Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hello again,
Our Charlotte had a feeding tube put in on 9/5, because she wouldn't eat after her amputation. She is a week and a half out from her amputation. We are 800 miles away on a trip while she stays at the vet, so the vet is calling me daily. He tells me she is stable, so I feel she is not progressing. Shouldn't she be getting at least somewhat better day by day? I am so upset, as she was healthy and happy in every way, other than the tumor recurring, and it was still tiny. Now I wonder if she will make it. Does anyone else have experience with this? Is this normal for no obvious progress?
Well, for now, will take stable as a good thing. I know from other scenarios on here sometimes it takes several days with the feeding tube to to start to turn things around.
I'm sure they've done complete blood work up, However it wouldn't hurt to ask again if just to ensure that there were no signs of any other issues, like kidney, liver etc.
I would also ask again about her fever just to confirm that that infection has cleared up.
I can only imagine you're frustration. I wish I had some answers for you as this does seem completely and totally unexpected after the surgery.
I'm glad the vet is checking in Daily with you. At least you know they are definitely keeping an eye on things. I would ask the questions on that noted above though.
Hopefully with all the treatments they are giving her she will start to perk up. She didn't get this way overnight and it may not be an immediate instant fix. Sending prayers and positive thoughts for improved healing!
((((((((((((Hugs)))))))))))
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!
Marlene, I know how worried you are right now, I would be too. It does sound like Charlotte is getting excellent care and the staff is being good about checking in with you. Stable is a good thing! And also keep in mind that recovery is not a linear process. There will be ups and downs and it's not the same for everyone. Some pets do experience a situation like this, some don't. All you can do is your best right now to stay strong and know that you are giving her the vet care she needs to get well.Â
We are sending tons of love and pawsitivity your way!
I am at the end of my rope. This abscess below her suture line that they have been treated now is looking necrotic, and the vet is going to have to go back in and clean it up - which means Charlotte has to be sedated again. She has been on antibiotics, and they cleaned it and drained it when she came in. They did a culture, but the results still aren't back. Seriously. What the heck? A board certified surgeon came in to do her surgery. It should have went smoothly. The only good news today was that she finally had a bowel movement.
Okay, I'm glad they did a culture. That is very important in identifying the correct antibiotic needed for specific infections (ie MTSA, etc).
Well this is no comfort whatsoever, we do see infections and the necessity to go back in and clean out the necrotic areas. Again, I know that doesn't ease your stress other than to know it does indeed happen.Hopefully the culture will come back quickly and things can finally get resolved!!!
While you don't feel like celebrating, at least we can say YAY for 
  Does she still have the feeding tube? How 'bout fever??
I m sure your Vet is frustrated too and is doing everything possible to get your sweet kotty back to health!
Were sending you group hugs, prayers and pawsitive healing energyÂ
((((((((Hugs)))))))
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!
Yes, she still has the feeding tube. She has not started eating on her own, yet. She does not have a fever. I don't know if the infection is related to her not feeling well yet, or not, considering she is still on pain meds, the antibiotics, etc.
I'm so sorry for this situation. If it's any comfort it is not all that uncommon and if treated, as it has been, it's only a matter of time until things get better. It does sound like your vet is doing all the right things to get it under control. Infections do make a pet or person feel like crap so it makes sense that she is not feeling like eating. It's the body's way of reserving energy for healing, so her body is doing its job.Â
I hope tomorrow is better, please keep us posted!
I did get to see her today, and the vet taught me how to feed through the tube. He gave me some time with her in a room. She purred, and let me give her a belly rub, which made me feel better. Tomorrow she will come home. The vet will change her bandage before she goes home, and again on Friday. One culture has come back, and it is sensitive to Baytril, which she is on. The others hadn't returned yet.
I'm sooooooo glad you got to see her and that she's coming home tomorrowđź‘Ť I know when you heard her purr that had to make you happy.. Â
Having her home where you can rub her belly and losten to her purr will make you voth feel better. I know you couldn't relax while you were away and she was at the hospital, so now maybe you can actually exhale. Â
I do know Baytril is "strong" and covers a lot of "issues". I do think that could interfere with her appetite.so the feeding tube is a good thing.
So she did have the surgery to remove the narcotic skin amd now that is behind you, right?
Thank you for the update. We've all fallen in love with sweet Charlotte and will continue to send pawsitive energy.
Hugs
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!. Â
Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!
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