Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Elizabeth, I'm so sorry Sammy is feeling a bit punky at times and not himself (cancer can make you go crazy 'cos it might not be cancer at all causing the symptoms!). It does sound like disomfort of some kind. Having Dr Pam as your vet is really wonderfu, hopefully waiting 10 days will be fine and Sammy will be the talkie, happy boy. Checking in with her seems like a great idea. Maybe some pain meds (not sure what he is taking) to see if this helps. The carpets are a great idea and should give him more confidence - hope hubby agrees or definitely no dinners for him 😉
Sending much love, hugs & wags
joanne & Lylee
http://lyleegir.....ipawds.com
Elizabeth, I dont get on here as much anymore so when I got on tonight and saw Sammys name - well, I just went right to your post.. I am sending thoughts and many prayers your way and Sammys, I am praying for a big Christmas gift that Sammy is just a tad under the weather and nothing else. Samson is sending pawsitive thoughts to his namesake Sammy..
Coopsdad
Coopsdad/ Kenneth Blackburn
http://cooper.t.....ipawds.com
the monkeydogs only THINK they have invaded the tripawd state
Elizabeth, all I can say is I hope this is just a bump in the road, sending you pawsitive thoughts, give the boy a rub for me, Spirit Gus and Dan
My buddy Gus had a left front amputation on April 7, 2010 and lived a great life until July 26,2010
Hi Elizabeth,
Sammy's "symptoms" sound very similar to what Rocky has been experiencing the past few months. He is 11 now and I attribute it to him being an old man who's bones are complaining after hopping around on 3 legs for 28 months. I think especially this time of year when the weather is cold and damp, it really affects tripawds especially as they get older.
I am hoping that Sammy's issues are no cause for concern and that he perks back up very soon.
Hey Elizabeth,
I've been catching up here & saw your posts, so wanted to respond. I hope he is doing better, please keep us posted. We are all cheering for Sammy!!!!
Cathy
Just a quick update, it is Christmas morning and very early indeed. The lights are twinkling, and Sammy is thumping his tail at me with his happy growls for his morning greeting.
I think the runners are helping alot. My husband hasn't said or word, he probably hasn't noticed them. I haven't seen Sammy fall since I put them in. He is doing well with his potty breaks, and seeks my affection whenever I walk by. I think he is having issues still from his tweaked neck, but doesn't appear to be in pain, but occasionally. I have some tramadol, but hesitate to use it. He doesn't really do well on it, he sleeps mostly.
I am concerned because he isn't bounding around like he used to, but maybe it is like Ge Lena and Rocky's people say, it is because he is a little more mature. I can't bear to say older, he just seems like such a puppy to me. Denial, not just a river in Egypt right?
This monday I will be calling the acupunture lady, and setting up an appointment with Dr. Pam. I do feel with her being out of the area my security is threatened a little, good call on that one Ge"Lena!
Thanks for the prayers and the comfort, the virtual hugs and the well wishes everyone. I will be keeping a very close eye on Sammy. He is irreplaceable.
Coopsdad, how is Samson today? He looks amazing as he was counter surfing! Oh boy, now nothing will be safe in your kitchen 🙂
Hugs and Merry Christmas everyone,
Elizabeth and Sammy
Diagnosed with osteosarcoma in the right front leg 8/23/10,
leg fractured 8/27/10,
leg amputated 8/30/10
http://sammyand.....pawds.com/
I couldn't begin to say how special Sammy is to us. Living and laughing with and loving this wonderful boy is priceless.
Hi Elizabeth,
I'm glad to hear Sammy seems to be doing a little better. I hope you are just fortunate enough to have aging dog issues and nothing more serious. My now 11.5 year old quad pug Tani is in perpetual puppy mode because of neurological issues, but has slowed physically over the past year. Several health issues in her case, but most can be lumped into the older dog category.
Here we are again hoping for a 'anything but C' diagnosis!!
Karen and the pugapalooza
Elizabeth, I am glad to read that Sammy is feeling better. Still sending prayers and pawsitive thoughts your way. Samson is full of p**s and vinegar, we are learning not to leave anything lower than about 7 feet that we dont want him in 🙂 we are working on the counter surfing, I think consistency with the no's will cure it in time. We are anxious to hear more good updates on Sammy!
Coopsdad/ Kenneth Blackburn
http://cooper.t.....ipawds.com
the monkeydogs only THINK they have invaded the tripawd state
Elizabeth,
I am so sorry that I am just now catching up on this post. I so hope that your fears about Sammy have eased. My excellent vet gave me some very good advice when I ran our Sammy in to see her after a bad day. She said don't worry about a bad day; worry when they have three very bad days in a row.
I hope your Sammy is just experiencing the on-and-off hardships of getting older (Believe me, I understand those!).
One of the things we noticed with our Sammy late this summer was that his spine wasn't straight when he hopped. He looked a little like a hopping letter C. What we discovered was that he not only had developed hip dysplasia but also arthritis in his spine. No wonder he couldn't hop around like he did right after the amputation. We also noticed that he sometimes winced when we were rubbing his back or hips. I likened it to when you get a massage and experience the feels-good-but-it-hurts sensation. He was only 7 1/2.
I think that hopping is very tough on a big dog's body. especially for a front-leg amputee. In Michigan this summer, stubborn Smilin' Sammy insisted on digging in the sand like a canine steam shovel, even though we yelled at him and made him stop each time he started. How he managed with only one front leg was beyond me. The sand flew, his ears flopped and he grinned joyfully. He had such fun, but I can't help but wonder if that strenuous digging coupled with hours of chasing balls thrown into the lake contributed to his hip and back problems. We tried to make him rest — but perhaps he knew it was his last summer.
We love our dogs so much that fear and imagination can make us anticipate the worst. I hope your worries are unfounded and that you and Sammy enjoy many, many more precious days together. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Beth, Rick and Spirit Sammy
Smilin' Sammy, March 16, 2004 – Dec. 5, 2011
Golden retriever, diagnosed with osteosarcoma in September 2010 — right front leg amputated November 2010. He fought valiantly to stay with us; but a second diagnosis of osteosarcoma, this time in his left front leg, was more than our golden warrior could overcome. He loved his pack — and everyone else he met.
We loved him even more.
Thanks for the pennies, Sammy. They helped.
Elizabeth,
I hope this is just the infection causing these symptoms... My thoughts are with you and Sammy...
Tracy, Maggie's Mom
Maggie was amputated for soft tissue sarcoma 10-20-09
Maggie lost her battle with kidney disease on 8-24-13
I know it's tough NOT to worry about a front Tripawd......sometimes I watch Shelby running like a bat out of hell in pursuit of something in the backyard and think *Dang girlfriend, take it easy*. But why? She's happy, for now she has no cancer and seemingly no pain. So why not go for the brass ring, you know? Being a pawrent is definitely a tough job.
Lots of love coming to Sammy from his fan club in Central Flrodia.....xoxoxoxo
Just know...we are here for you! I'm so, so, so glad to hear he seems better!
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.
Elizabeth,
Sorry for the late response but I just saw your post now. It is possible that the antibiotic is messing with him. Some dogs lose their appetite or feel lethargic on these meds but respond quickly once the drug is stopped. Don't be afraid to give him a tramadol if he seems painful; you can give him one at night so it won't matter if he gets sleepy. We can also use gabapentin if the acupuncture does not help.
Call me Thursday; I am doing surgery but I can return your call in between things!
Pam
Dr. Pam! Oh yaY!!!
I made an appointment with you for Saturday, I hope it isn't too early for a recheck on his urine, and Titans too. I am bringing them both. I will call you today, I am SO GLAD YOU ARE BACK!!!
You can't go any where any more. Sorry. I hope you had a great time and can't wait to see some pictures, but you are irreplaceable too, so you must stay right here from now on with your phone attached to your person at all times... (over reaction maybe?)
I will call you today 🙂
Elizabeth and Sammy and Titan.
Diagnosed with osteosarcoma in the right front leg 8/23/10,
leg fractured 8/27/10,
leg amputated 8/30/10
http://sammyand.....pawds.com/
I couldn't begin to say how special Sammy is to us. Living and laughing with and loving this wonderful boy is priceless.
Elizabeth,
So sorry that I didn't see this sooner - I haven't been on tripawds (been out of town) and went to your post right away. Sounds like you're in good hands now and maybe it's just the antibiotics (we'll keep our paws crossed that that's all it is.) We are thinking of you and hope that Sammy gets to feeling even better now. We know how scary this can be - especially when you don't know what's happening. Lots of positive healing thoughts coming your way....
Kami, Angel Mackenzie, Kobe and Scarlett
My sweet golden Mackenzie. She became my angel on Dec 29, 2010 at the age of 8 1/2 although she was always my angel from the time we brought her home. She was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in Sept 2009 and officially became a tripawd (front leg) on Nov 5, 2009. She will be forever in my heart and now she's running free with all of our other tripawd heroes. I love you Mackenzie!
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