Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
Tripawds is your home to learn how to care for a three legged dog or cat, with answers about dog leg amputation, and cat amputation recovery from many years of member experiences.
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It is hard to be patient when recovery is not going well...
and some recoveries do take longer than others.....
and some are harder than others...
This is a wonderful resource and support system for those recoveries!
Hang in there and certainly do have a glass or four!
You don't know what you can do, until you have to do it. Just take things one step at a time with Zoey.
The call from the vet early this morning was not good. Despite everything she was doing, zoey was acting extremely hypersensitive and was panting so hard that she had some bloody mucous discharge from her mouth and nose. She said that she would give her two more hours and then would suggest euthanasia, which I quite agreed with. Something she said triggered a memory for me.
When zoey had her teeth done two years ago, her recovery at home was horrible for at least two days. She was panting hard, circling, pacing, etc. I called that vet (our FORMER vet) back 4 or 5 times and brought zoey in at least twice. He always said she was fine and not to worry about it.
I thought about that and called my vet back. She hung up quickly with an "oh my gosh".
She immediately stopped the infusion and reversed the effects. It wasn't long after that that zoey had stopped panting and was trying to stand up.
My vet said when I told her about the weird reaction from the teeth cleaning, something clicked. Apparently Zoey has a "reactive hypersensitivity to one or both desdomitir and opioids."
HOLY COW!!!
I just got back from visiting zoey. We got a tail wag when we came in!! She is snoozing away right now and we will go back to get her around 5pm.
She would've died had the vet not figured out what was going on.
***included in that category of drugs she cannot take is tramadol*****
I'm detailing the above medicines in case this ever happens to anyone else here.
Yippee!!!!!!!!!!!
Jill is a 9-year-old tuxedo kitty. She was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma in June 2012 on her toe in her right hind leg. Her leg was amputated on 12/12/12 and she completed four rounds of chemo (2 of Carbo, 2 of Doxy) in April 2013. "Like" Jill's facebook page: https://www.fac.....tty?ref=hl Proud member of the WINTER WARRIORS!!!! Her blog can be read at http://jillsjou.....ipawds.com. xoxo
zoey1 said
She would've died had the vet not figured out what was going on.
Actually, you are the one who figured out what was going on.
I am not there so obviously cannot speak to specifics, but hypersensitivity/intolerance to meds (especially opiates) is a fairly common problem. Sometimes it's manageable and we deal with it in the short term (like when our drugged dogs pant and look a bit wild-eyed). Sometimes it's a Very Bad Thing and we can't deal with it (I am deathly allergic to opiates, but I can and do take Tramadol).
I am kind of scratching my head over the length of time it took for your vet to figure this out (with your help). I realize that may sound insensitive and even rude. I apologize if that's the case; tact is sometimes not my strong suit. But a veterinarian is supposed to be aware of these things and be able to spot them pretty fast. Again, I don't know this vet and really am not qualified to comment...nevertheless, I am because my end goal is the same as yours: a happy, healthy Zoey who lives a very long life in utter bliss. It disturbs me greatly that the vet herself was going to recommend euthanasia for something like this. What a close call for Zoey. Thankfully you put the vet on the right path.
All of this was on my mind and the minds of many people here last night when they replied to you and mentioned overreactions to some of these drugs.
I hope Zoey has an uneventful rest of her recovery and does amazingly well. Collies can be wild cards with all of their quirks and sensitivities. We loved ours for all those reasons, and I understand completely how Zoey has stolen your heart.
Shari
From abandoned puppy to Tripawd Warrior Dude, Dakota became one of the 2011 February Furballs due to STS. Our incredibly sweet friend lived with grace and dignity till he impulsively raced over the Bridge on 12-15-12.
Dakota's thoughtful and erudite blog is at http://shari.tr.....pawds.com/
No, you're right, Shari. I guess she thought she was seeing a reaction to pain and not the drugs. Next week I will ask her about it, in terms of why it never occurred to her. She's only seen zoey once before, and that was Monday for the X-rays and diagnosis as I had felt my previous vet wasn't giving zoey the correct gravitas her situation deserved. I don't think that should have made a difference though.
I'm more angry at my previous vet for being so dismissive of zoey's reaction two years ago.
I'm also angry with myself. I'm sure it's evident that I research everything and had I done more research into zoey's reaction (and this includes letting what all of you were saying sink into my thick skull) I could have prevented any of this from happening.
Well, you have a lot to think about but you also have some wonderful news to celebrate. I am so glad YOU figured out what was going on.
As far as being mad at yourself, I get it. Cora was in pain all the time after her first amputation and I didn't really figure out what was going on until she fell and hurt her stump. There is so much to take in and deal with. We are inclined to trust the vets and think they know best. In the end, you have helped Zoey get through this awful time and have a better future. That's what matters.
Wow! So glad you remembered her previous reaction. I don,t remeber tramadol being on the herding dog sensitvity list, but maybe it should be. Many of the chemo drugs areon that list (Shooter has a single mutation sensitivity). You may want to consider having your vet do the DNA testing thru WSU. It is inexpensive and then you will know for sure and can watch any medicationshe is prescribed.
Keep getting better Zoey!
Spirit Shooter was a Miniature Australian Shepherd who was diagnosed with a MCT and had a LF amp 1/28/13 at 13-1/2 years old.
Shooter crossed the Bridge on 8/28/13, his 7 month ampuversary and two weeks from his 14th birthday.
Omg! I am sooo glad that you made the correlation. YOU saved zoey's life. I am with Shari on this one. When it comes to vets, I have no problem saying "next" once they give me that hint of uncertainty, faithlessness, hopelessness, or lack of intelligence to know that they should investigate the matter further. I too know that I am not the expert, but what I do know is there is no greater advocate for my dog than me. If Not me, then who? Good save. I wish you aNd zoey the best of luck in the rest of your recovery. Remember that a true Tripawd warrior is one with grit. Don't back down and stay strong.
Maricela and spirit bruno
Maricela and Spirit Bruno
I think I'll go into chat. Having her home is so much harder than I thought.
Dang it, I can't figure out how to get to the chat.
What a roller coaster ride! I am SO RELIEVED that you made the connection and called the vet right away!!!
Many wishes for a quick & uneventful recovery!! HUGZ!!!
hi! to go to chat, click on chat on the menu at the top, then you have to scroll all the way down, the chat room is at the bottom of the page
Jill is a 9-year-old tuxedo kitty. She was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma in June 2012 on her toe in her right hind leg. Her leg was amputated on 12/12/12 and she completed four rounds of chemo (2 of Carbo, 2 of Doxy) in April 2013. "Like" Jill's facebook page: https://www.fac.....tty?ref=hl Proud member of the WINTER WARRIORS!!!! Her blog can be read at http://jillsjou.....ipawds.com. xoxo
Darnitall. She just tore her infusion tube out. Then started on her incision site. Put the t-shirt on her.
I'm just now catching up on all that's going on, I'm sorry for all you've been through but what a relief to know that she made it through the surgery and is home. Does she have a cone on? I know they're pathetic but they are so necessary.
Have you figured out how to get into the chat yet? We are in there now, please jump in anytime.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I hope you are remembering to breath. Dogs definitely do pull tubes out, so I hope you aren't worrying too much about that.
This post here describes how to get on chat: http://tripawds.....101809 if you tell me what trouble you are having I can try to talk you through
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