Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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It's been an incredibly hard two weeks. However, last night I woke up to Tika yelling at me, and I knew she was telling me goodbye that she was going to go see her new friends up at the Bridge. I woke up laughing and sobbing at the same time. Let's hope there's no water bowls for her to 'protect' up there. (I bring my bratty child to the Colorado Tripawd party this past August to show her off and what does she do? Guard the water dish from all the other dogs. I have truant children)
Soon, we will be going over to Kansas City to pick Caya up, she still has a very, very, very long battle in front of her, but from here on out, she's going to do it at home. We won't know for a while if she has permanent kidney damage, but we do know that she's incredibly depressed and she's starting to retreat from Tim and I when we go visit her. So, over the next several days of the holiday we'll be resurrecting her mind and spirit so that she can get the fight back in her to heal. She'll need IV and SubQ fluids for several weeks yet, and hopefully I can get her to start eating also.
Leptospirosis has turned about to be just as terrifying to us as Tika's cancer. Tim and I started taking precautionary antibiotics because we're taking over her care, after having a urinary catheter in her for almost two weeks, Caya's probably going to have some issues.
I'm thinking of you all, everybody hang in there! Tazzie2, you ain't got nothing on Caya's shave job! I'll have to take some pictures of nekkid belly--turkey neck-dawg.
Kim and Spirit Tika http://www.tika.....ogspot.com
We will take the return home of Caya as a positive, but will not slaken on the prayers. May you soon find a light at the end of the tunnel.
All the pawsitive thoughts and prayers possible headed your way.
Bob & Cherry
Kim, I'm so sorry that now you're having to deal with Caya's lepto problems... Like you really needed that now!!! Hopefully the supportive treatments will work, and she will one day feel like herself again...
I just read through your whole blog from start to finish!! What a wonderful life those pups had with you and your hubby!!! I really think that if my Wolfie ever met your Caya... he would definitely fall in love at first site! What a cutie!!! And Tika... I KNOW that Jake would have loved her too!!!
You know, before Jake and Wolfie, I had 2 other shepherds die on me... One we had for just 4 years... and then he got acute renal failure and we lost him in just 3 days! About a year later, we finally took a chance on another shepherd... and he died right after he turned 5, from a hemangiosarcoma in his heart that bled out. We lost him in just 24 hours! I was sure that someone evil had put a curse on us!!
Six months after my last baby died, my husband came home and told me that we were going to be baby-sitting a 5 yr old golden retriever that belonged to his boss. They were going on vacation to Spain, and wanted us to take Jake home from the kennel to stay with us for the weekends... At first I said no... I was still grieving for my baby... but then my husband talked me into it. Jake was so sweet and loving... he seemed to be starved for affection. When his boss came back from the vacation, my hubby asked if we could adopt Jake... since his original family had no time for him! Again, I refused... saying that I've only had german shepherds all my life and I didn't want another kind of dog... especially right now. Well, I gave in... and it's been the best thing I've ever done. Jake had the most wonderful and loving family with us the past 5 years... I'm so glad I gave in to hubby!
Six months after we got Jake, we had the opportunity to get Wolfie... When we brought him home... I felt like our family was complete! Jake, on the other hand, thought... what the hell did we bring home?!! Wolfie treated Jake like his personal giant chew toy... He never left him alone... But after a short while, Jake gave in and I truely believe that he loved his baby brother... They've been together ever since! Until the end, Wolfie still treated Jake like his giant chew toy, but in a loving way... I never thought I'd have 2 big dogs at the same time, but now I'm hooked! Now that Jake is gone, and Wolfie is so lonely and needy, I know that we will one day bring another sweetheart into our home... but not just yet... My heart is still too broken right now...
Sorry for going on and on... but I just wanted you to know that my thoughts and prayers are with you, for loosing Tika and for what you're going through with Caya now... I really hope that Caya gets better soon... I can't imagine how you would feel loosing both of them so soon. So I hope and pray that doesn't happen!!!!
Luv,
Angel Jake's Mom
Jake, 10yr old golden retriever (fractured his front right leg on 9/1, bone biopsy revealed osteosarcoma on 9/10, amputation on 9/17) and his family Marguerite, Jacques and Wolfie, 5yr old german shepherd and the newest addition to the family, Nala, a 7mth old Bengal mix kittie. Jake lost his battle on 11/9/2009, almost 8 weeks after his surgery. We will never forget our sweet golden angel… http://jakesjou.....ipawds.com ….. CANCER SUCKS!
Kim,
I am so glad to hear you are bring Caya home. I have been so worried about her and you. I know it is still a battle but I think she will be so much more comfortable at home. Prayers are still being said for you and your baby. Even with everything going on with Caya I don't want you to think I am forgetting you are grieving for you Tika. I am so sorry you have to go throught this and wish I wasn't going through it too. We lost too many babies this month.
Debra & Angel Emily
Debra & Emily, a five year old doberman mix, who was diagnosed with an osteosaecoma. She had a right rear leg amputation on May 19, 2009. On November 10, 2009 she earned her wings and regained her fourth leg.
Okay Caya
Now that I have peach fuzz growing in, pushing out any long hairs I had left (I will soon be a short-haired dog - who would have known?), I'll keep the title of King of Lumps and leave you with the title of Coolest Haircut Ever.
Look on the bright side - you don't live in Winnipeg! (We have been incredibly lucky with weather so far, but that is due to change.)
Whatever, just get better, okay already?!?
Tazzie
Tika always likes to make an entrance and exit, huh?! What a princess!!!
She will be missed and I'm sure her spirit will be helping Caya to heal. Don't forget to take care of yourself during this trying time. ((HUGS))
Hi all:
Caya is home, seems a bit bewildered and definitely a bit gun shy. But, she's eating snacks and already has had more to eat than she's would at the hospital.
I feel bad because she's drinking water, but I will need to administer her SubQ fluids soon and she's just going to be like, can't you leave me alone!!!
However, we've been playing with her, she's been asking out like a good girl and she's plopped down on her princess bed, well, no, she's kicked me off the couch. She'll go in for IV tomorrow, and hopefully the food will get regulated so that we can finish her antibiotic treatment.
I never saw a happier dog than mine tonight leaving the hospital.
Oh Tazzie--Caya has no undercoat so she's getting her five o'clock shadow already. So she kinda looks like she has the mange. Yikes.
Marguerite--Chew Toy? Totally relate, what's with shepherds and their doggy siblings?
I really should upload this picture to icanhascheezburger.com
The demon spawn were about 1-2 years old in this pic.
Well, time to prep myself for SubQ fluids, after two years with my cat, it kinda goes like.....assemble bag, drink wine, kiss up to animal, drink more wine. Take a deep breath, have a leeeettle more wine and do the deed. Here's to hoping husband doesn't pass out.
Good night all, happy hugs to all!
--Kim, Tim, Caya and Spirit Tika (who I don't think I've heard the last of!)
Kim and Spirit Tika http://www.tika.....ogspot.com
Can totally relate to those tears that bring a smile... it's a sign of healing when that starts to happen. One that I welcomed when it first occurred, one that i experienced again just the other day when hearing a certain song that reminded me of Jerry.
Thanks for sharing and best wishes caring for Caya!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Oh I bet you will be hearing from Tika for years to come! We are so happy to hear that Caya is home from the hospital. We have been thinking of you and sending all our best wishes to you and that punk gsd girldog! Hopefully being home again will give her an extra boost and her recovery will take off like a rocket! All paws crossed here that there is no permanent damage. Love the picture of Tika as chew toy. Thanks for letting us know the latest. You are in our hearts and thoughts,
xoxox
Codie Rae and the Oaktown pack
Woohoo! Tripawds Rule!
Regulator of the Oaktown Pack, Sheriff of the Oaktown Pawsse, Founding member and President of the Tripawd Girldogs With 2 Names ROCK Club, and ... Tripawd Girldog Extraordinaire!
Kim -
I am so saddened to hear about Tika, and can relate to the giant sense of loss that goes along with losing such big personality in your life. You certainly have been through a great deal of tribulations this fall, and I hope Caya's condition continues to improve so you can get some much needed peace during the holidays.
Hugs to you and Caya,
Erin
How is Caya doing today??
Angel Jake's Mom
Jake, 10yr old golden retriever (fractured his front right leg on 9/1, bone biopsy revealed osteosarcoma on 9/10, amputation on 9/17) and his family Marguerite, Jacques and Wolfie, 5yr old german shepherd and the newest addition to the family, Nala, a 7mth old Bengal mix kittie. Jake lost his battle on 11/9/2009, almost 8 weeks after his surgery. We will never forget our sweet golden angel… http://jakesjou.....ipawds.com ….. CANCER SUCKS!
jakesmom said:
How is Caya doing today??
Just had to add support to the question and to you during this journey with Caya. Also, I speak from experience, Tika will always be there with you.
Bob & Cherry
A better version of this strip can be seen using this LINK:
Hi all:
Caya has been doing good at home, every day she gets stronger, even though her kidney values are not showing improvement, not getting worse, who knows.
I may be repeating myself, I'm trying to update the girls blog, but lost it when I got to Tika's passing.
However, Caya had a urinary catheter in her for 10 days at the emergency hospital, as a result she got a urinary tract infection. Okay, almost expected right? However, she got a very antibiotic resistant form of E. Coli as her UTI. OMG! My dogs, we refuse to do anything simple here! So, her lab results say that we can use Cefoxitan, which will be the least brutal on her damaged kidneys and the most effective against the E. Coli. However, I think Cefoxitan is Latin for 'buttloads of money'. Oh, well, it's just a retirement plan.
So we had a meeting with our vet last night, and they took some more tests, Caya is getting a lot of attention (possible paper? I don't know, if so, we'll be signing autographs at the local Borders) because nothing is normal really. Kidney values show damage, she won't eat, but she drinks almost all the water she needs herself per day (6 liters!!!!!) and she's hyperactive playful. Everyday she picks her 'treat' of the day to eat. Of course, most of the things she wants, she shouldn't have because we are not supposed to deliver high proteins to a kidney failure/EPI dog. Whatever.
So the schedule is, days at the vets, IV fluids and syringed food. Nights with mom and dad, SubQ fluid syringe food, treats, playtime.
It is going very well. But we WANT TO GET THOSE KIDNEY VALUES TO IMPROVE!
The doc at K-State asked: "Why the HELL did you have a urinary catheter in her for 10 days?" Our doc and us was, NOT OUR FAULT!
So hopefully, we can start staging down her fluids, we have all come to the agreement that we might be overworking her kidneys at this point and not giving them a chance to 'reboot'
Honestly, if she would just eat, we'd be happy, even if she had chronic renal failure, the fluids are not a big deal. My cat lived two years on fluids at 16 years old for FCRL.
One tearjerking moment for us, the vet tech that was there for Tika's end told us "I think Caya is looking for Tika in the kennels...." Our vet's office truly misses Tika. We do too. But, she sent a rabbit for Caya to chase two nights ago. Haven't seen a rabbit in our back yard until the other night. It HAD to be from Tika!!!
Bob---I have that FBOFW clip in a scrapbook. My dad had cut it out and sent to to me when I lost my first dog I had all through high school and college. It still tears me up. That was the one strip (can you truly call it comic?) I read regularly besides Bloom County at the time.
Love to all,
Kim, Tim, Caya and Spirit Tika
Kim and Spirit Tika http://www.tika.....ogspot.com
Ahh, I can't believe how your animal care saga continues. Tika must be behind this, dontcha think? Maybe you can bring Caya to CSU and she and Tazzie can share a room! (no that does not mean that I have decided to go . . .)
I hope you get those darn kidney values down. They are frustrating and scary. I was thrilled when Tazzie's CREA came down recently after giving him vegie water for 6 weeks. Get this - even my cat has started to drink the vegie water that I put out for Tazzie.
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