Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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To be clear, this concerns Elsie, not Meg. I've just got back from the vets with her, where she is continuing her bid to be the centre of attention. I was concerned about a couple of symptoms, namely sudden onset terrible breath. I mean really foul. It's been for about three weeks, but no stomach upset or anything like that, and not off her food, not vomiting, seems fine, full of energy. Also, Meg seems unusually interested in Elsie's rear end. So, I felt a visit to the vet was warranted, just to establish the cause. I have never smelled dog breath like it.
So, Elsie's teeth are fine, her anal glands are empty and, as the bad breath onset coincides pretty much with the start of her taking Metacam (for cruciate and arthritis) and her poop this morning seemed rather dark in colour (I hadn't noticed this prior to that) the vet suspects stomach ulcers. She's running a whole range of blood tests too and we should get the results on Monday. I kind of hope it is stomach ulcers (best thing, obviously that it's nothing and will just resolve itself, but...) because if it isn't, she thinks it could be a tumour. Elsie is now off the Metacam and on Zantac for her tummy.
Has anyone experienced this with Metacam? (I do know it's a possible side effect) Or has anyone had any experience with bad dog breath, over and above the usual I mean...
Thanks.
Ruby, Staffy, born June 2022, became a Tripawd, November 2023, adopted January 2024.
Also Angel Tripawd Meg (aka The Megastar), who died in April 2023, aged 14, after seven glorious years on three, and Angel Staffies Elsie Pie and Bille. In the pawprints of giants...
Some dogs have breed-specific NSAID reactions. But in short, every dog is different. Jerry had a terrible reaction to Rmadyl, but did well on Metacam for the next two years. For other dogs, the opposite is clearly true.
Bottom line: consult your vet and ask for a different NSAID, monitor any reactions, and repeat.
Good luck, please keep us posted!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
When Frankie decided to have 1600 mg of Rimadyl for dessert, I learned very quickly about the dangers of Metacam and Rimadyl, even in just a couple of regular doses! Needless to say, I didn't do a breath test, etc as I rushed him to the Vet!
So yeah, Metacam and Rimadyl can DEFINITELY cause issues!
Glad she's off of it and the Vet is checking her out. Bloodwork...everything show up normal??? Kidney and liver, as well as ulcers, stomach bleeding can be compromised by these drugs. Fluids can do wonders for some symptons if that's the case.
Oh Elsie!! NOT the way to try and get attention!!!
Update when you can!!!!
Lpve!
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!
Thanks Jerry and Sally for responding and sharing your experiences. Much appreciated. We've just got back from the rehab vet and she thinks Elsie's bad breath is from losing weight (dieter's breath) and not related to the metacam. She's staying off the metacam of course and staying on the tummy tablets but rehab vet thinks weight loss is by far the most likely cause. And she has lost 600 grams (1.3 pounds) in the last three weeks. We'll get the blood results tomorrow but I'm feeling much more positive. I was worried about a tumour. Elsie is pretty much exactly the age my last dog (also a staff) was when she was diagnosed with a brain tumour. No logic to this of course but as soon as the vet mentioned tumours, I shrank inside.
The Megastar saw the rehab vet too. We do double appointments these days. And she is just doing fantastically well. She doesn't even really need to see her any more. She's done with the hydro as she's maintaining really good muscle tone. I just like her to have a little laser on her elbow and back and more than anything get her checked over so we can nip any problems in the bud. When I think how super active she's been recently, with squirrel season in full swing, it's just amazing how well she's doing. No knots in her spine or anything. This wasn't supposed to be possible! I'm so damned proud of her, and my little Elsie too, with her dieter's breath and all...
Ruby, Staffy, born June 2022, became a Tripawd, November 2023, adopted January 2024.
Also Angel Tripawd Meg (aka The Megastar), who died in April 2023, aged 14, after seven glorious years on three, and Angel Staffies Elsie Pie and Bille. In the pawprints of giants...
Oh Elsie!!! Only you would have "dieter's breath"! Actually, that's quite creative! If it stinks badly enough, your Mom will start feeding you PROPERLY! Yes, properly means pizza crust, ice cream and cake!!!
It looks like we have some good things to celebrate today!!
YAAAAAAAAAY FOR MEG's GREAT CHECK UP!!! YAAAAAAAAAY FOR ELSIE HAVING DIETER's BREATH!!! 🙂
Now go give those Squirrels a liece of your mind Meg!!!
Elsie, you just sit inside and slurp up that ice cream and cake!
HAPPY DANCE OVER HERE!!
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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