Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat

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Tripawds Three Legged Dog and Cat Forums Treatment, Recovery and Oncology Esophagitis

Esophagitis

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benny55

Virginia

Member Since:
22 February 2013

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25 August 2016 - 9:42 pm

Wow Jennifer! Your hubby has a lot in common with Novak! Sending best wishes to hubby!

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!

voodoo

Member Since:
23 June 2016

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26 August 2016 - 8:36 am

Oh my, can't imagine what your husband is going through 🙁 its an horrible condition. I feel a bit more positive today, I have ups and downs, but now, today, Im focus on finding a food for him that will make less to ingest. Thanks everyone...again... I really love that you are all here even if don't know each other.

Does your husband have to be on meds? The part of feeding him soft food, I can manage well, but the schedule for meds is terrible, im hoping that I won't need those meds all his life. Im already weaning the gabapentin, yay

benny55

Virginia

Member Since:
22 February 2013

Offline

26 August 2016 - 9:14 am

What is Novak on, how often, etc?

Glad you're feeli g a bit more positive today. Remember though, we're here for you all the time...especw when you need to just vent and cry, okay? It helps to share with the down times, as well as the up times!

heart

Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!

goodmilo

Member Since:
15 July 2016

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26 August 2016 - 10:52 am

No meds for husband. He just makes sure he always has a drink available at meals, and when it starts happening every day, or he regurgitates in public, he schedules a stretching surgery. His first was ~15 years ago, and we have no plans to call it a day on him anytime soon!

I saw your list and schedule of meds. That's overwhelming. The few I know (omeprazole and sucralfate) are for calming the stomach. If it's Novak's esophagus, I would think those wouldn't do much other than reduce the chance of reflux from his stomach bothering his sensitive esophagus. The goal may be to reduce irritation and inflammation in his esophagus, being extra careful about keeping his stomach settled, then hopefully be able to back off those.

I also noticed the omeprazole is twice a day. Once a year or so I take Omeprazole for a 14 day streaK, and it's only once a day. I take it when stress and other things have my stomach worked up. It's a proton pump inhibitor, so it's purpose is to reduce the amount of acid being cranked out. The directions say take in the morning an hour before eating, but that doesn't fit my mornings, so I usually take it much closer to eating and it still works wonders.

I'm not a vet or doctor. The experts know more than me. That said, you may be able to "break the rules" a bit down the line if that's what it takes to find the life/work/dog balance that you need. Maybe you do some meds closer to meals and fewer times a day.

Part of our decision process with Milo is to keep him part of our life, like he's always been, but not make him our entire life. A healthy marriage/relationship will serve my family for decades. We also have jobs that we need to pay the bills. We've made some medicine and treatment choices so Milo fits. We're probably doing 80-90% of "absolute best" for Milo. Ideally, over the next few weeks you can find a way to tweak and balance Novak's needs with the rest of your dogs, partner, job, and life in general.

Wishing you the best. Peace,

Jenifer & Milo

voodoo

Member Since:
23 June 2016

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8 September 2016 - 7:43 pm

So Novak has up and down with his eating, its been one week since he had any problem, I started raw food blended with water and he was fine. And then he was not, this week was awful, he had several meal where he had difficulty and other ok, I can't see whats the difference, same meal, same position. I had stop the meds, but now, we are starting them again to see if it will help. And now he has an ear infection! Never had a dog with that, Novak's ear was always clean, but now, infection...don't know if its his immune system that has too much to deal with, but poor dog. He as so many treatment. Lucky me, he's so nice and let me do anything to him. Soon, I will do the dilatation procedure, I decided to try it once and at the same time, we will have a clear look inside his oesophagus and really see whats going on. I don't like to put him under ansthesia again, but I have too, I have to try it one time. If it doesnt help, then I would have done everything I can and maybe, I so wish that maybe it will help him to eat better. Good new, he didnt lose weight. I weight his leg(still in the freezer) and it was 1.95 pounds so he manage to kept his weight stable, so thats really good. He still has the happy spirit and he's enjoying life like usual, for myself, not so much..I feel very depress and I think I need help now to deal with anxiety and sadness about everything. I never imagine that I could feel that way about a dog, I feel like im mourning him... so I will seek help and tips to help me be better at coping with all the stress. Did anyone had problem dealing with grief over a dog here? I mean he's still alive, but everyday, I try to enjoy him, live in the present, but its hard, every meal give me anxiety, each time I see him having trouble swallowing, my heart stop and I dont know if its right to let him go throught that...it must be painfull and panicking for him. But then, after, he's ok, normal...im torn between the 2 states. Anyway, Im doing everyhting I can for him right now and hoping that he can be stable until the procedure.

benny55

Virginia

Member Since:
22 February 2013

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8 September 2016 - 9:03 pm

So glad younupdated us. And also glad you sre able to share your fears and your emotions with us. This is such a safe environment to just vent, cry, rage and even have an ocassional pity pawty!! And you have earned the right to do all!!

The intensity of the "routine" and watching every little hiccup must be very stressful. I'm so sorry you are dealing with this. It's not something anyone would ssuspect would happen with surgery.

You need to realize what an outstanding job you are doing for caring for Novak!! We sure do...and so does Novak!! Under yiur care he has not lost weight! That is a huge victory!!

The fact that he has gone a whole week with no "issues" is another huge victory! Shows progress and improvement...slowly but surely!! It may be that getting back on his meds is the solution.

As far as "mourning" while Novak is still here having a good time, yeah, that's something you can work through. That's probably the one regret some have on this journey, they started "missing" what was still right here with them. We all learn from each other on this journey and that's the one lesson those who have mourned too early want us to get. Do not grieve for what has not left. It robs you of your time together NOW!!

I think we feel.like if we "mourn ahead of time", somehow that will protect us and make it hurt less in the future. Somehow it makes us feel like we can "control" what is completely out of our control! Nope, does not work!! We humans can be so silly sometimes!!

It is very hard to Be More Dog all the time, so don't beat yourself up! Only dogs can live a life without worrying about the tomorrows, or even the next minute! We are humans and we get off track sometimes with our worries and fears. We understand! We're human too!! Ugh!!

Oh, as far as the ear infection, it may not be immune system related at all. Sometimes amputee have a bit more trouble using their remaining legs to groom around their face and their ears and scratch out any little piece of debris that may get in the ear canal.

Please stay connected and lean on us when you feel you need a little extra strength. We are here to help! AND POST SOME PICTURES!!! We adore Mr Novak!!

Surrounding you with care and strength

Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!

otisandtess

Member Since:
14 February 2016

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9 September 2016 - 2:05 am

Otis got ear infections his whole life, and recently, Tess started to. For Otis, frequently it was when water got into his ear, like after a bath. For Tess, vet thinks it is allergies. Your vet will teach you how to clean Novak's ears, and you will likely have an ointment to put in his ear for two weeks. Another thing for you to deal with, but not a big deal to handle or cure. It could be that Novak's immunity is down with all he has been dealing with. Or it could be purely random.

I'm kind of glad you are doing the dilation procedure - seems like just knowing what is going on will be a big benefit to you. One of the hardest things is the uncertainty - what is it, what do I do, is it serious, how serious. Now you might find out. Thinking of you and Novak!

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.