Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Scooter. Who lost front right leg in late May, has made great recovery. Yesterday and today he isn't his perky self. Like his back legs bother him. He sits or lays at every opportunity. Eating like a true Golden. I'm worried he's uncomfortable or in pain. Could this be the "end" stage. My vet said I'd know when by lack of energy and not eating. Just 3 days ago he was off leash and running up the porch steps. I know I should enjoy each day...but I'm concerned. How did you know the end was near?
Hi Ronnie,
I saw your post and had to reply.
We just lost our Porthos last week and it is still very fresh and raw in my mind.
Porthos went down hill very quickly, over the space of a week. He started panting and coughing, he developed a hard lump on his spine and became weak in his back end.
Porthos was very food driven, he still ate a full bowl of food the morning we let him go but had refused peanut butter that morning (which he had never done before). Some dogs that are food driven will still eat even though they are in pain.
I had promised myself that we would not take Porthos to the vet for any more test, that when he started to deteriorate we would call our vet out to our house to help us let him go, but I started to second guess myself because I have read quite a few times that 'the cough' could just be a cold and the lump could be something else and not cancer.
I had to know for sure or I would always be wondering if we had did the right thing by letting Porthos go, so we took him to our vet one last time for xrays which confirmed our worst fears.
Unfortunately the cancer had spread to Porthos' spine, we let him go the next morning.
Is there any way you can get Scooter to your vet for a check up? Scooter may have just pulled a muscle in his back, it may not be cancer related at all. I have read many times on this forum about a dog feeling unwell to find out that it had a pulled muscle, had a cold or a UTI.
Hang in there,
Amanda & Angel Porthos
Angel Porthos, Pyrenean Mastiff, 7 years old Os front right leg, DX 18 May 2012, Amputation 14 June 2012, Hip Dysplasia, Two TPLO surgeries. Is now somewhere over the rainbow, 21 November 2013.
Sometimes they do go downhill really quickly as Porthos pointed out, however, if he was running around 3 days ago, I would be more inclined to believe he just over did it a bit and needs some time to for the soreness to work its way out.
I always kept tramadol and remadyl on hand in case Trouble showed signs of being painful or tender. I didn't have to give it to her often, but I never hesitated if I thought she needed it to keep her feeling good and moving good.
Having a great relationship with your vet is really a plus when living with a tripawd. If the vet trusts you to make good decisions, they will work with you and allow you to medicate when you think you need to.
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.
Porthos said
Hi Ronnie,I saw your post and had to reply.
We just lost our Porthos last week and it is still very fresh and raw in my mind.
Porthos went down hill very quickly, over the space of a week. He started panting and coughing, he developed a hard lump on his spine and became weak in his back end.
Porthos was very food driven, he still ate a full bowl of food the morning we let him go but had refused peanut butter that morning (which he had never done before). Some dogs that are food driven will still eat even though they are in pain.
I had promised myself that we would not take Porthos to the vet for any more test, that when he started to deteriorate we would call our vet out to our house to help us let him go, but I started to second guess myself because I have read quite a few times that 'the cough' could just be a cold and the lump could be something else and not cancer.
I had to know for sure or I would always be wondering if we had did the right thing by letting Porthos go, so we took him to our vet one last time for xrays which confirmed our worst fears.
Unfortunately the cancer had spread to Porthos' spine, we let him go the next morning.
Is there any way you can get Scooter to your vet for a check up? Scooter may have just pulled a muscle in his back, it may not be cancer related at all. I have read many times on this forum about a dog feeling unwell to find out that it had a pulled muscle, had a cold or a UTI.
Hang in there,
Amanda & Angel Porthos
Amanda,
Thank you for your response. Scooter, after 2 days of scaring and worrying me, woke up after a good night's sleep and is walking/eating/jumping around like the "normal" Scooter. We even went for a walk this morning, off leash he was running and just having fun. My husband keep saying "everyone has a bad day".
Since Scooter has drooled foam(like he had rabies ; ) and coughed and panted a lot since we got him at 2 mths. He's now 9 and a half years old. It's hard to tell if panting/coughing is abnormal.
I had to promise myself that he was not going to the vet anymore after amputation and 5 rounds of chemo. He is taking Peroxicam, 10mg. Was your Angel Porthos on this med? It's supposed to stop inflamation and pain. Have to give him Prilosec too cause it's hard on the stomach.
Scooter was diagnosed a day before your Porthos. We had the surgery first week of June.
My heart goes out to you. I pray each night for a long life without pain for Scooter.
If Scooter declines peanut butter, I would have him at the vet's in a moment's time!! : ) May Porthos be in a place where peanut butter is bountiful. My heart and thoughts are with you.
Ronnie
"has drooled foam(like he had rabies" LOL!!! I sooo know this, when Porthos (being part Mastiff) was about to shake his head we would literally yell "take cover"!!!
Im so glad that Scooter is feeling better, you go Scooter!
Porthos was not running around during the last days, he would have short bursts of energy and try to run to the fence if someone went past and I could barely hold him when our vet turned up on his last day, but the rest of the day was spent mostly in the same spot, panting and coughing.
He had really started to look very sick. The drool was constant and was all over his front remaining leg and down his neck.
Scooter doesn't sound like he is at that stage.
We had Porthos on Meloxicam and did the Artemisinin protocol and dr dresslers diet. Porthos lived over 7 months from initial symptoms and over 5 months post amputation, still wasn't enough time.
I hope Scooter really socks it to this disease. Give him a dollop of peanut butter for me!
Amanda & Angel Porthos
Angel Porthos, Pyrenean Mastiff, 7 years old Os front right leg, DX 18 May 2012, Amputation 14 June 2012, Hip Dysplasia, Two TPLO surgeries. Is now somewhere over the rainbow, 21 November 2013.
Hi Ronnie,
It does sound to me like he might have just overdone it. What makes you think it's the beginning of the end for Scooter? Really, the only way to know for sure is to visit the vet. It's so easy to think that every little thing can be a "sign" that the end is near, but oftentimes it's just a sign that they're tired. I really hope this is the case for Scooter. Have you tlked to your vet?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
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