Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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I feel like I'm loosing it! She didn't eat anything today and I still don't know what's wrong with her! I'm so stressed out she's going to starve herself to death before I can find out what's wrong with her!
This is such a rotten time when you're trying to figure out what's going on. Dealing with all the emotion and stress of the amputatin is daunting enough, and then to have eating issues...UGH!
The prednisone should take effect n aother day or two. I kow to say to try and be patient is ridiculous...BUT...try and.....okay, I won't say it!
I think the fact that all her tests have come back showing no issues is HUGE!! Big relief! I'm SURE the vet checked out his teeth and mouth, but I thoight I'd through it out there anyway.
I think I've already mentioned this, have you tried taking a car ride (if she likes then) and ordering a burger through a drive through? I kow of someone who tried that and, after the same kind of not earing scenario you described, the dog woofed it down.
Have you tried someone else feeding her with no "history" of the frustration of not getting her to eat?
How 'bout just good ole dry CAT food? I found that works sometmes when they won't eat anything else.
I kow your frustration is off the charts! Keep holdingonto us and we'll pull you through. You should see a turn around in another day or two. Five thatPred. a chance to work, okay?
Again, the good news is the tests are all good! It may just be some weird Issue related to all the side effects of the amp. that just needs to be worked out.
Please keep us posted tomorrow, okay? I'll be looking for your update.
BIG HUGE HUGS TO YOU!! HUGE HUGS!!
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!
I got a call from my vet today confirming that it is Addison's. The steroids are already working, she ate all her breakfast and I cried with relief. We are going back to the vet today for the rest of her meds for this new diagnosis. There is a lot of relief in knowing what's wrong finally! I hope we can get her straightened out so we can get back to treating her cancer!
I don't know much about Addison's disease (except that my niece happens to be named Addison).. but knowing what the problem is must be such a relief! I am glad that you have a diagnosis and can get a treatment started! Things will start to turn around now, I'm sure of it!
Barret was diagnosed with Hemangiopericytoma May 16, 2013. Front left leg/scapula/pectoral muscle was amputated on June 11, 2013 and we've never looked back. Follow our story on http://barret.t.....pawds.com/ and read my column on That Pet Blog
Addison's eh? We've had a few Tripawds either get diagnosed with it or their vets suspected they had it, here are the posts with their stories.
Meanwhile, have you tried all of the appetite stimulation tips we have in the Tripawds Nutrition blog? Search for "Appetite" and you'll find many. Of course your vet might be able to suggest a pharmaceutical solution for it too, in the meantime. Did s/he mention anything about one?
I'm so sorry, I know it's hard to see them not want to eat. She won't starve to death. Try to keep reminding yourself that when dogs are sick, they just don't want to eat because they instinctively know to save their energy for healing, not digestion of food. It's nature's way of focusing energy reserves on what's really important. Hang in there.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I have so much to update you guys about! So right after we got the diagnosis of Addison's my vet started her on steroids. Wow what a day and night difference! She has been eating like a horse ever since, and her sparkle is back! Yay! But she is still loosing weight. 5 days after we started treatment she started to get sneezy and boogery in one nostril. So I took her in she lost a little over half a pound in just 5 days, and she eats like a cow! Now she's on doxycycline twice a day and he said to start feeding her an extra meal, so now she gets lunch plus a table spoon of coconut oil twice a day. And we haven't even started treatment on the cancer yet! It's making me so crazy! Nothing about this whole ordeal has gone smooth! We go back to the vet next Tuesday. I just need some good news! AND, if all that isn't enough, my umbrella cockatoo was in the middle of a crisis this morning that took me to my bird vet first thing! She has cronic reproductive issues and they are all coming to a head at the worst possible time! It cost me 1,330 and she still may need surgery! My financial well has run dry! Emotionally I'm getting there too!
Ohhhhh Corie! Gain some weight will ya? Take some lessons from Jill, she learned how to gain weight when her Momma was worried. Eat! Eat!
What's the plan if the weight loss continues? Is that what you'll find out next week? Steroids make me nervous, they do amazing things by tricking the immune system but they don't address the underlying issue. Make sure to ask your vet for a long-term plan to manage this condition so she doesn't rely on them (they can cause problems with long-term use).
I'm sorry to hear your cockatoo has issues too, you must be feeling the stress! Breathe and come to the chat if you want to vent.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Goodness graciojs.....we do have some good news nestled in that post! CORIE IS EATING!! The Addison's has been identified and is being addressed
Corrie is feeling good ! Could it be that it just takes a bit of time for the weight to stabalize and stop dropping? It could be that the Addison's is imterfering with the actual weight loss? I don't know, I'm just throwing stuff out there!
You have no idea how incredibly strong you are!! You ARE ha dling this and you are staying solution oriented So be easy on yourself, o,ay? You jave a whole lot on you right nlw, vut you ARE getting answers and you are making progress!
I hope you can turn things around for your cockatoo withoutaving to go the surgery route. You have some mighty lucky critters to have you as their fuardian and friend.
No, there's nothing easy about this journey, or predictable. But try and recognize that you are moving forward, okay? There are a lot of dogs who have various reasons for delay in treating the disease...sme get infections from surgery, r have a long recovery, etc. Try not to worry too much about the delay, okay? It does happen and dogs do work throughit and get in with treatment!.
Okay, not worrying is askng too much! So get out the chocolate and anything swwet you can find! Devour as much as you can in a short amont of tme! Hoepfully, you'll get such a sugar rush you'll have to feel better!!
Give us an update as soon as you can! Come here and vent, cry, whatever! But give yourself credit for dong an amazng job on behalfof your pets! You are so strong!
(((((((((((((((hugs)))))))))))))
Sally nd Hapoy Hannah
Lean on us. We are here for you!
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!
Hey, it's good to back online so I can track some special people and pups! Oh, drat! Well, the steriods are working. When you mentioned Addisons I did a little reading and saw that, it appears, it's as simple as daily hormone therapy. Is she on it now? It sounds like it sure makes a world of a difference! I guess when Addisons shows its face the most is when the pup is stressed...which is, um, NOW in her case. I hope you get some clarity on this issue. I'm SO happy she's eating like a horse! Take advantage, like you are, and give her all those yummy foods. I never thought of coconut oil for pups, but I eat it and love it. Oooooh, I hope today is better. Keep on eating, Corie. I'm also curious about her hormone meds. Keep us posted. HUGS
~ Katy & Jackson
ACL tear in right hind leg 12/5/12 and scheduled ACL repair surgery 12/21/12. Pre-op xrays revealed osteosarcoma. Amputation 12/28/12. Chemo (carboplatin) started Jan 10, 2013 and ended on April 5, for a total of 5 doses. He handled carbo like a champ! No side effects. We started metronomic therapy at his third chemo and have been also doing some holistic treatments. He's a lively, playful 10 year old huskie-boarder collie and a very proud member of the Winter Warriors! Our love. Our funny little guy!
Yes she is on the treatment for Addison's. The steroid she is on IS the hormone treatment for Addison's. Because she has atypical just her adrenal glands are affected so she's only on one type of steroid called Prednisolone. My aunt and my cousin also have Addison's, so I didn't go into this diagnosis blind. Basically the pituitary and the adrenal glands work together as the body's batteries. And together they produce the battery juice the body systems need to function. That juice is our own natural steroid. When that process is broken it's like our body has a dead battery, so you ad a pharmaceutical steroid to make up for what the body can't produce on it's own and everything gets back online. That's the basic idea. It's not like when a vet prescribes steroids to a dog who itches to much because he's alergic to something. Addison's patients, human or otherwise can't live without steroid therapy.
Very informative! Thank you for taking the time to share that i fo.
So how is Corrie doing? It sounds like from your previus post...except for the darn weight issue.....she's really feeling food and has a great attitude!
You're doing EVERYTHING possible for your girl and she ows it too!
When you can, we'd love to see pnotos! I'm zero help but ther is a link here on how to post photos.
Hugs to you!
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!
I really want to get pictures up! I tried the photobucket thing, but I'm really stupid when it comes to computers, I'll try to get my husband to help:)
coriesmom said
It's not like when a vet prescribes steroids to a dog who itches to much because he's alergic to something. Addison's patients, human or otherwise can't live without steroid therapy.
That is an awesome explanation, thank you for sharing it, I was clueless about how it was used for Addison's. I have my paws & fingers crossed that the treatment kicks in soon and is successful.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I took corie to the vet today, just to weigh her. Tuesday she weighed 37.4 today she weighed 38.8! I was shocked! And when we got home she got out of the car and peed right away, then took of running! So unlike her, normally she just goes to the front door! Not today, so we took a walk instead! We didn't go far but boy did she look happy when we got home. Sitting in the foyer with her tongue hanging out to the side and a big stupid smile on her face! Today has been a great day:) I'm glad I have you guys to share it with, you all know how just one day can mean so much
Wow! Good for Corie. That just put a big ol' grin on my face.
Kathi
Murphy is a five year old Lab/Chessie cross. He was hit by a car on 10/29/12 and became a Tripawd on 11/24/12. On 2/5/13, he had a total hip replacement on his remaining back leg. He has absolutely no idea that he has only three legs!
UPDATE: Murphy lived his life to the fullest, right up until an aggressive bone lesion took him across the Rainbow Bridge on April 9, 2015 and he gained his membership in the April Angels. Run free, my love. You deserve it!
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