Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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You don't need to apologize at all Shanna, you wouldn't be the pawesome dog pawrent that you are if you weren't upset.This is not an easy thing to go through.
Feel free to vent, cry or whatever here, anytime. We've all got our paws crossed for improvement soon.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I missed this thread, but am here now. Shanna, it is the hardest thing to do, keeping on in the middle of being so emotionally strung out. I am sorry, I didn't realize that Trouble had gotten to this point. I don't have much experience with this. My girl's lack of movement has to do with muscle atrophy, not arthritic stuff.
But I watch her fall several times a day and not be able to get up, so I do know about the emotional toll. What I do when it gets to much is I chalk it up to a bad day for her. I put her on the "wait and see" list, hoping for a better tomorrow. I don't know what else to say, except I understand.
We are sending our best, much healing thoughts, and prayers for you and Trouble. She is an incredible fighter, beating cancer, all of it. Hugs and prayers,
Elizabeth and Sammy
Diagnosed with osteosarcoma in the right front leg 8/23/10,
leg fractured 8/27/10,
leg amputated 8/30/10
http://sammyand.....pawds.com/
I couldn't begin to say how special Sammy is to us. Living and laughing with and loving this wonderful boy is priceless.
Shanna and Trouble
So sorry I also missed this thread. I always assume Trouble's news is going to be All Good News because she has been doing so wonderfully. I see you are facing the day to day and hour to hour stress of dealing with major mobility and probably age-related issues, complicated of course by being a tripawd since they can't stagger around slowly the way an old four-legged dog can. Here are my greatest hopes that you and Trouble see some improvement after a few more treatments.
Very briefly…Acupuncture points are located along the body's meridians (Meridians have been scientifically mapped through a variety of methods & are widely accepted. Skilled acupuncture practitioners can feel them.) Meridian flow is ideally unbroken. When Chi flows freely through the meridians the body is balanced and healthy. If the energy is blocked, the result is physical, emotional or mental ill health.
The theory behind massaging the missing limb is: Energy still resides in the place the limb was & acts as if it was still attached. Massage therapists trained in eastern techniques and energy work, routinely work the meridians that extend into the limb. Some human amputees report significant relief from phantom pain with this technique.
Isabelle had this incorporated in her weekly massage, from post-op day two. I can't say with certainty it contributed to her lack of phantom pain & the minimal incisional pain she experienced overall, but I wouldn't be so quick to discount it's value.
Cynthia
Shanna,
I'm sorry I missed this yesterday and didn't know you were down. It hurts my heart to hear your sadness.
I was a wreck mentally for so long when Comet had mobility and neck issues and I can't give you any advice only to say that I understand. Sometimes, I just felt like shutting down and crawling in bed. But then the next day would be better and I'd be on Cloud 9!
So, my friend - you cry, scream and vent here all you want. Tomorrow may just be your Cloud 9 Day and then we'll all celebrate! And if the next day is a bad day, we'll cry with you too. We're right here with you.
In hindsight, I wished I had talked about Comet's issues and my fears. But I thought it was me being overly protective and I was a nutjob on how I felt about her. Now, I see I was normal because I loved her so much. It's like the love you have for Trouble, our special girl.
We are here for you.
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.
Hey, Shanna and Trouble - we're here for you, and are sending tons of pawsitive, healing thoughts your way for better days for Trouble. She's been one of our big heroes since we've been on this site, and we're hoping for lots more good days ahead for her. Good for you for trying accupuncture for your beautiful girl - we'll keep fingers and paws crossed that it provides some relief.
Sending big, big hugs,
Holly, Zuzu and Susan
Holly joined the world of tripawds on 12/29/2009. She has a big little sister, Zuzu, who idolizes Holly and tries to make all of her toys into tripawds in Holly's honor. And she's enjoying life one hop at a time!
http://anyemery.....ipawds.com
Hi Shanna,
Missed the boat on this one, sorry to reply so late! My thoughts (you can do what you want with them):
1. I have been having back problems which has been affecting my ability to run correctly (gait off) and I recently got around to seeing a chiropractor about it. I have actually had electrotherapy perfomed on me (last friday) and let me tell you it makes a difference. I have had lots of scar tissue built up in my lower back (leading to the problems with my SI joints, hip joints) and with massages/electrotherapy, I have definetly seen an improvement. My chiro says that electrotherapy helps to stimulate the muscles and 'reset' them essentially to help prevent them from sending pain signals to the brain. Its been a few days and I haven't had back pain (adjustments also helped) or knee pain (sounds weird, but when my back is out of whack, my running gait gets screwed up and I get knee pain when I run). If Troubs gets electrotherapy, just tell her that it feels like lots of tingling/pulsing. It's not painful.
2. My mom has had mobility issues in one of her shoulders due to arthritis. She has had cortizone shots over the last few years (not good to get them too often), but it really has helped her regain full motion in her shoulder. I am not sure if there is an option for this in dogs or what, but it is a common procedure in humans. It is just an injection of liquid cortizone into the joint. My mom said they hurt since they are big needles, just so you know.
3. BREATHE! It will be alright, one way or the other. VENT this is perfectly ok and we will still love you as part of our tripawd family.
4. Good Luck and keep us posted!
-Chloe's mom
Chloe became a rear amp tripawd on 7-29-10. Another tumor was removed on front leg 2-20-14. Found 3rd tumor on neck 2-2015, but she's still kicking cancer's butt at age 14. Chloe's blog
Sorry for the delay in reply but yesterday my posts kept disappearing and my private message to you would not send.
I just wanted to tell you that when Kona started acupuncture for her hind leg problems it took 4 treatments before we noted any improvement. Some dogs do actually get worse before they get better. Does your holistic vet use any herbs? Kona did well on Body Sore for stiffness and took an herb mix that I can't pronounce for her arthritis. The company we used was Jin Tang Herbal.
Maybe Trouble could take a different NSAID? In my experience Rimadyl seems to have more side effects than Metacam (meloxicam). Like Lincoln's mom I also used amantadine and gabapentin which helps to reduce the amount of NSAID needed. In a perfect world we would not need to use NSAIDS long term but Kona couldn't walk if she didn't take her Zubrin! (Unfortunately Zubrin has been discontinued).
Let me know if you have any questions....
Pam
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