. I've tried helping him, but he refuses. I gave him Amantadine (left over from the stupid cancer leg) and two Codeine. I gave him Tramadol last night for the pain. I'm just trying different things. I may try Rimadyl (since the liver seems to be behaving itself right now). If all else fails, liquor store run! 
Once the evil hubby gets home, I'll have him help me lift him. That should be fun. Remember the last time I tried to help (x-rays at the vet) I ended up with my 'bar-fight' black eye.
"I don't know where I am."
How much does Charlie weigh? If he isn't on an NSAID yet I would strongly recommend it. Rimadyl is okay but a better choice would be meloxicam (generic Metacam) because it is easier on the liver and it does have those anti-cancer properties. If Charlie is about 90# he would be a good candidate for the generic human form (he would take 1/2 of a 7.5 mg tablet daily) which would only cost you $4 per month. Some vets/oncologists also like piroxicam but it can have side effects on the stomach (ulcers).
You might also consider looking into Chinese herbs. The vet who does Charlie's acupuncture could probably prescribe those. There is a formulation called Body Sore that often gives very quick relief and is not toxic to the dog.
You could also add in gabapentin in case Charlie has nerve pain and he would need 300 mg twice daily.
I hope he feels better soon!
Pam
I am writing all of that down and will see if they can prescribe any of that for him tomorrow. The vet that did the acupuncture prescribed Rehmannia Eight Combo. I have no idea what it is, but its got herbs in it.
He weighed 95.4 today. He floats around the mid 90's, so I'll see on the generic human form.
Thank you so much for the advice! Charlie is currently upstairs (thanks Mr. VQ!), drugged 
and sleeping soundly.
"I don't know where I am."
Lotsa love and pawsitivity coming your way. Hope tomorrow is better. At least it's Friday.
Rest up and get better Charlie!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
We are thinking of you and Charlie and hope that Charlie will be feeling better soon. Good luck at the vets tomorrow. Keep us posted. Sending lots of healing thoughts your way.....
Kami (Mackenzie's Mom)
My sweet golden Mackenzie. She became my angel on Dec 29, 2010 at the age of 8 1/2 although she was always my angel from the time we brought her home. She was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in Sept 2009 and officially became a tripawd (front leg) on Nov 5, 2009. She will be forever in my heart and now she's running free with all of our other tripawd heroes. I love you Mackenzie!
Sending positive thoughts your way for Charlie. I hope he has a Fortis sized rebound in his near future!
Karen
A belated happy ampuversary.
So sorry to read of Charlie's mobility difficulties. Poor guy. And oh, what a worry. Hope today is a better day.
Sending lots of wishes for a positive outcome at the vet's.
Carmen
Catie -
Birthday – November 4 2003
Amputation – January 13 2010
Crossed the Bridge – June 2 2011
Okay, just got back from a marathon session at the U. The oncologist consulted with a surgeon and they feel (especially after looking at the x-rays with the radiologist) that it is Lumbosacral Stenosis. This is what they believe, although no firm diagnosis (I am having flashbacks to a certain osteosarcoma diagnosis). I was able to get a prescription for Meloxicam.
Bad news: he for sure can't do stairs for a month and, as most of you know, I live in a stupid split-level home. (Like the 70's weren't bad enough, they come and bite me in the ass one more time!)
Good news: It doesn't look like spinal mets and his lung x-rays were clear!
My options are:
1. Live in the garage. Would like to remind those that are reading this that we live in MN. Not exactly, um, warm.
2. Live in the camper. (please see #1)
3. Rent a place that has one level.
4. Build the biggest ramp that has ever been built in the history of the world. (Mr. VQ is leaning towards an escalator. I don't have the heart to bring up that the last couple times he's tried to 'help' he set the kitchen on fire 3 times)
5. Pray that Charlie is just messing with us and this is a bad episode of Punk'd.
6. (My total favorite and totally plausible) Win the lottery. I'm pretty open to any of them. Powerball, Mega Millions, Hot Lotto. I don't discriminate.
Anyway, thank you all again for the support, sharing your experiences, positive thoughts and prayers. Totally helped me get through this!
VQ and Charlie the "Stairs?! Been there, done that. So yesterday!" dog.
"I don't know where I am."
OMG you almost made me pee my pants laughing. 
Congratulations in maintaining your healthy sense of humour during all of this.
I think the Meloxicam will really help...Tai is on it for arthritis in her spinal vetebrae. It still flares up ocassionally, like when she gets sideswiped by her stupid 9 month old sister, but for the most part she is able to get around just fine. On the flare up days (luckily only 2 so far-one being last week) she can hardly move. Getting up from laying down is a joint venture accomplished partly by her, mostly by me, and the Ruffwear harness . As I'm on crutches from recent foot surgery you can only imagine what a production it is. We also have a number of stairs to contend with so I sympathize.
Good luck with the NSAID and the MN winter weather ( I live in Calgary so can totally relate, it was snowing here this am) 
Laura and Tai Dog
Tai – 9 yr old lab. Diagnosed Osteosarcoma Dec 18/09. Front right leg amputated Dec 21/09. Started chemo Jan 7/10. Lung mets discovered Sept 16/10. Valiant to the end on Oct 26/10 when cancer reappeared in a leg and we made the decision to set her free. Forever in my heart where not even cancer can take her from me.
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