Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Well, it's been awhile since my last freak-out, so now seems like a good time for another. I have a premonition that Nitro won't see his 11th birthday in October.....nothing concrete, just a feeling. Probably brought on by his not wanting to eat lately. I hate that I immediately jump to the conclusion that something's terribly wrong. I watch his every movement like a hawk. It couldn't possibly be that he's just a bit under the weather for no reason, that he seems to just lay around on his futon because it's been hot and humid, could it? The last couple of days, he's been eating less and less - dog food that is - he's always up for a treat. When he is outside, and I call him to come in, he just lays down and looks at me.
Sure could use some help from you guys, to talk me off my latest ledge.....
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
Step down off the ledge Paula.
OK I think there is loads of truth in following your gut feeling. But it's a fine line between that and being wrapped up in worry over things you have absolutely no control over. The goal is to strive to walk through a little of both. Follow your gut: if you are worried, see your vet. But don't jump to conclusions until you have solid information.
Yes, it iS hot! And that's probably so much to do with his lack of appetite. Do you eat the same when you're hot? I don't. I know Wyatt doesn't either.
I'll never forget the first time we thought the same thing about Jerry. It was 100 degrees and we were in Utah, we had just left the cool Northern California coast. So we called his vet to describe the symptoms and she said "It it hot there?" and we said "Yes!" and she well I think you just figured out the problem!" And yep, that's all it was. When we returned to a cooler climate, all was well.
I hope this helps you keep calm (and hop on!).
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
A few months ago I had the same feelings about Murphy ... I even talked to Rene about it a little bit. He was really giving us a hard time about eating every day - we were having to put gravy on his food, and changing flavors and trying different things - anything to get him to eat. Well, he's still being his same old maniac self! Last night with the fireworks he was knocking over the lamp by my chair, all over the place, on & off the couch, behind and end table, barking. He eats every day, he's not needing any pain medications, running the fence if some dog dares to come near our yard, chasing squirrels. He lost a front bottom tooth a couple weeks ago. But nothing else has changed 
Breathe
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
Paula - step away from that ledge!!
As you have said to me - they have good days and bad days just like any of us. And sometimes streaks.
Pofi, as you know, has been causing me some of the same anguish. But it is summer, it is warm, he is getting less exercise and still gets treats, so I think he is just less in need of a meal. And if I think about it, and if you do, too, there are times way before cancer - little streaks, where eating meals took a little more coaxing or was done with less enthusiasm.
When Pofi was truly sick in January with a life threatening gall bladder mucocele and it was doing significant damage to his liver, he would not even take treats. Not with an appetite stimulant. He would gobble a few treats during a vet visit, but I think that was adrenaline overcoming how sick he felt very briefly.
Stay observant, of course. But do not give every meal exponential meaning!!
All good thoughts, though, from me, of course, for Nitro to perk up and show you this is a passing thing.
Lisa, Minneapolis
On October 27, 2016, nearly 6 months after amputation, and 18 months since his cancer likely started, we lost Pofi to a recurrence of Soft Tissue Sarcoma in his spine quite suddenly. His canine sister also succumbed to cancer on March 1, 2019 - we lavished her with our love in the interim, but life was never quite the same without her only real canine friend. Cliff kitty had to leave us, too, suddenly, in August 2019. Lucia kitty grieved all these losses, but helped us welcome two new Lurchers into our home and our lives, Shae and Barley.
Hugs Paula! i think too heat and humidity definitely take a toll. Are you giving any supplements that might upset his tummy? I meant with the newer ones for his kidney's? Is that a possible side effect of them? Today and tomorrow are much better as far as heat and humidity here in WI so if it keeps up throughout the weekend go with your mommy instinct and have him seen just to ease your mind. Sometimes I think because this journey is so intense if things go along too well we start waiting.....because we're too afraid to get complacent. Let's have steak for supper and see if that perks up that beautiful boy! Please let us know how it goes throughout the weekend.
Much love my friend,
Linda, Riley & Spirits Mighty Max & Ollie
PAULA!!!! Okay, first of all, I've been on the phone when Paula was on the edge before.......sooooo,I know from past experience telling Paula to step back from the edge is, quite frankly, futile. Nope, not even the DEEP BREATHS.......B R E A TH E.......B R E A T H E! Yeah, that Paula knows how to keep one foot down deep into that ledge!
HOWEVER, she does have that invisible indestructible lifeline made of solid steel cable wrapped around her waist. Yeah, I put it around her last time when we had to pull her back OF of and OUT of that ledge.
So here we go Team Tripawds...on the count of three, let's pull Paula away from that edge!!
1...2...3...PULL!!! Whew! That was hard! That Paula is a strong edge clinger!! Good job!!
Okay, let's start with that "premonition" thing...it goes with the territory and we ALL do it. We forget about how often we have a "premonition"...and I can guarantee you've had several since this jour ey started about Notro not making a particular "milestone"..AND HE DID! But when a new "premonition" pops up we forget that!
Premonition..fear...all the same thing. When we get in thst fearful state it VEELS real to is! Our while body pa ics and gets all those yucky feelings as though "it" has already happened. Fear is FALSE. What we fear has.not even happened and usually never doese!!
WITHOUT QUESTION HEAT AND HUMIDITY TAKE A TOLL ON TRIPAWDS! Non stop, playing full out Frankie has even been lazing around more in this heat and humidity! It's extra hard 8in them and, just like us, they don't feel like a big meal. A d just like us theydw rather eat treats and we'd rather eat ice cream.
Call Nitro when a yummy treat in your ha d next time and see if he comes in...a really yummy treat...no trying to trick Nitro! He's too smart!
We love you Paula! Now go get Nitro a yummy rotisserie chicken and dump the kibble tonight 🙂
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
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 Paula, dear Paula
It is hard sometimes not to think the worst but you have got to remain sane and pawsitive for your sake and Nitro's.
I think the sooner you call the vet the better you will feel because even if it is nothing (which is most, most likely the case!!!) you will probably need him to tell you that.
I know I do. And I much rather pester them and them explaining to me why I am wrong than dwelling on my thoughts.
I honestly think, like all others, that it is just too hot where you are and therefore good old Nitro doesn't feel energetic or hungry.
Have you tried placing a wet towel on his head? I did that with Eurydice when she was panting too much (at the beginning of our journey) and every time she immediately felt better, I could see it in her eyes.
If something was seriously wrong he definitely wouldn't go for treats in fact he would stop eating full stop.
He is eating so you should try and relax, easier said than done, I know.
Sending you a gigantic bear hug and huge tummy rub to your beautiful doggie
Eurydice 77kg/170lb Great Dane limping end of April 2016, amputation (right front leg/osteosarcoma) 4 May 2016 6 courses of carboplatin followed by metronomic therapy, lung mets found 30 Nov 2016. 3 courses of doxorubicin, PET scan 26 Jan 2017 showed more mets so stopped chemo. Holistic route April 2017. Lung X-ray 5 May 2017 showed several tennis ball size mets, started cortisone and diuretics. Miss Cow earned her XXL silver wings 12 June 2017, 13 months and 1 week after amputation and 6 1/2 months after lung mets, she was the goofiest dawg ever and is now happily flying from cloud to cloud woof woofing away :-)
Thank you friends for pulling me back, and letting me know you've experienced similar behaviors; and thank you Sally for making me laugh.
Could it possibly be that my angel, my heart dog, is smart enough to know that his neurotic mom will throw treats at him to see if he will still eat??? Not one or two, but fists full? Could he be playing me?
I took him outside, to see if he'd chase the tennis ball - he did. To see if he still attacked the hose when water sprayed out - he did. To see if he'd chase me around the yard - he did. To bark uncontrollably at the dog next door - he did.
Tomorrow I'm trying scrambled eggs with his kibble, who knows, maybe that will temp him to eat.
I went to church this afternoon to pray for peace, strength, and sanity. I hope my paranoia is just that. Thanks for the kind words, I'll keep you updated. Now its time for wine on the patio.
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
Funny Paula you know that thought did cross my mind that maybe in addition to the heat and humidity he might've been over indulging in treats but.... Nitro??? playing you??? Enjoy that wine it's a beautiful day here in WI and perfect night to sip a few 😀 Sally always cracks me up! How well she knows you friend Paula!
oh Paula... I know that all too well!!! I used to do that with Shelby all the time... will she play? Will she come to me? I used to wake her up to see her sparkle (I promise she did not love that). And she was always fine until she was not. I think the weather has a lot to do with this.
Jasper who is 100% healthy and happy is a basic slug right now. I was worried about her not wanting to go for super long walks and panting up a storm but then I realized she is a black dog with a thick fur coat and lives in a house with no AC so basically once she is warm, she is warm. She is lethargic in the afternoons but full of energy in the a.m. when we have the marine layer out.
Now as far as food - Shelby never missed a meal (or a cookie) but I think I got her trained to get a cookie when I wanted to see her sparkle or "be more Shelby"... off that ledge you go my dear!!! Nitro is doing great! look!!! He is kicking cancers booty every day!!!
HUGS to you!!!!
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
Yep, sounds like Nitro has you figured out. My immediate thought was maybe he is tired of whatever kibble you are feeding him, especially if there are lots of treats around. And for what it is worth, I have had to lower my A/C temperature 2 degrees. Since chemo, Otis just is not tolerant of heat at all.
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.
Scrambled eggs were a hit! I'm hoping it's a combination of heat, being tired of his low protein kidney diet kibble, and just being spoiled rotten! He was bouncing around, playing with Kodi today, so apparently I'm just a drama queen....Tripawd nation can stand down
Thank you for your words of wisdom, and well wishes; and for listening and caring. You all are the best!
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
Lisa, Minneapolis
On October 27, 2016, nearly 6 months after amputation, and 18 months since his cancer likely started, we lost Pofi to a recurrence of Soft Tissue Sarcoma in his spine quite suddenly. His canine sister also succumbed to cancer on March 1, 2019 - we lavished her with our love in the interim, but life was never quite the same without her only real canine friend. Cliff kitty had to leave us, too, suddenly, in August 2019. Lucia kitty grieved all these losses, but helped us welcome two new Lurchers into our home and our lives, Shae and Barley.
Alrighty then! Scrambled eggs were proof positive that all is well in Nitro's world! Next time he might hold out for bacon and waffles
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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