Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Nothing drastic, hopefully. She is having her intermittent limp investigated. And even though everything rational tells me that it is probably nothing more terrible than arthritis in her elbow, aggravated perhaps by her cruciate problems in her opposite rear leg, I cannot help worrying. I've spent too much time on this website, I guess...
Anyway, I like our vets. Which is just as well, as it is a pain in the rear end to get to, being right in the centre of town, and not cheap either. Here's a pic of the Pie en route.
But I'm just feeling a bit frustrated because last time I took her, which was back in November, I was concerned about her breath, which was really bad, and I asked them to check her teeth, because teeth is the first thing you think of with foul breath, yes? So anyway, we saw a locum vet, as neither of the regulars (who are great, who she's known all her life) were there. And this vet checked her teeth and said they were fine ('very good, actually'), so then she thought her breath might be caused by a stomach ulcer, or potentially a tumour, and she ordered all sorts of blood tests, which cost me a fortune and worried me stupid, but everything came back normal. So after that, we decided it was 'dieter's breath', as she has lost quite a bit of weight recently, and she seemed fine in herself and that was where we left it. But today, I just thought I'd mention the breath to her regular vet, in case it was linked to her leg (and yes, I do realise that sounds stupid), and she's going under anaesthetic anyway, so they would be able to have a good check. Well her regular vet took one look in her mouth and said she had a really bad tooth at the back, which was actually cracked and wobbling and seriously rotten. So she's going to have taken out, obviously, but I just feel fed up that the locum vet clearly didn't examine her properly (although it will have got worse in the meantime, for sure, and is probably more obvious now). And as a result, Elsie must have been in considerable discomfort (even pain) for months, and I've been worried stupid and we also had to pay for a load of unnecessary tests (which I could well do without, as I am SKINT, after all the expense with Meg). I didn't say anything, because what is there to say, and I do strongly believe that, as human beings, vets have to be allowed to make mistakes, but I just wish they would stop making them on us, that's all, and I know it's not desperately serious (hopefully), and I'm sorry for the rant, but I just had to get this off my chest. Thank you for listening x
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...
Sorry Clare!! That sucks. big time. At least Elsie Pie will wake up feeling a lot better. In search of the cause of Manni's weird walking behaviour aka "hello, I'm an ostoesarcoma but I won't show up" I spent so much money and had so many different pictures, blood tests, you name it done that I could probably have bought a house (or bought a healthy dog...). Did you ask your regular vet about that? Mention, maybe, how you did have them have a look? So maybe the bill this time gets a little, um, reduced?? Inspite of regulations and everythinng they are able to do that you know.
Big kisses to Elsie Pie when she wakes up and I hope / am sure the lameness is probably due to this horrific weather and the arthritis.
Keep us updated!
t
oh, and nice double decker! don't miss waiting in a cue for them, though 🙂
Guardian of Manni the Wonderdog. -Or was it the other way around?
Osteo and amputation in Dec 2015. Second, inoperable, primary osteosarcoma found in June 2017.
The end of our adventures came Dec 10, 2017. 2 years to the day.
Oh no Elsie Pie! Praying it's nothing big here! Probably just arthritis acting up. Do keep us posted here. One thing I found with my Riley that also helped his horrible breath if it's not just the tooth is adding a pre/probiotic daily. They really balance the gut flora and fauna which completely cured his bad breath. I had been reading that 80% of their immune system comes from gut health in a dog so I decided to try them. They've really worked well his stools have firmed up and his breath well I have to say is almost pleasant. 😳. He also seems to be more active and feeling better to boot. Just sharing my experience. So sorry your vet missed that bad tooth for Elsie but I guess they are human but I sure hate to think the pie suffered because of it. We'll all be waiting for an Elsie Pie update here! And Clare you can rant away. These are our babies and we want the best for them always! Give the pie a hug and kiss from me!
Hoping this all turns out to be nothing major!
FYI, I added a pre/probiotic to Gator's diet after all of his immune system issues. It gave him gas. Bad gas. Really bad, continual gas. While he was in bed with me. We stopped using it.
Otis - 106 pound lab/Dane mix, lost his right front leg to osteosarcoma on Febuary 9, 2016. Four rounds of carboplatin completed in April, 2016. Lung mets August 25, 2016. Said goodbye too soon on September 4, 2016. Lost his adopted sister, Tess, suddenly on October 9, 2016. likely due to hemangiosarcoma.
Wherever they are, they are together.
🙂 🙂 🙂
lol!!!
when Manni was little he would sleep next to our bed,let off a huge stinking bomb of gas, get up, look at us all disgusted as if he was saying: "it really stinks in your bedroom, you pigs!" and then he would leave the room.
Guardian of Manni the Wonderdog. -Or was it the other way around?
Osteo and amputation in Dec 2015. Second, inoperable, primary osteosarcoma found in June 2017.
The end of our adventures came Dec 10, 2017. 2 years to the day.
Oh no Elsie pie!!! I feel your frustration ... months and months before Shelby was diagnosed with a different cancer but seriously ... always trust a mother's instinct! I'll pray nothing huge and just a touch of arthritis!!! HUGS and love!!!
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
Oh gosh! Update hs as soon as you can, okay????
I think getting that bad tooth gone will give Elsie Pie the edge when it comes to that spaghetti eating contest!!
And, as usual, that photo of Elsie Pie checking out the traffic is ADORABLE!
SENDING PAWSITIVE ENERGY! 🙂
Love!
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!
Oh, we all know what it's like to be on the edge of that cliff!!! Cassie had a bump on her back foot & I diagnosed her with MCT, I had all these images of having a 2nd tripawd in the house, you name it ... turned out that it was "an abnormal growth of normal cells," I forget the name of what it was, but all was well...whew!!!
Keep us posted!!
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
The Pie is home and feeling VERY sorry for herself. In fact, it's fair to say that the Pie is making more fuss over losing her tooth than the MegaStar did over losing her leg. We took a black cab back (What the heck! Just stick it on the tab...) as she's still too out of it for the bus, and she sang and dribbled blood the entire way home. Thankfully, the cabbie was a total poppet and a dog lover too, as in my experience the black cab drivers tend to be. They're really a bit of a godsend.
Anyway, the good news is that it appears to be 'only' arthritis. The less good news is that it's quite bad and in all four legs, both elbows and both knees. It's actually much worse in the X-rays than you'd think from clinical exam and from the way Pie moves around. There's not a great deal more we can do than what we're already doing. She already sees the rehab vet, takes Metacam, Dasuquin and fish oil and is as low in weight as she healthily can be. She will have to be still more restricted in terms of exercise until this particular flare up dies down. Good job I bought a large stroller...
Thanks, everyone, for your support. It was sweet to see how concerned Meg was to see Elsie when she got home, sniffing her all over and giving her kisses. I didn't really expect that, to be honest, what with the Megastar being so grand, and Elsie looked quite surprised too.
Meg, Clare and Elsie Pie xxx
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...
Awe .... look at that sweet face and her little pink tongue and matching bandage... Poor Elsie Pie! It is tough!!! I'm sorry about the diagnosis but glad you know and you are already on a good course of treatment to the best that you can. I suspect she will enjoy being carted around in the stroller. Lots of exercise for you, Mom! 🙂
I remember when I carried Shelby all over post-amp... she was about 23 pounds - I got super buff! I called them Biceps By Shelby!
And glad that Meg was happy to have her home again too! Sniff, sniff... probably making sure she didn't go someplace fully exciting that Meg missed out on!
Kisses and cuddles for a restful night!
XOXO
alison with spirit shelby in her heart (and little jasper too)
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
Well not the best news but certainly better than some others. I'm so glad she's back home and resting at least somewhat comfortably. She's definitely entitled to feel sorry for herself. See Elsie Pie the Megastar does love you truly she does. She may not always show it but now you know. Such a sweetie with her pretty pick bandage. You rest now Pie, Meg and Mom can be your handmaidens for a few days.
Awwwww! Just look at that mug! So glad to hear that it turned out to be just the consequences of being older. Somehow I can relate. So, Elsie Pie, you just take all the time you need and soak up all the attention that is now your due...even from the Star!
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!
tinsch said
🙂 🙂 🙂lol!!!
when Manni was little he would sleep next to our bed,let off a huge stinking bomb of gas, get up, look at us all disgusted as if he was saying: "it really stinks in your bedroom, you pigs!" and then he would leave the room.
Many years ago we had a Golden called Sam. When he was in the car, he would release what we referred to as green fog. As soon as he did, he would stick his nose out the window. Just about choked out the rest of us!
Kathi
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!
Great news! Glad she is home, and that you will soon have wonderfully toned arms from pushing their Majesties around in the stroller. Because we all know one dog cannot get special treatment that the other does not.
Otis - 106 pound lab/Dane mix, lost his right front leg to osteosarcoma on Febuary 9, 2016. Four rounds of carboplatin completed in April, 2016. Lung mets August 25, 2016. Said goodbye too soon on September 4, 2016. Lost his adopted sister, Tess, suddenly on October 9, 2016. likely due to hemangiosarcoma.
Wherever they are, they are together.
I'm glad to see the Pie is home and recovering. Let her feel sorry for herself she is allowed , having teeth pulled is no fun!
Thats too cute Meg is making her feel better! Of course they love each other.
Sorry about the arthritis, but really glad it was not more! I have read about other people using Adequan injections?https://www.ade.....ncanine.us Then could you get it?
Maybe thats a option. No clue just throwing it out there ,I bet Elsie will love the stroller! Cant wait to see her in it!
I hope your had cake today;)
Hugs!
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