Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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We just got home from a vacation to NC. My husband, Bo and I always enjoy our R&R trips up there. I think Bo did pretty well for his first long road trip. He got a little antsy in the car, but it was an eight hour drive, so I can expect that. Bo was a little mopey around the cabin, but surprised us when he decided to go romping around in the woods. Tomorrow will be 8 weeks post-amp and the majority of Bo's days are good and happy.
I do have a few concerns that I want to express:
-Bo is having some mobility issues. His back legs, especially the right one that has hip dysplasia, get a bit shaky at times. He still gets up and greets us at the door and goes out to do business. The harness is wonderful because it is helping us to get him up and around better. He is still a champ in the water though, so I am happy about that!
-Bo's eyes seem awfully bloodshot to me. Not everyday, but most days. He still takes 1 Tramadol a day for overall pain. We tried taking him off of it and he seemed to have better days with it. Not sure if that has anything to do with the eyes or not.
-He has a couple of little lumps/bumps. One is on his neck; it feels kind of like a pimple. It has a slight blue/gray center and is about the size of a pea. It is relatively firm, but doesn't seem to bother him. The other one is on his tummy. It is much smaller than the neck bump and is softer too.
-His appetite has been a little off, but I feel like that has been going on since his diagnosis. He is still eating every meal, but not digging in the way he used to. We really appreciate the Zeal samples, but Bo will not eat it. 🙁 He does like the Evo mixed in with his food and we spoon a few bites to him and then he will usually eat on his own.
-Bo has started coughing a little bit. It is not everyday and it is not for long periods of time, but it is definitely a cough.
Even as I list all of these concerns, I don't think it is Bo's time yet. He is still very happy and energetic. I think for everything that he has been through, he is holding up amazingly well. I did need to get the list out of my head and document it somewhere…and to somewhere that has caring people that understand what it is like.
Bo has a vet appointment on Thursday to check his liver enzyme count (that was high at the time of surgery), so I am going to have them check out the lumps/eyes/legs/etc.
Thanks for letting me get all of this out! It helps me to be a better pawrent when I can get my concerns out here and then be happy and calm with Bo! 🙂
It sounds like you guys had a great vacation!
I will throw a couple of ideas out for you. Trouble had bloodshot eyes most of the time and it was caused by her allergies. Does Bo have a history of allergies or have allergens in your area been particularly bad this year?
Let the vet address all the lumps, bumps, coughs. That is why we pay them, to take away our concerns so we can be happy around our pups.
Appetites change. It may not have anything to do with diagnosis, treatment, medications, etc. I may just be because...
Try, try, try not to worry about everything that changes. I know it is difficult not to worry.
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.
That's wonderful Bo could romp around in the woods!
Thanks for letting me get all of this out! It helps me to be a better pawrent when I can get my concerns out here and then be happy and calm with Bo! 🙂
You just talk all you want! We are here to listen and offer any comfort! It's kind of hard to do that in the real world sometimes.
Since you are going to the vet on Thursday, then let's not worry until then! I know it's so hard to wonder and stew but let's wait until the vet sees him. The eyes and cough may be allergies. The bumps may be okay, too.
I'll be sending lots of good thoughts!
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 know since Lylee's diagnosis that I'm watching her so closely! Poor girlie thinks that something must be wrong as her mother is acting like a neurotic idiot!
You are going to the vet soon so let the vet check him out.
I see things through different eyes now. If she coughed before I wouldn't think anything of it, I know my perception has changed and I have to relax more.
Sending big huggs to you and Bo,
Lylee's Mum
http://lyleegir.....ipawds.com
I am glad that you are taking Bo in to get him checked out. It's better to do that then to sit around worrying, because he needs for you to be positive. I am glad that you were able to have a good vacation with him and enjoy him and that he was able to romp in the woods. That must have been fun to watch!
Diagnosed with OSA: 5/2/2011 Ampuversary: 5/11/2011 OSA returned in hip: 8/26/2011
Chili Dawg crossed the Rainbow Bridge on 8/30/2011 & is now pain free. He was my heart dog, and I miss him every day.
Good to hear that you had a great vacation with Bo. The vet should be able to answer your questions regarding bloodshot eyes, bumps, coughs and a not so great appetite. I remember being very concerned about every little change in Skyler & Chloe's appearance & behavior. I would drive myself nuts! Please keep us posted.
Sending you lots of golden hugs.
meghanhowell17 said:
-Bo is having some mobility issues. His back legs, especially the right one that has hip dysplasia, get a bit shaky at times.
That's pretty normal in dogs who are about where he is but there are things you can do. If he is overweight at all, slimming him down will help (I'm sure the appetite decrease is already doing that for you, but just in case...). Also, check out our Rear Leg Workouts video and Fitness page for ideas. Bo will need help getting strong, and there are lots of fun ways to do it like making your own Buja board!
-Bo's eyes seem awfully bloodshot to me. Not everyday, but most days. He still takes 1 Tramadol a day for overall pain. We tried taking him off of it and he seemed to have better days with it. Not sure if that has anything to do with the eyes or not.
He's stoned! Hahaha. OK, really. Is he on a NSAID pain reliever like Metacam? If not, this would probably be the way to go if his liver can handle it. Talk to your vet about switching the meds to see if that helps.
-He has a couple of little lumps/bumps.
Good for you for noticing! Definitely mention it to your vet this week.
-His appetite has been a little off, but I feel like that has been going on since his diagnosis.
Hmmm. That's a tricky one. It's hard to tell when a dog is just playing their human in the hopes of looking for some filet mignon or if they are truly not feeling like eating. Go with what he likes best. After all, this is the time to spoil us, right?!
-Bo has started coughing a little bit.
It could be anything from allergies to "the" cough but it doesn't sound like it. Trust me, you'll know the REALLY bad kind of cough when you hear it, it's very different from others.
Even as I list all of these concerns, I don't think it is Bo's time yet. He is still very happy and energetic. I think for everything that he has been through, he is holding up amazingly well. I did need to get the list out of my head and document it somewhere…and to somewhere that has caring people that understand what it is like.
Yaaaay Bo! You've got a great eye and sense of what Bo's health should be like, good for you! And of course you can write and talk about it here, we're always around to help. Good luck this week, let us know how the visit goes!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Your list of concerns look almost identical to mine - and waiting till Thursday for the appt. has to be the worst...
Rileys back legs shake a bit too and yesterday was her first doggy chiropractic appt...she walked out yesterday feeling so much better with her back and hips back in proper alignment....
We switched from the Tramadol to Duramaxx and noticed a huge improvement in just a couple days....Its alot more expensive but I feel like Rileys personality shines thru with the Duramaxx and with the Tramadol she seemed lethargic and depressed.
We found new lumps too - had every one of them asperated - they didn't show anything....not sure where they came from and why they showed up...(that was mighty helpful huh)
Riley has always been a picky eater so we are now doing home cooking (bbq'd meat each week which is just for her) chopped up mixed in with her dry and canned food (EVO)
I have a list of supplements I am giving her too and the vets yesterday are amazed how well she looked - so I definitely think they are helping....
I knew I could count on you all for some reassurance!
Our area in Florida does have a really bad pollen season, but it is not too bad right now. Of course, Bo has been rolling in the grass a lot this summer and this is our first year in a house with a yard. So, I forgot to think of allergies for the eyes and cough. (After cancer, my first thought is always...EEK, it's the big C again!)
We really do want to get him off of the Tramadol. We've tried twice and he seems to do better on it. I think we will try stopping it again. Bo was on NSAIDS for 6 days before surgery and his liver enzyme count at surgery was high, so NSAIDS are not an option for us, according to our vet. But, I did read a post on here about someone using Duralactin instead of an NSAID. We were going to ask our vet about it on Thursday. Does anyone have experience with Duralactin?
Thanks for the fitness/stretching links. We are going to start doing some of those right away! We are also trying to let him swim 2-3 times a week. He loves the water and would swim everyday, but he usually needs a day or two to recover from those workouts. Maybe I can alternate the swimming with the stretching exercises.
Bo is eating EVO on top of his kibble. He has not been too interested in breakfast, but I can usually encourage him to eat most of his dinner. Maybe when he's off Tramadol he'll have more of an appetite. He has no problem giving me puppy eyes while I eat my dinner, so maybe he just wants something different. He was 102 lbs. the week before surgery, 99 lbs. at surgery, and 89 lbs. 10 days post-op. I'll get him weighed on Thursday and see where he is at.
I really do appreciate everyone's responses and advice. I really don't know what I'd do without you all!! Thank you!
(Note: As I am typing all of my worries here, Bo is laying on his back, 3 paws in the air, snoring!! I love him!)
meghanhowell17 said:
We are also trying to let him swim 2-3 times a week.
Even better, might be to walk him – on leash, or holding on with a harness – in water that is just deep enough for him to start swimming. This will cause him to stretch his legs by making him reach for the bottom. This would provide a lower impact exercise than outright swimming. It's basically how hydrotherapy treadmill sessions work. If he loves to swim, reward him by letting him go for it after a few "laps".
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
we posted before about using duralactin. our 15 year old jane was on duralactin for her arthritis and it seemed to work very well for her. we saw improvement in her mobility and she didn't have any digestive issues (some do, as it's made from cow's milk and can give diarrhea..). our neighbors also give duralactin to their geriatric brittany spaniel - they too see improvement. we purchased it off of amazon.com.
charon & gayle
Life is good, so very, very good!!! Gayle enjoyed each and every moment of each and every wonderful day (naps included). She left this world December 12, 2011 – off on a new adventure.
Love Never Ends
Our vet appointment is today at 4:15 and I am a nervous wreck! My husband has a meeting and can't go with me and the last time I went by myself to the vet, we got the C diagnosis!
I am trying to breathe and stay positive. I'll let you all know what we find out.
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