Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Yep, been on my mind too and always sending best wishes.....
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!
Sorry for not posting, just been super busy and really nothing positive to post about.
Bruno is the same, mobility still not improving and he is not really enthusiastic about going in the water lately. I have resigned myself to accepting that his walking will not improve with my limited resources here.
About 10 days ago he had no appetite and a fever so off to the vet and blood tests showed a blood parasite infection (ehrlichia and anaplasma) so he has been on doxycycline for that and we stopped his metronomic therapy until his bloodwork is back in the acceptable range. Fever went away and his appetite came right back after a day or two on meds.
Seems like more downs than ups on this ride....
Sorry to hear this, although glad you were able to catch the infection and that he is eating again. Maybe he will want to return to the water now that the infection is cleared up? It's a shame that you dont have access to a rehab therapist or anyone who can help figure out why he isn't moving around much. Although it is a small thing, at least know that he is not in pain from the cancerous leg and you are getting this extra time together.
Otis - 106 pound lab/Dane mix, lost his right front leg to osteosarcoma on Febuary 9, 2016. Four rounds of carboplatin completed in April, 2016. Lung mets August 25, 2016. Said goodbye too soon on September 4, 2016. Lost his adopted sister, Tess, suddenly on October 9, 2016. likely due to hemangiosarcoma.
Wherever they are, they are together.
Thanks sooooo much for the update! Of course, adding a picture (hint) would have even been better!!
Agree with Christine, he may want to return to the water now that the infection is cleared up. That erlichia can cause a lot of issues, as can the other. And I'm sure he had them a bit before the symptoms showed up. Hopefully Bruno will feel better overall now!
He's holding steady, he's not in pain, and goodness knows he is being spoiled and loved like craaaazy!!! 🙂 And more time for spoiling and loving and extra treats is a good day in Bruno's world.
And besides, it seems like Bruno's definition of enjoying the water is laying on you in the water while he cools off....no effort....no exertion....just sheer relaxation!! 🙂
There is a Rehab Specialist here who does phone consults
Her name is Dr Debbie Gross. Maybe you can check into that avenue.
Thanks again for checking in. We just adore Mr Bruno 🙂 🙂
Love and hugs!
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!
The day after my last post Bruno lost his appetite but was drinking water and was relatively normal otherwise. I got some chicken liver and hearts at the supermarket and cooked them up and he did eat them for one day but then the next day he just turned his head and didn't touch them at all. By this point he was panting more than usual and slobbering a lot which I read usually indicated upset stomach so I gave him some pepto and switched him over to bland rice and chicken which he did eat for a day with some coaxing.
By day 3 he refused the bland food and spiked a fever of 40.4C and his tongue was dark red so I took him to the local vet who gave him an anti pyretic injection and cooled his body physically with ice and wet towels until his temperature got back to normal range. The vet said that it must be the blood parasite that was causing these symptoms even though he initially showed good recovery 2 days after starting the antibiotics. They said in some cases it will cause stomach ulcers too and that he should just continue taking the doxycylene. That evening he ate a bit of the bland food and slept normally.
Today is day 4 and he would not eat anything this morning and this evening had a temperature of 39.9C so I did the ice and wet towels and got him down to 39.0C and eventually he took 1 mouthful of the chicken and rice. He is really weak now after hardly eating for 4 days, he barely can stand to pee and usually falls over in the middle of a pee. Last time he pooped a couple days ago he just did it laying down.
The university oncology department has not answered the phone for the past week so again I am out in the cold here. The last thing they told me was to stop the metronimic therapy for a week or two until his blood work got back in normal range. His blood test a week ago was still slightly out of range.
I read that the dark red tongue indicates bacterial infection, fever, diabetes, cancer, gall bladder or kidney problems. Well he does have cancer, has been having fever and has the ehrlichia bacterial infection again but he is really not looking well. He has been on the doxycycline for 2 weeks already and I am really worried that this Ehrlichiosis is doing him in
Rob and Bruno,
I just read your post and I wish I had a medical background to offer help on his condition. I'm sure others on the site will have clinical insight but I just wanted to offer some moral support. Caring for a sick buddy can be physically and emotionally exhausting. It sounds like you are using your intuition and all the resources available to help Bruno. I am sorry he is feeling so poorly, that hurts my heart. I am so glad that he has you. You love him so much and take such wonderful care of your boy. I hope that he can find some relief and that you can get a hold of the oncology department. The ice and wet towels seemed to help with the fever and it sounds like you are working hard to keep him eating so that's good.
Please know that we are thinking of you and if you need any phone calls made or research done I'm happy to try to help.
Amy & Rusty 
Honest to goodness Rob, if I had the money at if feasible in any way shape or form, I would hire a private jet to bring you and Bruno over to the States and get him straightened out!!!
Of course, any number of thi gs can make him feel yucky and off food...the doxyclicline, the fever, the infecrion and on and on. Seems like if we can get the UNDERLYING cause of those issues properw identified AND properly treated, we can get this boy back to feeling better!! AND it may be that this Erlichiosis needs more time in antibiodics or even a different kind.
Are you able to get him in EASILY to a Vet for fluids? Or can you do some SubQ yourself? I think that would DEFINITELY perk him up a bit and maybe stimulate his appetite
For now, I would hop over to Ask A Vet or PM her (Dr Pam)
Yeah, that picture of Bruno seems to defiw say, "Dad, I feel yucky!" OMD! What a face!! No matter what though....even with the "not feeling so hot" mug....he STILL is THE CUTEST AND MOST SMOOCHAVLE MUG EVER!! 🙂
I'm going to pm DaBears has she has a lpt of connection with a teaching hospital AND a lot of first hand experience with almost anything that could ever happen to an animal!!
For now though, see if Dr Pam has any insight and see if the fluids are a possibility.
Lots of hugs
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!
I PM-ed Dr Pam as well when I made the last post but still waiting for a reply from her.
Meanwhile this morning Bruno is absolutely not eating anything that I offer, treats and all. He did just take his doxycycline in a bit of peanut butter but that was it. He is drinking still so I don't know if he needs IV or Sub Q fluids yet.
He coughs and retches sometimes and it seems that he does it more anytime that I help him up with his harness which pulls on his chest. I am wondering if the lung mets are at play now, they were 2mm on 5th April and we are supposed to go for his follow up xrays in another month and to be honest I am afraid to xray his chest now.
Just did a reply and lost it! GRRR
ANYWAY, maybe you could go ahead a d post another submission u der Ask A Vet and "copy" the info here.
To me, and this is just me, there's no real value in doing more xrays AS LONG AS the Onconyiu are working with is aware thst there ARE potentially symptoms showing up and Bruno needs those to be treated!! And they can be treated! Cough meds can be prescribed and
Prednisone among other things.
You must be soooo frustrated!! I just wish so ehow we could get you in the right hands with so eo e who can figure this out and treat it accordingly!! At the very least, get thr symptoms treated and mske him feel better!
Sooo many things going on with Bruno that, maybe one at a time wouldn't be an issue. But the fever, the infection, just getting over cystitis (or urinary infectio ?) And then, of course, the antibiotic doesn't help with the appetite issues! Just a fever alone is enoigh to make him feel rotten!
I've forgotten, do you have anything in hand to coat his tummy?
And the fluids can sometimes perk a dog up and help with appetite even if he's drinking fluids. At least that's my understanding.
I did email the member I mentioned above to see if she has any input.
And don't hesitate to post again Ask A Vet and "copy" the info you've posted here.
Goodness knows we are all crazy about Bruno and so admire your devotion to him...And he to you!
Bruno's INTERNATIONAL FAN CLUB is sending HEALING PAWSITIVE ENERGY!!
Hugs to you both!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
PS....Baby food? Have you tried that? A d maybe even syringing some pureed chicken and peanut butter into his mouth. Sometimes that could stimulate his appetite. Sounds like he's nauseous though.
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!
Hey Rob, I'm hoping Bruno's appetite has returned. How is he today?
In looking up his condition I read:
The drug, imidocarb dipropionate, is sometimes used in conjunction with the antibiotics. It is given as an injection, but may not be available in all areas.
Some of the damage caused by Ehrlichia may be due to the dog's own immune response to the organism. For this reason, if immune-mediated arthritis or decrease in platelets occurs, corticosteroids (e.g., prednisolone) may be given.
Were any of these discussed or offered?
I agree that he could be nauseated by the antibiotics. They are strong and I know they make me nauseous when I take them on an empty stomach. What other foods have you tried to get some in his belly? The stinkier meat the better, many dogs really like the gamey aromas and flavors.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
OH Rob I'm so sorry Bruno is feeling so poorly. That poor sweet boy. Agree the strong antibiotics may be messing with his appetite like Rene (Jerry) says. Praying for your boy daily here! Hoping today will be better for you both! My heart hurts for you both!
Yesterday I finally got a hold of the oncologist and made a plan to bring Bruno to the University the next morning for chest xrays etc to determine if he had pneumonia or if the lung mets were the issue as he seemed to have fluid in his lungs now.
He was not drinking much so I decided to take him to the clinic for IV fluids to hold him over until we made the trek to the University Hospital in the morning. The gave him saline and dextrose and they also gave him a diuretic injection (furosemide) for the fluid in his lungs. He received IV fluids for about 5 hours and seemed ok so I took him home to get a few hours sleep before the drive to the university at 5am.
We carried him to the car with the blanket as a sling rather than trying to make him walk as he was clearly quite weak still. When I got home I tried to have him walk the few steps to the front door but he could not do it and actually had a pee while laying on the ground by the front steps. I carried him up the steps and into the elevator and after a struggle we were back inside. I offered some water but he didn't drink any. A few minutes later he stopped breathing and passed away. Unfortunately it was not as peaceful as I had planned it to be and I am still beating myself up now 8 hours later for not seeing it coming and helping him go peacefully.
Unfortunately I will never know if it was pneumonia or the mets in his lungs that ultimately took him.
I took his body back to the hospital for refrigeration and soon I will take him to a crematorium.
I want to thank you all for your kind words along this journey. I am absolutely gutted as are all those here who knew Bruno.
Rob - I am so so sorry to hear this. It is probably not a consolation, and I know it wasn't as you might have planned, but he passed at home, with you near, knowing he was loved. And it sounds like you two had a lifetime of adventures together. Not sure that a dog could ever hope for more than you have given him.
Otis - 106 pound lab/Dane mix, lost his right front leg to osteosarcoma on Febuary 9, 2016. Four rounds of carboplatin completed in April, 2016. Lung mets August 25, 2016. Said goodbye too soon on September 4, 2016. Lost his adopted sister, Tess, suddenly on October 9, 2016. likely due to hemangiosarcoma.
Wherever they are, they are together.
Oh Rob tears here! I'm so so sorry you lost your best buddy! Please don't beat yourself up you couldn't know! You had him at the clinic and if they couldn't tell how would you know? I think Bruno just knew he couldn't beat this, he was tired and left on his own terms. You loved that boy and did all you could do that was humanly possible. You were his best advocate. I know I had to forgive myself for not being able to cure Max. Cancer is evil and ugly. It does what it wants when it wants. So be kind to yourself it was cancer that took your boy. You fought it all the way. Look up at the stars tonight when you find the brightest star shining know that's your boy shining his healing light down on you. Fly free new Angel. You've earned those wings mighty warrior! Sending healing hugs at this hardest of times!
Linda & Spirit Mighty Max
OHHHH ROB!!! NOOOOO!!! I hate this piece of s**t disease!!! It is cruel and brutal and makes up it's own rules.
I'm balling and pi**ed and yes, we ae all gutted. Absolutely gutted. I shouldn't even try and write now in this state...but I HAVE to say this! I HAVE to say what is obvious to everyone who has been in this journey with you and Bruno:
NO ONE...NO ONE....COULD HAVE DONE MORE FOR THEIR DOG THEN YOU HAVE!!!! NO ONE....NO ONE....COULD HAVE LOVED A DOG MORE THAN YOU!!! NO ONE....NO ONE....COULD HAVE SPOILED AND CARED FOR THEIR DOG ANY BETTER THAN YOU!!!
Noooo way you could have seen this coming. There were still so many "up in the air questions" abput what coukd really be going on a d what needed to be done to treat him.
The fluids DID seem to help him feel a bit better.
The thing that stands out to me the most....Bruno did things Bruno's way! He waited until he was home with you...not jn a hospital...not spending the night away from you....not going through mkre and more tests.....Bruno exited on his own terms!!
There isn't o e person nere who doesn't second guess every aspect of the transition lart of the journey. It's what we do when we are in the first brutally few days of agonizing grief. Knkw this to be true....if the "transition" is at a Vets, we wish it coukd have been at home....if it was at home....we wish they would cross over on their own without the needle of a vet...and if they cross over on their own, we wish it had been at a Vet....And on and on and on the endless circle continues.
But don't let it Rob!! That's just one more way this piece os s**t disease tries to continue with it's savage brutality!! It tries to keep you away from all the THOUSANDS and THOUSANDS of happy memories you and Bruno sjared!!!
Bruno's Spirit was intact! His Spirit ...the essence of who he is...could not be weakened!!
And Rob, someone told me when I was crumbling to the ground when my Happy Hannah crossed over that I was strong enough to "handle" it. Needless to say, I sure didn't feel "strong". But then the next thing they said stayed with me. They said Happy Hannah picked me because she knew my love for her, and her for me, would be strong enough to carry me through every aspect of this journey.
EVERYONE here can clearly see that Bruno chose you because he knew you were strong e ough and you loved him enough to be by his side this whole journey!!
And as tough as this part of the journey is, as seemingly unbearable as it is, if someone said they can take your grief away, vut it would mean you never would have had Bruno in your life for the last twelve years...you wouldn't make the trade. The passing is just a blink of an eye compared to the GLORIOUS days of joy you and Bruno shared!!
My mind is all over the place and I know there are no words. I know that. When I tell you we all cry with you tonight a d our hearts break with yours, I hope somehow we can convey tonyou how much we love Bruno and how much we cheered for him. Most of all, I hope you know how loved and happy Bruno felt every single second he was with you.
Through all these ramblings, I'm just trying to say over and over and over....NO ONE COUKD HAVE DONE. MORE FOR A DOG THAN YOU. NO DOG COULD BE MORE LOVED!
I think Bruno will always hold the record for holding his pee longer than any dog in the planet. And he certainly is the only dog who had his own little "pee pad Jungle" built specifically for him.
And make no mistake about it....Brunomis now at the Bridge feeling GREAT!!! He is swimming in pristine cool waters and was greeted with a welcome wagon full of ice cream and steak and cheese pizza. And he is bragging to all the other dogs that he had THE BEST TIME EVVVVER with you as his human!!!!
Surrounding you with all the love of BRUNO's INTERNATIONAL FAN CLUB and hugs to help sustain you...
Sally and My Chunky Spiritual Being Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie
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!
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