Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Since Miller's amputation, he's been suffering with being anxious most of the time unless his momma or dad are snuggled up with him. He's even experiencing pshycogenic (sp?) drinking - where he literally drinks so much water that he pees gallons everywhere - his bloodwork and urine have been perfect so we've chalked it up to anxiety. Anyone have any suggestions? I saw the product below on groupon and considered getting it to try with him...
The other thing I may do is purchase a DAP (or Adaptil) collar to see if it helps...
"No footprint is too small to leave an imprint on this earth..."
Miller & his Mommy (Heather)
DOB 3/17/2006-Severe hip displasia, Luxating patella, panosteitis.. NOW THIS!
Diagnosed: 11/11/2009 at 3yrs old with Osteosarcoma ~ Became Tripawd: 7/10/2012 - Chondroblastic Osteosarcoma
Hi Heather,
The Anxiety Wrap is a good product, but I'm not sure it will address the underlying cause of his anxiety. Is he exhibiting separation anxiety symptoms? If so, maybe you need to go back to his puppy training days and slowly separate yourself from him little by little so he's not so upset whenever you walk away?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
He's not having separation anxiety - more so like an overall depression... He's much more depressed now than when he had the deformed leg... we've had difficulty getting him to eat much and he always seems 'down'. He's getting his first round of Carboplatin Tuesday... and I'm starting to worry. I can tell he's anxious as now he is always panting - which I believe is why he's drinking so much water.... I just want my boy to be comfortable...
"No footprint is too small to leave an imprint on this earth..."
Miller & his Mommy (Heather)
DOB 3/17/2006-Severe hip displasia, Luxating patella, panosteitis.. NOW THIS!
Diagnosed: 11/11/2009 at 3yrs old with Osteosarcoma ~ Became Tripawd: 7/10/2012 - Chondroblastic Osteosarcoma
DAP is a safe option to try as well as a Thundershirt or other anxiety wrap. It might be worth it to do a quick trial of alprazolam; if he stops panting and drinking so much then he does indeed have anxiety. If the alprazolam works then he might benefit from fluoxetine (Prozac). The goal is not to keep him on meds long-term but just long enough to stop the unwanted behaviors and then wean him off of the drugs.
PAM
tazziedog said
DAP is a safe option to try as well as a Thundershirt or other anxiety wrap. It might be worth it to do a quick trial of alprazolam; if he stops panting and drinking so much then he does indeed have anxiety. If the alprazolam works then he might benefit from fluoxetine (Prozac). The goal is not to keep him on meds long-term but just long enough to stop the unwanted behaviors and then wean him off of the drugs.PAM
Thanks Pam... thats a great idea...
"No footprint is too small to leave an imprint on this earth..."
Miller & his Mommy (Heather)
DOB 3/17/2006-Severe hip displasia, Luxating patella, panosteitis.. NOW THIS!
Diagnosed: 11/11/2009 at 3yrs old with Osteosarcoma ~ Became Tripawd: 7/10/2012 - Chondroblastic Osteosarcoma
I like Pam's idea too. Good luck this week. Make sure you stay strong so he can too.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I dont have any suggestions, just want to let you know we are thinking of you and Miller, I hope everything works out well on Tuesday.
Big hugs from Amanda & Porthos xxx
Angel Porthos, Pyrenean Mastiff, 7 years old Os front right leg, DX 18 May 2012, Amputation 14 June 2012, Hip Dysplasia, Two TPLO surgeries. Is now somewhere over the rainbow, 21 November 2013.
Hi, I haven't used that anti-anxiety drugs though that makes sense to me. We just moved and there is a lot of drilling in our building. Ajax is 2 years post-amp but between the move and the noise he was showing some signs of anxiety. our vet recommined the plug in DAP - Dog Appeasing Pheremone. Maybe check it out, it's non-invasive and he seems to like it.
The other suggestion is to see if you can take him somewhere fun. Ajax did not have to have chemo after his amputation, so we were at that point really dealing with the physical rather than physical + medical issues. He seemed pretty good, but 3 weeks after surgery we went out to a friend's house (we are usually in NYC). There, he had a big flat yard and ran around and it really seemed to relax him. Not sure how that would apply to Miller, but I think anything he likes that builds up his confidence (even if it is intermittent) could help with the anxiety in the longer term.
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