Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
Tripawds is your home to learn how to care for a three legged dog or cat, with answers about dog leg amputation, and cat amputation recovery from many years of member experiences.
Join The Tripawds Community
Learn how to help three legged dogs and cats in the forums below. Browse and search as a guest or register for free and get full member benefits:
Instant post approval.
Private messages to members.
Subscribe to favorite topics.
Live Chat and much more!
Register
Log In
Members
Add Topic
Offline
Thanks Sally 😊. I'll check out Valentine's posts. Boone is on Wei Qi Booster (Chinese herb to boost immunity) as well as Stasis Breaker. I'll be adding an omega 3 and kelp. He's always been a raw fed dog and we're continuing with that.
His spirit is amazing and he's back to being "Boone." 🐾💕 Every day is a blessing with him.
Glad the staples are out! My Dobe nitro also took Chinese herbs for his cancer, one of which was Stasis Breaker. He also took Bone Stasis - in case you want to check out that one. Enjoy your Boone!
Paula and Nitro
Nitro 11 1/2 yr old Doberman; right front amp June 2014. Had 6 doses carboplatin, followed by metronomic therapy. Rocked it on 3 legs for over 3 years! My Warrior beat cancer, but couldn't beat old age. He crossed the Bridge peacefully on July 25, 2017, with dignity and on his terms. Follow his blog entitled "Doberman's journey"
"Be good, mama loves you".....run free my beautiful Warrior
Week 4 slump...
Boone was doing great up until yesterday. He had boundless energy, was back to demanding his food and basically all the "bad dog bundle" habits that make us love him so much.
I started backing off pain meds (Tramadol & Gabapentin - started Monday) and yesterday morning he just panted and paced and asked to be let out to lay in the snow all morning. I didn't dare leave him out there long since it was only 15 degrees, but he seemed much less anxious out there. He finally settled and slept most of the day. We did get out for a hop (10 minutes) and he was happy to do that.
He didn't want to play with his orange ring last night, which has become his nightly routine after dinner. He just wanted to sleep.
This morning I had to spoon feed him breakfast. He ate it all, but wouldn't do it on his own. He's been a bit anxious again today, pacing/panting. He seems to settle if I sit on the floor and massage his front end.
I'm wondering if anyone else has experienced a slump 4 weeks post-amp? I gave him a Tramadol this morning and will do Gabapentin 3x/day again (had tried 2x/day starting Tuesday this week) to see if it's pain related. Maybe he just needs to be on pain meds a little longer?
Thanks for letting me share - it helps to be in this community when the "what ifs" start taking over.
Jeanette & Boone
BOONE!!! Ypobetter sgraighten up silly boy! Quit making your mama Alrightworry, okay?
Two things co.e to mind. Overdoing it, which is very likely since he has been a pretty feisty fellow comma as well as possibly coming off the Gabapentin too quickly. And I don't know if this is the case, but if he has been on it for 3 times a day for a month and you stop cold turkey, that could be an issue. Give your vet a call and check into that. I know you tapered it a little bit for a day or two, but I don't know if that's quite enough tapering.
So when you massage up and down his neck his hips his butt his shoulders his back, where does he seem to show the most tenderness? That could definitely give you a clue as to what's going on. It wouldn't hurt to have the vet check him out. In the meantime complete and total rest and lots of massages. Sounds like he's already giving himself cold pack therapy by gravitating towards the snow!
Hopefully the pain meds and some rest will make a big difference. But again, for reassurance, it never hurts to have a vet check him out. And in this case, it's probably more for your benefit than his exclamation point every little hiccup can make us go crazy on this journey!
Will be watching for updates.
Hugs!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie!
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 remember reading somewhere on this site that gabapentin had to be decreased over time, not stopped cold turkey. You might want to call your vet. Otherwise, it sure sounds like pain of some sort.
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.
Ditto on the Gabapentin. Don't decrease until you speak with your vet.
What's he doing with all that energy? If he's getting too much activity, this could have something to do with it. All of these symptoms do sound like pain indicators. Keep in mind pain meds will manage the pain, but it won't address the reason for his pain so try to zone in on that to find out why he's got into the slump. A post-op slump is often related to doing too much too soon when a new Tripawd starts to feel better.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thanks everyone. I should have clarified in my post that I am working with my vet on the pain meds reduction schedule and we're doing it gradually. I hope I didn't give the impression that I was going "cold turkey" on Boone with his meds because I wouldn't do that to him. We've gradually been reducing Tramadol for about 5 days, and I only reduced Gabapentin to 1 pill every 12 hours vs. 1 pill every 8 hours. I only did this on Tuesday and Wednesday, then increased both meds yesterday.
He's still not wanting to eat, I have to spoon feed him and he's barely eating that. I've been in touch with our vet this morning to see if we need to come in for xrays/exam. I hate to think the cancer took over this fast - he was his normal, silly, happy self on Monday this week.
Thank you.
Jeanette & Boone
Yeah, you've got the med reduction working just fine! Good job!
It may be that a good dose of fluids and maybe some anti nausea or stomach coating meds could straighten him back up. The Vet can check out any possible disc issues, do some blood work up etc.
Boone has been doing so well with no issues, so this just may be something completely unrelated to that piece of crap disease! I definitely woukd get the blood work up to make sure the Rimadyl isn't causing any issues. Just throwing stuff out there. TRY not to worry and certainly don't jump to worst case scenarios! Yeah, good luck with that one, right?
Let us know an update when you can. Cheering for Mr Adorable Boone! 🙂
Love and hugs
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!
Excellent job, Maw! Try not to panic, this could be anything. Let us know what the vet says OK?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
You and your Boone are doing amazing! My sweet Rosie had a few slumps the first couple months. I have heard of very few dogs who didn't have any.
For Rosie, It has always been related to over doing it, for the most part.
Not sure if you're doing rehab of any kind, but it really helped in a number of ways. First-the water treadmill is water which makes her happy, but most importantly it builds strength and endurance. They also gave us a bunch of fun things to do at home to help build strength.
Besides passive range of motion and massage, the most helpful have been Cavaletti poles and a fit bone. The fit bone is fun and really helps with balance and core strength. The poles really help with coordination and confidence.
I have had to hand feed several times in the past 6 months. Always because of pain.
You're doing a great job and hopefully with some rest and tummy rubs all will be well in a few days.
Best wishes! Kellye and the pack. 🐕
Sad update...
Boone's appetite and energy continued to decrease, and he started coughing Thursday evening. He coughed through much of last night. This morning we took him to the emergency clinic. Blood work looked great but sadly, chest X-rays revealed a mass as well as smaller spots on his lungs.
The vet sent us home with prednisone. At this point we're just keeping him as comfortable as possible. I'm doing my best to "Be More Dog " during his (likely) last days with us. But it's hard 😪.
I really prayed that he was going to be the one dog that defied cancer statistics.
I'm thankful for this community and all of you for cheering us on these last 4, almost 5 weeks since amputation. This may be my last post with an update but I will continue to support TriPawds and all you do.
Jeanette & Boone
Ohhhh Jeanette, I'm really sorry. How we wish that Boone had beaten those odds and had much, much more time. Please cherish every minute and never forget that we are still holding you close in your hearts.
Even with mets, you can help him stay comfortable beyond the prednisone. Get in touch with your vet, since sometimes emergency room vets miss things that a regular vet who's familiar with the case may see. Also be sure to ask about a cough suppressant and even Albuterol, which can open up his airways if he has breathing issues.
If you want to talk, we are here for you OK? You'll always be part of this community. Keep us posted. We're thinking of you and sweet Boone.
{{{{{hugs}}}}}}
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
So hard to hear this...so unexpected and so hard. Actually, shocking to hear. Boone was doing so well! No one could see this coming.
And yes, from what we've seen around here, there should be some more things to help Boone be comfortable so he can enjoy some more spoiling and loving! As Jerry said, talk to your regular Vet. He may prescribe some cough medicine, an maybe a bit of Tramadol to help take the edge off. I thing if yiu can get the cough to subside some he may feel more like eating. Thankfully, even though he maybe tired, that's not painful.
You WILL be able to stay innthe present and you WILL NOT let that piece of crap disease interfere with yiur time together NOW!! And the resson we know that is because your love for Boone is soooooo strong you will make everh single second count! 'There will be a time for falling apart, but not today, not today because Boone is still with you.
Right now you just be with Boone and give him ANY junk food he wants! Maybe his appetite is off, but I bet he'll eat some ice cream and some scrambled eggs and bacon with melted cheese. Heck, throw in a candy bar too!
We want to be here for you in anyway you need. And if not posting anymore, or for awhile helps, we understand completely. We hope you understand though, that Boone, and you, are family. He jumped into our hearts on day one. The soul deep bond you two shared also came shining through with every word you wrote. NOTHING can take that vond away! That stupid liece of crap disease cannot touch Boone's Soul and he will always be forever in your heart.
When we tell you we grieve with you, we really mean that. We are all shedding tears as we read this update. There just aren't any words.
But as heartbroken as we are, we alsocelebrate the magnificent Boone with you! We celebrate how he made the most out of everyday these past weeks and didn't let anything hold his feisty self back! We celebrate the
privilege of getting to know him and we hold the smiles he brought us all tightly in our hearts.
Yes, Boone will ALWAYS be remembered here. His life mattered.
Surrounding you with love and hugs
Sally and My Chunky Spiritual Being Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle andFrankie 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!
Thank you both so much. I will follow up with Boone's regular vet tomorrow and give her an update. He refuses to eat anything soft so I bought the best kibble I could find. He'll eat it, but only about 3/4 cup twice a day and only when I feed him a few pieces at a time. He loves cheese and is getting that for treats 😊.
The mass seemed so large to me. I'm surprised that it developed so quickly.
I keep reminding myself that we were blessed to have our crazy happy boy back the last 3 weeks or so. And actually right up til Wednesday last week.
Lots of spoiling is planned 😊. Maybe even some ice cream and bacon, Sally 😉.
Thank you as always for being here for us. It's such a comfort knowing we can turn to all of you for a shoulder to cry on.
Jeanette & Boone
2 Guest(s)
