Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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((((hugs))))) I know this is SO hard but you are definitely going to get through this and so is Novak. Remember, he's still spunky and the same dog on the mend otherwise, he is strong and has everything going for him.
Donna's answer makes total sense. Let us know what the next appointment brings OK?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
So by the way Novak is not vomiting, it happen just once and twice regurgitation. Im back from the university, bad new, they really think its stricture, so they have to go by endoscopy inflate a balloon to break down the stricture and open the oesophagus that procedure cost 2500$, but the big but is that theres 50% of it re constricting(closing again) and then, they have to do the procedure again, and again, etc... it can close often...so each time, its another general anesthesia + thousand of dollars! I dont have that kind of money, for time ok, but several times, no way. There still a tiny chance that its ulcer/esophagitis and thas it, but the specialist think there more chance of stricture. If we wait, it can get smaller and smaller to the point that no food or water will pass, he will regurgitate and lose weight.
That thing is horrible, Im behond chock, its a rare side effect of anesthesia and lucky us, we won the jackpot. So, for now, we wait, giving liquid meal and meds and hoping, hoping, hoping...but the decision will be euthanasia if the symptoms get worse. If it stay like that and I have to feed him liquid diet for like, I dont care, I will do it, but I dont want him to suffer. I love this boy to death and right now, hes so happy, playing, doing dog stuff!
I cant believe all this is happening, removing his leg was suppose to relieve him from pain and now, maybe, he will die!!!!!!!! Im behond words, just crying now and depress.
No, this should not have happened. Oh gosh! I'm sure you are crying and depressed!! This is rotten!! I know it's distressing to hear!
Once you can catch your breath and settle down a bit, I think you'll see that you still have options!!! Definitely get someone to help you with research. Others nere may have some insight.
I see that Karen is on here now as I'm typing this. If I recall correctly, she has done the liquid diet thing for a long time with great success.
Liquid diets can sustain humans and animals who have had to use this approach for various reasons.
Donna can provide help in that area.
Hang in there, okay?? TRY not to think the worse czse scenario. Another suggestuin...post under the thread "Ask the Vet" and maybe she will have some insight.
We*'ll figure out something!! That has to be a solution
Lots of love
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!
Just did a little UNPROFESSIONAL research.
An actual feeding tube can be used IF you aren't avle to get good results from liquid feeding. That can actually give the time for the esphogus to heal!
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'm very sorry to hear you've had to go through this. This may not help but I saw a program where a family fed a dog through a tube directly to it's stomach. Here is an example: http://canineme.....ing-tubes/
Please do not give up hope. I know it's sad and stressful and you've gone through so much. There are a lot of people here to support you.
Kerren and Tripawd Kitty Mona
For now, he's eating ok with soft/liquid diet, doesnt have difficulty swallowing that. We talked about other solution, feeding tube, etc...its less expensive, but I don't feel confortable doing that, I mean, knowing Novak, he has so much drive, Im afraid that that thing will not stay in place, infection risk etc...Im just not up for that. We all have our limits, our values, our budget, there a lot of thing I would do, but I have certain limit and depending on the dog, each limit is different...in the sense that if it was Vega, my softer dog, she would problably be ok with a feeding tube, but Novak...ishhh. Anyway, we are not there yet, he's eating, not losing weight, he's able to swallow, doesn't droll or regurgitate every day(happen only 2 time since the beginning of all that BS). Doesn't have nausea, loss of appetite, seriously, except the difficulty swallowing when its too big(and even then, sometime hes ok) I dont see other issues. The risk of not going to open up the oesophagus faster is that the stricture will get more permanent and worse and then, we can't open it up, cause of the scaring tissue that will be harder.
So Im still praying that its just a big esophagitis or ulcer and that with the meds and liquide diet he will heal.
OH Sandra I'm so sorry you have to be going through all this. Sending healing thoughts and prayers for that beautiful boy to be able to heal up. I know how stressful this must be for you. Thankfully he seems ok in every other area, so maybe it will heal. Praying that was the last time he throws up and all gets better very soon! If he does get worse you always have the option of doing the procedure one time to see it will stay open. There's a 50% chance it would do that too using his same odds. Hugs!
Linda, Riley & Spirits Mighty Max & Ollie
You know Novak better than anyone! And you are so right, their are certain "procedures"'or whatever they may not interfere with one dogs's quality, yet make another dog miserable because it doesn't allow them to be who they are!
You have a great Soul deep connection with Novak. Your commitment to his well being is unshakable!
From what you've said, and from what I've been reading, there's every reason to believe this can be turned around. Your commitment to his care gives him an edge. And because Novak is Novak, that gives hi the edge too!! 🙂
I like Linda's point about the one time surgery, if necessary, as an option, assuming the finances could be worked out.
I love that Novak is feeling good and not worrying about a thing!! Continue to savor every moment and spoil, spoil, spoil! Spoiling is a powerful healing tool!
Lots of love
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!
Im on vacation for one week and Novak and I are going to the country with my best friend at her lake house! We need that time off! Leaving all the other dogs with my boyfriend at home. Novak is doing great since the more liquid diet, no symptoms at all. But, the vet wants me to try to harden the food in a few days, soft, but not liquid as much to see if there is an improvement, but Im so afraid to do it. I don't want him to regurgitate again and put more acid, but we will need to try at one point.
This is our schedule for meds and feeding time, because sucralfate has to be given one hour before or 2 hours after any meds or meal and omeprazole and metoclopramide 30 min before a meal, this is a big puzzle. Sucralfate has to be given 4 to 5 times a day, and meals, 3 to 4 a day to make them smaller. So I tried to come up with a fix schedule for the week, the last days, I was not as much pin point on time cause of work. Bouffe=meal time
Other then that, its the same, Novak is very active and mobile on 3 legs, he's much more tired than before, we did our first walk and he was tired fast, always sitting down. And, with me not knowing, my boyfriend threw him his first disc, short and low, but he did catch it, but he said that the landing was not good, cause was landing on back leg only(small jump). I said to him, its too early!!!!! Don't do that now, we need to make exercise before to help build his muscles I mean, he's been at rest for so long now! But he said that he was so happy to catch the disc again 
At the lake, maybe he will swim for the first time with 3 legs, will bring his life jacket and the vet said that there is no problem for him to swim with the oesophagus problem.
Aww have a GREAT time! I hope it takes all your worries away and really shows you that Novak is enjoying his new life on three legs. Hopefully he'll be eating solid food by the time you return.
Yep, good thinking to be mindful of his activity level. Although our dogs enjoy things like frisbees, ball chasing and all that, it's stressful on their joints if they're not ready for it. But you know that, so YAY!
Enjoy and be sure to share photos!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Im back from the country, Novak did well on the soft food and then I tried more thick and he had problems and on wednesday he regurgitated one time, small but no blood this time, yay. Today, he did regurgitate as well, no blood. So Im back to very soft puree. Im reading a lot and the odds are not good, even the dilatation procedure, in all articles it says that it has to be repeated 2 to 4 times and sometime more, Prognosis : guarded to poor, frequently recur, thats the kind of stuff im reading. Risk of perforation, aspiration during procedure as well. Im not even sure I want to try it anymore. I think, that if he stable eating blended food, I will just do that for the rest of his life. If it become worse, I think I will need to let him go. I CANT believe all this is happening! Im feeling really depressed over this, over anxious, all day, Im thinking about meds and feeding schedules, meal time are getting me so nervous. I cant enjoy simple things anymore, I dont feel anything... I hope, that with time, I will accept whats happening and be better, but for now...its so hard.
Other than that, Novak is doing great on 3 legs, he swam in the lake, no problem, there's nothing different for him, every activity is the same. He went kayaking with me, swimming, walking, running. First day he was so tired and maybe was sore, it was the first time he was outside all day. Second day, wow, was in great shape. When he's tired, he just lays down and rest, and thats fantastic that he can do that on his own. The only thing he's having problem with is chasing after a ball and grabbing it, he's running funny and fells, the back leg is not holding. I will put a video later. When he's free running, he's fine, but when he wants to grab something, oh my... maybe its just an adjustment to make.
I've read the last paragraph a couple.of times because it really does defi e how Novak is feeling! He is having a blast! I have a big smile plastered across my face visualizing all the fun he was having in his vacation!! 🙂
Give yourself credit. You have a right to feel depressed, to feel overwhelmed, to feel fearful, to feel uncertain, to feel angry!! Going through this whole process and getting to this point is stressful beyond words! You are exhausted mentally, physically and emotionally!
And you know what? Yiu are stronger than you realize! We can see it. You've endured a lot. Yet you have proven over and over you can get through the storm. Your commitment to Novak's well being, your deep love, this is where your strength comes from. And your entire Tripawd family is right here by your side!!
For now, you've done enough research. Put all that aside. There can be a sense of relief in deciding what you will and will not pursue. Doesn't mean you can't revisit another decision later, but for now, you can put all that research on the shelf and
start enjoying all the great moments you and Novak have NOW!!
And YES, I ABSOLUTELY believe you will settle into a routine and things will flow effortlessly. Time is the answer AND making sure you stay present in the moments.....especially the moments when you doing the "caregiving chores". You'll develop a . rhythm before you even realize it.
Novak is responding really well to the routines you have developed and that is why Novak WILL get better!!!
Sending you so much love!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
PS...Just wondering how much you can puree in advance and maybe freeze?
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 Novak is still struggling a bit with food.
The constriction in his esophagaus sounds similar to what my husband has. He has a Schottke Ring. It's a band of tightened tissue that causes occasional gagging and regurgitation. Food sort of "sits" on the tight ring in his esophagaus. It sounds a bit like hiccuping to me when the food is caught, then it typically goes down. But not always -- and sometimes it can be a bit embarrassing, like when it's happened at work. Poor guy.
He has had it stretched open a few times -- with all the concerns you cited, such as risk of perforation, and anesthesia. He was told the time between stretching surgeries would get closer and closer together over time. So far he gets a few years between surgeries.
He has found that there are certain foods which are more likely to come up, so he avoids them. It's not big food like steak. He usually handles that with sufficient chewing. The most bothersome is usually stuff like rice -- it's small enough that it "sits" on the ring and causes the regurgitation thing. Very soft food never bothers him. When he does have stuck food, he finds water or drink helps to flush it down and it feels better.
Hee-hee.... I just read Novak's symptoms to my husband. He started nodding, then woofing in empathy! It sounds so much like what he has. Fortunately, we have the advantage that my husband actually speaks and can explain what happens to him!
Based on my husband's experience, sticking with soft food may be Novak's future if he's getting the nutrients he needs. It's not going to go away on it's own, and surgery is expensive and risky. If Novak's ring is stable for time periods like my husband's has been, he could possibly go for years on just soft food without surgery.
Best of luck to both of you.
Peace,
Jenifer & Milo
Thanks for the kind words. I will try to think about them when I feel depress, trying to enjoy the present.
Im thinking about switching him to raw diet, dry kibble mix with water to blend gives a lot of food to ingest and I think its counter productive to give that amount of food, we need smaller ingestion, but lots of calories, so will look at whats what and see the better option for food. Novak is already so thin, belgians don't get fat even if you want them to LOL I don't want him to lose weight.
Sally's questions on pureeing and freezing is a good idea.
I started doing home cooked food for Milo when he was diagnosed. I try to do a big batch of food each weekend to get us through 7ish days. I put some in the freezer, and some in the fridge. My food processor is getting used big time! Milo's new diet includs a 1/2 cup of cottage cheese at each meal along withe the food processor mix of meats and vegies (Budwig Diet inspired.) Cottage cheese would probably be easy for Novak to process, too, with lots of protein.
Take care.
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