Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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I have just had to leave my beautiful boy at the vets to be put on IV overnight to try & help him rally. His wound site (which has never properly & completely healed over the past 6 weeks - he had disarticulation of LH hind leg due to synovial cell sarcoma) has started weeping & they think he is now losing protein (low in urine sample) from this fluid loss.
They have spoken to the referral centre (Fitzpatrick Referrals in Surrey UK) & they have confirmed (CT scan)no tumour sites in evidence 6 wks ago…..
Could it be organ failure from Previcox (NSAID) use? He isn't presenting typically for this though…
Adverse reaction to Metronidazole antibiotic?
Cancer managed to get into lymph before amputation?
He's not on steroids, I asked whether it could be in any way a cocktail-effect from drugs?
So basically no answers yet. We are praying for his recovery, but will put our boys quality of life over everything else, no matter how hard for us.
I can't believe how he seemed to be getting on so well & then this. We will def. get a 2nd opinion on diag once made, I have become a little cautious after my recent veterinary experiences (first set of advice on suspicion of cancer was "have one last wkend & say farewell" – needless to say I moved practice!)
Thank you again for being such an amazing community of people,
Warmest Regards
Claire
Oh, Claire. Hugs to you and lots of good thoughts for a rally.
Shanna & Spirit Trouble ~ Trouble gained her wings 3/16/2011, a 27 1/2 month cancer survivor, tail wagging. RIP sweetheart, you are my heart and soul. Run free at Rainbow Bridge.
The November Five - Spirits Max, Cherry, Tika, Trouble & Nova. 11/2008 - 3/2013 An era ends as Queen Nova crossed the Bridge.
Claire, I'm so sorry. I don't know what it could possibly be, but if it makes you feel any better, we have had dogs experience setbacks after amputation, and they do bounce back. Hang in there, and remember we are all rooting for your brave boy.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Claire,
I know how hard this can be, I went through a serious crash with Maggie last March.
We are praying for his recovery, but will put our boys quality of life over everything else, no matter how hard for us.
This is exactly the way to approach this setback. It is all about quality for your boy. You have already made tough decisions for him, and have shown how much you love him.
Maggie rallied last March and we had more quality time together, I hope there is a rally coming from Ragley too.
Sending positive thoughts to you and Ragley.
Karen
Thank you all. Ragley had a comfortable night & I will let you know when the vets get back with an update,
Best Wishes
Claire
Previcox can cause kidney problems. Usually you would see a dilute urine sample with or without proteinuria (leakage of protein into the urine). In later stages the BUN and creatinine (blood tests) will rise above normal. It is much more common to see GI effects such as vomiting or diarrhea.
It sounds like his protein levels in his blood are low and the levels in the urine are high. Is that right? Did your vet run a protein/creatinine ratio on the urine? A normal dog should have a ratio less than 1.0 so if the value is higher there may be damage to the kidney. There are other causes of proteinuria besides kidney failure including infections (heartworm, Lyme disease, Erlichia, Leptospirosis) as well as hypertension or Cushing's disease. Any time there is protein leaking into the urine a blood pressure test should be performed to check for hypertension.
Is your dog's incison weeping clear fluid or is it pretty bloody? There is a small chance that since your dog is a Dobie he could have Von Willebrand's disease although I would have expected he would have bled a lot during surgery and post-op if that was the case. Some dogs have severe disease requiring transfusions and some are subclinical (carry the gene but don't bleed).
Keep us updated on what your vet says.
Pam
Hi Pam
Thank you for posting for Ragley. The vet has been running various tests at the labs today on urine & blood, & speaking to the pathologist who confirmed he has kidney damage from the samples provided - I'm assuming this is the protein/creatine ratio you've explained above?
He has low blood pressure, it's very difficult to take blood samples. He is drinking a lot still & is on a drip at the vets for another overnight stay. They have managed to take another blood sample & we are hoping it shows better albumin levels tomorrow, you have summarised it for me here:
"It sounds like his protein levels in his blood are low and the levels in the urine are high"
The vet has labelled it a "paraneoplastic syndrome" & says we really need to see him pick up on the drip & improve his condition before we can start treating the root cause.
We went in to see him tonight & he had improved slightly, but is just so weak - how long after being put on a drip would you expect to see improvement? Poor little baby.
We are lucky on the vWbd front that he is only a carrier & the fluid is now clear.
Thankyou so much for your messgae
Best Wishes
Claire
Chloe and I are hoping for the best for you! Sending you love and lots of hugs!!!
-Chloe's mom
Chloe became a rear amp tripawd on 7-29-10. Another tumor was removed on front leg 2-20-14. Found 3rd tumor on neck 2-2015, but she's still kicking cancer's butt at age 14. Chloe's blog
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