Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Thanks, Sally.
Her eye pressure is okay, right??
It's not, no. It's too low. But they don't know why. They've done a very thorough exam (for a primary vet) but they can find nothing wrong except the low pressure and excessive watering and the gloop.
Did the Bet try any antibiotics for the gunk?
Yes. She's just finished her third course of antibiotic eye drops, but they don't seem to make much difference. The gunk is like clear mucus. It doesn't look infected. It's not yellow or green or anything, but there is a LOT of it.
If it's not bothering her, no squinting eyes, face rubbing, etc and the Vet isn't concerned, wouldn't worry.
This is the great blessing. They don't appear to be bothering her at all.
HOWEVER, and this is where my paranoia comes in. for your peace of mind, you may want to have her checked out by an Ophthalmologist.
Thanks for this, Sally. I think you're right. It's not glaucoma, it's kind of the opposite, but I think we do need to know what's going on, and if the answer is nothing to worry about, then that will just be a relief.
Ruby, Staffy, born June 2022, became a Tripawd, November 2023, adopted January 2024.
Also Angel Tripawd Meg (aka The Megastar), who died in April 2023, aged 14, after seven glorious years on three, and Angel Staffies Elsie Pie and Bille. In the pawprints of giants...
Clare,
Manni (and I!) had hypothyroidism. He was always on the skinny side until he was maybe 4 and then all of a sudden he started gaining weight. I fed less and less until it got to the point where I just couldn’t cut back anymore. Had his blood checked, obviously, and then he was on meds for the rest of his life. Now, this should have been the end of that really, however, Manni still didn’t start to lose weight. You know me: I started to do my research (my vet to this day states I know more about the subject than her...) and I found that this topic -thyroid, biochemistry,...- is actually not very well researched at all. Hardly any good literature on the subject and to this day nobody really knows what effects what exactly. While there are certain thyroid values identified, they can differ in some breeds, for example ( fun fact if you have a mutt...). Also: in humans hypothyroidism is suspected to cause osteoporosis, just to name a few fun things. ( yes, it has the word „osteo“ in it...)
I tried different things from changing diets to talking my vets ear off about upping the dose of Manni’s meds and so on but in the end I always had to watch his weight and I never really felt comfortable with the whole issue. I am saying all this here really only to tell you to yes, have the blood checked, ask about possible relations of the thyroid with the eye issue (apparently on this subject, nothing is too far off...) and relax a little. While I am a big advocate of keeping our dogs slim I had a hard time doing that with Manni and you know how well he managed and for how long inspite of being on the chubby side of the scale.
Hugs
tina
Guardian of Manni the Wonderdog. -Or was it the other way around?
Osteo and amputation in Dec 2015. Second, inoperable, primary osteosarcoma found in June 2017.
The end of our adventures came Dec 10, 2017. 2 years to the day.
I have actually dealt with both sides of this conundrum with my boys. Kodi (who has Cushing's as you know) has always been "big-boned". Never once has any of my vets told me he was fat and had to lose weight; and now with the Cushing's, he has really developed the pot-belly that goes along with this disease. Funny thing is, he hardly eats! All of his life I've practically had to stand on my head to get him to eat. Now, I've resorted to tasty "toppers" for his food (sweet potatoes and ground turkey).
Then there was Nitro...who, as a tripawd with arthritis, needed to be lean. After the amp, I felt he was at the perfect weight. Then along comes kidney failure, which, my vet told me, burns a lot of calories and decreases appetite. He got so skinny at the end it broke my heart. He was down about 20lbs from he pre-amp days. So I guess what I'm trying to say with all this rambling is, for sure be mindful of her weight gain and try to get to the bottom of it; but also, she could have worse things going on than putting on a little weight. It's no fun having a dog who stops eating and turns into skin and bones. Hugs to you both!
Paula and Warrior Angel Nitro
Nitro 11 1/2 yr old Doberman; right front amp June 2014. Had 6 doses carboplatin, followed by metronomic therapy. Rocked it on 3 legs for over 3 years! My Warrior beat cancer, but couldn't beat old age. He crossed the Bridge peacefully on July 25, 2017, with dignity and on his terms. Follow his blog entitled "Doberman's journey"
"Be good, mama loves you".....run free my beautiful Warrior
Thanks so much Tina and Paula,
The thought of a chubby Manni makes me grin from ear to ear. Thanks for sharing the fruits of your research. It's always rather disconcerting to realise how much is not known about the complex workings and interactions of the body, be it canine or human. Meg sounds similar in terms of a sudden change. She's always been a natural skinny. For the first year or two she lived with me, I struggled to get up up to and keep her at a reasonable weight. This is totally new, but it does time exactly with Elsie's death, which adds to the confusion. I will definitely keep your advice in mind, do my best, but not stress unduly. Life's too short, as we very well know.
Paula, thanks for your input. I think Pie was more of a Kodi body type, and struggled much more with her weight. Until the end, of course, when she suddenly went very thin. It is heartbreaking, I agree. I find it very upsetting that feeling of a dog's protruding backbone bumping against your hand 😢 Right now, I just wish I'd let Elsie eat whatever the hell she wanted for the last six months, as it wouldn't have made any difference and it would have made her so happy. On her tenth birthday, she had a day long feast, and enjoyed every glorious mouthful. I'm happy to think of it. My worry about Meg's weight gain is that is sudden and unexplained. I don't like not knowing what's going on, especially after what happened so suddenly to Elsie. And there's also the worry of her dodgy skeleton. I live in fear of her front leg collapsing. But certainly, I am not going to allow a couple of extra pounds to ruin the present.
Huge to you both,
Meg, Clare and Angel Pie xxx
Ruby, Staffy, born June 2022, became a Tripawd, November 2023, adopted January 2024.
Also Angel Tripawd Meg (aka The Megastar), who died in April 2023, aged 14, after seven glorious years on three, and Angel Staffies Elsie Pie and Bille. In the pawprints of giants...
Just to update everyone on FAT MEGSTA, she's now had a "full geriatric blood panel" GERIATRIC????? My baby????? 
and the results have just come back and her Thyroid (T4) reading is normal. Everything else is good as well, including her liver and kidneys, which after 3 years solid on Metacam, not to mention Dog knows how many general anaesthetics, is reassuring news. Her cholesterol was very slightly raised, which may well be down to the fact she'd eaten a few hours beforehand, in any case the vet was unconcerned. Her eye issue also appears to have resolved.
Soooooo, the weight gain is basically post Pie indulgence, with no biological get out clause. She had actually lost 100 grams (3.5 oz) in the ten days since she saw the rehab vet, which is too small to be significant, but at least not another gain.
The exceptionally damp Winter we have had - the wettest anyone can remember – it's basically been raining nonstop for four and a half months – is probably a contributing factor as well, as it plays havoc with Meg's arthritis and leads her to be less active.
Next week though, the forecast is greatly improved, so Meg and I will be entering weight loss bootcamp, to emerge bikini beautiful for the sun-drenched British Summer.
Lol.
Thanks for all your support.
The Bootylicious MegaStar, and Clare and Angel Pie xxx
Ruby, Staffy, born June 2022, became a Tripawd, November 2023, adopted January 2024.
Also Angel Tripawd Meg (aka The Megastar), who died in April 2023, aged 14, after seven glorious years on three, and Angel Staffies Elsie Pie and Bille. In the pawprints of giants...
good news Clare, that its not anything medical! Endless, damp, rainy weather is enough to make anyone put on a little weight. Here's hoping the sun come out soon!
Paula and Warrior Angel Nitro
Nitro 11 1/2 yr old Doberman; right front amp June 2014. Had 6 doses carboplatin, followed by metronomic therapy. Rocked it on 3 legs for over 3 years! My Warrior beat cancer, but couldn't beat old age. He crossed the Bridge peacefully on July 25, 2017, with dignity and on his terms. Follow his blog entitled "Doberman's journey"
"Be good, mama loves you".....run free my beautiful Warrior
megstamum said
...”bikini beautiful for the sun-drenched British Summer.”
Lol.
Now that’s bloody funny Clare! Not too many of those that i remember!
im soooooo glad to hear that everything checked out for Meg-Our-Star! Good Girl!!!
Many hugs to you both!
Petra, Stu Butt and his starvin’ Kittens
Remember...“live in the moment!“ 
THE MOST BOOTYLICIOUS BLOOMER BUTT ON THE PLANET 😎😎
Such good NEWS for the YOUNGSTER☺ I know you're relieved.
And in doggy weight, three ounces is equivalent to THREE POUNDS!!!
To have all that rain HAD to play havoc on her physically and emotionally too! Not to mention the 'Pie indulgence" comfort food.
SOOOOOOO HAPPY FOR YOU BOTH!!!!!! AND FOR IS TOO, BECAUSE WE LOVE YOU BOTH SO LOOK MUCH.....ALL THREE OF YOU SOOOOO MUCH😚😚😚
BTW bikini bods are waaay overrated....comfort food and squishy huggable bodies are da' best😅
Love forever
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too
Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!
So relieved to read this you can breathe easy now! YAAAAAAY
Whoo hoo for all ok & normal! Amazing on the Metacam 3 years and liver & kidneys are good! Good to know & read that!!
The weight will come off you both when the weather breaks all the winter coats melt off!
Lots of Love!❤️❤️❤️❤️
Hugs,
Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry 
megstamum said
GERIATRIC????? My baby?????
I KNOW RIGHT!? 
Sum dum vet called me that recently, whatever that means...
Wyatt Ray Dawg . . . The Tripawds Leg-A-Cy Continues!
Read all about my adventures at my Tripawds Blog
Awwwwww..... just too sweet!
Hugs,
Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry
Awesome great news Clare & Meg. I am so glad everything was ruled out medically. Yeah, we have "geriatric" vet visit this week for our almost 12 year old boy 🙂
I agree with Sally squishy bodies are really the best LOL.
benny55 said
BTW bikini bods are waaay overrated....comfort food and squishy huggable bodies are da' best😅
xoxoxox
Michelle & Angel Sassy
Sassy is a proud member of the Winter Warriors. Live long, & strong Winter Warriors.
sassysugarbear.tripawds.com
07/26/2006 - Sassy earned her wings 08/20/2013
05/04/2006 - Bosch, Sassy's pal, earned his wings 03/29/19 fought cancer for 4 months.
"You aren't doing it TO her, you are doing it FOR her. Give her a chance at life."
and the results have just come back and her Thyroid (T4) reading is normal.
During Maggie's 'fluffy' days the vet ran the thyroid panel and when she told me it was normal I think I said 'darn it' out loud because the only other option was that I was overfeeding/under exercising 
.
My dad used to say that he kept a little extra weight so either: he didn't 'tear' when he bent over, or so that when he got a tan then lost weight it would be darker (in those days when tans were OK). Of course my dad is one of those maddening men who can decide he needs to lose a couple pounds and the almost immediately fall off.
It's actually really good news that all is well especially considering all Meg has dealt with the past few years. Now that the weather is better (I hope for you, I got rained on today) I hope you can get out more for the ball in the creek game!
Karen
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
This is GREAT news! I had a hunch it was all things rolled up together...bloody lousy weather....mourning Pie 😥.....negative energy due to all the above, but good to get that bloodwork validation! Clare my Riley's cholesterol was slightly elevated last year too and the vet wasn't at all concerned...(I put it down to my adding extra protein to his kibble) hey dogs need real meat right? So glad your forecast is coming up with nicer weather for you two. Meg will love it! And you too no doubt! Our forecast is another spring/winter storm over the weekend with more snow! 😳😳 I know we're the frozen tundra up here but c'mon its April....enough already! Wyatt great job wrapping that leash around your Dudely self 😂😂 looking great as always my man!
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