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.
Join The Tripawds Community
Learn how to help three legged dogs and cats in the forums below. Browse and search as a guest or register for free and get full member benefits:
Instant post approval.
Private messages to members.
Subscribe to favorite topics.
Live Chat and much more!
Register
Log In
Members
Add Topic
Offline
Yesterday Lupe decided to stop eating. She is drinking, still going to the bathroom (even pooped yesterday) and walking around. She is very lethargic and seems favor her bed in our room when I'm out in another room. We got good news from the vet yesterday that her blood work looked good and that we could move forward with the surgery...thyroid levels were low but this has been the case for a couple of years and checked and rechecked so not an issue, kidney levels on the high side of normal but with the colitis and possible UTI, vet wasn't surprised.
I told her that Lupe wasn't eating and she told me to bribe her with anything. Have tried boiled chicken, boiled hamburg, cat food, favorite treats and still she will only take a bite and then walk away. I still have tuna and canned dog food to try, but was looking back and realized she hasn't eaten her kibble since this whole journey started just about a month ago. She was eating her canned food up until a week ago.
We are going to spend the night with friends that have other dogs, I'm hoping a change in scenery and energy will spark her appetite. Trying to be rational and read signs but I don't know if she is fading or if its all the drugs and feeling like garbage. She's currently taking 25 mg of Tramadol 3 or 4 times a day, 125 mg of Metronidazole twice a day (for the colitis) and 5 mg of Pepcid twice a day (also for the colitis). I know the the Tramadol can make a dog withdraw and shrink appetite but to the point of absolutely no food and sleeping most of the day?
If she's not eating before surgery, it doesn't seem like it would be a good idea to go through with it...
Thoughts? Similar experiences? Suggestions?
Diagnosed with possible synovial cell sarcoma of right front elbow 5/31/12. Amputation surgery performed 6/7/12. Final diagnosis of histiocytic cell sarcoma 6/11/12. Her soul and spirit were strong, her body was not...my little girl earned her wings 6/14/12. "If there are labradoodles and goldendoodles, why can't I be a cockadoodle?"-Angel Lupe (June 28, 1997-June14, 2012) http://lupepod......pawds.com/
Do you think she is just in a lot of pain from the leg coupled with the colitis?
I really wish I could help, but I just don't know. Can you call your vet again and tell her nothing is working and you are scared?
Just out of curiosity, has the vet done an ultra sound on her tummy?
Keep us updated if anything changes. Good thoughts coming to Lupe.
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.
Oh poor pup!
I know that many, many dogs will lose their appetite when they are in pain and taking lots of medications. Dogs are instinctively smart and know that they should save their energy for healing, since eating and digesting takes the body's energy away.
How soon is the surgery? I'm sure your vet won't do it if her system is not capable of handling it, but I do agree with Comet, an ultrasound might be worthwhile. Definitely ask about what other tests can be done before surgery, just to make sure this isn't anything more than her feeling bad.
Hopefully being around other dogs will inspire her to eat, I know it always did for me, and our Wyatt Ray .
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I've had pugs for 13 years- I've almost never had to worry about eating!
The only time I dealt with it was when Maggie had kidney problems. She became picky about eating and was losing weight but I chalked it up to her aging- she was 10 at the time. Turns out her kidneys were starting to fail. I'd have to go look for records to see what her test values were- the were higher than normal, but not really high. But for her it was enough. She went through periods of not wanting to eat at all. And some almost inexplicable pickiness- she would turn down chicken, but eat turkey.
I don't want to worry you if the vet thinks it's OK base on the other issues. Going into surgery I would want to be sure. Hopefully the visit with the other pups picked up her appetite.
Karen and the pugapalooza
Took her to the vet today. They re-ran blood work, WBC is high, liver and kidney functions are just above normal and the pancreatitis test came back as abnormal. So she's currently at the vet getting IV fluids, antibiotics and pain meds. I have to pick her up around 7 and can bring her home tonight and then bring her back tomorrow for another round tomorrow. Surgery is on hold, but I know that's for the best. Hoping she can pull through this so we can move forward...have a feeling its going to be a long night...
Diagnosed with possible synovial cell sarcoma of right front elbow 5/31/12. Amputation surgery performed 6/7/12. Final diagnosis of histiocytic cell sarcoma 6/11/12. Her soul and spirit were strong, her body was not...my little girl earned her wings 6/14/12. "If there are labradoodles and goldendoodles, why can't I be a cockadoodle?"-Angel Lupe (June 28, 1997-June14, 2012) http://lupepod......pawds.com/
Hi Kori. I am so sorry you are going through such a rough patch with Lupe. Zeus has had a couple of bouts with pancreatitis and it stinks. It is a very painful condition and they most certainly don't want to eat until it is cleared-up. Although it can be quite serious, it is certainly treatable. Sounds like your vet is on top of things which is great. The wonderful thing about IV pain meds is that they don't have to be processed through the stomach so she gets pain relief without exacerbating the pancreatitis. Hope she recovers quickly!
Lisa
Zeus was a Husky mix diagnosed with Osteosarcoma at age 11. A visible lung met and suspicious spot on his liver meant a poor prognosis-six weeks was our vet's best guess. We decided to fight for our boy and his right front leg was amputated on 12/1/11. We did six rounds of chemo, changed his diet and spoiled him completely rotten. We were blessed with 10 great months after diagnosis. Against the odds, the lung met remained a single met and grew very little over those months. A wonderful furbaby with the most gentle spirit, he fought with a strength that we never imagined he possessed. We have no regrets...
http://zeuspod......pawds.com/
Poor baby Lupe! I'm so glad you went to the vet. It sounds like you have got a great one to help you through this. Feel free to come by tonight if it gets too "long". There is always usually someone in the chat room too if you need to talk.
We'll be thinking of your little one!
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.
Sending good thoughts for your girl! Hope she feels better soon.
Jackie
Abby: Aug 1, 2009 – Jan 10, 2012. Our beautiful rescue pup lived LARGE with osteosarcoma for 15 months – half her way-too-short life. I think our "halflistic" approach (mixing traditional meds + supplements) helped her thrive. (PM me for details. I'm happy to help.) She had lung mets for over a year. They took her from us in the end, but they cannot take her spirit! She will live forever in our hearts. She loved the beach and giving kisses and going to In-N-Out for a Flying Dutchman. Tripawds blog, and a more detailed blog here. Please also check out my novel, What the Dog Ate. Now also in paperback! Purchase it at Amazon via Tripawds and help support Tripawds!
Get well soon Lupe! I'm sorry you are feeling so bad.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Another update...
Lupe took a turn for the worse today. Vet and I thought it may be time. Set a time to go over and everything. While speaking to my brother shortly afterwards when vet called to tell me that she was eating. Went over, met with vet and fed Lupe. She was walking around and alert. So I am following up with surgeon tomorrow to discuss things. Her normal vet feels like the best option is to remove the leg and let her have no pain so she can move forward. So my girl is home, she even walked out of the vet's office. I do realize that the next 24 hours are critical and this turn around may be short lived but after today I am truly ready for whatever lies in front of us. She's a strong soul that decided to fight on today.
Diagnosed with possible synovial cell sarcoma of right front elbow 5/31/12. Amputation surgery performed 6/7/12. Final diagnosis of histiocytic cell sarcoma 6/11/12. Her soul and spirit were strong, her body was not...my little girl earned her wings 6/14/12. "If there are labradoodles and goldendoodles, why can't I be a cockadoodle?"-Angel Lupe (June 28, 1997-June14, 2012) http://lupepod......pawds.com/
Oh, what a roller coaster you've been on. What a brave strong girl she is. I hope she is well enough to have the surgery. It sounds like she is definitely Tripawd Warrior Princess material. Even if she does not end up having it, she is definitely an honorary TWP.
Hang in there. Sending out pawsitive thoughts that she'll improve!
Jackie, Angel Abby's mom
Abby: Aug 1, 2009 – Jan 10, 2012. Our beautiful rescue pup lived LARGE with osteosarcoma for 15 months – half her way-too-short life. I think our "halflistic" approach (mixing traditional meds + supplements) helped her thrive. (PM me for details. I'm happy to help.) She had lung mets for over a year. They took her from us in the end, but they cannot take her spirit! She will live forever in our hearts. She loved the beach and giving kisses and going to In-N-Out for a Flying Dutchman. Tripawds blog, and a more detailed blog here. Please also check out my novel, What the Dog Ate. Now also in paperback! Purchase it at Amazon via Tripawds and help support Tripawds!
I went through a similar situation with Maggie. She had a big crash, got sick, stopped eating and lost weight- about a pound in a week, and she was only about 17 lbs to start with. She spent 3 days at the vet getting IV fluids and anti-nausea meds. Everyone though she was done, I didn't expect her to last the week. But she rallied and started eating again.
Our little pups are very resilient, I hope Lupe keeps on fighting!
Karen and the pugapalooza
Wow. Dogs are just incredble aren't they?
I'm glad to hear she is home with you. May she continue to rally and get stronger with each hour.
Keep us posted.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Come on Lupe! Get strong little girl!
What an awful day. Please let this just be a bump.
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.
1 Guest(s)
