Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Sue,
I'm so sorry, it's so scary. There's not much I can add that hasn't been said. I know that a run of antibiotics helped Tika immensely when needed, so maybe that's all Nova needs. The Metacam SubQ shots worked wonders and we didn't have to worry about upsetting her tummy more. (Silly dog, had such a fragile stomach her whole life)
Hang in there, I thought of you the other day, I was downtown and walked around the corner to come nose to nose with a Great Dane, considering I am almost 6 feet tall, it was a bit alarming. He was on a bench, being a Dane, and heard me coming. Big beautiful harlequin.
We gave each other a hug and I got appropriately slobbered. What a great dog.
I'll be thinking of you!
--Kim and Spirit Tika
Kim and Spirit Tika http://www.tika.....ogspot.com
Sue,
Did your vet take Nova's blood before or after her nail trim? Stress can easily raise a WBC. A normal WBC ranges from 5,500 to 16,500 so 17,000 is not that high. Any fever? Enlarged lymph nodes? Did your vet mention if the lymphocytes were high?
Sometimes dogs can develop pneumonia in the winter and for that reason alone you might want to consider a chest xray, since antibiotics would clear that right up! We are having a mild winter here in Seattle but if your winter has been cold that might predispose to infection. Some dogs will have an elevated temperature or elevated WBC even before a cough develops.
Most likely it is nothing to worry about.
Pam
Hi Sue. I can't add much to this thread, as Max never had an elevated WBC, only a low count once or twice. Just want to say that John and I are sending our good thoughts Nova's way, and we're thinking about you. Like Shanna said, Nova and Trouble are a couple of tough cookies, and they're strong gals! Give the Queen a hug for us.
Diane & John
Thanks all for all the words of support. I haven't heard anything from the Oncologist yet, which is not surprising. She usually takes a few days to get back with me after my vet faxes her bloodwork.
Pam, thanks for your professional opinion, I always value your input. Nova did have the bloodwork done before getting her nails clipped, but she was really stressed at the vet. However, she is always stressed when she goes there, so I am not sure it would have caused an elevated reading. Since she went blind she has become much more anxious, I'm sure because she is trying to process her surroundings.
My vet gave her the once over and didn't notice any swollen lymph nodes or any other weirdness. We didn't take her temperature. She is happy as a clam. No antibiotics were prescribed.
Maybe I am freaking out over nothing. I hope! I am scared to death of the "end phase"... lung mets, spinal mets, whatever. I keep fantasizing that Nova has totally beaten this. I have no idea how you all handle it when it comes.
Sue
Dane Mom Sue at nova.tripawds.com and Mom to Beautiful Great Dane Queen Nova, a Blind Tripawd, who kicked cancer's butt from 11/08-03/13. The Queen is Spirit Nova now, but her legacy lives on here at Tripawds!
You just take things one hop at a time, it's all anyone can do.
Hang in there and keep us posted. Happy as a clam is GREAT!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Just spent 1/2 hour just laying with Nova in her bed, just sniffing her and hugging her. I'm sure you all know the feeling.
It was funny tonight, I was at school late, not home til nearly 11, and when my husband got home around 9 he said Nova was right at the door to greet him. When she noticed it was not Mommy she let out a big howl and hopped off. She was here to greet me at 11 with a pile of stuffed animals, head butts and sloppy Dane kisses and leans. I just love when she buries her head in my chest. She's in this "get all the Mommy I can get" mode and I'm in the "Get all the Nova I can get mode".
She's in her bed now asleep wagging her tail. I don't even want to go to bed, I am so at peace watching her.
Dane Mom Sue at nova.tripawds.com and Mom to Beautiful Great Dane Queen Nova, a Blind Tripawd, who kicked cancer's butt from 11/08-03/13. The Queen is Spirit Nova now, but her legacy lives on here at Tripawds!
Awwww, so sweet. You are her Mommy and only you can give her the kind of Mom comfort she needs.
Don't you just love taking in big whiffs of her sweet doggie fur smell?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Trouble is attached to mommy too. I think it's so sweet. And I'm so glad to hear Nova is feeling well, she's such a sweetheart.
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.
Hi Sue, I´m happy to hear that Nova is her ol´self... I´m sure the next bloodwork will be OK, she surely has "just" an inflammation.
I keep my paws crossed in dane heaven for everypawdy, but when I look at you I can see myself like I would have looked like in a couple of years and I feel proud that you are pulling this off!
love & leans
Spirit Hori
Spirit Horacia, Castaño, Olympia + human family Cecilia, Georg and Julia - - - Hori first diagnosed 8/6/09, ampu 8/12/09, run over the bridge 9/10/09 – We miss you every day dear girl!
I feel bad I read the topic and thought is was a good sign and I'd catch up on it later…so I'm coming in late.
Sue,
It's impossible to not worry. Just remember, you don't have to 'buck up' on the forum. Get all of your worries out by typing them out to us. We'll listen. And sometimes just gettng it off your chest helps the anxiety itself. The 'what ifs' are so frightening and almost paralyzing. It seems when I'm in that zone, time is frozen until I get an answer.
With that said, I am hoping this is just a bump in the road for your baby Nova.
Sending you lots of wuv and doggie kisses.
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.
I talked to the oncologist briefly today. She didn't think there was any reason to worry. Of course she said I could always get chest x-rays "just to see". But I don't want to do that right now. So for now we are just going to hang in there. She seems to be feeling fine.
Dane Mom Sue at nova.tripawds.com and Mom to Beautiful Great Dane Queen Nova, a Blind Tripawd, who kicked cancer's butt from 11/08-03/13. The Queen is Spirit Nova now, but her legacy lives on here at Tripawds!
Good news!
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.
Hi Sue:
I think you just need to follow Nova. Think of all the things you've been through and in the end, Nova told you what she wanted.
Don't worry about what will come. I'm not saying it's easy not to, but try not to. Nova is the 'QUEEN' she'll let you know.
When we went on the Metacam, it wasn't because of bloodwork it was because of fever, I looked through my notes tonight and realized this. But I found out with Caya's kidney situation, these dogs can completely freak out their readings in a heartbeat.
I love your updates, hang in there, we are all cheering for you!
Kim and Spirit Tika
Kim and Spirit Tika http://www.tika.....ogspot.com
Sue,
I just got done reading all your posts and the responses. Sorry to hear you are worrying, and know it's hard not to. Keep your spirits up and listen to the Ocologist and your heart. Only you know how much the Queen can handle and can go from there. It's good news that the oncologist doesn't think there is a reason to worry.
Eleanor
Queen Nova,
STOP MAKING YOUR MOMMY WORRY!!!
ARF! ARF! WOOF! AROOOOOOOO!!!!
Chuy
Chuy, showing everyone that Tripawds do everything 3 times better than regular dogs!
Yaaaaayyy! All's fine Mom, stop worrying and go snuggle.
Whew!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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