Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Well, I don't like the direction things are heading with Nova these days. I try to keep overlooking the coughing I was hearing now and then, but now yesterday and today I am hearing it much, much more. Last night I was so panicked I swore to myself that I would take her in for chest x-rays today. But this week is exam week at school and I have 3 exams scheduled for tomorrow and 1 on Thursday, and I just can't face having a meltdown amidst all the studying I have to do. Why is it that these things always occur at the worst possible time?!?
Last night when I got home from school she seemed really distressed, coughing (which I describe more like "snarfing"), panting heavily, licking her lips a lot, and standing next to me with this "what is this? do something, please!" look on her face. But the tail is wagging full force the whole time. She was also whining and I couldn't figure out why. Clearly something was bugging her, although she may have just been jealous that I was studying and could not come lay with her.
I got on Tripawds, anxious to "unload" and of all times, the site was under maintenance and I couldn't log in to post. I tell ya, I've got the worst timing.
Last weekend Nova's sister Emmy starting peeing her bed in her sleep (she's the one with the parathyroid tumor that I have yet to have the surgery for... just can't afford it). I thought that meant her kidneys were shutting down, which is something that occurs if her calcium levels get too high. 2 weeks ago it was not high enough to require urgent surgery, so I was panicking. Turns out she just had a really bad bladder infection, unrelated to the tumor and calcium levels. So we are out of the woods on THAT dog drama for now.
So I thought I might take The Queen in for x-rays this Friday, I have two weeks off until school starts again. I committed in my mind to do the x-rays, and not change my mind, then WHAM, some urgent issues with my mid-late stage Alzheimer's mom came up and I have been asked by my Dad to please get down to Tampa for a few days next week to take care of some urgent matters for him after they leave back for Michigan. AAARRRRGGGGGHHHHHH! I can't say no, I gotta go and do what needs to be done down there, but now I am rethinking the x-rays before I leave because I don't want to be in Florida so far away from Nova if the news in the x-rays are not good.
I'm sorry to keep coming on here being all wishy-washy about the chest x-rays. I don't want to alarm people with all the drama. It just seems like there is never going to be a "right" time to do them, and I am fighting so hard to not "know", yet I want to make sure that Nova doesn't have any unnecessary distress or pain. I am afraid that I am not going to be able to use the wagging tail as a monitor of her pain and discomfort, because her tail is pretty much ALWAYS wagging.
Her appetite is good, she is not turning down meals at all. Not spitting up anything either. But she seems more tired than normal, again, hard to judge being she always has been the world's laziest dog.
Thanks for listening, all. I just don't know what to do. Ok, gotta get back to studying, but it's soooo hard to buckle down with all the worries.
Sue, the Queen Mum
Dane Mom Sue at nova.tripawds.com and Mom to Beautiful Great Dane Queen Nova, a Blind Tripawd, who kicked cancer's butt from 11/08-03/13. The Queen is Spirit Nova now, but her legacy lives on here at Tripawds!
GAH! I know I can't say anything to calm you down, but just know that we're thinking of you guys, and that this cancer thing suuuuuucks! Best wishes to you, Nova, and Emmy!!!
<3 Laura
You're allowed to be wishy-washy. After all, you have the queen to care for
. Of course, I wish you and Nova the very best, you are like attachments to me, my alter ego.
In my mind, whether or not to do x-rays depends on what action you plan to take once you know. If you intend to do additional treatment, of course you want to know. If you plan to let nature take its course, then maybe the x-ray isn't so important, but keeping Nova as comfortable as possible is. Only you can make that choice, and you will make it in the same manner you've made all the other decisions - mindful that you will do what is best for Nova.
I'll be riding on your shoulder, if you need me, don't hesitate to give a yell.
Shanna & Spirit Trouble ~ Trouble gained her wings 3/16/2011, a 27 1/2 month cancer survivor, tail wagging. RIP sweetheart, you are my heart and soul. Run free at Rainbow Bridge.
The November Five - Spirits Max, Cherry, Tika, Trouble & Nova. 11/2008 - 3/2013 An era ends as Queen Nova crossed the Bridge.
Sue, we're so sorry. Whenever we do maintenance on the site, we are always so frantic trying to finish it knowing that pawrents are out there counting on it for support. Please know that you can always check the Chat to see if anyone is hanging out, and also our Facebook page.
Meanwhile, I totally agree with Trouble's sage advice. It all depends on what you plan on doing if he radiographs show bad news. So start from there; ask yourself what you would/can do, and work backwards.
Meanwhile, yes, you have TONS on your plate right now and these things always take place at the worst pawsible times in our lives. It seemed like when Jerry's mets were in their most advanced stage, everything was hitting the fan. Emotions were running high and everything that we might have blown off in a more ordinary time suddenly seemed catastrophic. In some cases these events were horrible, but if we had done a better job managing our emotions, they might not have seemed quite so bad.
I will tell you that when Jerry's mets became really bad, he did stop eating. That was the biggest indication for us. So if Nova is still eating, that is a sign that she's doing alright physically. Emotionally though, maybe she's feeling the effects of your worries about everything? Emmy. Your Mom. School. Etc.
Maybe that is the look she is giving you . . . saying "Mom, breathe...it's all going to be O.K."? Just a thought.
{{{{{{hugs}}}}}}
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Sue,
I am so sorry to hear you are having so much stress in your life right now. It seems like you have heard some good advice. If there isn't anything you are going to do different if you have chest x-rays taken (and they are not what you want) why add to what is already a very stressful time in your life? Eating, drinking, and tail wagging all sound like good signs. Emily's stumpy/tail quit wagging when she got bad.
You, Emmy, Nova and your parents are all in my prayers.
Debra & Angel Emily
Debra & Emily, a five year old doberman mix, who was diagnosed with an osteosaecoma. She had a right rear leg amputation on May 19, 2009. On November 10, 2009 she earned her wings and regained her fourth leg.
Jerry, you are right. I am not very good at hiding my emotions, yet you dogs are so good at sensing them. I should know better. Nova can sniff out every time I am feeling blue and usually gives me a big 'ol "snap out of it" head butt. Us humans suck. If only we could be more like you dogs. I checked the chat last night and no one was there. Probably because other people were having trouble logging on too. Like I said, things always happen at the worst time. I was never one to use the chat, but once I logged on one night right at the moment that Raven's Mom came on and said the vet was on his way to help Raven cross over. I encourage everyone to hop on to the chat any time you can, just to see if you can be there for someone at that critical moment. You never know if you can be the pawrent whose there to reach out to a struggling member of our community at a time when they really need you. Jerry, your pawrents rock for doing all they do to keep this site going for us!!!
Shanna, if x-rays showed that something was there I know would not put Nova through another surgery just to remove a met. But if there was a supplement or drug to treat the mets, or slow things down, I would do it. She is already on metacam, so I don't know what else they would prescribe.
It's just so overwhelming to have 2 sick dogs and be losing my Mom too. She's still here, but not "here", if you know what I mean.
The Queen Mum
Dane Mom Sue at nova.tripawds.com and Mom to Beautiful Great Dane Queen Nova, a Blind Tripawd, who kicked cancer's butt from 11/08-03/13. The Queen is Spirit Nova now, but her legacy lives on here at Tripawds!
Debra, Nova's tail has wagged almost all the time, even after her amputation. So I am worried that I won't be able to tell when she is hurting, because I don't think her tail will ever stop wagging! 
Dane Mom Sue at nova.tripawds.com and Mom to Beautiful Great Dane Queen Nova, a Blind Tripawd, who kicked cancer's butt from 11/08-03/13. The Queen is Spirit Nova now, but her legacy lives on here at Tripawds!
I heartily agree with everyone's pawsitive comments, and would only add that, x-rays or no x-rays, if the cough is getting bad the vet might have ideas for alleviating that somewhat?
Gerry has been a tripawd since 12/16/2009.
He was a shelter dog with a mysterious past and an irrepairable knee injury.
Videos and pics of Gerry's pawesomeness can be found at: http://gerry.tripawds.com
GerrysMom said:
if the cough is getting bad the vet might have ideas for alleviating that somewhat?
I was prescribed over-the-counter Robitussin DM to help alleviate my coughing. Maybe you can try that, Sue?
Don't be so hard on yourself Ma, you've got a lot going on right now. Be strong like your girls, you can do it.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Oh dear. You have so very much going on right now. Two sick dogs and school and your mom.
I don't think you're being wishy-washy at all - I'd be in bed with the covers over my head. Life simply sometimes gets overwhelming with all its numerous complications.
I think there's already been a lot of great advice here so I won't add unnecessarily. All I can say is hang in there.
Catie -
Birthday – November 4 2003
Amputation – January 13 2010
Crossed the Bridge – June 2 2011
Oh dear is right!
I'm so sorry to hear about Nova, Emmy and your mom! How torn you must feel. Even worse, you couldn't come over here and unload!
You might try a trip around the block in the car by yourself for a good cry. I know it's helped me a couple of times when I couldn't cry in front of anyone for the fear of it upsetting everyone. A good cry will cleanse your thoughts.
I'm with everyone else here, you are under stress with school and everything little thing out of order is going to be amplified! I wished there was something we could do to help more. But I know how strong you are because I've read about everything you went thru with Nova in old posts and I think you are the strongest pawrent I know!
Sending you lots of pawsitive thoughts!
Comet's mom
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.
Sue...........
I don't like seeing your post, but most of all you have gotten so far ahead of things. You know that she needs the x-ray and most of all there are things she could take to make her more comfortable.....cough med, Prednisone if it is mets to decrease the inflammation, etc, antibiotics if she has an infection. Most of all I want to tell you this because I care about you and Nova....and I know...because I've been there.....getting the x-ray doesn't change what is there!
I am glad she is eating and wagging and there may be something going on, but give your vet the chance to give her something to help. You are a wonderful Mum, and the Queen knows that and she loves you and knows that you will do whatever it takes to help her.
Give her lots of love and attention and treats and a hug from me....one for you too!
Ginny & Angel Paris
Grateful for every moment we had with Paris…..no regrets!
Honoring her life by opening our hearts & home to Addy!
Sue..I can't add anything to what's already been said; just know that I'm sending you strong thoughts for your next couple weeks. Maybe the Tampa details could be postponed, delegated or taken care of long-distance (what would happen if you had a health crisis and couldn't go?).
Thoughts of strength and also rest...
Mary
Cemil and mom Mary, Mujde and Radzi….appreciating and enjoying Today
Ok, I have set the appointment with my local vet to have the chest x-rays done tomorrow (Thursday) at 2 p.m. That is immediately after my last final exam. The coughing just won't stop. Every time she is upright or walking, she is coughing. She doesn't cough when laying down though. She ate breakfast this morning though. But as I sit here trying to study (obviously I am NOT because I am doing this), she coughs every time she lifts her head. ARGH. I am trying so hard to study through the tears. I may end up just bombing these exams. Oh well, I am carrying A's in all my classes anyway.
I felt alongside her chest and abdomen this morning and found a new lump, but it's a mushy lump, not hard. I thought bad lumps were supposed to be hard. Oh well, at least I will have some answers tomorrow. I just so happened to turn out that the most experienced vet in the office just so happened to be available tomorrow at 2, so at least I will be getting his "expert" opinion.
Sue
Dane Mom Sue at nova.tripawds.com and Mom to Beautiful Great Dane Queen Nova, a Blind Tripawd, who kicked cancer's butt from 11/08-03/13. The Queen is Spirit Nova now, but her legacy lives on here at Tripawds!
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