Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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We're back at home with some good news and some uncertain news.
The good news is that Rumbles has clear lungs and normal heart size. Those were our vet's two biggest worries when I spoke with him on the phone about his symptoms. So huge sigh of relief when the x-rays were done!
The uncertain news is that a quick blood test showed mid-level anemia. That's probably what is causing the lethargy and loss of color in his gums and tongue. Now we wait for a full blood panel to see if the cause of anemia can be determined. Sounds like it could be a lot of things...doctor-talk got the best of me and the only one I remember is "tick-borne illnesses". But the results should be back tomorrow afternoon, so hopefully we'll know more pretty quickly.
Thank you all for sending your hopeful wishes. I appreciate all of your kind words and thoughts!
That sounds like great news to me-- we'll certainly celebrate clear lungs and a normal heart 
Hope Rumbles continues to improve and the doctors can pinpoint the cause of the anemia-- and it's something trivial. Sending our best wishes.
Scout: January 31, 2002 to November 7, 2011
Scout's diagnosis was "poorly differentiated sarcoma"; amputation 1/11/2011. Scout enjoyed 9 fantastic years on 4 legs and 9 glorious months on 3 legs. If love alone could have saved you…
YAY for clear lungs and a normal heart. It always amuses me when vets say that a dog has a normal heart size because I always think 'no, he has the biggest heart I've ever seen.'
Unfortunately, I have become educated recently on anemia symptoms and treatments. Although Zeus's was related to the tumors spreading through his belly, I'm sure it presents the same regardless of the cause. In Zeus's case it did make him extremely lethargic. We have been giving him Epogen injections three times per week for two weeks to stimulate RBC production and to make him feel better for the time that he has left. Please let me know if your vet prescribes this and I can provide any insight at all.
Hoping your baby feels much better soon.
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/
Glad to hear Rumbles got a great health check-up! Hopefully the anemia issue will be solved soon!
Clear x-rays???? WOOOO HOOOO!!!!! 
Now that is great news. And at least you have some kind of idea what's causing his lethargy. That's a good day!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Clear xrays are definitely something to celebrate! Hope he gets a hedgehog!
Hope the anemia issue is easily solved.
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!
Oh Rumbles, I just breathed a sigh of relief. I've been holding my breath. So happy for clear x-rays and hope they can fix the anemia! Bless you special boy! Xo Sue
Thanks everyone! He was a little tired this morning. And glum. But I think that's because we had the suitcase out for an over nite trip, and he's never happy to see the luggage.
Hate to be away when he's unwell, but baby girl has college orientation today and tomorrow. Husband and son are home...sure they'll all have cheeseburgers tonight. Rumbles favorite!
Haven't heard from the vet yet. Resisting the urge to call....
Oh, that's hard - exciting times to be away for the Big Sendoff to College, but I know you want to be with Rumbles too.
Hopefully he was just blue about the suitcases. My mom's little beagle used to get in the suitcase when anyone would pull one out. She knew exactly what they meant!
Hope the no news is good news from the vet.
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!
Yesterday's news was very encouraging- sorry I am late to post.
I hope the anemia is something boring that is easily rectified.
Karen and the pugapalooza
I spoke with the vet today while I was driving on the freeway, so it was a quick talk and I couldn't ask many questions. Now I have a lot of them...will do some online research tonight, and also hope that anyone here with a similar experience might offer some advice.
So briefly, what I know from the blood panel is this: Red blood count is low (20's), confirming the in office test results from Wed, plus he noted that the white cells are "immature" and there is some indication that he's bone marrow isn't functioning at normal levels.
So he's on a strong antibiotic and we're stopping Rimadyl in order to start Prednisone in a few days. Will retest blood next weekend and then make next step decisions from there.
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