Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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It's been just over 24 hour and WOW ... I am going on about 2 hours of sleep but we are progressing. The first 12 hours or so she would wake up every hour whinning and crying. After a few vet calls and my own observations I think it was the meds and she was in some pain but mostly disoriented and scared. I just reassured her and she calmed down each time and went back to sleep. It seems to have passed now thank goodness.
I slept in the living room with her and she seemed to wake every hour or so. However, the highlight of the night was at 4:30am. A little background: Etta is really a neighborhood dog. She has captured the hearts of many neighbors and I often tell people that Etta has more friends than I do! She has a special connection to our next door neighbors and every day (sometimes more than once) she goes over for a treat.
When she woke up at 4:30 this morning she seemed really "awake" so i let her out of the crate and she went towards the front door. Seeing that she hadn't peed since 1:00pm I figured she was ready. So I got her leash and sling put my jacket on over my pj's threw my cell phone in my pocket just in case and out we went.
Apparently, Miss E had different plans as she tried to head next door for a treat. When I attempted to guide her back to the grass she just sat down and there we sat. and sat... and sat. When she got up again she headed towards the grass on the parkway. My manipulative little girl knew that if she walked on the grass vs the sidewalk (as per our typical routine) then I would think that she had to pee vs. just go next door.
So I went with it... and we walked a bit on the parkway grass to the end where she was nearly in reach of our neighbors driveway and when I attempted to redirect her back ... she sat and sat and sat. Finally, i called my partner on my cell who came outside with treats and we slowly made our way back in. I have re-named Etta: Mrs stubborn pants or MSP for short! It was quite an adventure. And I am happy to see her spirit is well intact! Hopefully more sleep for both of us tonght.....
julie
Our angel "Etta" amputation on 4-15-10 lost her front limb. initially dx'd with neurofibrosarcoma. However, after surgery they discovered histiocytic sarcoma a very aggressive cancer. After two full rounds of chemo our special angel lost her battle on 6-21-10. the sweetest and most gentle soul. Our lives are forever blessed for having known her...
Pretty sneaky there Etta! You sure know how to pull those heartstrings.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Awww Etta,
You look so special in your pink attire! I'm so glad you are home. Let's hope you'll feel like sleeping hard very soon.
Tell your mommy that writing with only 2 hours of sleep after the first night is a ritual over here!
(Hey, I know I write like I had 2 hours of sleep every day - I even had to edit this to add missing words!)
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.
You look so pretty in pink and we're so happy that you're home now and doing so well - even climbing a couple of stairs! That's great! And way to go on the treat mission. I think you outtricked your mom - a good recovery sign for sure. Here's wishing you a very smooth and speedy recovery. Let us know how you're doing!
Your golden friends from LA
Mackenzie, Kobe & Mom
My sweet golden Mackenzie. She became my angel on Dec 29, 2010 at the age of 8 1/2 although she was always my angel from the time we brought her home. She was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in Sept 2009 and officially became a tripawd (front leg) on Nov 5, 2009. She will be forever in my heart and now she's running free with all of our other tripawd heroes. I love you Mackenzie!
Trouble was the queen of sitting (or laying) until she got her way. The last thing for me to do was get in a hurry, because that is when the stubborn really kicked in. In the early recovery days, she would sometimes go out, lay down, and stay there for 30 minutes or more - regardless of what my plans were.
Etta is doing great. She'll have you re-trained in no time 🙂
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.
Julie and Etta,
Sounds like everything is going wonderfully. Yes the meds will cause some issues and for many including Miss Cherry and Emily, their reaction to Tramadol was so bad that we had to take them off. Every dog responds differently to the meds and many have no problem at all. You will just have to monitor and see if there is progress. Often they have a tendency to over-do the first day, making the second a real recovery day.
Now about the journey to the neighbors, personally I would have been applauding all the way. Many here have heard my suggestions to help aid recovery and they know that treating the spirit as well as the body is #2. Etta just decided how she wanted her spirits lifted. Trying to keep the new normal as close to the old normal is definitely a goal worth attempting. Her attitude is a very positive sign and just confirms how quickly they will adapt. Her ability to reason our cause and effect is also very good.
Please keep us informed about how she is directing her recovery.
Spirit Cherry's Dad
PS: If you have not seen my usual three suggestions, you can link here to a previous posting.
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