Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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I woke up at 4:30 this morning because I heard Bo struggling to breathe/hacking. I got up and rubbed his throat and made him come to lay in bed with me. He went back to sleep and seemed to rest comfortably. I went back to sleep for a little while, but then had to get up and get ready for work. Literally, on my way out the door for work, Bo started a different "cough". It was a husky, dry rasp and it lasted for about 10-15 seconds. A chill went up my spine and I dropped down on the floor next to him to rub his throat and sooth him.
After the episode, I frantically woke Lee up. I had to run out the door because I open the preschool in the mornings and could not be late. Lee watched him all morning and said that it hadn't happened again and that he is resting ok. Lee said he ate some EVO this morning and went potty, business as usual.
When I got to work, I immediately referred back to my previous lung meet inquiry and re-read maxidad's posts. The similarities are alarming. Main similarities: Droopy eye lids, lack of panting (even during exercise), decreased interest in food (but still eating). Then, this morning with this crazy, new cough. Also, he wants to be excited and happy, especially when we get home, but it doesn't last long. He seems tired. I am so thankful for Maxi's pawrents for honestly sharing their experience. Please know that you have helped others by sharing them!
Ok, I have had my freak out moment and I am calm again. We are going to email an update to the vet and see what she says. We know that there are things we can do to make him comfortable. We are also going to go on business as usual and not let Bo see us worried. It is so amazing to me that Thursday's vet appointment went so well and things can change so quickly. I do believe that we are still in the early stages of lung mets, if that truly is what we are dealing with.
As always, thanks for letting me share my feelings and fears. I hope that I am just being a paranoid pawrent, and if I am, I know that this community will put my mind at ease!
It is amazing how things can change so quickly. Hopefully Bo is resting & doing better now. I think all of us experiences "freak out" moments and become paranoid of any minor changes in our pups. Please keep us posted, and thanks for sharing. We are all here for you! Sending you lots of golden hugs...
Cathy
I'm sorry to hear about the cough but hopefully it's just that, a cough, and nothing more. If not, and mets are present, try not to worry to much. Many pups have continued to thrive and enjoy life for a good amount of time after being diagnosed with them. I might add, for me, the months after Fortis' diagnosis with mets were some of the fullest and most memorable of the 11 years we shared together.
Sending positive healing thoughts. Give Bo a big hug!
Brett
Oh, Meghan, I hope it's not the cough. I'll be praying for you guys, and Chili Dawg's got his 3 paws crossed that it's not the cough. Please keep us posted.
Diagnosed with OSA: 5/2/2011 Ampuversary: 5/11/2011 OSA returned in hip: 8/26/2011
Chili Dawg crossed the Rainbow Bridge on 8/30/2011 & is now pain free. He was my heart dog, and I miss him every day.
HI Meghan
I can totally understand your freak out moment! After the vet recently finding lyla's enlarged lymph node it was very worrisome. So I know!
It is such a roller coaster, and I'm learning to see that it's okay to experience all these emotions.
It so especially helps with these unknown times with the support of this Tripawd family.
Paws crossed that Bo is doing okay
huggs to you!
Lylee's Mum
http://lyleegir.....ipawds.com
Hi Meghan. I really hope that the coughing is just a temporary thing and that it will just go away. Valentina had a cough a couple of weeks ago. It was kind of a dry soft cough kind of like she had something stuck in her throat. I asked the vet if he had noticed it while she was in the hospital and he said that he did. I asked him about the lung mets thing and he said that since Val's recent lung scans were clear that it probably wasn't that. Then after a few days it totally went away and she still isn't coughing. Hope this is the case for you too. Sending prayers that Bo is ok! 
Best wishes for Bo. I hope it is not The Cough. But remember it is ok to come here and freak out. We all understand. I know I have been there! But try to not let Bo see you upset. It can be hard sometimes because this is such a roller coaster, but try to focus on the present good times with him. Hopefully you have a lot more of those good times together.
Jackie, Abby's mom
Abby: Aug 1, 2009 – Jan 10, 2012. Our beautiful rescue pup lived LARGE with osteosarcoma for 15 months – half her way-too-short life. I think our "halflistic" approach (mixing traditional meds + supplements) helped her thrive. (PM me for details. I'm happy to help.) She had lung mets for over a year. They took her from us in the end, but they cannot take her spirit! She will live forever in our hearts. She loved the beach and giving kisses and going to In-N-Out for a Flying Dutchman. Tripawds blog, and a more detailed blog here. Please also check out my novel, What the Dog Ate. Now also in paperback! Purchase it at Amazon via Tripawds and help support Tripawds!
Sending Bo tons and tons of good wishes that it's not mets. But like Fortis' dad said, even if it is, it just means there is a new chapter in this journey.
We love them, that's why we worry so much and THAT'S WHY IT'S OKAY to be a basketcase.
Hugs to you.
Comet - 1999 to 2011
She departed us unexpectedly January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.
She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.
We hope you're being paranoid too, but like Comet said, it's OK to be paranoid here. We know what it's like to listen for every little thing and let those worst-case thoughts creep into your mind. I will say that the majority of the time, parents do let their fears get the best of them and what they thought was a bad sign really wasn't anything at all. All of us hope this is the case.
You are in our thoughts, let us know what the vet says OK?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Sending tons of good thoughts for your appointment today. Don't forget my motto - Never panic until you know exactly what you are dealing with. Tripawds have a knack for scaring the peejeebers out of you, just to keep you on your toes!
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.
Thanks for all of the kind words. Yes, I do believe I have a tendancy to worry over the small things, but like you all said, better to worry here than with Bo.
Lee emailed the vet with our concerns, so I'm sure we'll hear from her today. Of course, I got home from work yesterday and Bo was acting fine. He did cough one more time yesterday, but it was the throat clearing cough, not the scary one. Lee and I went for a swim and Bo acted like he wanted to go out. We put the life jacket on him, but he didn't get in, just laid next to the pool and hung out with us. So, maybe he is just not feeling 100%. I wonder with runny eyes and cough if he just doesn't have a puppy cold. Hopefully, the vet will give us some suggestions today.
We have plans to go to the beach this weekend for some beach therapy. I'm sure that will perk Bo up and hopefully he will feel like swimming and playing!
Thanks again everyone!
I bet a trip to the beach will perk Bo right up. Don't forget to take lots of pictures 
I hope the Vet appointment is an encouraging one.
Give Bo a big hug for us!
I don't know where to start because the past two days have been a whirlwind. We put Bo back on Tramadol yesterday morning and he seemed to do a bit better. Is Bo the only dog that responds better on Tramadol?! He got in the pool with us, but did not swim just sat on the steps and seemed to daydream comfortably. He also ate a 1/2 of a chicken breast and 1 egg mixed in with about a 1/2 of cup of dry food for dinner.
This morning Bo refused food all together and Lee had a difficult time getting him up and out of the house to go potty. First thing this morning I read of Sooper Cooper's passing and I really got to thinking about Bo and his quality of life. Lee and I spoke several times today about the hard decisions we may have to make in the near future.
I called the vet's office to seek advice. **FYI-If you mention euthanasia on the phone you immediately get transferred to an important person!** We spoke with one of the vet tech's and gave her an update on everything. Our vet was not in today, but the tech called her at home. She called me back right away with some different options.
She knows that we are on a budget, and bless her for working with us on that. Before we make any decisions, and without having chest x-rays done, she would like to treat Bo for an upper respiratory infection. That could explain the cough, runny eyes, and lack of appetite. If that doesn't work, then it pretty much narrows down what we are dealing with and we can put him on Prednisone until he is ready to go. Our vet's main concern right now is that Bo is not really wanting to eat. So we are playing the What Will The Dog Eat Today game!!
I went and got the antibiotics and made Bo a little dinner. He ate 2 eggs, 1/2 cup of dry food, and 1/2 a chicken breast. I figure if I can get one good, solid meal in him a day with some treats/snacks scattered in there, than I am doing ok.
We were planning to go to the beach this weekend (with Bo of course!), but I guess we will just play things by ear.
We do have some good news on top of all of this.... After many trials and tribulations, I have finally landed a teaching job with the county! It is amazing news for Lee and my future and hopefully our future family. However, I am a little sad that this amazing summer is over and I know with this new job will come many more stresses and responsibilities. I hope I can manage everything!
Thanks everyone!
HI Meghan
Bo's diet sounds great! Like you said at least one good meal a day with treats is a good thing.
Hope you have a great weekend at the beach!! 
huggs,
Lylee's Mum
http://lyleegir.....ipawds.com
Meghan, I have wanted to post on your topic for a couple of days now,I had hesitated as I was afraid I would cause you to worry. Just remember to spend each day with Bo as if it were the last and love him as if his life depends on it. You will have no regrets.
Coopsdad
Coopsdad/ Kenneth Blackburn
http://cooper.t.....ipawds.com
the monkeydogs only THINK they have invaded the tripawd state
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