Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Brendol is getting worse and I don't know what to do. She's been to the vet specialist and to her regular vet in the last week and she's had a urinalysis and a CBC that were all normal.
It started when I picked her up on Tuesday 8/6. I could tell she wasn't her usual happy self. She walked around, but slowly and would often stop and just stand there like she had to contemplate whether to take another step or not. Eating, Drinking and Potty were fine. By last Friday, she had slowed down more. Drinking and Pottying fine but only eating if I either hand feed her or give her canned dog food. Now tonight, I come home and she doesn't come downstairs. I bring the trash in, let Addy and Aissa out, get the mail and then head upstairs. She's just standing on the bed. I tried to coax her down, but she wouldn't move. So I tried to coax her to the edge of the bed where I could reach her better and lift her off and she still wouldn't budge. I finally got a hold of her and brought her to the floor. She wouldn't follow me out of the bedroom. I went ahead downstairs to just give her time, and she still didn't follow. Head back up and she's still just standing there. So I carried her down the stairs and put her on the floor at the bottom. Went about my business again and she stood there for probably about 10 minutes. I finally coaxed her down the hallway into the kitchen, where she stood again for another 10 minutes. This is when I took the following video to demonstrate how she looks. I have picked her up again and placed her on her spot on the couch and now she's laying there. This cannot just be old-dog syndrome. But I don't know what else to push the vets to check!
Here is a brief video of how she is behaving.
Anybody else see something like this? Any advice?
Adelaide is a young tripawd Husky, from an injury. Her amp was on 10/1/12. She has 4 sisters, Aissa (a senior border collie/chow), Maggie May (a puppy Great Pyrenees), Mathilde and Morrigan and 1 baby brother, Bagheera. We are all watched over by our angel Brendol, who was dx with OSA 1/30/13, amp on 2/6/13, and left us on 8/20/13.
You can read their stories at http://adelaide.tripawds.com and http://brendol.tripawds.com
Karma, it looks like she is painful. And, it appears that she's not standing normally on her right rear leg. Is that just a fluke, or is she in fact non-weight bearing on that leg?
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/
Yeah, I saw the same thing Lisa did.....rear leg positioned a little funny and she seems to have somepain. Lickig lips like maybe a little nauseous.
I'm sure the vets have checked a million times over for ulled, sprained somehing...disc, back, neck, muscles, etc.
I'm also sure yoj've checked a millim times withthe dogsitter to see if you can come up with any clues Did the dogsitter see her jumpor fallor even hit her head on something? Did she possible get nto any type of cleaners, etc. It just seems that the clue maybe found with something the sitter can recall....no matter how innocent or trivial it may sound.
Does she tense up when you try to ick her up or touch her anywhere? How 'out when you touch her tummy? Any tension there? Checked all arou d pelvis area--up and down back legs...any tension there when you do?
For now, all I can think of is giving her some tramdol for the night and see if that helps
You ow we all want to come over and hug you. You know that don't you? I know you are worried and this is upsetting and very puzzling. I keep going back to getting the vets to check everything possible that might be strained or pulled or slipped disc....something along tnose lines. Definitely show that video to the vet.
You are such a good and diligent mom. We'll get this figured out. I agree, it's not the way "old age" looks. There is so ething that goes on neurological withndogs sometimes where the muscles just don't respond to what the brain is telling them. I don't know Karma...just throwing everything out there I can think of.
See if the tramadol helps.....and maybe you could pop a couple for yourself. I think Brendol wouldn't mind sharing:-)
Sending you love and we'll use all our tripawd wisdom and energy to help you figure this out and get Brendol feelkng better. And she will! She's Brendol and she'll keep on overcoming challenges....we just have to help her out a little here.
Please post again as soon as yoj can and lt us know how things are.
Sally and Happy Hannah
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!
Sounds dumb, but ulcers? Sam had an episode a couple weeks ago that lasted about a week, and he got progressively worse. Lethargic, confused, then he was vomiting--including chunks of blood (he was eating, though). In the end, vet said...well, it's either mets or bleeding ulcers. Let's pick the better of the two. Two weeks of sucralfate and pepcid, and he is much better.
Don't know if it's the same thing here...but it's the only thing I can think of.
"Let us think the unthinkable, let us do the undoable, let us prepare to grapple with the ineffable itself, and see if we may not eff it after all."
-Douglas Adams, Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency
"May I recommend serenity to you? A life that is burdened with expectations is a heavy life. Its fruit is sorrow and disappointment. Learn to be one with the joy of the moment."
-Douglas Adams, The Long Dark Tea-Time of the Soul
I agree with Zuespod, Brendol does look as is shes in pain and seems to be favoring that back right leg.
Im not sure what you have tried already but maybe an xray of the back leg/hip?
Im so sorry I dont have any other advice but I am thinking of you.
Amanda & Angel Porthos x
Angel Porthos, Pyrenean Mastiff, 7 years old Os front right leg, DX 18 May 2012, Amputation 14 June 2012, Hip Dysplasia, Two TPLO surgeries. Is now somewhere over the rainbow, 21 November 2013.
I also agree with the others that it is some type of pain or significant discomfort. Dogs hide their pain pretty well, so when they do display pain in some way it is usually something that needs treatment. Yesterday Austin Ray, one of our Tripawds, slipped and was limping on one of his three remaining legs and clearly in some pain. I gave him a dose of tramadol that we had here to settle him and help with the pain. Today he is getting around at almost what is normal for him. I can't say for sure what the right treatment might be for Brendol, but you could check with your vet for a recommendation.
Ralph
Possibly her back hurts along with the leg as when one thing hurts they will start over compensating elsewhere. Besides pain killers, maybe some massage and/or acupuncture?
Spirit Shooter was a Miniature Australian Shepherd who was diagnosed with a MCT and had a LF amp 1/28/13 at 13-1/2 years old.
Shooter crossed the Bridge on 8/28/13, his 7 month ampuversary and two weeks from his 14th birthday.
Karma, I'm sorry, we were out of town yesterday and just saw this. How is she today?
I agree, that looks like either pain or confusion. From what I've read about aging dogs, confusion/dementia is a pretty common thing and meds can help. Have you showed the video to your vet?
Hope that she's feeling better today.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thanks everyone. We have the news. I won't over dramatize it. Brendol has developed lung mets and although we can't find where it is, most likely cancer in more bones causing her pain. I'm putting her on the tri pain regimen of rimadyl, tramadol and gab. Will try to keep her comfortable and happy for a little while longer.
Adelaide is a young tripawd Husky, from an injury. Her amp was on 10/1/12. She has 4 sisters, Aissa (a senior border collie/chow), Maggie May (a puppy Great Pyrenees), Mathilde and Morrigan and 1 baby brother, Bagheera. We are all watched over by our angel Brendol, who was dx with OSA 1/30/13, amp on 2/6/13, and left us on 8/20/13.
You can read their stories at http://adelaide.tripawds.com and http://brendol.tripawds.com
I am so sorry Karma 
Prayers to you & Brendol
Hugs
Michelle & Sassy
Sassy is a proud member of the Winter Warriors. Live long, & strong Winter Warriors.
sassysugarbear.tripawds.com
07/26/2006 - Sassy earned her wings 08/20/2013
05/04/2006 - Bosch, Sassy's pal, earned his wings 03/29/19 fought cancer for 4 months.
"You aren't doing it TO her, you are doing it FOR her. Give her a chance at life."
I think you'll see some of the quality come back with the regimen you're getting started. In fact, I kow you will.
We are all here for you Karma. You know you can go nuts withmus if that will help!
I kow you will be fully present with Brendol and you and she and your whole pack will make every second the best it can be. She is with you ow and that's all that matters. We are with you too.
Did the vet suggest pred. for the appetite? Actually, maybe the pain meds will help her want to eat some of the best junk food you can find!
Surrou ding you with love and care,
Sally and Happy Hannah
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 to hear this about Brendol. Here's hoping the pain meds will help her feel more like herself for as long as possible. *hugs*
Oh, karma...I am so sorry. Hopefully the pain meds will get things under control, and you will be able to continue spoiling her for some time <3 <3
"Let us think the unthinkable, let us do the undoable, let us prepare to grapple with the ineffable itself, and see if we may not eff it after all."
-Douglas Adams, Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency
"May I recommend serenity to you? A life that is burdened with expectations is a heavy life. Its fruit is sorrow and disappointment. Learn to be one with the joy of the moment."
-Douglas Adams, The Long Dark Tea-Time of the Soul
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