Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Well, things got bad again for Nova last night. Around midnight I heard her whining and bumping into things, woke up to let her out and she was blind again. This time was just as bad as the first. I tried to get her out to pee, as she was very intent on going out, but very distressed, shaking, crying, miserable. I tried to guide her but she charged ahead, panting and confused, and I couldn't turn her around to come back in the house. Every time I tried to lift her she would panic and freak out, at one point she got away from me and went hopping aimlessly toward the woods, tripping over the woodpile and slamming into a tree. I am hysterical at this point, screaming for my husband to come out and help me, but he can't hear because he is out cold sleeping. I couldn't go get him because she was wanting to head back for the woods and I didn't want her to hit her head again. It takes me awhile, but by lifting her body little by little I get her back in the house. She is thirsty and slams into the waterbowl looking for a drink.
I get out the medication (Xalatan and Trusopt) and give her a dose in the right eye immediately. I had asked the optho what I should do if the blindness recurs, and he said give a dose asap and call. This was the best chance to prevent permanent blindness. Plus he said to check and see if her pupil constricts (means there is some vision), and I do that and it is totally dilated to black, I can't even see it, plus the eye is clouding a bit, which is big time bad news, I learn as I frantically Google while I am on hold. I call their office (Michigan Veterinary Specialists), they are a 24-hour clinic, and they said get her in NOW. It's 1+ hour drive, and once again I have to battle with getting her in the car in her darkness, she's panicky and distressed.
We get there and they can't seem to find my chart, turns out that the most likely place it is is locked in the opthomologist's office, or perhaps he took it home. So they have to get her whole history from me all over again, names of medications, dosages, etc., piecing it together with whatever they can find in the computer. I am furious because I know that with this eye pressure, time is of the essence if you want to save the vision. The exam seemed to take forever, this time the pressure was in the 60s and one reading came in in the 90s. From what I've read, if the pressure is over 50 for more than a few hours or so, it most definitely causes irreversible vision loss. They start her on an intensive dose of the 3 eyedrops she was on, and admit her for the night. Since nothing was to be known for sure until the Optho comes in at 9 am, I decide to drive back home to try to get some sleep (yeah right). They put her in a kennel and she is howling and crying. I wanted to go in there and curl up with her, but she wouldn't calm down, she would just stand and cry. The pain from the pressure must have been excruitating.
When I arrive back home at 4:45 am, I call to check on her, and they say the pressure is still the same, but they were starting her on some oral glycerin thing. I manage to get an hour or so of sleep, wake up at 6:30 and check in with them again. The Dr said that the glycerin brought the pressure down to the upper 20s, not perfect, but much better, a LITTLE of the cloudiness has disappeared. So that was good news. But the bad news was that the pupil would not constrict, meaning there was little if no vision left in the right eye. She said we'd have to wait and see, sometimes you need to wait some time after the pressure comes down to see if there is vision left. So that's where I am at at this moment. They say she has not made any effort to lay down, just standing in her kennel bumping into walls. At least she has stopped crying so the pain must have eased a little.
The plan is to talk to the Optho when he gets in (9-10 am) and see when the pressure is under control. But the big question is, what then? It's looking less and less likely that we will be able to save her vision. But then there is still the pain from the pressure to deal with. The only way to make the pain go away for sure (if it can't be treated with meds) is do the injection we did last week in the other eye. That means total loss of vision forever. I am struggling with "quality of life" issues. Generally, a blind dog is no big deal, but everything thus far has shown that Nova is miserable when she is blind. But then again her misery could be from the pain. I am so worried that even if they get the pressure under control (which they did yesterday) that it will shoot way up tonight, this weekend, next week, who knows when? And then another round of midnight emergency visits, and Nova suffering big time.
I am so concerned about her being able to get around on 3 legs, and be blind. I've always felt that my girl can do anything, but being a front leg amputee she has to almost "launch" into a big hop and go pretty fast to get enough momentum to move forward. When the blindness occurs, she tries to hop more timidly, and trips over her foot in the process. And when she bumps into things she gets all freaked out, and it's hard to calm her being such a big dog. She would need to be monitored and assisted constantly, every time she would have to go outside, eat, etc. Being a couch potato in this case would probably be a good thing. But what quality of life would she have living in total darkness, sleeping all the time, and only getting up assisted to eat and go outside? The other issue is that she is a very panicky dog, easily stressed. So that would mean every bump and stumble would get her all worried and upset, or worse yet, HURT because when a Great Dane like her panics it's like Marmaduke, frantic limbs all over the place.
And how does one proceed with aggressive cancer treatment (metronomics , although she is off Cytoxan for a week or two), expensive chest x-rays, etc. with a dog in this condition? I'm a mess. I just don't know what to do. I want to do the right thing for her, but I just don't know what's right. I've tried to be positive throughout her illness and have spent every cent I can find on her care and treatment. But when is the point that I am doing all of it for me, and not for her?
Thanks so much for listening to my rambling. I am torn, sad, and waiting by the phone. And my other Dane Emmy is sitting next to me with her head on my lap wondering where her sissy is.
Sue and Nova
Dane Mom Sue at nova.tripawds.com and Mom to Beautiful Great Dane Queen Nova, a Blind Tripawd, who kicked cancer's butt from 11/08-03/13. The Queen is Spirit Nova now, but her legacy lives on here at Tripawds!
Hi Sue:
I'm so sorry of what you are going through.
I did want to share with you my mom's experience, granted it was a mini-pin and not a great dane, but still something to consider. Since they are doing the injections, not all of below will apply, but just food for thought.
Her minpin had a weird condition that caused the eyeball to swell, resulting in removal in one eyeball and the several months later the another eyeball. She was doing pretty poorly until the surgeries. She also had spinal bone spurs and my mom was just not sure that being completely blind would be beneficial.
After the surgeries, this little dog just completely did an about face, the vet thinks the pressure was causing excruciating pain.
My mom took the following steps with her.
She cleared out all pathways through the house as much as possible and made a barricade for their main stairs.
She would work with Erin in a different part of the house and let her start 'mapping' out in her brain the layout. During this time, she taught Erin to follow her 'taps' on the floor. My mom even got her to respond to 'Stop' 'Turn Around' 'Slow' it was really quite impressive to witness.
It took a couple of weeks after the last eye was removed but Erin finally figured it out. I would go home and see this little dog with no eyes and hunched up back just tearing around the house. The only problem they had was when my Dad forgot and moved a chair around. BAM--little dog was not a happy camper.
Nova might be having problems with 'ghosting' right now and it's making her nervous? My dog I had when I was younger went through that with cataracts and glaucoma and it was the same thing, whining and shaking.
I think Nova is a strong girl and she trusts you. I bet if you both get your confidence back, she'll once again just stun and amaze you.
Chin up, try to get some rest. We are having a bad day with Tika today, also. My heart goes out to you.
Good luck--any decision you make will be the right one you make for Nova, I am positive of that.
--Kim
Kim and Spirit Tika http://www.tika.....ogspot.com
Thanks, Kim for your uplifting message.
I spoke with the Optho around 10 and he laid out the options. Right now at this point, the pressure is under control (just like it was yesterday 
) but there is no sight in the good eye at all. He said we will not know for about 10-14 days whether there is sight left in that eye. Trouble in, during that time we will still be battling with the pressures. It's going to be next to impossible to monitor, other than running to the vet every day to get the pressures tested, but even in that case it can go from ok to terrible in an hour. He mentioned that there is a laser surgery that they can do, that will reduce fluid production, but is no guarantee that her eyesight will return. It may already be gone, which in that case the surgery would strictly be for temporary pain relief. He said 6 months is the typical time that the glaucoma can be controlled with the laser surgery. After that, the disease progresses. Now, if she IS blind, I could always have the same procedure I had done in the left eye last week, the only trouble with that is that he will only do it in a blind eye, and right now he can't say for sure that the eye is blind.
What is maddening is that I can wait for 10-14 days trying to treat it with medication, not really knowing if she is in pain or not, just to see if her vision comes back. It might return from this bout, but who knows if she has another bout this weekend that causes permanent blindness? I wish I could do the laser surgery, but given that it doesn't solve the problem, it seems to not make sense to me. At this point I don't even know how she will function as a blind Tripawd.
But I don't want her to be in pain. The surgery in the left eye last week went great, and although she is permanently blind in the left eye, the pressure is gone, and doesn't come back supposedly. So it solves the problem and provides pain relief. What I think I will opt for is to ride out the next 10 days or so to see if the sight comes back, and also in the meantime see how Nova fares blind on 3 legs. The factor that I don't like is that I won't know for sure if she is in pain or not. That kills me. If her sight does not return in the right eye, and she is faring well as a blind dog, then I can have the less expensive procedure done on the 2nd blind eye.
I have had several friends begging me not to let Nova suffer, and I agree, stumbling around in pain is suffering. But if she CAN adapt (and I know many who can) then she might not be suffering. ARGH. This is such a hard decision because I don't know what the road ahead is in the cancer department. Nova has done so well with her amp, chemo, etc. I feel like I would be throwing it all away if I gave up. But I don't want her to suffer. There is still the very real possibility that she has lung mets down the line and ends up suffering all the more. Oh, my head is spinning from all the decisions.
I am off to the specialist to pick her up. We are all going to be loving her big time tonight. I am going to work on some things I can do to help her adapt to the blindness. I think her Ruffwear harness might help, we still haven't ever used it, but it might make sense now.
Sue and Nova
Dane Mom Sue at nova.tripawds.com and Mom to Beautiful Great Dane Queen Nova, a Blind Tripawd, who kicked cancer's butt from 11/08-03/13. The Queen is Spirit Nova now, but her legacy lives on here at Tripawds!
Oh my god Sue - what a nightmare - I am so, so, SO sorry...I can't imagine the stress, the heartbreak and the thought process that you have going on.
When you get Nova settled a bit - lay with her...talk to her and let her know what is going on - see if she can understand you - I believe that they can when we make a strong effort to connect like that. Ask her to let you know what she wants you to do...I have no idea what I would do except probably stress out and doubt myself...hopefully she can guide you...when you're able to "get quiet", listen to YOUR heart - not what others offer - only you can make any decisions that are right for Nova and for yourself.
In the meantime, we're saying tons of prayers for Nova...I hope you all can get a little rest today.
Tons of love and big hug through cyberspace. Please keep us posted when you're up for it.
Love
Heather and Zeus
Heather and Spirit Zeus - Our life changing journey…from the earth to the heavens…one day at a time…always together
[Image Can Not Be Found]Sue,
I am so sorry you & Nova are going through all of this.
I had a greyhound once that had pretty severe glaucoma and eventually went blind. We opted to remove the eye to remove the pain. No, he wasn't a tripawd, but he still faced challanges. He did fine, once out of pain, kinda like removing the painful leg. We did not opt to put in a false eye, it healed & he was just our one-eyed Colt for the rest of his life.
As for cost, the eye clinic wanted $2500 to remove the eye, our “family” vet charged us are on $300, quite a savings!
I hope you get this sorted out, for both of you!
Janie & Calamity
And Angel Colt! (with a tissue eye my son made *smile*) sorry, tired to post a photo of Colt, but I still don't get this picture thing in thsi forum..LOL!
Janie & Calamity http://www.trix.....gspot.com/
Wow. The tears started flowing as soon as we read what hapened. It's unreal, and something that as far as we know, nobody here has ever faced after coping with amputation and cancer therapy. We are so, so sorry. This is heartbreaking in so many ways.
I think the thing to keep in mind is don't focus on prognoses or timeframes. We all know that they are simply guesstimates, and can go either way. But it sounds like your only choice right now is to wait it out for a few days, so for now, focus on trying to keep her comfortable and watch to see if/how she adapts with blindness.
As humans we tend to look a dog undergoing challenges like this, and project our own fears onto them. It's normal. But as you know, dogs adapt so incredibly well. With or without pain, on three legs or four, with sight or without, they all continue to amaze humans with their abilities to get on with life.
With sudden blindness like this, it seems like it's to be expected that she would be fearful at first, and if she's also in pain, that doesn't help with adapting either. But maybe she just needs some time to get used to the situation? She's already had some practice in being sight-impaired, and did well, right? Maybe time is what she needs to adapt.
About the cancer therapy...you are not throwing any of your efforts away if you decide to hold off on treatment. She has had such an excellent quality of life up until now, you've done a great job, and it's worked so well. If dealing with the cancer therapy is one more thing that will make your head spin, then hold off for a while. Just focus on the bigger issue at hand, and see how it goes. One pawstep at a time, remember? Your mental health is just as important in helping Nova through this.
As you recall, we didn't give Jerry chemo until over a year after he was diagnosed, and he still did just fine for many many months. You can always restart the therapy later.
When it comes to people saying "don't let your dog suffer," many times they don't understand the whole picture. People say this all the time when a pawrent is considering amputation. They think that a dog on three legs is suffering. Well, as our dogs have taught us, that's not the case at all. So don't listen to what anyone else says. Listen to your heart, and Nova's. You have such a strong bond with her, only the two of you can decide what is right for her.
Meanwhile, yes, absolutely put the harness on her, and don't take it off. It would've come in very handy last night. Many times we had to grab Jerry out of precarious situations and the handle on the harness saved our butts, and his. Remember, just when you think you won't need it (like at night), you will. We always took Jerry's harnes off at night, but in Nova's case, I would leave it on if she's been getting up a lot in the early hours.
Oh my dog Sue, we are so sorry that you're coping with this. It's not fair at all, but somewhere, there's a greater lesson. In time, you'll figure it out, but for now, hang in there and if you need to talk or need anything at all, please ask OK? We are all here for you.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Oh, Sue, I'm so very sorry for what you are going through. I can only imagine the pain you are in. I have no words of wisdom, but as a think about the challenges, I can tell you what this outsider sees. I see the two of you being scared. Don't forget, she feels your uncertainty, be confident when you pick her up. Talk to her, help her adjust, and give her some time.
When you have given her the opportunity to see whether or not she does a little better day by day, you can make your decision. You will have more data to work with, and hopefully your emotions will have calmed a little and you won't be making a major decision while you are so upset.
I'll be thinking of you and wish you the very best. There are no wrong decisions, and you will make the right choice. Trust yourself.
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.
I am totally exhausted after this long day. I brought Nova home around 5 pm today, and she is still blind. It's most likely permanent. The pressure in her right eye keeps spiking, so if it hasn't caused permanent blindness by now, it will probably do so at any time. There is a laser surgery available, but it is very expensive, and just a temporary fix, and there is no guarantee it will restore vision without knowing if there is vision even there to be restored. And there is no guarantee it will relieve the pain. They tried several medications over the course of the day, they would work, then the pressure would spike. So this blindness is most likely permanent, so after lots of vascillating, we decided against the surgery. I am sure I will have bouts of regret, but it just doesn't make sense to spend that kind of money on something that may or may not work, and is only temporary anyway. She could be back to where she is now in as early as a week to 6 months. It's just not the right thing to do.
So, it appears that I am Mom to Tripawds.com's first Blind Tripawd. Never thought I would be that, but I am dang proud. Everything right now is what the vets call "guarded". We are treating the pressure with the eyedrops and an oral medication (glycerin, she hates it, and puked it up) for a few days. If she is still blind then, then it is pretty definite that she will be blind permanently. At that point I may opt to have the same surgery I had for her in the left eye last week, which "kills" the fluid production in the eye. This will mean total blindness, but will also mean no more glaucoma pain, and no more expensive meds. If she doesn't adapt well and is clearly suffering, well then we will take a different path. This feels like the "right" route for us. As to how Nova will do as a blind Tripawd, only time will tell.
I have decided that I need to at least give her a few days to see how she does, and take it from there. I had to go with my gut. Heather and Zeus suggested I talk with Nova and try to connect and see if I can sense what Nova wants. I know it sounds wacky, but she is so right. Everything that Nova has done thus far today has communicated to me that she is not ready to give up, so I am going to support that. She was ecstatic to see me when I picked her up, and her senses of smell and hearing seem to have taken over in a whole new way. It was one affectionate snuggle after another. She rode home in the van peacefully resting, then got up from time to time to sniff her way to my shoulder and rest her head on there like she usually does.
When we got home, I ran in to get the leash so I could walk her right out to the yard to pee, and Emmy burst out the door and jumped into the van. They had the most precious reunion ever, I could not stop crying it was so beautiful. Then Emmy led us out to the yard, and Nova's head was held high as she sniffed all her favorite places, slowly, but confidently. Emmy would sidle up to her as if to say, it's ok, I'm here and I will protect you and show you the way. We went in the house and she was different right away. It was like she had decided that it was time to get to know the house by her sniffer and ears. I walked through the living room and kitchen, where she spends most of her time, and watched her slowly sniff and discover the perimeter of the room. She ultimately found her water dish, where she proceeded to gulp up so much water (I shouldn't have let her) that she ended up puking. Before she did that, i offered her food, which she refused, but turned and sniffed her way to her favorite vantage point between the kitchen and the living room. My husband was shocked when she quickly found it, plunked herself down, then a few minutes later abruptly got up, stepped ON to the hardwood (rather than the carpet) and puked up all the water she'd gobbled down. I cleaned it up, and she rested back in her spot for a minute, then sniffed her way BACK to the food bowl, and ate her dinner.
The whole family is walking through the house in the meantime, just watching her discover the house in her new way and expressing amazement and encouragement. She spent some time following our voices, all quizzical, like she was intent on learning the "new" map of the house. I went off to my son's baseball practice (since I have missed out on some of my kids' activities these past few days), and came back and she got up to greet me. And now (I get weepy just saying this) she has sniffed her way and followed my voice into my office to sit in front of my desk while I type this. Sorry, but this is clearly not a dog who is ready to give up just yet.
When Nova and I had our heart to heart, I honestly felt her telling me "You need to let me try this, Mom, and see if I can do it." I really feel this, and it is so unexplainable how you can just get these communications from your pets if you really try to connect and believe that you can. We didn't talk timeframe, but the hopelessness and despair of the last few nights was gone. I have to grant her this opportunity, I must. So that's what I will do. This is definitely going to be one of those "one day at a time" situations.
This afternoon I left messages with her oncologist and her regular vet, just to get their takes on the situation. The oncologist didn't call me back, which disappoints me, but my vet did. He, like the optho and his entire staff, said that they did not feel it was time to give up. I've only had a person or two try to encourage me to not put Nova through such "suffering". But I honestly can't say at this point that she is not anywhere near suffering right now. So sorry, I am not ready to give up. I will stand behind my girl to the end. Rene pointed out to me that many people think that an amputation is suffering, and cruel to your pet. But we all know better. I think back to that a$$hole back at the oncologist who said that I should have sent Nova to Heaven rather than put her through an amputation. My girl went on to climb mountains and hop confidently with no assistance. So THERE!
As sad as I feel tonight that me precious girl is blind, I feel this sense of peace that I know we are doing what is right for us, at this time, this moment, in our journey.
Tomorrow was are going to create our pawprint garden stone that I have had sitting on my shelf for the last few weeks.
Thank you all for your love and support. You don't know how much it all means to me. Thank you all for listening to my rambling words too. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Sue and Blind Tripawd Hero Nova
Dane Mom Sue at nova.tripawds.com and Mom to Beautiful Great Dane Queen Nova, a Blind Tripawd, who kicked cancer's butt from 11/08-03/13. The Queen is Spirit Nova now, but her legacy lives on here at Tripawds!
I can feel that tripawd confidence in your last post. Much better tone than the first. Nova is a tough girl, she's already shown that. One day at a time....
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.
I think that Nova was reacting to the pain and not the blindness. Acute glaucoma pain is very severe; maybe even worse than bone cancer pain! I would give her a chance with either the eye injection or the enucleation. She will get through this, and her sister Emmy will help her. Please do not give up yet.
Pam and Tazzie
Sue, I am sitting her bawling happy tears, and am just so blown away by your strength and Nova's courage. This is all great news as far as the situation goes, and just hearing your new tone makes us feel so much better.
From this day on, whenever anyone has a hard time getting their fur kid through the amputation process, Nova will be the rock star example we will point them to, to show them how incredible and adaptive and determined a dog can be. WOW! This is like the Legend of Nova unfolding right here and now.
I would love to see how she gets around. It sounds so incredible.
For a person like you who is so athletic and a real go-getter, we know that you can get through this. You don't need our encouragement, you have arrived! Congrats.
One day at a time. Just keep us posted and let us know how it's going. We are always here.
xoxoxo
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Good on you Nova for being so brave and determined. You are surrounded by love and security,
and you will overcome your challenges doggedly.
All love from Tel Aviv
Wow. I can't say it any better than Jerry just did.
I am so sorry you and Nova have to deal with this challenge right now of all times, and am so impressed by your concern for her quality of life. But you're right - it's certainly not the time to "give up" and both you and Nova have so much courage, that with the pain under control you'll get through this with grace.
Yay, yay, yay. Happy Dance.
Oh Sue, you sound so much better. Nova is just going to rock your world again. These guys never cease to amaze us, huh!
I bet once the pain issue is resolved you'll be in a whole different world.
Best wishes, now go get some rest! You both deserve it.
Kim and Spirit Tika http://www.tika.....ogspot.com
Tears, tears, tears...first sad and upset, then happy and amazed. I can't offer you anything but the knowledge that I too am here supporting and praying, and cheering you on! What a Tri-something (can't find a word--you and Nova and Emmy bound together) for healing and adjustment. You guys are awesome and totally inspiring.
Cemil and mom Mary, Mujde and Radzi….appreciating and enjoying Today
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