Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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This journey of amputation and Recovery is exhausting mentally physically and emotionally. On top of that, as you've mentioned, you've had your own challenges well trying to help Sue Bee through hers.
Sue would want you to do what is best for you.
Is it possible that you could get another service dog and keep Sue at the same time more as a pet without that job? Not sure if I made sense with that question. Without getting too personal, is Sue your se((rvice dog in a sense of being more physical support for you, bringing you things, Etc or more as an alert dog for physical or emotional?
Regardless, you need to do what is best for you., and that will be what is best for Sue too. If she's not able to perform the duties needed to support you and add to your quality of life, I'm sure that would frustrate her too..
Hopefully the professionals you are working with can help resolve this in a way where you can keep Sue. If..... if.... that is the best solution for both of you.
(((((((((((((((((((((((Hugs ))))))))))))))))))💖💖💖
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!
Took Suebee to rehab yesterday. I was impressed with their understanding of her problems. They checked her gait and stance and took xrays. I'm glad they took the xrays because they were confirmation that everything, other than her disc problem, was normal. She will be going in for water treadmill and massage work. I will be getting the home exercises by email in a week. This is a lot being that the hospital is an hour from where we live but I feel it is worth it. I want to give Suebee one good round of rehab and see how she responds. Hopefully, I can keep her muscles as strong as possible. Thanks for all your help.
YAY! Joyce I'm so happy to read this. Did they say if her mobility challenges will continue to negatively impact how she helps you on a daily basis?
Please do keep in mind that you won't see huge changes with one round. Like anything it's a commitment to doing the homework they give you and checking in on a regular basis, as determined by the therapy team. Change can happen slowly and you might not even recognize it at first, but if you stick to the program she will get there.
How did they rate her overall mobility? It sounds like she's not doing too badly?
Her mobility is good and so is her stance. They recommended massage to help with her anxiety and reduce tension in the shoulder area. They recommended underwater treadmill which we haven't done yet. We will have to be careful because SueBee has a disc problem in her back and if she starts to fight it, we will have to stop. It is so hard to get the rehab appointments that I asked them if they were worth doing spaced so far apart. The first massage appointment was amazing and SueBee has calmed down a lot.
So glad you are feeling more hopeful now that SueBee had her appt and you can see the massage has already helped.
Great that theyare sending some exercises to do at-home. I know it's reassuring having confirmation that her stance is good,as is her mobility.
While doing her massages, use that as a time to absorb her calm, relaxed energy and it can be a win/win for both of you.👍 Yoi can match her relaxed breathing once you both get into the "massage zone of relaxation ".
Hugs
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!
Wow this is such great news! I'm so happy the visit went well and you found some useful tips to help her feel good. What did they say about spacing the visits apart? How far apart are they?
We've changed some of the appointments and now Suebee has one appointment a week, either massage or treadmill. She has her second massage appointment tomorrow and I found the first one beneficial for me too! Both of us are taking things easier and I am learning how to be gentle and supportive of her. The last remaining issue is her anxiety when riding in the car. Hopefully, continuing the massage may help this. She does not like being in the car and long rides (meaning 30-40 minutes) seem too much for her. I have my own therapy appointments to help me with my anxiety of not having a support dog to go out with anymore. This makes doing errands difficult. But Suebee is still doing her service work when we are together so that is good.
Best news all day Joyce! I love the way the appointments worked out.
I'm so happy you are both getting the support you need to engage in the world and embrace this new chapter. Please keep us posted!
Suebee had her first treadmill experience today. I was so anxious for her. But she came through like a trooper. She walked for five minutes and even discovered that she can stop walking and rest (although she moves backwards with the treadmill). I am so proud of her!!!! She is much more relaxed as a result of the massage that she is getting. And the joint supplements seem to help with her overall energy. Being a 14-year-old dog, I imagine she might have joint pain from her age and the supplements are helping with that. Wow! We are getting through this. I can't say enough about the people at the rehab hospital and how well they treat Suebee.
Doing a Happy dance ober here!!!! SueBee and YOU are doing sooooo well!!!!
Yes, as an "old dog" myself I can attest to aches and paints, stiff joints and on and on!! Sounds like these visits are really helping her.
I'm so glad you are fe3lingbetter about the whole scenario. You stayed the course and stayed hopeful, no matter how hard that was to do at times.
Five minutes is a looong time for a tripawd, so I'm glad they let her rest....or that she told them she needed rest!
Thanks foe the great update! Made my day!!!
Hugs
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!
YAY! Thank you for letting us know about the treatment she is getting. Sounds like she is having a great time! And you sound 1000 times lighter too. It's therapy for both of you!
What rehab center is she going to? And what joint supplements is she getting?
Suebee goes to Back on Track Veterinary Hospital and Rehabilitation Center in O'Fallon, Missouri. Her joint supplement is Dasuquin Advanced. For anyone interested in more information about Suebee and the Rehab Center, her essay will be posted through the Tripawds Foundation . (Thank you Tripawds Foundation !) We are still struggling with anxiety during car rides, but my vet is prescribing trazodone for the morning of her long car ride to the rehab center.
SieBee' essay will definitely be helpful. Thanks to you and Tripawds for sharing that.
my vet is prescribing trazodone for the morning of her long car ride to the rehab center.
Maybe you could try and couple pf things before doing that. Trazodone can be quite sedating and can take a bit of time to get out of their system. At least, that has been some of the experiences shared..... obviously every dog is different and every dose is different.
Fogot....how long is the carride?
Wondering if you gave her a good quality bone to chew of that would help. Even for the first several minites of the carride and before giving her the bone, maybe you could sprinkle some small dog treats across the car seat (or wherever she rides) to keep her focused on carrides are a good thing.
Keep the good updates coming! You two are working through this together!!
Hugs
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!
Virginia, are you a vet? I don't appreciate unsolicited medical advice. I trust my vet completely. You do not understand the whole situation and while I appreciate your suggestions they reflect your lack of understanding. If you remember, I mentioned previously that Suebee has gut issues and can only eat Z/D. Putting treats and bones on the car seat is totally out of the question. And when she is anxious, she will not even get in the car much less eat anything. I have had a thorough discussion with my vet, he knows Suebee and the situation and again, I trust his advice completely.
My intent was only to be helpful and I sincerely apologize for coming across any other way. You and SueBee have been through a lot and have made such good progress and I care deeply about you both.
My suggestions were merely that, just suggestions to TRY and be helpful. I'm so very sorry if my intentions were misunderstood. Just sort of FWIW kind of comments. Clearly you and your Vet know SueBee best and she is so lucky to have you both on her team and no one knows her better than you.
You are right, I did not recall in previous posts you had mentioned SueBee couldn't have treats. So my treat suggestion was without remembering that and I apologize. Like everyone here, I only want to offer help and support , but sometimes I guess I can fall short.
It's so encouraging knowing SueBee is making progress and rece such good care. Good job!!!
Hugs
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!
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