Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Oh Holly, I hope that tomorrow is a great day and you have lots of good times ahead from the acupuncture. I'm so sorry you are coping with this right now.
It's so hard to make that call, wondering if the pain is permanent or if it will get better. All I can say is that you'll need to take this day by day, and work closely with your vet to leave no stone unturned, while ensuring that whatever treatment you pursue leaves her comfortable and still having a good quality of life. It's a fine, fine line to walk to ensure that you're not making that final call too soon, or too late. The Penny Jar Method is one way you can start gauging her good days versus bad. I hope that Bo's story helps you at this tough time.
Paws crossed for you both.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Oh gosh - I'm so sorry to read this about Holly, you have been through so much. Sounds like if you could get her on prednisone would be good to see if this could help. I think using pepcid to protect the stomach can help while using Rimadyl and and when transitioning to steroids. I'm sure your vet will know this.
Sending good thoughts and big hugs
Joanne & Lylee
http://lyleegir.....ipawds.com
Well, went to the onc today with Clyde so had some time to talk to him about Holly. He thinks the likelihood that it is a burst disc is very high, so we are going to treat for that for now (and keep our fingers crossed). He also sent the x-rays to the radiologist to get his opinion. I just hope I can keep her spirits up while she is lying around - since she can't use that one front paw, she can't really even chew on things. Anyone have any ideas for keeping her from being bored out of her mind? She isn't really supposed to move her neck very much. Maybe if I hold one of the twister-type puzzles for her she can use her nose without moving her neck too much?
Comet, I think I will try the heat and cold therapy, good idea!
Thanks again, everyone, for all of your pawsitive thoughts and good ideas.
Alex & Holly
Let's hope you can get this fixed!! Can you take her for Car Rides? Or would that bother her neck too much?
Levi was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma 7-7-11
Ampuversary 10-14-11
Lung Mets Discovered 1-4-12. Chemo seemed to not be working so we switched to Artemisinin and other supplements. In May, Levi developed a sinus infection and started having seizures. The cancer had moved to his brain. We let him go 6-26-12.
Hi Holly's mum,
Elsa's vet wasn't very helpful and really just suggested changing or increasing the pain medication, which to me is pointless because she is not in any pain. The vet did all the reflex tests and manipulated her leg and everything was normal and pain-free! But as other people have mentioned, it just seemed to me that the vet did not really know what to suggest or have much experience with 3-legged dogs and all she could really say was that Elsa's prognosis was always a bad one because she had the osteosarcoma - I got the feeling that she would rather us just give up on her because of her medical history which made me very angry! But unfortunately some vets have not dealt with a dog who is an osteosarcoma survivor and so never think that they can live happy lives, especially when Elsa currently has no apparent metastatic spread!
Anyway, I think I will assume it is a disc problem too and take the advice of Comet's mum and will try the heat therapy on her back to see if massaging and heat makes a difference. We are also getting in contact with a hydrotherapy place near us to try and book Elsa in and will let you know if anything works!
Hugs to Holly x
Paws and fingers crossed this can be treated!!
Yes, we have some anti-boredom activity suggestions for dogs in these Gear Blog posts (scroll though...some are more physical than others).
Elsasmum, I"m sorry your vet wasn't helpful. Before you see a hydro therapist, please ensure they are qualified. One who isn't can do more harm than good. Lots of folks can call themselves canine rehab experts but only ones with the initials "CCRP" or "CCRT" after their names have completed the only certified training course in the field. And you definitely want one who is either a vet or works in the same office as a vet. We've written about it in these blog posts from our interviews with California Animal Rehab Therapy.
Good luck! Let us know what you find.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Ideally a dog should be off of an NSAID for 5-7 days prior to trying prednsione but many times if time is of the essence I will stop the Rimadyl and start pred the next day. I will often give Carafate or pepcid if needed for stomach upset. Pred sometimes works wonders for dogs with spinal disease so I think it is always worth a try if other things aren't helping. The acupuncture is a great idea.
Pam
I know with Duke I stopped... brain fart... I can't remember what it was, he is on so much stuff now. But anyway, stopped something that needed a washout but didn't do that and started Metacam immediately. Then stopped Metacam and started Prednisone next day. Then, oops, nevermind stop Pred and back on Metacam. No washout because, as Pam said, time was/is of the essence. No time for washout periods. He is also on Prilosec and Pepcid to try and fend off tummy issues from all the meds.
I've had 2 doxies have back surgeries from blown discs and the treatment options are usually rest and confinement, or surgery, or acupuncture. Because mine were unable to walk we went straight to surgery. Given your situation I think acupuncture is an excellent idea. It does seem to relax them doesn't it?
What about the K-Laser? I have used it with good results on my old lab chow who has pretty bad arthritis, and she leaves with a swagger. And they are using it on Duke for his current extravasation issue. I don't have a clue whether it would help, but you might want to check out the website.
Sorry you are going through that day-by-day "what decision should I make?" process. If only they could talk to us, darnit! As long as Duke eats, and continues to look perky in the few minutes before I dope him up again with pain meds, I guess I'll keep moving forward. Unless I'm told the damage is too deep.
Thinking of you and Holly... love her little face!
Oh Miss Holly....I hope your back is the problem, and can be treated. I was wondering what they said about Clyde and his prognosis. Boy when it rains it pours, huh? I'm thinking about you guys hoping for the best for both your pups.
All our Best
Suzie and Rizzo
Jack Russell born in 2001. Mast cell cancer found Dec 2009 and right rear amputation. Five rounds of chemo done before all treatment stopped. Living life to the fullest!! Read my story at http://rizzo.tripawds.com
We'll have paws crossed for Holly!!!! I have high hopes she'll feel better soon!
Big Pawsitive thoughts will be coming your way!
Comet - 1999 to 2011
She departed us unexpectedly January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.
She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.
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