Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Unfortunately Maya had her first bad cough episode last night and it was terrifying. My husband and I feel helpless and it was awful to watch her going through it. Seeing the terror in her eyes killed me. I was not sure what to give to her to help stop with the cough and the only thing that I had was the Sanshedan syrup which seems to help. We just got back from our trip Monday and need to be in quarantine so I cannot take her to her treatments at the vet for 2 weeks. I would love to get some tips in how to deal with the cough. Other than that she is doing fine, she was super spunky yesterday and it was a shock to us when she started to cough. She also has the goopy eyes like many have mentioned. I think we are getting close to the end but I really don’t want to believe it. Today I baked a turkey, quinoa , sweet potatoes cake for her 11th birthday and she loved it. Trying to live one day at the time.... cancer sucks!!!!
Awww hoppy birthday Maya! What a pawty you must have had, that sure sounds like a really tasty meal. You are so loved!
I'm sorry about the coughing fit. It is VERY scary to witness. As always, keep calm and Maya will follow your lead. As for something to alleviate the symptoms, you can ask your vet if it's OK to give her Robitussin DM, and you may want to discuss Prednisone, which can ease the inflammation (but can sometimes bring up other issues in some dogs). It's worth a conversation.
We have some more ideas here:
How to Help Coughing From Lung Mets
Please let us know how things are going OK? We are sending lots of pawsitivity your way. And welcome home, by the way. As sucky of a situation we are all in, at least you and Maya are together now.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I'm sorry to hear this. I don't know Maya's history. Was she diagnosed with lung mets? I ask because masses in lungs can also be a fungal infection.
To add to Jerry's suggestions I seem to recall Eurydice had fluid drained from her lungs and she was put on a diuretic. Perhaps a friend or relative who is not quarantined/isolated could deliver Maya to the vet clinic for you. You could then be in touch by phone or even facetime the vet.
Yes, cancer sucks but then Maya had a delicious birthday cake! She has a beautiful face.
Kerren
Happy Birthday Maya!
Brownie vet also said to give Robitussian. Brownie would spit put the liquid, so I did the capsules. It did help. Brownie had a cough and would follow up with a horrible hack, like he was trying to throw something up. And I could not agree more, CRobituain.
I am sorry Maya isn't feeling well.
My Beautiful Beloved Brownie was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma on February 26, 2019. With all odds against him he lived an additional one year and eight days with amputation, love, and prayer. I was honored to be his mom, and I have never been so proud! He will live forever in my Heart!
04/01/2007 - 03/05/2020
"March Saint"
I meant to say Cancer Sucks!
My Beautiful Beloved Brownie was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma on February 26, 2019. With all odds against him he lived an additional one year and eight days with amputation, love, and prayer. I was honored to be his mom, and I have never been so proud! He will live forever in my Heart!
04/01/2007 - 03/05/2020
"March Saint"
MAYA!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY SWEET GIRL!! That Turkey and sweet potato cake sounds like a great way to celebrate! But to take it beyond great and up to EXCELLENT, get your hooman tomput a scoop of ice cream on top!!
As Jerry said, ask about Prednisone. While my Happy Hannah never had a cough. my Vet gave her Pred as well as an antibiotic. It actually did help with the eye discharge and could jave even been why she didn't cough. Now, that's just a wild guess as some dogs do develop a cough regardless. As others have said, maybe the Robitussin can help.
Another thing that may help is to keep Maya in a low dose of a pain mee. If nothing else, it may help her relax a bit if she does jave a cough episode. I kmow it,s hard, but try and stay confident and upbeat even during those episodes. Reassuring and comforting with strength.
It does sound like Maya is still being Maya, in spite of these coughing spells. Good girl!! Amd you're doing a great job too!
You may have alreasy looked at this kind for adding images . If that doesn't work, a Techie will come along and give you more jnfo. Can't wait to see those pictures.....especially the next Turkey cake with ice cream feast!
Extra hugs
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
PS....Yeah, a Vet will come out to the car if you can get someone to drive her.
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!
Thank you all for the suggestions! I just bought one of the homeopathic ones that was on the link that Jerry sent and will give it a try. Tomorrow I will call her vet and see if she recommends predisone. I will also look it up the Robitussin. She did amazing during the day and was her normal self. She even went for an extra long walk but at night it seems that she gets worse and starts panting. She did have another small cough episode and it’s like you described Nancy, like something is stuck on her throat and she is trying to get it out. I will try again to post some pics
So glad Maya felt more like her sweet self today😊
Another thought since this seems to be happening mostly at night. Maybe try putting some pillows under her... maybe under her neck or head....somehow kind of change her sleep position and see if that helps.
When my Happy Hannah had restless sleep sometimes she would sit up and pant. That's when I would give her a dose of either Gabapentin or Tramadol, cant remember which, and that seemed to help. Of course she got lots of treats too!
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 looks like the photos are in Dropbox, and since the folders aren't public, we can't see the images. The best thing to do is upload on a Tripawds blog that you start, or on a photo sharing site that's open to the public without invitations, like imgur.com. I'm not a fan of uploading to Facebook because images disappear on 3rd party websites (that's us) after a few weeks or months. Hope this makes sense. Message me if you'd like more help. We can't wait to see them!
Meanwhile let us know if the remedy works, and yeah, definitely ask your vet about the Robitussin DM. He may hate the liquid form but I believe there is a capsule available (hopefully, what with the virus and people stockpiling medications...ugh).
Glad to hear she still gets out and about. I do agree that laying some pillows on her bed so that her head is elevated when she sleeps could help. I remember when I had pneumonia and gunk in my lungs, I slept practically upright in a chair, I had so many pillows under my back, and it really helped.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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