Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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I noticed it starting last night (Friday night)... Champ just wanted to lay down...He ate but not with the urgency and pawing at me that usually accompanies me making his dinner... When I took the girls out with him, he sat and waited after he had done his business... usually he goes over and follows them... but not now... no exuberant tail wagging... no sloppy kisses... just very tired... no panting (he does have one lung met diagnosed in April about 1/2" but who knows now after 3 months... I refuse to put him through more xrays)
I think he's anemic but when I spoke with our vet today (he didn't have office hours) he said as long as he was eating and he didn't laboured breathing it wasn't an emergency... it could wait until Monday...
So, I have a 9am appointment Monday morning.. Vet is doing a CBC and exam... I don't know what to do... I'm so afraid...
Champ has hemangiosarcoma so of course I am thinking he is losing blood into his abdomen which is why he is anemic... If this is the case I now there is nothing we can do... He's already had his spleen removed and his leg amputated... I can't put him through another surgery which may not even help...
I'm a little annoyed at my daughter through this as well... She is 4 hours away at her Dad's (she drives) and I was crying telling her what was going on... she didn't initially even mention coming back home and then when she did it was like it was a problem... No call today since asking how he is or anything... I'm very disappointed in her...
Thanks for letting me vent.. and if you have any suggestions or ideas... let me know.
Thanks... Joy & Champ & Lady (his cocker sister) & Peaches (his foster springer sister)
joy, know that your tripawds family is always here to hear you vent and kvetch and whatever. maybe this is just a 'bump in the road' for champ and he'll be more himself tomorrow. we notice some 'down' days aroung here, but it seems normal to nap and rest... we've had such weird weather with heat then rain then heat - everyone at our house is having sinus and allergy stuff...maybe that's affecting champ??
sending our best ET juju to you, champ and the sisters, hoping he gets more excited about food and about life in general. we're hoping the cbc and vet visit will give some answers too. come on champ, we're all rooting for you!!!!!
charon & gayle
Life is good, so very, very good!!! Gayle enjoyed each and every moment of each and every wonderful day (naps included). She left this world December 12, 2011 – off on a new adventure.
Love Never Ends
Crap, why does this stuff always happen on the weekends or holidays, I swear a snail moves faster than the clock at times like this. I don't have any experience with that type of cancer, but from what I've seen here, you have the right frame of mind in being realistic of the possible prognosis, as much as it sucks, we can't dodge reality. Having said that, try to take a deep breath and know that until Monday, all you can do is be with Champ and spend as much time with him as you can, let him know you are there and TRY to enjoy this time with him. No amount of worry or anxiety will bring Monday any faster, and trust me, a ton of us have been right where you are right now, so try to let some experience assure you Monday will come, and in the mean time, try to stay calm since Champ will pick up on your anxiety. Sorry your daughter seems cold about the situation, got 2 of them myself and I don't try to figure out what goes through their head sometimes, they had to have gotten some of that from their mom, geesh. Good luck Monday, Paws up to Champ, Spirit Gus and Dan
My buddy Gus had a left front amputation on April 7, 2010 and lived a great life until July 26,2010
I'm afraid I don't have any helpful ideas, but I hope Champ is resting comfortably and that you are enjoying the time with him. Maybe some decadent treats to spoil him will make you both feel better? If the vet didn't feel it wasn't an emergency since his breath wasn't labored, I'd take that as an encouraging sign.
And, yes, you can always come and vent and get support here! The Tripawds family is great when our 'real' families don't know what to do with us.
Hang in there. Get some rest. Perhaps a decadent treat for yourself would be in order as well?? 🙂
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!
Always on a weekend...well as cliche as it sounds, try to remain calm and think pawsitive thoughts. We are here for you!
Spirit Samson was Spirit Tripawd Daisys four legged "brother" and ruled as the self proclaimed head of the Monkeybutt Federations East Coast Division. Lady Chunky Monkey stayed from Oct 2011 and left for the bridge in Apr 2012. Miss Perdy is left and has some big pawprints to fill.
Do you have what it takes to be a Monkeybutt? Find out more at the Monkeybutt Federation
Thanks for the support guys...
I just took him out and thought "wow, he's coming around..."... then he sat at the steps (just two small ones) and didn't even attempt to come up them... I carried him in and he sat down then slid down to lay...
I just carried him in front of the fan and gave him a bowl of water... he drank it laying down...
He's not supposed to have beef (allergies) but I figure... what's it going to hurt... I've grilling some burgers for him and me to share...
That is the sweetest picture. I know far away Monday feels right now, I have been there too. As far as the daughter goes, it depends on their age. If she is between 17 and 24 it seems to only be about themselves. That is normal but completely annoying and upsetting. Champ does have you though, he is a very lucky boy for that.
I don't know how to tell if he is bleeding into his abdomen except to tell you to keep checking his gums. If they are pink it shouldn't be an issue from what I am told. If They are white, grey, or blue, you should check in with your vet.
And as Champ has you, you have us. Hang in there and keep letting us know how he and you are doing. We understand totally!
Elizabeth and Sammy
Diagnosed with osteosarcoma in the right front leg 8/23/10,
leg fractured 8/27/10,
leg amputated 8/30/10
http://sammyand.....pawds.com/
I couldn't begin to say how special Sammy is to us. Living and laughing with and loving this wonderful boy is priceless.
Hang in there dear lady, we all have a bad day here and there. Hopefully the heat is just too much for Champ. Trouble had a terrible time with the heat after her amputation and as she aged. It just sucked the life out of her if she stayed out too long.
Oh, and she had beef allergies too! Champ is the only other one I've run across. Bet he'll enjoy the burger. I cheated sometime and gave her a bite.
Sending good thoughts for the vet visit Monday.
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.
Joy, I'm so sorry that Champ is not feeling well. Percy and I are hoping for the best for you and Champ.
AJ
Oh boy...the waiting until Monday!!! Gawd, I feel very sorry for you but you know best and if you need to, call that vet back if necessary to get him in. Is it me or is that vet just a little annoying to me in his/her response to you? Arghhh..
That is a very sweet photo of him in front of the fan. Hugs to you and Champ...
Tracy, Maggie's Mom
Maggie was amputated for soft tissue sarcoma 10-20-09
Maggie lost her battle with kidney disease on 8-24-13
Sorry to hear that Champ is having a bit of a bad spell. Hopefully it's just the heat getting to him. He looks adorable laying in front of his private fan! I'll be thinking of you on Monday. Here's hoping for the best.
Laura
Tai – 9 yr old lab. Diagnosed Osteosarcoma Dec 18/09. Front right leg amputated Dec 21/09. Started chemo Jan 7/10. Lung mets discovered Sept 16/10. Valiant to the end on Oct 26/10 when cancer reappeared in a leg and we made the decision to set her free. Forever in my heart where not even cancer can take her from me.
Joy, we are so sorry to hear that Champ is having a rough time of it. I can totally relate, Cooper has had some of the same issues and everytime he seems worse it is so scary. We are sending positive thoughts and prayers your way!
Coops pack
Coopsdad/ Kenneth Blackburn
http://cooper.t.....ipawds.com
the monkeydogs only THINK they have invaded the tripawd state
Joy,
You can vent anytime here, really.
That picture of Champ is so sweet. Is it super hot there? Because if it is that could have a LOT to do with it. I know that when I wasn't feeling good to start with and the weather turned warm, all I wanted to do was lay around too.
Monday seems like furever, I know, and I'm so sorry. If it helps at all you can come back here anytime. How about writing in Champ's blog? That should help you cope and pass the time?
Meanwhile, Sammy's Mom is right...just keep checking his gums and if you have any doubts that he is not doing OK, go to your nearest emergency vet.
We are thinking of you both.
P.S. Forgive your daughter. If she is youngish, that kind of behavior just comes with the territory. Some day she'll figure it out.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thanks everyone...
It is not really that hot... 80/82?... but it is a little humid... we live in the hudson valley in NY...
He got up this morning and slowly walked to the front door to go out... I took him alone so his sisters wouldn't be pushing him around... He walked out pee'd and poop'd... poop was normal consistency... I carried him back in and to the water bowl so he wouldn't get run over by the girls... he drank, walked into the dining room and laid back down... of course the other two are laying down also so maybe I shouldn't get as worried... I just don't know...he's my baby...
I feel a little better knowing that Cooper and Trouble have had some bad days as well and recovered... this is truly Champ's first bad spell... I know this is selfish but I'm not ready to let him go yet... I know over a year ago they told us 1-2 months and we've been blessed with a year... But he is such a special dog...
And the human child called at least last night to see how he is...
Thanks again... Joy & Champ
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