Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hi all. haven't been her in a while. My Jellie ( 9 yr old German Shep. female) is 2 months post surgery for hind leg amputation due to an osteo. She made great progress but lately her energy level is really flagging and seems to have some potential problems with her good hind leg - straining to get up sometimes and tipping quite a bit. For a few weeks she was doing great with mobility, took her to a therapist twice and she was very impressed with her balance, etc. worked with her a little on some exercises which I had started to do but now am hesitant to continue those since she seems to be struggling a bit. Appetite and attitude still good, just a little toned down from where she had been a few weeks ago. Now she seems to be going downhill a bit. She has had 8 chemo treatments (alternating carboplatin and Gemzar) and has had no bad side affects (blood work good, no vomiting, diarrhea, etc.). Wondering if the leg thing could be muscle strain, fatigue, or worse, another tumor. Or the chemo catching up with her and kicking her butt? We have 1 more treatment to go for now in the current protocol recommended by the oncologist. . Any thoughts?
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Wow, I wish I could offer advice but I'm kind of in the same boat with Tate. He's about 2 or 3 weeks ahead of Jellie and he's been off his game for about a week now, but he also had vomiting and poop problems, which was diagnosed as colitis. He also had a high fever one day. He's had 3 chemo treatments (CCNU, 3 weeks apart). So I'm really interested in the feedback you get on your post.
Regardless, I hope Jellie bounces back soon.
http://tate.tripawds.com/
August 16, 2006 to November 28, 2011
TATE ~ Forever in our hearts.
It's good to see you here again! Hope you don't mind that I moved your post to this Forum but since it's about treatment and after-care I thought it would be easier for others to find it.
Her weakness could be from any number of things, it's hard to say. I will say that it's rare for Tripawds to get tumors in remaining limbs, but unfortunately not impossible (stupid cancer, anything is possible with it. Ugh). It could be that she's weak from over use. Have you talked to the therapist again? Good for you for getting her some therapy! I would give the therapist a call and ask what you can do right now, before doing anything else.
If you're going to see your onco doc first though, you may want to start there and see what they think.
Sorry, I wish I could be more help. It's just hard to guess at something like this and besides, doing so can make us nuts. I say start with the pros and see what they think. Let us know what they do say OK?
Give that sweet pup a smooch from Tripawds!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Tell Jellie hi from Zip. We had times each chemo cycle when the back remaining leg was pretty weak. Since we had journaled we found a pattern and found it to be true most of the time. We went to rehab and had stretches taught, needling, like acupuncture but different, and water treadmill and laser therapy. Now that she has had to be off for 3 weeks she is starting to show signs again of weakness. We start back to water therapy next week. It was suggested we do slow walks which really make them engage the hind end muscles. Nightly stretches and massage seem to help also. Zip had 9 carboplatin treatments at a month a part and did fairly well on it with some days of a bit of an upset stomach so she was off her food a little but mostly tolerated it well. Hope she does as well on the new chemo since her met was a different kind of bone cancer. Keep us informed on how you are doing Jellie.
Hi all. maybe some day I will get smart enough get a picture up here of Jellie - imagine a soft face and big amber eyes. We have good news with clean chest xrays 3+ months after diagnosis. Have done so far 11 chemo treatments (carboplatin and gemzar) with none of the usual side effects so vet feels we should continue as long as her reaction is still positive and my checkbook holds out. Probs now seem to be orthopedic. she had been having some weakness i in good leg but overall happy and active. then I guess overdid it by chasing a few critters (cat, squirrel, bunny) and I think she hurt her back as she has problems getting up. Once up is kind of oK but keels over sometimes. Seems to be in pain when getting up from sitting or laying down. I too have lower back problems and I know when I thre my back out getting up from any position was agony. I am very worried and was trying to balance being protective with letter her be a dog and have some freedom. Jellie lives to go for walks with Mom off leash and had just started that...about 15-20 minutes and she was sooooo happy. Have been trying to keep her quiet last few days, no walking really except to do her business, ice packs twice a day and had added anti inflammatory two weeks ago, metacam which she seems to be tolerating. I hate to load up on pain killers as they just made her whacked out before surergy. any suggestions ? Expenses are getting tough and of course can take her back to PT and accupuncture. My vet said give it a few days and then try adequan which I am familiar with from horses. Feel bad we are having a set back and of course it feels like the end of the world after all we have been thru. goog advice sorely needed.
Hi dellarose, we're glad you're back! And it's good to hear that Jellie is overall doing well. I know what you mean about walking that fine line between being overprotective and allowing dogs to be dogs. I had quite a few times when I overdid it too and it took me days to get over things. Mom always felt SO bad whenever that happened but I told her, "Hey Mom, I was having FUN again! That's all that matters!"
How long ago did she start showing pain? If it's been a while then it sounds like PT and acupuncture would be a good idea. If it's only been a few days I would just rest up and see how it goes. Rest usually helped me tremendously.
I wouldn't do the adequan until your PT therapist consults with your vet, so that everyone knows what the real issue is before spending money on the injections (they're expensive!). As for the pain meds, the NSAIDs won't make her dopey like the surgery painkillers. They are so necessary for reducing inflammation. You might start to see improvement right away after starting them. Plus, you can get generic versions now of Metacam and Rimadyl which is a huge savings.
Give her lots of love from us, we hope she feels better soon! Keep us posted.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
dellarose said:
...maybe some day I will get smart enough get a picture up here of Jellie...
You're certainly smart enough! You started a blog for Jellie, log in and click the Media -> Add New tab. There you can upload photos and copy the file location. Paste that in the "Image URL" field to embed photos here in the forums (See Detailed Instructions). Or, use the Insert Photos when drafting a blog post to share pictures in Jellie's blog.
Adding a user avatar (to appear next to all your posts) is even easier! Click your Profile button at top right and follow the link to your Tripawds dashboard for uploading your avatar.
Hope this helps!
any suggestions ?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I had no idea the blog got set up! However, per your suggestion I cannot find the Media tab. I think I am logged in!
dellarose said:
I cannot find the Media tab...
If you are in the Dashboard and do not see any of your blog Admin tabs – Posts, Pages, Media, Etc. – you are likely viewing your Tripawds User Dashboard. Click on Dashboard -> My Sites and select jelliebali1234. You will then be directed to your blog dashboard where you will find the Media Library for uploading photos, Posts tab for publishing blog posts and much more.
Hope this helps.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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