Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Once again I am saying thank you for your sound advice, and when the vet phones tomorrow we will ask about some antiflammatory steroids. Hector is certainly a bit brighter today and the plan is for him to have about another4 acupuncture sessions. We feel a lot more confident in this new vet as she spent a lot of time thoroughly examining Hector and was honest with us. Also, she said his front leg is strong and it is the mass causing the problem which I had suspected but did want to believe. Hector's appetite is reducing quite a bit, but his favourite at the moment is sliced chicken, and we are spoiling him rotten, which he deserves.
If we can get a drug to relieve the pressure of the mass on his back legs, and also if the adrenal tumour behaves then I am hopeful Hector will get over this hurdle. He is such a positive dog, and he still likes to visit the park, although his visits are now very short, and he is not interested in his afternoon walk, which he used to love. He had been doing so well, and this came on all so sudden.
It is so helpful having you listen to me, and your knowledge and advice is great, as it is is such a worrying journey we are going on.
tske care everyone
Mary and Hector
Unfortunately Hector had a relapse after his last acupuncture treatment, and he is not good. He is very quiet, really struggling on his back legs, and can only walk a few steps and collapses. He is on Metacalm and we are about to start Gapapentin. We have tried Tramadol but it makes Hector cry. Having said that he is eating although only his favourites, and he is drinking lots. We had him back at the vet who took some bloods and urine, which although were slightly abnormal, showed nothing serious. So it is severe arthritis in his back legs, and I don't know what to do next. In particular we are due to go overseas for 2 weeks to look after our grandchildren, and don't know what to do best for Hector, do we put him into the kennels where he has been before and is well looked after, and will be monitored, and also he will get to meet other dogs which he lovesl. Or do we keep him at home and rely on our dog walker popping in a couple times during the day and our son and daughter taking over in the evenings and at weekends when they are home from work. I don't know what to do for the best, as I don't know how much time Hector has left, and although we would like to be with him and not leave him, we have to look after our grandchildren. I worry about him being left at home, as he gets incontinent, and can get a bit aggressive, and also giving him his medication can be difficult, but I know he will be in his own home with his family. Putting him into kennels worries me as he will be away from home but I know he will be monitored and looked after. What would you advise? Also I am worried in case he has to be put to sleep with us not being with him.
advice appreciated.
mary and hector
I struggle with this every time I go away. I am sure you are a nervous wreck with him being in pain and such. How open is communication at your kennel? If you can call and check on him, the 24 hr a day monitoring may be better. Also, they could keep him moving a bit. I know that when my pups are at home alone, all they do is sleep. Also, being around other dogs may perk him up a bit. Perhaps, your kids could get him on the weekends when they are at home. Is someone able to take him to his acupuncture treatments? Also, not sure what if any supplements he is taking, but we have had good success with Dasequin. It is not a drug, but a supplement, so can be given along with the Metacam etc. At the end of the day, I would probably opt for the kennel if they are really superb. I would call or visit ahead of time to discuss all of his needs and make sure they are willing to give him the extra special treatment he needs right now. Lori, Angel TY & the canine 3
TY GUY, Best Black Lab ever! Diagnosed and had amp in January, 2014. Kicked MRSA's butt. Earned his angel wings on April 16, 2014. Run Free my boy and don't forget a shoe. Ty is a proud member of the " April Angels". Ty sent us Daryl, a Tripawd rescue in Sept. of 2016. Daryl is 5 +or -. We are also Pawrents to Chandler, a Border Collie mix who is 15 and 1/2, Lucy, a Corgi who is 7, 2 minis, 2 horses, and a feisty cat named Zoe. Zoe had a non skeletal Osteosarcoma removed in July 2015. No Chemo, she was at least 16. She is going strong although she is now completely blind. She is now close to 20 and her hobbies are eating and sleeping in front of her personal heater.
I think Lori provided some great advise. Maybe someone could take daily photos for you?
I'd like to respond to your concern about the possibility of Hector being put to sleep without you. This is always a concern for anyone who leaves their pet in the care of someone else. Last fall I went to the Antarctic for 3 weeks and would not be able to reached in an emergency so I put a plan in place with the cat sitter and my vet. Will you be able to be reached if necessary? If not, then you might want to have a conversation with your son, daughter and vet about when euthanasia would be acceptable for you, how and where it would happen, etc. You know it would be hard for them to make this decision if necessary but the vet could give guidance because he/she would be less emotionally attached and would look out for Hector's best interests.
Enjoy your trip and grandchildren! Hector would want you to.
Kerren and Trikitty Mona
Thank you for such kind and helpful advice. I do think the kennel will be best for Hector as I had a long talk with the owner, and she would do her utmost best for Hector, in particular as they all know,Hector, but only the old, full of mischief Hector, not the sad immobile quiet Hector, but I do trust that she will make sure he is looked after well. Also the interaction with other dogs I think would help him. Although I just feel sad about having to move him from his home, and I know my son is worried if Hector stays at home at how well he and his sister would cope. We are off to Australia so,very far away, but the kennels would talk to us every day, and also if the kids want to visit or even bring Hector,home.
Also I am nervous about getting him more acupuncture as he reacted so very badly to the last trestment, and is only just end started to,pick up. I will look into getting the Dasequin. I also read about a collar which helps arthritis, so I have ordered one of these.
All advice would be appreciated
Mary and Hector
I actually just thought of something, although I am not real sure. If it could work overseas. There is a collar with a receiver that the dog wears and then you can check in on him with your phone or computer. I am not real familiar with the phone logistics there, but just a thought. Or maybe the kids can visit him, take the laptop when they visit and Skype. Your kennel owner sounds like she is very caring. I would probably just visit her beforehand and write down EVERYTHING. Go over it with her to make sure she has no questions. That is just me though, I always have a whole list written down. Maybe forgoing the acupuncture until you get back is not a bad idea either. It is just plain hard isn't it? You want t o be 2 places at once. Hugs, Lori, Angel TY & the canine 3
TY GUY, Best Black Lab ever! Diagnosed and had amp in January, 2014. Kicked MRSA's butt. Earned his angel wings on April 16, 2014. Run Free my boy and don't forget a shoe. Ty is a proud member of the " April Angels". Ty sent us Daryl, a Tripawd rescue in Sept. of 2016. Daryl is 5 +or -. We are also Pawrents to Chandler, a Border Collie mix who is 15 and 1/2, Lucy, a Corgi who is 7, 2 minis, 2 horses, and a feisty cat named Zoe. Zoe had a non skeletal Osteosarcoma removed in July 2015. No Chemo, she was at least 16. She is going strong although she is now completely blind. She is now close to 20 and her hobbies are eating and sleeping in front of her personal heater.
Good idea about the skype and FaceTime when we are in Oz. My mother in law is going to come and stay and look after Hector, which has made us feel a bit better, as although the kennels would look after him well, we want him to be in his own home where he is comfortable. I just hope that nothing happens to him while we are away. We have just got him a magnetic collar which I have read good reviews for, and has anyone used one?
Does anyone have any advice on how long a Tripawd can live with quite bad arthritis in the back legs, treated on Metacalm and Gabapentin? I see Hector struggle with his mobility but he seems at peace and comfortable in himself.
advice appreciated.
mary and Hector
Online
Hi Mary and Hector!
Glad to see Hector still has you trained to spoil him every second and obeying his "commands"! I love this little guy!
Haven't tried to magnetic thing...have heard of it. I say as long as alternatives cause no harm, then use 'em!
Hector is his own guy...he doesn't care avout any "time frames" of how long a dog can deal with arthritis. There are just too many variables...and Hector being Hector is the biggest variable!! As long as he is comfortable and still enjoying quality and is engaged and reacts to all that loving and spoiling, incontinence... less mobility...not too much of an issue.
I'm glad your mother-in-law is staying at the house with Hector. That really is the best case scenario. Just one more suggestiin to add to the great advice you have already gotten. If possible, have your mother-in-law around him as much as possible before you leave. That way she will have a "benchmark" of Hector's new normal. She'll know that a bit of j incontinence, being picky with his food, liking to lay around a lot, a bit slower moving...but still bossing everybody around...yeah, that's all "normal"!
Hect o r wants you to go onnyour trip! He wants you to enjoy yourselves! He will be fine! Having different people in the hoise may even stimulate him a bit!
Sending lots of hugs!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle 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!
Dear Sally, Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle
It is so lovely to hear from you, and you have made me feel a lot more positive, and you know exactly what Hector is like, and you made me smile about how Hector makes sure we all do what he wants. He is now gone off pork pies and sausage rolls, which were his favourites for a couple of weeks, and he is now back onto thinly sliced chicken and ham. I am a bit worried about how Granny (mother in law) will react when she sees Hector, as he is not the same dog she saw a few months ago. She arrives a day before we fly, so it should just give her enough time to get to know Hector's ways.
We feel that Hector is slowly slipping away from us, but although he is quiet and sleeping a lot he still likes to get driven over to the park to see some of his friends. He can only walk a few steps then flops, and then just likes to look,around everywhere. His pain control is better, and we have the magnetic collar on him so we will see how it goes. Granny can't drive, so we are going to try and get someone to give them lifts to the park. You are right about having different people in the house,mas he always picks up,when our son's girlfriend visits, as Hector adores her.
Thank you again for your kindness and thoughts, is is such a help to us.
take care
Mary and Hector
Mary you sound so much better, I'm happy to see how your optimism has brightened your and Hector's lives.
I'm thinking that with Granny, she may very well relate to how he feels and be completely sympathetic. Sally is so right, there are no timelines, just play it out and see how things go. This is when you just have go day by day and thank the universe for every minute of quality time. It's like that for elderly pets and humans alike.
If you're still wondering about how arthritis will affect his quality of life, you may want to listen to this podcast which discusses measuring quality of life in pets, it's very helpful and Dr. Villabos totally understands circumstances like Hector's:
Quality of Life Scale Tips with Pet Hospice Expert Dr. Alice Villalobos
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thanks Jerry, I always feel more positive when I come onto your site, as I don't feel as alone and helpless, as you have all experienced what Hector and I are going through. Yes, I am taking it day by day, but it will be so hard getting on that plane, leaving him, and not knowing if he will still be with us when we get home. I know that he will be so well looked after by a Granny and our son and daughter, and if something was to happen he would be with people who love him.
Thank you for the link to,the podcast, which I am about to log onto.
all the best everyone.
Mary and Hector
Awww I'm glad we can help you feel better. But yeah I can relate, I would be a mess leaving too. Like others have said though, Hector wants you to be happy and make the most of life, that's all our animals want for us.
{{{hugs}}}
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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