Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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So sang Patti Labelle in 1977.....as of today, this is me.
"I cried because I had no shoes till I met a man who had no feet".....this phrase kept running through my head after I read the latest post from Neka's Cancer Journey. I've been going on and on, being a whine-sack because Nitro is going through ups and downs with incontinence issues; I'm sure there are others out there who would KILL for this to be their only concern. So starting today, I've got a new attitude....I'm going to rejoice that this is what we're dealing with. LIFE IS GOOD here at the Ehlers' ranch, and I'm going to start acting like it!
Paula and Nitro
Nitro 11 1/2 yr old Doberman; right front amp June 2014. Had 6 doses carboplatin, followed by metronomic therapy. Rocked it on 3 legs for over 3 years! My Warrior beat cancer, but couldn't beat old age. He crossed the Bridge peacefully on July 25, 2017, with dignity and on his terms. Follow his blog entitled "Doberman's journey"
"Be good, mama loves you".....run free my beautiful Warrior
Thanks for this. It's a good reminder that I need to check my attitude. Just before Christmas Mona decided rather than using the litter box in the garage that it was closer to pee beside the toilet in the bathroom. Then on Sunday I got up to find bloody vomit. I had been annoyed with the pee (I don't know if it was really her and it hasn't happened lately) but on Sunday I went into panic mode thinking Mona was peeing inappropriately to tell me something was wrong and the cancer has returned. She didn't eat breakfast on Sunday. I knew I would need to monitor her that day. Then when my cats went for their mid-morning nap I heard a vicious vomiting sound and here's who it was in my dining room:
That's not my cat! This cat then slowly walked past me into the spare room and went to bed! This was one sick, homeless or lost cat who's moved into my house. Why have my cats allowed this?
Eventually I found his home. And then I realized how grateful I am to have both my cats home with me and that there's no reason to believe Mona's cancer has returned. From now on if I find pee or vomit I will check my spare room first to see if a squatter has moved in.
Our tripawds have great attitudes. They are our role models.
Kerren and Tripawd Kitty Mona (cancer free)
That's a GREAT way to start the New Year Paula!! Thanks for sharing!
Yes, we are human and we can worry about something that seems important...and then something more "important" comes along and puts it all in perspective. Of course, we will play this scenario out thousands of times over and over because we are human. But your post will help remind us do it less and less! Thanks!!
Kerren! OMC! So you had a squatter cat sneak into your home? And it happened to be a squatter who peed on the floor and then puked! Too funny! Well, not funny, but you know what I mean! BTW...Like your signature!
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 Paula!!! I am trying to reflect on that today after THREE sleepless nights with Jasper and just 2 years ago, I had sleepless nights due to Shelby going on a massive detox bender from her amp and pain meds. What I wouldn't do to have that back again.
And while I could always lock Shelby out of the room to ignore the pacing since she was in no danger, not so much w/Jasper since a light goes on and she barks!!! Sigh... I never had barking dogs and I truly want to YELL at her but then she thinks, wow.. we are ALL barking ... yay!!!!
I hope to get some good sleep this weekend and I think Jasper's restless, playing only at night thing is because mercury is in retrograde so hopefully ... this is not our new normal!
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
Great attitude Paula! Since the wetting is primarily when you guys are at work can you maybe ask a neighbor or someone to come let the dogs out midway each night? Maybe Nitro just can't hold it for 8 hours anymore after the irrational to his bladder? I know our 16 year old Ollie can only go 4 to 6 hours nowadays max. You're right life is good at all the Ehlers ranch these days. And wise you are 😀
Linda & Max & Riley & Ollie too
Applawse! You got it girl, keep it up! I know it's got to be a tough thing to come to terms with, all that laundry would make me craaaaaazy and get me down, no doubt about that. But yeah, in the end it's better than a lot of other situations for sure.
Couldn't agree more that we humans tend to always think the worst in tough times (or when you hear noises coming from cats breaking into your house!). All it takes are some furry critters to see that life really is good when you're focused on the here and now.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hey, panic mode always sets in when something goes on especially when you have dealt with a dog or cat that had cancer. The first year of Snickers & Jazz's life I think every time they moved wrong we were at the vet. I even caught a few things that my vet didn't notice. Like somehow Snickers ended up with a head injury (probably wrestling with Jazz) but one of her pupils now is more dilated than the other. When I mentioned it when she was about 8 months old or a little younger Dr Boyer said no then while she was clipping her nails for me since we were at the clinic she said I think you are right. She examined and referred us to an eye specialist. Who said nothing was wrong. Asked if I knew how it happened or knew of a head injury. Not when I knew of it but with 2 dogs the same age wrestling and throwing each other around I am pretty sure that is how it happened. So now she squints when it is really sunny out with that eye.
But a new attitude & perspective is always good for all of us once in awhile. "Be More Dog or Cat" Learned that lesson well from Ms Sassy Sugar Bear and try to practice it with these guys its hard but a skill we all have to keep practicing.
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."
Yep, you nailed it Michelle!
I bet everyone reading this is now looking into the pupils of their dogs or cats! I am!
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!
benny55 said
Yep, you nailed it Michelle!I bet everyone reading this is now looking into the pupils of their dogs or cats! I am!
OMG .. yes.... I just woke a sleeping Jasper to stare into her eyes. She thinks I am crazy!
I do think it is weird that Jasper will pee on three legs even though she has 4. She kind of squats like a tripawd would do but won't put her left leg all the way down ... it's not all the time and she doesn't limp so with her, who knows... my vet isn't worried. They also think I am crazy. I think Jasper just spends so much time in her frog pose that her hips must work in a different way. Or she and Shelby think up ways to drive me bat crazy!
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
Tee..hee...I knew you'd be checking the pupils right along with me!
Yeah, I've had lots of female dogs lift o e of their back legs a little too when they lee. I think, either, they're tryi g to avoid an outta' co trol dribble getting on them, or they're just showing us they can do anything boy dogs can do, only better!
Another quick aside to Michelle's poi t that we see things our vets don't. When I had Frankie in the ER for hks Ri adyl feast-a-thon, I asked that they check his butt too because he licks it constantly. Basically it was sorta dismissed. The comment was along the li es of they were concerned about lrgan failures a d I wanted his butt checked! Anyway, sure enough, there was a charge on the bill for "rectal exam" with no issues.
The licking continued, along with that lovely scent of anal gland. Have him in to my regular vet a couple of weeks later. He just glances at his butt, presses all around on the outside...doesn't really see sny issues!
Soooo...one night I shine a flashlight on his butt, take a picture with my tavlet, blow it up, a d you could DEFINITELY see a tiny fissure...I gjess fistula thing.
And let me add, I wouldn't javent even been aware of fistula if our good friend Michelle hadn't mentioned it to me! She da' bomb!
And another "soooo..." on my vet's last day before retirement I take Frankie and the tavlet picture to him. Well, well, looks like there is a riny fistula and a little bit of what he called scaring right I side the opened. He gave me an ointment.
Rather lengthy, but just showing how this journey makes us super aware of every little thing!
Poor Jasper Lilly! Now she's wondering what rhe heck is going on because Alison has a flashlight shining on her butt while holding a magnifying glass!
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 Lordy, now I can't get that out of my mind. Sally with an iPad on Frankie's butt.
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
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