Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Well as i said yesterday, we took Shelby off all her meds. When I rushed home she was completely fine - relaxing in her bed. No big deal! She did her normal business outside like a good girl, ate her homemade dinner (picked out some of the kibble but whatever), drank water. Was sleeping like an angel so I could only assume she must have been exhausted after 2 nights/days of non-stop pacing. BUT like clockwork - come bedtime (and I wanted early to bed) she went bat crazy on me. Literally, all I did was turn off the TV and go into my bedroom. She started pacing, getting anxious, etc. So I took her outside to pee. She was calm out there. Back inside, same thing.
So I did what any other exhausted mom would do - I turned on some Enya (calming music) and closed my door and let her work it out herself. Oh and I did give her a doggy valium but it didn't really appear to help things. Thankfully with the music I couldn't hear her pacing but she definitely was worked up.
Is she detoxing from the pain meds? Is my dog a junkie now? I have given her nothing today but I am at work and I just pray that she's fine when I get home. She was in a good spirits this a.m. but still has moments when she will just sit and stare. She's been off tramadol for 24 hours now. She's still on metacam (as she will be for life). Anyone else have more issues at night? It's awful!
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
Before she went bat crazy ... sleeping beauty!
And her wound - looks like it is getting better! Thank you to whoever suggested daily photos to monitor the progress. Day 1 - 4!
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've been doing daily photos too - I wanted to have something to refer back to if I got anxious about any changes!
Eva sometimes gets a little squeaky and panty in the evening, but we are lucky because she does settle down. I don't know how long it takes for the medication to leave the body, so maybe Shelby's nighttime escapades were the result of a bit of leftover side effects? Any how, hope she is calmer for you tonight and that the wound continues to heal well.
Hang in there!
Question, is she used to sleeping in bed with you at night? I know this may sound totally obvious, but is that's whats bothering her? that she cant come into bed with you? Jill would stand by my bed and cry that she couldnt get up into the bed with me, so we finally had to figure out a way for her to jump up.........
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
Shelby hasn't slept in my bed since she first broke her leg back in June (even though it was plated she still couldn't jump up there and my fear if I put her up, she would jump down in the middle of the night). But that is a good point since the leg is OFF so therefore she feels more confident and comfortable... she does look at the couch (which she will be able to navigate once the stitches come out) and gets whiny about that. But she was getting used to sleeping on the floor next to my bed so I am sure my kicking her out last night also upset her. 🙁
Her vet is going to call me back but also did remind me that she's not even a week post-amp (it was last Wednesday but feels like it's been a month).
It's really hard to watch because it looks like she's seeing things that aren't really there so I wonder if she's having some sort of night terrors? And then she rests all day while I am at work.
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
Boomer definitely seemed to have more night time issues for the first week or so. Not long after Boomer had his stitches out, I started letting him sleep on the bed at night with Amy and I and in the middle of the night I rolled over and my knee hit his amp site, he yelped and shot out of the bed - I felt like the biggest jerk ever. Three and a half months later, he still refuses to be on the bed if I am in it. Could her anxiety be coming from her remembering that she felt so bad at night a few nights ago (when she had the accidents in your bed room) and it might happen again? What would happen if you just went to your bedroom but left the TV on? Or went in and got ready for bed extra early but came back out and watched TV some more? Sometimes just changing up the routine a bit can help. If it continues and just doesn't seem to be getting any better, maybe something like a Thundershirt would be worth trying. Rescue Remedy and Blackwing Farms both make stress relief products for pets that are made from essential oils and flower essences, it is a different approach than pharmaceuticals - kind of like the doggie equivalent of chamomile tea and lavender bath salts.
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Okay, things do seem to be iproving...slowly but surely! You are doimg a great job and mabe even got to sleep just a touch more last night, maybe?
Hapy Jannah definitely would whine. pace and jist not want to settle down at night.....especially the first week. So this ks definitely in the normal range forsome dogs.
It seems very, very nusual that she is able to be off pain meds after fkve days and not be hurting! With humans,pain ks magnified at night as all senses start becoming mlre accutely aware of the pain when all other distractions are eliminated and the pain becomes more obvious to them.
And to add more to Jill's train of thought........Also, could it be that she feels "punished" for not sleeping next to you and can't figure out what she's done and that's causng her anxiety in addition to possible pain?
I KNOW it's hard when it's just you as the caregiver...no one to give you a break t "step away" and get centered, or to take over while you take a nice long nap.
My Happy Hannah was used to sleeping upstairs in the bed with me, so sleeping downstairs was an adjustment. I have my little "living room" pretty much covered kn different sleeping beds for her. I took the cushions off the sofa so she could get up there also. For the first several weeks, my other little dog and I' Bodie, slept downstairs on the flor on blankets, etc. next to her.
Just want to throw out one more thing.....just trying to be helpful as opposed to long winded..
.....I "think" in humans, valium actually interferes with the sleep process.....I'm not sure about that at all, but it seems I read that in a holistic joirnal.
For me, I can only say that this was "normal" for Happh Hannah.....and it went on during the day too.......specially this early in recovery! All I could thin k of was, however stressful it was for me...it was nothing compared to how this whole ordeal must jave been like for her! But some of these things mentioned above could be enhancing the issue.
Always sending you and Shelby the best,.....AND...thanks for the pictures! Love the one with her little dolly next to her. She is a sleeping beauty!
Sally and Happy Hannah
Sally and Haph 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!
Her vets assure me she should not be in pain and should be off her painkillers. I don't see how either considering but in her previous surgeries, she was off pain killers pretty quickly. She had never had these kind of weird psychotic reactions around me before though. But I get that pain is worse and night and it is unnerving for her (especially since she doesn't know what's going on). They (her vets) also said that it's very good that she isn't paying attention to or looking for her leg. That means she is not having phantom leg pain . It's just really hard to see her get all worked up, like a child having a temper tantrum. And even my holding her on the floor does NOT calm her.
But thank you everyone for assuring me this is still within in the normal range for a newly amputated dog!
Here's another shot of her last night (laying on my shoes by my door as if to say, please don't leave again, mommy)! She looks pretty good and alert, right? 
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
She is SO cute! I know cats are different than dogs but Jill was off painkillers after 5 days....I think she just wants her Mommy 
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
Talk about "coincidental"...or not...just as I was posting, I got an email from The Dog Cancer Blog avout dogs and how they try and hide their pain!! IF they show pain and can not keep up with their pack, they will be left alone. And being lrft behind and left alne means death.
It was just a very timely reminder of what we already know. You are Shelby's pack leader and her anxiety excelerates at the fear of being left alone......
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!
WOW! This sure is a fast paced tjread!! Just saw the latest picture! Yes, sweeeeet i deed! She realy does look alert. And the etacam still jas some pain relieving qualities too.
Okay, are those Shelby's high heeled shoes?? She's one stylin' diva girl!
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!
Ha ha Sally! Those are my shoes but Shelby does have some awesome outfits! I'll have to find those photos. I might just make her blog ALL photos. Because her story isn't as interesting as her outfits! 🙂
I agree - I am her pack leader and she follows me. Her vet(s) have all talked and they don't think she is in pain. They can't figure it out but they want me to keep her on the doggy valium for a bit longer. She's been through a lot in the last 7 months (3 surgeries, chemo, in and out of hospitals, it's enough to make a human go manic let alone a dog). She was really alert when I got home - greeted me at the door which she hadn't done in a while. Tail awaggin'. Walked (fast), did her business, sat outside w/me. Ate ALL her dinner (including chemo). had a bit of a panting episode but she's resting now and I am not disturbing her to play or engage w/me. I want to snuggle but I like calm Shelby.
Here's a photo from our walk since I know y'all love happy Shelby photos! Fingers crossed we have a good night! 
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
Hey you sound much better than earlier today! YAY! Glad you were able to get out with her on a little walk. I'll bet you both needed that fresh air.
I agree: awesome shoes!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
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Wow! Greeted you at the door with tail-a-waggin'! There again, it was a couple of weeks before Happy Hannah actualy got UP to gteet me! She would wiggle and wag from jer bed, but didn't get up.
I so admire Shelby AND you for"powering through" everything you've had to deal with...an ncredible amount of stress...emotional and physical...for both of you.
Yeah, I agree you Jerry, you "sound" better with this post. Hopefulky, the corner towards a more cnsistent recovery has now been turned...and that includes so e good quality sleep for both of you tonight. I like what Martiall said about leaving the tv on...going in and out of the room, etc. Also, maybe...jist maybe......if you feel like things are settling down so e, maybe she could sleep back in her normal spot next to your bed. Right ow though, the important thing is YOU catch up on your sleep.
Sending over so e ore sheep for you to count! Shhhhh........there's a bottle of wi e hidden in their woolly sheep fur to help!
Shelby loo,s very alert in the hoto...such a sweet, sweet face.
Sending you some zzzzzzzzz's.....
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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