Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Oh Maizy I'm just now catching up on your story! I'm so sorry you're back at the vets. They sound like a great team though, I know they'll figure this thing out. I sure hope you didn't eat those bandages you silly girl! It wouldn't be the first time that's happened here though, but hopefully you just need some extra TLC.
Keep us posted, you can vent here anytime. We are all thinking of you and hoping for good news and a giant appetite!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hoping you get good news soon!
Of course, being a lab, Maizy would eat something inedible.....Tuck removed part of his tumour himself two days before his amp surgery so I can totally relate to the "unexpected" happening.
Take care of yourself.....Maizy is getting great care from the vet!
Linda and Tucker
Well yesterday was stressful. Our vet didn't hear back from the radiologist he sent her radiographs to until 4:45. We called at 5:30 since we knew the office closed at 6. So, what the vet thought was add odd looking part of her small intestine, the specialist thinks is just some fluid. The stomach, on the other hand, is still in question. They said it could be the bandage that she ingested, almost 4 weeks ago, but can't be sure. We brought her home last night, with another different kind of food they were hoping she'd try (she didn't) and they left her catheter in. She is going back this morning where they will do another set of radiographs to see if anything shifted overnight. At this point, our vet was saying he really doesn't want to have to do any kind of surgery that involves cutting her open. I asked if it would be possible to use a scope and he said "maybe". We're going to wait and see what the radiographs show this morning and get the specialist's opinion. At least by getting some fluids in her, she had some energy back yesterday (pulling my husband out of the vet's office). But it's just so hard, standing by while she essentially whittles away. It's not like she's emaciated by any stretch, but to not have eaten ANYTHING in over 4 days is killing me... I don't want this to keep going and be how she goes out of this world. She's too stubborn for that. I just wish she'd realize it!
Yes she's stubborn and so are you and your husband...and I mean tht in a complimentary way!! And NO! She's "not gong out this way", o,ay?
I'm sooooooo glad they gave her fluids and that gave her more enegy!
We ave situations where dogs have the same eating difficulties all the time.....maybe not for the same reason.....vut something fter surgery...the meds...the stress...an infection, etc. would play havoc with their tummies for days and days.
SOmeone with a better memory than I will have to chime in, but I think it was Liz, Roxie's mom' who went to GNC and got a syringe of yummy gel type substanceloadedwith viatamis that she got in her.
She's drinking water and that's good!
How 'bout poop?Have they discussed plans if it is fluid...how to drain it off or absorb it? I'm sure they've checked for ulcers
I know you're relationship with your vet is woderful,. I'm sure he would welome a second opinion though
Give yourself and Maizy a little break to day.....go do something she likes...maybe a car ride, or have a friend come over....just something that makes her feel excited and gives your mind a break. Remember, all Maizy knows is she doesn't feel like eating, but she's ot streesed about it or worried. She has sll the pain from her leg fone and thatll tht matters!
As you kow, we're right nere!! We'll be checking!! Maybe ask them to ive her another IV while she's there and that B-12 cocktail.
We tripawd members need to get in line and get ALL these tripawd paws crossed for Maizy Hapy Hannah's over here right now getting those big fat paws in her "lucky cross position"......this is for you Maizy!!
Hers paws are a bit "chunky" so they don't cross" very well!
Hugs and love!
Sally and Happy Hannah
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!
I know how hard the apatite thing is to deal with. Tri-pug Maggie had quite a crash at one point and didn't eat for about 7 days, and then it was less than she needed. The situation was a little different as we were dealing with cancer and the early stages of renal failure.
Quad pug Tani developed IBD when she was younger and couldn't keep food down for 3 weeks.
My point is try and not get too stressed about her not eating- let the vets figure things out and get her back on track. Also- be sure you are not showing her stress when you try and get her to eat. I did that with Maggie and she took to going outside when I was making food for her!
Is Maizy drinking at all? You might be able to slip her some low sodium chicken broth or tuna water.
Hang in there- it has to get better! Hoping for good news with your next update.
Karen
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Karen - I'm glad you understand how scary it is. I have been more worried about her not eating than about the surgery!
So the vet did numerous radiographs today and forwarded them to the specialist. They decided they were quite sure that it is NOT a foreign object in her stomach but rather something like colitis. They think what they are seeing is folds of the stomach kind of caved in on itself. He welcomed a second opinion from a gastroenterologist or to do a sonogram but was fairly certain how to move forward. The only slight concern is that it could be (though unlikely) that her cancer has moved into the lining of the stomach which we wouldn't be able to see. But he recommended starting her on steroids and an appetite stimulant. We said we were willing to do what we needed. So within a half hour, she "almost ate the hand" of the vet when he offered her a Chik-Fil-A grilled sandwich! We brought her home for the night again but she is going back in the morning. One more day of IV fluids, steroids and stimulants, then hopefully back home for good. They plan to keep her on the stomach meds and oral steroids for a while until we can show the stomach back to normal.
Keep paws crossed that this is all it is!!!
Yay Maizy!! Your pawrents' and doctors' persistence appear to have started paying off. Chick-Fil-A, huh? Who would have thought? You keep it up, girl. After all, Labs have a reputation for being good eaters, and you need to do your part to keep that rep intact.
Kathi and Murphy
Murphy is a five year old Lab/Chessie cross. He was hit by a car on 10/29/12 and became a Tripawd on 11/24/12. On 2/5/13, he had a total hip replacement on his remaining back leg. He has absolutely no idea that he has only three legs!
UPDATE: Murphy lived his life to the fullest, right up until an aggressive bone lesion took him across the Rainbow Bridge on April 9, 2015 and he gained his membership in the April Angels. Run free, my love. You deserve it!
ALL PAWS CROSSED SEEMS TO BE HELPING!!!
Sooooooo glad she's better! WHEEEEEEEEEEEW!
Got it figured out now so Maizy can back to recoverng frommthe amputation! Wait! I thinks she's already conquered tht!!
Jist curiius what would cause that?
Sleep well and cuddle Maizy tonight!
Sally and Happy Hannah
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!
Hanna's Power of the Paw is Working!
So hoppy to hear that things are looking up. I hope today goes well and she can be home for good. With that fantastic vet team on your side, things are gonna be A-OK.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Post weekend check-in!
Maizy has been eating well all weekend. She been up and around more (although the steroids do kind of make her tired too) and we can just tell that she's much more comfortable the way she's been laying. Still worried that this is all due to her being on medication, but we'll find out next weekend when the appetite stimulant goes away...
For those of you who will be away later this week, have a wonderful Thanksgiving!!!
'Been watching and waiting for this update.....and it was worth the wait! GREAT NEWS!
Regardless of "why" she's eatng...she's eating
And that helps build her back up, get the nutrients she needs, feel so much better, etc.
And prednisne can be a "miracle" pill at certain times, but I don't think it would be able to turn things around if she had anything really bad going on. I think this is really a goos sign that she's getting back on the up and up!
Stay in the moment. Enjoy the present. Maizy is feeling better and she's enjoying that feeling! Let's all jump into Maizy's joy and make it a great Thanksgiving!
Thanks for the update! Really, realy good to hear!
Love and hugs!
Sally and Happy Hannah
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!
Maizy gets an "A"! That's pawesome news, and just in time for Turkey Day too!
How is she doing as far as thirst and frequent urination? Oftentimes that can be a challenge when on Pred. Sounds like it's not for Maizy?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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