Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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We've had a lot going on lately, so haven't had the energy to post. Toffee has been doing just "Greyt" and managing life on three legs just fine until late last week. Towards Thursday she started panting hard and would give out yips from time to time for what seemed no apparent reason. She had taken a spill a few days earlier, nothing serious, got right back up and kept going so we thought maybe she pulled a muscle or was sore from the fall and it would settle out in a few days. She was due for her 2nd chemo on Tuesday so we decided we would just watch and see how she did over the weekend.
Tuesday morning, she didn't want to come in to get her cookie before I left for work and I noticed she seemed to be limping some on her back leg (hard to tell when a three legged dog limps 
.) She didn't want to stand to finish her breakfast, so Mark put it on the floor for her when she layed down. The vet told us he really didn't suspect anything serious as her blood work has been good and no reason to expect the worse. He checked her from head to toe (paw?) said that she showed no sign of pain or swelling anywhere on manipulation, but she was running a fever and obviously hurting from something. He gave her a shot of Rimadyl and by the middle of the day she was back to herself. She took the Rimadyl on Wed and Thurs and yesterday she had her 2nd chemo. She seems to be getting around just fine again, but tonight she jumped up on the chair, turned around, and gave that yip again. Guess if she keeps it up, we'll be back to the vet again Monday. If only she could tell me where it hurts...
Laura and Toffee
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That yip noise is the worst! Jack used to do it for about 2-3 weeks after surgery, but with gabapentin he stopped and hasn't done it since. But I totally know what you must be feeling when that noise happens 🙁 I'm sorry that Toffee is hurting somewhere, but it is promising that the bloodwork was clear and the vet didn't find anything with manipulation. Maybe an x-ray will help clear things up! I hope you have a good weekend and are able to figure things out on Monday 🙂 You and I are in the same spot in our little journey and Jack and I wish you guys the best!
yes, them not being able to tell us what's bothering them is so frustrating. Best wishes for finding out that this is nothing. Give Toffee a big hug for us! Thanks for the update.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
We hope Toffee is ok and that if she is sore it settles down soon and quickly. Not knowing where it is hurting or how we can help them is one of the hardest things to deal with.
Storm and Koda
...If only she could tell me where it hurts…
Laura and Toffee
Oh, I know...that is the most difficult part! I wish they could talk and tell us exactly what they are feeling. Try and lay still with her and move your hands up and down her body - connect with her and ask her to tell you what's going on. You may be surprised that you actually hear or see an answer from her in some way, shape or form. If anything, it will surely comfort her - that bonding and the human touch. We're keeping paws crossed for "nothing news" as Jerry said. Please keep us posted and know that we're thinking of you and praying for you.
xo
Heather and Zeus
Heather and Spirit Zeus - Our life changing journey…from the earth to the heavens…one day at a time…always together
Hi Laura, just checking to see how you and Toffee are now. Got time for a short update?
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.
(I tried to post this last night, Monday, but couldn't log in...my issue, not the site.)
Thanks everyone, eight weeks into this and we had the "first night from hell" all over again last night. Toffee seemed to be in some discomfort last night, not a lot, but enough that I gave her half of a Rimadyl before we went to bed. I didn't know, but Mark said she kept getting up and whining once we'd gone to bed. She woke me up around 2, panting hard again and acting like she was in pain. I gave her the other half of the Rimadyl and figured she'd settle down in a few minutes. I was wrong, no one slept the rest of the night. She was pitiful. At times she would almost howl from the pain. She couldn't lay down so just paced through the house, (with me right behind her.) Several time she wanted out, but wouldn't do anything but turn around and come right back in. I actually called the emergency vet at around 4 am, and was told they couldn't do anything for her, as she had enough pain meds!
We struggled through and got her to our vet at 8. He was not happy that I hadn't called him hours earlier, said we'd better never let her (or us) go through a night like that again. He gave her a Rimadly injection and we waited, and waited, and waited....it didn't help. Rimadyl always works with Toffee. Doc did the whole manipulation thing again, can't find anywhere that makes her flinch or feels wrong. Last week she acted like her back end was hurting, this time it was nothing specific. Doc said we had to do something to calm her down and let the pain meds work, so gave her an injection of Ace. That worked, she's been pretty much out the rest of the day.
The chemo seemed to bother her stomach this time around, so doc thinks maybe it's GI issue's, We'll be on Rimadlyl for a week and see how she does. I have to admit, seeing her in this much pain made me second guess our decision for the first time....maybe due to sleep deprivation.......She ate dinner and is resting easy now, so we'll wait to see what tomorrow brings.
(Tuesday) Toffee is back to herself again today. Go figure. She slept well last night, is eating well and has been out. We'll keep her on the pain meds for the week and hope to god she doesn't go through that again.
If the vet isn't finding anything that apparently is causing pain, maybe it is a tummy reaction to the chemo. I know you must be beside yourself with Toffee having such a tough time. It really is difficult to watch and not know what to do or how to help. I can sympathize with you. While Trouble was on chemo, I spent a couple of nights watching her sleep just to make sure she was ok. I so hope for you and for Toffee they soon find what is making her so uneasy. I know you both could us a good rest right now.
Fingers and paws crossed for better times ahead.
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.
Did your vet/oncologist give you any medicine for nausea? Ours gave us Metoclopramide just in case he needed it - I give one to him evey night the week after chemo and we have had no symptoms of side effects. It could be she's having some stomach cramps. I hope she feels better!!!
They can also give them an injection prior to chemo to help with the nausea. For the last few treatments, Trouble was given the injection and also had an antinausea med to take in the evening - I can't remember right now which med it was. She still had mild nausea for the first few hours, but it was pretty short.
Never stop asking questions of your vet. They understand your helplessness and your need to find an answer. If they don't understand, find another vet. This is a journey you will be on for a while. Having the right vet makes it much, much easier.
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.
We hope things are better today. How is she doing?
It' so hard to see our furkids go through something like this. Hang in there. Second guessing is something we all do at times like this, but listen to your heart and have an eye to eye with Toffee, and a calmer feeling will set in.
Keep us posted.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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