Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hi all, sorry I haven't kept in touch with what's been going on with everyone, but the last 10 days have really been up and down. We were convinced that Toffee's last chemo was what was causing her discomfort, but she just wasn't coming out of it. She's had a few days/nights that she's been so uncomfortable and nothing seems to help. She was due for her blood work last Thurs, and Weds. evening I realized that she had horrible diarrhea. To add to that, our old girl, Angel was acting like she didn't feel well either and needed to go out about a hundred times. Thursday morning, doc does a UA on Angel, and a fecal on Toffee. Verdict comes back that Angel has a raging UTI and Toffee has Giardia! Now we know why she's been so uncomfortable! How she caught it, is unfortunately my fault. We have a raccoon that has been getting at my bird feeders, so we started pulling them down and hanging them on the gutter by the back door at night. Of course the birds are up before me in the morning, so by the time I've put them back in the tree, the birds have been feeding at the back door....hence bird poop on the deck. I swept and sprayed the deck off, but apparently not enough. Toffee must have walked through it and then cleaned her paws. Our other two are okay, but with Toffee's system comprimised from the chemo, she couldn't fight it off.
She's been on Metronidazol twice a day since Thursday, with not much appetite and pretty much forcing her to drink. When she starts cramping up, she is uncontrolable and ends up having to be sedated for several hours. She perks ups for a few hours and then slides right back into the pain. I keep praying this is just a bump in the road that we'll pass over soon, but it sure has beat us up over the last couple of weeks.
On a good note, her blood work came back "perfect" so we can at least be thankful for that.
Hopefully we'll have a better update in a few days.
Laura and Toffee
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Ohh, poor Toffee - and Angel! But it sure sounds like you're doing an excellent job leading them down the road to recovery. These things happen. It's not easy for us humans to bear in mind all the time that dogs are dogs and interested in all kinds of feces, and other unsanitary things, all the time. But hurray for her perfect bloodwork!!
I had to chuckle when I saw your signature at the bottom. Guess I hadn't noticed it yet. Yoda has me running now about half the time on our walks to keep up with his new pace. Yoda was always a very leisurely walker (as long as we weren't in a new and exciting place - then he pulled a little). When we'd get close to home, especially, and at that point I used to challenge him to a who-can-walk-slower "race" and take super small steps the rest of the way home. I think he thought I was nuts, but it kept me from getting impatient with him. Now he's got me running and fast-walking so much, I'm so glad when he's ready to take his little rests and water breaks along the way so that I can catch my breath too.
Best wishes for a speedy recovery for Toffe and Angel and that you can find time to rest too!
Yoda&Mom united: 9/5/06 …….… Yoda&Leg separated: 6/5/09……… Yoda&Leg reunited: 10/14/09 ……… ……………….………….………….……. Yoda&Mom NEVER separated! …………………….….……....….…… Though Spirit Yoda currently free-lances as a rabbit hunting instructor for tripawds nationwide
Laura and all the family,
Well these things do happen and at least you have a cause that you can control. On two separate occasions, Cherry took a significant down turn and we have no clue to what caused it. Both times she bloated (but without torsion). The first time, her stomach as as large as a soccerball and she had extreme diarea. Yes, their immune system has been compromised and from discussions with my sister who is an MD, it will remain compromised. But with the absolutely great news regarding the blood workup, you should expect a full recovery from this setback. So, we will keep a positive attitude, pray for a quick recovery, and send all the positive thoughts possible from here.
Bob & Cherry
We add our good thoughts and wishes for speedy and complete recoveries for Toffee and Angel. It's tough to have a sick dog--more than double-tough to have two! How lucky they are to have you caring for them. And how wonderful your life will be when they're better. Hope it's very soon.
Mary and Cemil
Cemil and mom Mary, Mujde and Radzi….appreciating and enjoying Today
Oh no!
Tika had Giardia also a few weeks ago,
it's an ongoing problem in our house so our vet just lets us stay stocked up on metronidizole also. I asked my vet what could be done to prevent it, and he looks at me deadpan and says, a can of gasoline and a match and burn the yard down and cement over it. I guess Giardia is pretty common in the midwest.
Yikes! So, obviously we aren't going to do that. Tika recovered pretty quickly but she's also not trying to shrug off the effects of chemo either. I hope Toffee starts feeling better soon. Poor baby!
Excellent news about the bloodwork. Hopefully her appetite will pick up soon and she'll get her strength back!
--Kim and Tika
Kim and Spirit Tika http://www.tika.....ogspot.com
Oh, I hope both girls are feeling much better soon.
Shanna & Spirit Trouble ~ Trouble gained her wings 3/16/2011, a 27 1/2 month cancer survivor, tail wagging. RIP sweetheart, you are my heart and soul. Run free at Rainbow Bridge.
The November Five - Spirits Max, Cherry, Tika, Trouble & Nova. 11/2008 - 3/2013 An era ends as Queen Nova crossed the Bridge.
Laura, we are so sorry! Who knew that Giardia could be contracted like that? We sure didn't, so thank you for the head's up.
We agree though, like everyone, that the excellent bloodwork is a very good sign. Stay pawsitive, and know that you have a whole lot of people out here rooting for the girls. Keep us posted OK?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thanks everyone for checking in and thinking of us, and my apologies for not staying up to date with all going on here. Toffee is still fighting an "invisible monster" and we've had several days where we've thought it would win.
The Giardia passed, but the pain has not. Doc has done x-rays of everything and full blood work up and all looks good. Pain meds haven't helped her and the only thing that kept her settled for almost a week was to be sedated. She was to the point last week that she was even crying in her sleep. My heart broke for her and we were at the place to let her go if that was all that could let her rest.
We took her back to the vet last Friday and he pushed and prodded every place on her body with no obvious reaction. The only thing really alarming (beside the pain) is her weight loss, which we believe is from the Giardia and the bland diet she'd been on for a week to keep her stomach settled. Our vet feels there is an inflammation going on somewhere in her body that we won't see without an MRI/CT. We made the decision to not scan, but treat as if there is and she started taking Prednisone that day. Other than still panting more than I was comfortable with, she was back to herself...all bodily functions working properly, wagging her tail, chased a cat out of the backyard and happy. She went off the meds after a week, and within 24 hours she was miserable again. We put her back on the steroids this weekend and she is comfortable.
We will visit with the vet early in the week to see what happens from here. She was due for two more rounds of chemo, but I'm guessing we're done with that. Not sure what happens with long term steriods, but if it keeps her comfortable and keeps her with us a little longer, that was the intent when we started down this road 3 months ago.
I trust our vet, but if anyone has alternative thoughts where the pain could be coming from, I'd love to hear.
Laura and Toffee
Laura, so glad to hear the prednisone at least has her back to herself. I cannot imagine how difficult it is to know she is hurting and not be able to do anything to stop it. I so wish each and every one could have a painless, easy journey. It breaks my heart to hear of one who struggles.
Lots of hugs and healing thoughts coming your way for continued improvement.
Shanna & Spirit Trouble ~ Trouble gained her wings 3/16/2011, a 27 1/2 month cancer survivor, tail wagging. RIP sweetheart, you are my heart and soul. Run free at Rainbow Bridge.
The November Five - Spirits Max, Cherry, Tika, Trouble & Nova. 11/2008 - 3/2013 An era ends as Queen Nova crossed the Bridge.
Hi Laura, thanks for checking in. We're sorry to hear about Toffee's trouble, but very glad she is comfortable now. If you don't hear from Tazziedog, consider getting Pam's professional opinion in the Ask A Vet forum.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
If prednisone worked then I would suspect some sort of spinal problem. It could be intervertebral disk disease rather than spinal mets so you might want to consider continuing chemo unless you see lesions in the lungs or on spinal films. It is okay to do prednisone along with chemo drugs (this is the way that lymphoma is usually treated).
Long-term pred is safe enough as long as you try to use the lowest dose possible. Instead of stopping the drug after 2 weeks your vet will probably taper the drug to the lowest effective dose.
Pam and Tazzie
Hi Laura and Toffee,
I, too, have not kept on the site much since Brody started chemo. So sorry about the giardia; my dogs love to snip bird poop, so it is good to know that they should steer clear of this. Brody had his third chemo last week. The only thing that I notice is that he comes back a littler hyper and his hair seems to be a little coarser. With the chemo, change in diet, K-9 Immunity and the fish oil, Brody is doing very well. We do have to board him in about two weeks when we go to our daughter's wedding. Our oncologist said not to leave him because it would suppress his immune system, but there is a new pet hotel near us that will also keep him in the hospital section if we want him there.
I will say prayers and think good thoughts for Toffee. Acupuncture is used a lot on greyhounds for pain if you can find someone in your area who does this. Pat and Brody
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