Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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So we've noticed now a number of times this morning she's become skittish, yelped, winced when we stand up, move a bit quick or do any quick arm movements. It's almost like she's bracing and expected to be hit, very saddening. We were wondering if maybe it's side affects from tapering her off some of the pain meds? We're cutting tramadol from 12 to 24 hours now, could that have anything to do with it since she's been on it for months? Obviously it's tough when she gets skittish but immediately comes to us and can't tell us why she did it.
Okay, of course I'm not a vet so check with yiur vet.
It sounds like it could be phantom pain . That's when the nerve endings that used to fire off to the amputated leg are now still sending messages to a leg that's not here...and it apparently hurts like crazy!
Comes on quicklu...dogs usually yelp and get up and try and move away from the pain. Sometimes they freeze because they are afraid to move because it might hurt again.
Again call your vet. He will most likely give you a prescription for Gabapentin as that is effective for this type of nerve pain.
Let us know what the vet says when you can. In the meantime, just gently massage around the incision site and offer reassurance.
One more thought since she just had her staple out, except a couple. Sometimes a vet will actually miss a staple and that could be poking her if a piece of one is still in tnere.
Sending healing energy to the lovely Senna!
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!
Hell everyone,
Sorry it's been a couple weeks since I've been able to give an update on Senna. About two weeks ago we received the results from Senna's amputated leg from Colorado State and they said they found a tumor associated with Histolytic Sarcoma. We did a follow up with a local vet, chest x-rays and confirmed that she did have cancer. They said there are currently no cancer cells anywhere, but this specific type of cancer has a 90% chance of coming back. We had a long walk with the Vets and they said with Chemo pills, Senna has an out look of about 2 years, without she would have 6 months. We talked about the side effects and they said bone density loss and liver damage are to be expected. We feel with her closing in on a year of taking multiple pain meds have already heavily damaged her liver and we fear bone density loss on her single front leg could lead to a devastating accident. We've made the decision to not go with the Chemo and just allow Senna to be happy and play for as long as she can. We really thought we were going to finally catch a break with everything Senna has gone through. Now we're dedicated to making her comfortable, happy and SPOIL THE CRAP OUT OF HER!!!!!
Senna is sooooo beautiful! That picture of her sitting and looking up at the camera..stunning, absolutely stunning! And look at her go in that video! OMD! She is running like the wind!
I hope you don't mind me asking, but just throwing some stuff out there. Are Senna's lover levels normal now?
Have you gotten another opinion as far as the likelihood of the chemo causing some of the side effects mentionw? And, IF, those side effects mentioned were to happen, would it be much further down the road later?
You CLEARLY have Senna's best interest at heart and love her so dearly! To be able to focus on quality for her is what it's all about! There certainly are no guarantees with further treatment anyway. Also, Senna doesn't have a timeframe stamped on her butt and coukd care less about any ole' diagnosis!! I've got a feeling Senna is going to blow "statistics" sky high!!
I cannot even imagine how you could spoil her anymore than you already have every single day...but you'll figure out a way! Spoiling a tripawd is pure bliss!!
Keep these great pictures coming!!
Sending love!
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!
Great to hear Senna is doing so well.....loving the pictures please keep them coming. We are a little way behind you in terms of journey so great to see your progress.
Long may it continue....
Gemma & Murphy
Not sure how I never saw your earlier posts. Senna is beautiful! It looks like she is doing great!
Did you mean histiocytic? That's what my Murphy had. It's a pretty aggressive cancer, usually found in organs. Murphy's surgery was 2 1/2 years ago and he's still doing great! He had 6 doses of CCNU.
Donna
Donna, Glenn & Murphy
Murphy had his right front leg amputated due to histiocytic sarcoma at 7 years old. He survived 4 years, 2 months & 1 week, only to be taken by hemangiosarcoma at 11 1/2 years 6/12/17
Read about Murphy's Life on Three Legs
Hey guys, no apologies necessary, we're just glad you came back to let us know how she's doing. LOVE the pics and video!
Overall she is ROCKIN! That's realy cool, and we hope she has a long, long hoppy road ahead. I know the decision to treat it palliatively must have been very heard but it's so obvious you gave it a lot of thought and care. She is so lucky to have great parents like you.
Even with a prognosis like that you just never know. All of us here are sending our love for lots of great days ahead. We hope you'll share her adventures with us, we just can't get enough!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hey everyone!
Sorry it's been so long but it has been a very busy last couple of months! Senna's doing great and has been the center of our attention over the holidays, as you can see by the photos below. We've been busy caring for her, our friends' two pups and my wife's new K9 over the holidays and now two Mals in one house has been non-stop whining!!
What a GREAT update! And WOW! You have a busy household indeed!
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the picture of Senna "under" the tree! Best Christmas present EVER!!!
And the family portrait photo...priceless!!
Thank you soooooooo much for taking the time to update us. You've given us all a great big reason to smile today!!
We're all cheering for you Senna!
Lots of love ALL!
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!
Great update!!! Love the photos and Senna looks great... I love those ears!
Shelby Lynne; Jack Russell/Shiba Inu mix. Proud member of the April Angels of 2014.
October 15, 2000 to April 8, 2014
Our story: Broke rear leg in June 2013 - non-conclusive results for cancer so leg was plated and pinned. Enlarged spleen in September 2013 and had it removed and was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma and started chemotherapy. Became a Tripawd January 8th, 2014 and definitive Hemangiosarcoma diagnosis. Three major surgeries in 7 months and Shelby took them all like a champ only to lose her battle to cancer in her brain. We had 8 amazing extra months together and no regrets. #shelbystrong #loveofmylife
Ohhhhhh those are a couple of hoppy dawgs (obviously 'cause their humans are too!)! I love that life is great for your pack, you guys sure deserve it! Thanks for checking in.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Looking so great!!!
Donna
Donna, Glenn & Murphy
Murphy had his right front leg amputated due to histiocytic sarcoma at 7 years old. He survived 4 years, 2 months & 1 week, only to be taken by hemangiosarcoma at 11 1/2 years 6/12/17
Read about Murphy's Life on Three Legs
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