Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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we rushed martha to ver vet yesterday/tuesdaydue to sudden weakening. please if anyone has insight into any part-- advise, please. so, after the first week after amutation her remaining rear leg appeared to strength to hold her. she became wobbly but still hopped to bowl, etc. it's now been three weeks since surgery. she's gained weight after putting her on a cancer diet (PATH/PAWS). all good; she was too thin before. worried the pain meds--still post surgery doses--was the cause (after runnng past her surgery team) i reduced the tramadol to 100mg monday and tuesday she was taken off all together. she was still on 1800mg gabapentin, and metacam. also, have had her on 100 ml of milk thistle a day for liver damage.
tuesday was her first day off tramadol completely. she was great! bright, with old behavior, thought her weakness was in the rearview mirror; but the following day/yesterdayshe was the weakest, yet!!! she wouldn't eat (unheard of!) and could hardly move. we rushed to the vet.
vet found her heart strong (sunday night heartrate was 150--high for her size. attributed it to what she ate off the sidewalk earlier) xrays show a strong remaining rear leg. however her liver enzymes were high (ALT: 365, ALP: 750)--a change from recent tests. as some of you may remember they found a 4cm liver growth a month ago. they found cancer cells w/o any diagnosis. a
anyway, i'm trying to figure out what i can do to help my pup. does anyone have experience w/high liver enzymes? is this anything but cancer growth in the liver and impending organ failure? is it a reaction on the high protein diet? the milk thistle? what can i do??? btw? she ate after vet visit by hand feeding her salmon, same this morning.
HOW DO I PROCEED? vet put her back on tramadol 100 mg total a day--just to ease her off.
Online
GOSH! Just a quick, quick hug and love....gonna throughout a few things without any specifice nowlege, okay?
I'm thinking the meds are the culprit...and yeah, the levels are also maybe just a reflectin of the liver lump I "think" tramadol can have an effect on the liver...can be reversed too..not sure though..not a vet
My Mickey Motto did eventualkyhave liver faiure after probably a good year of being able to treat it. As his time neared, the symptons were much, much, much more than what Martha is experiencing...so try not to worry there, okay
The protein could indeed have an effect too.
Okay...I kno I'm just throwing stuff out..have to head to work.
Just want you to know we are all here and this will get sorted out! The fact that she's eating some...not puking...not yellow...can still stand...all good... Has he tried to wean her off Gaba yet?
Others will chime in.....just want to send you love and support.
Sally and Happy Hannah
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!
Also, you mentioned "sidewalk food"...pancreatitis ruled out?
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!
Hi,
I'm so sorry this is happening.
I'm not a vet, but I do have a little experience with severe liver failure. My dog Seven almost died about 6 months ago...his liver enzymes were higher than Martha's values. So, here are a few thoughts...
Tramadol is considered by my vet to be a very safe drug. I don't think it would be the cause. I don't think Gabapentin would harm the liver either. Milk thistle is supposed to protect and heal the liver, so shouldn't be that either. Although, keep in mind, I'm sure any dog can have an odd bad reaction to any medication. Now, Metacam and other drugs in the same category (like Rimadyl) can cause liver issues in some dogs...that's why dogs on those drugs usually have regular blood work to check their liver values.
Ingesting a toxin or bacteria can definitely cause these problems. Do you know what Martha ate off the sidewalk? That could be the cause. Or did you open a new package of food or treats that might be tainted? Is she on an antibiotic? Seven was on metronidazole (Flagyl) for about 4-6 weeks while his liver was healing
If she isn't on an antibiotic, please ask your vet about trying it. And ask if the Metacam could be the culprit or a contributing factor. Also, see about IV fluids and an anti-nausea injection as well as Pepcid since dogs with liver issues tend to feel nauseated.
Good luck! Keep us updated!
Hugs,
Carol
Of the meds you listed I would stop the metacam. My personal experience is that anti-inflamatories (NSAIDs) cause liver enxymes to go up. I usually run a temp, can't eat and feel extremely fatigued. It takes my liver enzymes a couple weeks after stoping the anti-inflamatories to get back close to normal.
I hope that is the cause of the liver issues and not the cancer.
Karen and Spirit Maggie
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
I was going to say the same - Tramadol should be fine but the Metacam is the one to worry about. Shelby has fatty tissues on her liver but she does get a daily dose of Metacam (however I'm not sure why she still needs it 2 months out). But what did she snatch off the street?
Keep us posted!
Alison and Shelby
Shelby Lynne; Jack Russell/Shiba Inu mix. Proud member of the April Angels of 2014.
October 15, 2000 to April 8, 2014
Our story: Broke rear leg in June 2013 - non-conclusive results for cancer so leg was plated and pinned. Enlarged spleen in September 2013 and had it removed and was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma and started chemotherapy. Became a Tripawd January 8th, 2014 and definitive Hemangiosarcoma diagnosis. Three major surgeries in 7 months and Shelby took them all like a champ only to lose her battle to cancer in her brain. We had 8 amazing extra months together and no regrets. #shelbystrong #loveofmylife
I have nothing to add, I know nothing about liver enzymes, but GET WELL MARTHA! AND STOP PICKING NASTY STUFF OFF THE NYC SIDEWALKS! 
Jill is a 9-year-old tuxedo kitty. She was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma in June 2012 on her toe in her right hind leg. Her leg was amputated on 12/12/12 and she completed four rounds of chemo (2 of Carbo, 2 of Doxy) in April 2013. "Like" Jill's facebook page: https://www.fac.....tty?ref=hl Proud member of the WINTER WARRIORS!!!! Her blog can be read at http://jillsjou.....ipawds.com. xoxo
Hi.....years ago, when my Polly developed Immune mediated thrombocytopenia, the meds we had to treat her with, particularly pred, raised both her liver values through the roof. I can't remember now, which one was which, ALT or ALP, but one topped out at over 2200, and the other was over 1000. She was in imminent danger of going into liver failure, but our vet started to lower all her meds, while hoping her platelet count kept rising, and hoping her liver enzymes went down......kind of a rock and a hard place, if you know what I mean. It took close to 6-7 months to get them close to normal. She never suffered any lingering liver issues after that, so she is proof that values can be extremely high for quite awhile, but ultimately be fine with her liver. I do agree with the others, as to what she may have eaten off the sidewalk, possible pancreatitis, or this unfortunate liver growth.
Please let us know what happens with sweet Martha, and keeping you and her in my thoughts.....
Bonnie & Angel Polly
THANK YOU! before reading your replies i knew martha was on death's door, due to liver cancer. now other possibilities exist. thank you. i emailed the oncologist. will post her reply.
amalia
Just chiming in to say hope Martha is feeling better and you have some answers about the elevated liver enzymes.
Linda and Tucker
good morning all!
martha's drinking water. we gave her mac and cheese last night. she ate two small bowls and peanut butter w/pills. she had diarrhea on night elinination. she walked assisted.
oncologist replied late last night don't think it says much. very confusing since they found cancer cells after needle biopsing, what they referred to as, a walnut-size mas in her liver, a month ago??? hope you get something from it: here it is:
"The elevated liver values are worrisome for sure since it's new for her and she's not feeling well, however I can't tell you for sure it's cancer as we know she had some chronic liver changes on her first biopsy also. If you want to know before making any big decisions, the next step would be to repeat her abdominal ultrasound."
are cancer cells found where there is no cancer?
many thanks kind peeps.
amalia
Hi Amalia, just wanted to say that I've been thinking about you and Martha for the last couple of days, and I would do the ultrasound just to see what is going on. Even if it is something you don't want to see or hear, at least you will know what you are confronted with. There may be ways to combat most problems to give quality of life, but finding the problem is the most important thing.
Keeping you and Martha in my continuing thoughts......
Bonnie & Angel Polly
Wow I'm so sorry all that happened so suddenly! Yikes! It sounds like she's doing better though? I sure hope so!
Yeah, unfortunately the only way to tell is to do the ultrasound. Here's a video we made of Dr. Pam performing one on a dog who ultimately did fine after surgery.
Get well soon Martha!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I agree with Bonnie. I think the ultrasound will be helpful, and it's non-invasive.
The vet doesn't seem to mention cancer cells, just "chronic changes". I'm not sure what that means.
I am so happy to hear that she's eating and drinking. That's a great sign. Please let us know how things so!
Hugs,
Carol
Can offer o nsight nto doing the ultra sound or not. My vet is very, very aware of my financial situation (becasue Iowe himsooo much money!), so I'm not sure if that's why is conservative or ot on so many tests.
His philosophy jas always been, if it won't change whatever it is your dong anyway, even if it's "x" or "x"...then no need. Now, he's not an onco. Not sure what she means by decisions as Martha's quality seems good! But certainly, that would be somethingnyou might want to do later down the road.
okay.....soap box time...please consider a second opinion. I also thinks it's good it's "chronic related", but also think there are plently of treatment options, nutritional, supplemental as well, to help keep chronic issues stable.
Let's see.....runny poop.....hmmmmmm....mac and cheese and peanut butter....wonder if there's any correlatin?!!
She's feelng better and lovng the loving...and that's good, very' very, good!!
Sendng love AND a HUGE request for ore pics of Marthat!! We want some Martha!! Please!!
Sally and Happy Hannah
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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