Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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I'm taking Rio to see her regular vet on Friday, but that seems forever from now, so I thought I'd post this question in hopes of getting some answers earlier than that...
We had lung x-rays done a few weeks back, and while they show some "webbing" in her lungs, there are no apparent lung mets. We didn't necessarily think we'd see lung mets in the x-rays, but she's been coughing on and off since Spring and we wanted to be certain. Some days are worse than others. The drs. (both regular vet and oncologist) weren't really able to pinpoint the cause of the "webbing," and normally would put her on Prednisone to clear it, but with her Cushings history, we can't go there.
So the point of all of this, today its been a LOT of coughing. All day. More than normal. Starting to worry a bit.... Can I give her cough medicine to keep her comfortable until the appt on Friday? If so, what kind and how much? Is there anything else I can do to help with the coughing long term? (Okay, that's more than one question....)
Here's what she's currently on daily:
Trilostane
Metacam
Pepcid
Benadryl
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~ ~ Rio ~ ~ |
I just wanted to post and say I'm sending good thoughts to the Woo that that ol' cough is nothing serious. I hope there is an easy fix!
Give her an extra hug from me and an extra kiss from Abby!
Abby: Aug 1, 2009 – Jan 10, 2012. Our beautiful rescue pup lived LARGE with osteosarcoma for 15 months – half her way-too-short life. I think our "halflistic" approach (mixing traditional meds + supplements) helped her thrive. (PM me for details. I'm happy to help.) She had lung mets for over a year. They took her from us in the end, but they cannot take her spirit! She will live forever in our hearts. She loved the beach and giving kisses and going to In-N-Out for a Flying Dutchman. Tripawds blog, and a more detailed blog here. Please also check out my novel, What the Dog Ate. Now also in paperback! Purchase it at Amazon via Tripawds and help support Tripawds!
If she has some bronchial disease (very common this year due to our wet weather) then she may respond to a bronchodilator like theophylline. I often put these dogs on a round of doxycycline (an antibiotic) in case they have Mycoplasma. Pred would be ideal but you can't use that with the metacam although for some dogs I have used Temaril-P (an antihistamine with a very low dose of pred). For the cough I like Hycodan but you need to get that from your vet. I have not had much luck using OTC meds such as Robitussin for dogs.
Pam
I hope Woo is ok. Sammy has a cough from his mets and I know how upsetting it is to hear. I hope all is fine and they can find something to clear it up! Hugs coming your way! Xoxo Sue and Sammy
Dr. Pam,
Is there a test or something we can do to find out what's causing the inflammation in the lungs?
She's done several rounds of antibiotics this year due to bladder infections and prophyllactically during her chemo because her white count got pretty low a couple of times (amoxicillin and cephalexin), but they didn't seem to have any affect on the cough at the time....
Thanks,
Micki
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~ ~ Rio ~ ~ |
Lotsa love coming your way Micki and Rio.
We agree with Pam. Although Robitussin DM (sugar free) was suggested for me, we're not sure it helped all that much. It didn't hurt, other than the lousy taste but we can't say it stopped the coughing.
Thanks for your insight Dr. Pam!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
She coughed hard enough to throw up a little bit this afternoon.... But overall, she's been coughing less frequently today than yesterday. Friday's appointment can't get here soon enough for my liking.
Micki and the Woo
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~ ~ Rio ~ ~ |
I hate to jump in here and help out a tripawd...but since it wasn't brought up...Ickybell used to talk about Laryngeal Paralysis in older dogs.
Laryngeal
Paralysis:
This is a
relatively rare condition in which the structures of the throat (larynx)
become paralyzed allowing food and water to enter the lungs causing pneumonia.
Large breeds of dogs (particularly Labrador Retrievers, Irish Setters and
Springer Spaniels) can be affected. These dogs loose their ability to bark. They
have reduced exercise tolerance and occasional fainting spells. They produce a
roaring sound when they inhale. Mild cases can be managed with corticosteroids
and cough suppressants such as butorphanol or codeine. The dogs need to be kept
cool in the summer. Severe cases require surgery to widen the pet’s airway.
Well, thanks MBBVP. That's awful sweet of you. Who knew there was a heart of gold underneath all that white fluff.
It doesn't sound too much like this... Thank dog. She still barks like crazy at the UPS guy, and doesn't have any trouble with coughing after she eats. The little barf thing she did yesterday was more than 8 hours after breakfast. And her breathing sounds perfectly normal when she's not coughing.
She is kind of back to normal with her cough these last couple of days. She just had that one day where she coughed a LOT -- probably just did it to get me all freaked out and worried. Thanks Woo.
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~ ~ Rio ~ ~ |
Well, thanks MBBVP. That's awful sweet of you. Who knew there was a heart of gold underneath all that white fluff.
It doesn't sound too much like this… Thank dog. She still barks like crazy at the UPS guy, and doesn't have any trouble with coughing after she eats. The little barf thing she did yesterday was more than 8 hours after breakfast. And her breathing sounds perfectly normal when she's not coughing.
She is kind of back to normal with her cough these last couple of days. She just had that one day where she coughed a LOT — probably just did it to get me all freaked out and worried. Thanks Woo.
Ya think I really care ?????????????????????????????????????? I just wanted to write the word Laryngeal Paralysis !!!!
Laryngeal Paralysis
Laryngeal Paralysis
Laryngeal Paralysis
Laryngeal Paralysis
Laryngeal Paralysis
Laryngeal Paralysis
Laryngeal Paralysis
Rio,
We hope that the doc figures out what he can give you tommorrow. Take a nice medicinal nap and let us know whats going on.
Spirit Samson was Spirit Tripawd Daisys four legged "brother" and ruled as the self proclaimed head of the Monkeybutt Federations East Coast Division. Lady Chunky Monkey stayed from Oct 2011 and left for the bridge in Apr 2012. Miss Perdy is left and has some big pawprints to fill.
Do you have what it takes to be a Monkeybutt? Find out more at the Monkeybutt Federation
Samson!!! Is that you??? You haven't gone "soft" have you?
Don't forget - "They" tried to kiss me! Now they are going to try to kiss you!
Hey...I'm just practicing my "nice" cause I overheard mom talking to dad saying that we might take a ride to visit someone staying in a "forrest home" or something and that I was going too so we could meet them and I had to be nice. I think that means they are gonna take me out for a big fat steak dinner if I'm nice to whoever we are gonna meet. Whadda you think?
Spirit Samson was Spirit Tripawd Daisys four legged "brother" and ruled as the self proclaimed head of the Monkeybutt Federations East Coast Division. Lady Chunky Monkey stayed from Oct 2011 and left for the bridge in Apr 2012. Miss Perdy is left and has some big pawprints to fill.
Do you have what it takes to be a Monkeybutt? Find out more at the Monkeybutt Federation
I knew it was too good to last....
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~ ~ Rio ~ ~ |
Let's us know right away what the vet says about her cough! Praying for our special rio girl!
Fiona
Misty's blog: http://misty.tripawds.com
Sister to Millie, 9 yr old choc. lab
Sister to Lola, 6 yr old choc. lab
Sister to Toby, 7 yr old rottie mix (officially my sons dog, but I'm still his mama!)
Sweetness to Fiona and Bill
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