Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Thanks fir the update!! Sounds like the vet thinks this is a good option and should bring some good results!! Once the fever goes down I know she'll feel better and won't be so wobbly. Did the vet offer any insight as to why she was wobbly and so weak in the back legs?
Did he do any blood work this time? Just wondering if that woukd be helpful and also it woukd be a way to to test for lyme disease. Just tthrowing that out there in case the leg weakness is separate from the infection
All paws crossed for the Amoxi to work and get her back feeling good!!
As you can already tell, we are all big on second opinions around here! We've seen it often where a new set of eyes can see things differently sometimes so don't hesitate to do that if necessary, okay?
Alrighty, sounds like this will get her fever down and feeling so much better!
Lots of hugs to all!
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!
I think this is promising as it does seem like a slow build infection is most likely cause - fingers crossed she will feel better soon with the new abx.
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.
Let us know how she does. I am not a fan of the steroid injection in general. Is she on an NSAID such as Deramaxx? That can also help with a fever without suppressing the immune system. I would agree that Clavamox would be my first choice for antibiotic but see what the amoxicillin does. It is hard to judge what is happening without seeing the dog but you could still consider a second opinion.
Pam
Well just like last round of steroid she was better for 2 days and today she is in alot of pain again and not moving very well at all. The vet told us a lymph mode could also be the reason for her pain and explained that isn't a good sign. I am feeling that it makes sense that it could be a lymph node cause the steroid would make it feel better till it wore off right? I guess we need to make another trip to the vet. She is on phenobarbital and vet is always saying that he doesnt want to put her on certain medications for fear it will damage her kidneys. Im assuming that is what he meant when he said she isnt a candidate for being on steroids. Any thoughts?
Cyna, how frustrating and tough that she is feeling painful yet again. Does she take the pheno for epilepsy? Yes, steroids can cause kidney damage.
Seems like your vet is theorizing the lymph node is less swollen and painful short term with steroid injection, which would make sense.
Pam had asked if she was on any NSAID med - like Rimadyl, Deramaxx. Piroxicam, Metacam? I would have same question because that also reduces inflammation of tissues. Maybe NSAIDs are not recommended due to the pheno, too?
I am sending very best wishes - I so want her to feel better.
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.
I'm so sorry you are still having challenges.
I reallu, really, really strongly suggest a second opinion.asap. I guess the vet has his reasons for deciding a fever, pain and inability to walk are a result of lymph node involvement. What kind of testing has he done to either come to this conclusion or rule out other causes? I don't mean to br asking mofre questions than providing answers. Xrays? Bloodwork? Lymph node aspiration? I certainly no vet, just wondering how these conclusion were derived.
Are there any red flags I. Cyna's bloodwork to indicate she has any potential kidney issues?
When she came home from surgery was she on Tramadol?' Did that help with her pain? Is it possible to try and deter.ine where the pain is coming fro.? Is it just when she tries to move? Does it seem relsted to her spine and her inability to walk very well? If yoj massage up and down her spine does she react in pain?
I'm just throwing everything out there. We all want to help you find answers.
Hopefully Dr. Pam can offer more insight. All I can really say is get another opinion.
Sending you lots of hugs. Hoping this can get figured out and get Cyna back on the road to recovery. In the meantime, spoil and love and take one day at a time!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie
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!
Is there any possibility that you could take her to a specialty clinic or a veterinary school? It sure sounds like there should be some more up to date treatments that would help
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!
I'm so sorry, this is so hard and when you don't get answers it's really, really frustrating.
This is such a complicated case to treat, and I too would want another opinion if I was dealing with this. I could be totally off-base and maybe your vet is on the right track, but your doggie's been sick for so long now. Have you been referred anywhere? Is your vet willing to work with the closest university teaching hospital? Together they can probably find a treatment that works.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I just spoke to the vet clinic and he said that our choices at this point are to do a needle biopsy, but that he didn't see or feel any soft areas to indicate fluid. Plus he mentioned that unless we were opting for chemo it would be pointless to do. He said we can x ray her and/or start her on a steroid as a comfort care measure basically. I opted for the Xray and steroid but they can't do an xray till Monday and he doesn't want to give her a steroid before the xray is done. If I choose no xray I can pick up steroids soon and she will get relief from that. No other testing has been done. She is on Tramadol and that is all she has. She was on it prior to amputation and after amputation. She was pretty much pain free from what I could tell 2 weeks after surgery and then this all of a sudden. I can definately tell that her pain is coming from the bottom of the lump where her arm was removed. If I so much as brush the hair there she trembles 🙁 I can rub her spine and hips, legs, etc with no problem at all. She was having pain with any movement but then last night she started crying just laying there. Almost like she is having a bad dream but she is awake. She would be still and then all of a sudden cry and move her legs in an attempt to get comfortable. I read a lot of people say there dog is on a fentanyl patch after surgery. She never had that. She was on the Vetprofen prior to surgery and then for about 1 week after surgery then it was discontinued. I realize the realty is that she had bone cancer and I know that it is aggressive and spreads fast so I don't know if it would be best to still seek other oppinions at this point or make her comfortable as I can until I can't amymore 🙁
Your frustration level .ist be off the charts! We all feel it with you!
Yeah, this piece of crap disease is brutal. But her issues may not be related to that at all! The purppse of the second opinion would be to find out what's causing her issues now! Based on what you've said, it just doesn't appear that anything has been done to uncover the cause! In my unprofessional opinion it seems other vets woukd be doing a lot more testing to find the cause of the fever, the weakness in the legs, the pain, etc.
It's certainly possible it could be the disease, but it seems equally as possible it could be something else. Did this same vet do the surgery? It just seems if the surgery site is so sore, something may be going on there thst perhaps another vet, with more testing coukd figure out.
I know you're doing everything possible. PLEASE consider another opinion. If for no other reason, someone else may be able to have a better treatment plan for pain and extending Cyna's quality time with you. There could be so many different issues involved.....surgery related....infection related...things that once identified properly can be fixed.
Is there anything we can do to help find a teaching school near you? They are really good at uncovering things other vets can't. Where do you live? Maybe we can get a recommendation for you.
We're all sending healing energy and cyber hugs! Thanjs for keeping us updated. We care about you and Cyna and hooe we can get her on the path of recovery.
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie
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
Your frustration level .ist be off the charts! We all feel it with you!Yeah, this piece of crap disease is brutal. But her issues may not be related to that at all! The purppse of the second opinion would be to find out what's causing her issues now! Based on what you've said, it just doesn't appear that anything has been done to uncover the cause! In my unprofessional opinion it seems other vets woukd be doing a lot more testing to find the cause of the fever, the weakness in the legs, the pain, etc.
It's certainly possible it could be the disease, but it seems equally as possible it could be something else. Did this same vet do the surgery? It just seems if the surgery site is so sore, something may be going on there thst perhaps another vet, with more testing coukd figure out.
I know you're doing everything possible. PLEASE consider another opinion. If for no other reason, someone else may be able to have a better treatment plan for pain and extending Cyna's quality time with you. There could be so many different issues involved.....surgery related....infection related...things that once identified properly can be fixed.
Is there anything we can do to help find a teaching school near you? They are really good at uncovering things other vets can't. Where do you live? Maybe we can get a recommendation for you.
We're all sending healing energy and cyber hugs! Thanjs for keeping us updated. We care about you and Cyna and hooe we can get her on the path of recovery.
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie
Well good news is I got an appointment with another vet tomorrow morning at 9:30. My daughter takes her dog there and she loves her vet. He even calls her after she brings her dog in to check up on him. You guys are right, I need to have another vet evaluate her. I looked up vet teaching schools but didn't find anything in the local area that actually see pets. I live right outside of Wichita Kansas. I am not gonna pick up the steroids and just see this new vet in the morning and get a fresh opinion of what we might be dealing with. I feel good about this. Just pray Cyna can get through the evening with as minimal pain as possible please.
I'm glad to hear you have an appointment. You're being a great advocate!
Even if you aren't doing chemo, what matters is helping to eliminate the pain that she is in through a proper diagnosis and current pain protocols. Remember, dogs can live a great life with bone cancer even without chemo (our Jerry had two great years!). There's so much more pain management medications out there than Tramadol and steroids. A vet with a good understanding of pain management can help get her comfortable. I really hope your daughter's vet can get her on the right path to healing and hoppiness.
Oh just don't stop any medications until you talk to the new vet OK?
Keep us posted OK? We're cheering you on!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I'm glad you are getting a second opinion. I would ask for a CBC to look for infection and the xray is a good idea. If your dog is on phenobarb that can affect the liver but that is rare. You can use either an NSAID or prednisone with phenobarb but if her values haven't been checked recently you can also ask for a chemistry panel to be run along with the CBC.
It would be rare for OSA to metastasize this quickly although mets to the spine do cause pain (but usually not fever). Lymph nodes can be enlarged but often are not that painful. I would still look for muscle pain or abscess as the most likely cause of your dogs fever and pain so let's see what the tests show and hopefully some new meds can help!
Pam
Joining in the chorus to say glad you are getting another opinion with a new vet.
Definitely arm yourself with info - as others have pointed out, there are more current pain protocols than what has been offered to Cyna thus far.
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.
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