Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Karen, your experiences could try the patience of a nun 
BUT.. It gives priceless input. I'm so glad you shared that.
Jackie
Hugs,
Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry 
I have a pretty good update. Spoke with the neurologist who, while agreeing that a tumor is possible, thinks it is unlikely. She suggested just watching him for a couple of days. He's still very dizzy and can't really get up. She's going to run a clotting test to assess the possibility of stroke.
I then spoke with my regular vet who said I should just go pick him up, he's sure it is idiopathic vestibular syndrome (old dog vestibular syndrome). He doesn't think he needs to stay at the hospital, and said I can care for him just as well. He said they usually get better in 3-5 days. The neuro told me the same thing but that in her experience, it can take longer.
I think I will leave him there until at least tomorrow. It will cost a lot, but I've already put down $2500 which should be good through at least tomorrow if there is no MRI. So - not super happy with the ER vet, but I guess they have to prepare you for worst case. I do think that hospital, while an amazing facility, wants to do every single thing and takes a very conservative approach. I appreciate that, but I'm now over 11k into this. So, I'm going to split the difference between the two opinions, and pick him up tomorrow, maybe Sunday. I need some sleep and can't manage him today anyway, and I know he's in good hands.
Clyde should be gold plated by this point!
This is just the best news. That Clyde is one hell of a gold plated survivor! I’m sure that’s a good decision to leave him there until at least tomorrow. You need to take care of yourself and get some rest. You must be utterly exhausted.
Thinking of you both.
Big hug,
Meg, Clare and Angel Pie xxx
Ruby, Staffy, born June 2022, became a Tripawd, 23 November 2023, adopted 12 January 2024.
Also Angel Tripawd Meg (aka The Megastar), who died in April 2023, aged 14, after seven glorious years on three, and Angel Staffies Pie and Bille. In the pawprints of giants...
That is really good news! I have been just praying for you guys and popping in and out. It if it is Vestibular, it may take a little longer so don't be alarmed. Overstimulation can heighten it. Calm, cool, quiet.
I agree after all of this YOU need a break. He would be perfectly fine to go home whenever you want to go get him. I don't think gold plated is appropriate... he was gold plated with the amp. Now he is 24K gold 
(with little diamond studs)
Thank you for posting, I am breathing easier now, omg what a nightmare!!!
Jackie and Huck
Hugs,
Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry
Clyde, youre a gold plated star 🌟 for sure!!! What a good boy!! We are so pleased that you are out of the woods! We will continue to keep you in our thoughts. Mum take good care of yourself too!
Best wishes from
Petra, Stewie and his sleeping kittens
Remember...“live in the moment!“ 
I think that is good news. And leaving him another night is a good call. One thing that would concern me about bringing him home today- he is on three paws and just had major surgery. Most with vestibular disease will be dizzy and wobbly for a couple days. He will probably be more stable on his feet tomorrow. Tani was usually able to walk the day after her episodes although she would drag her feet some, she was a quad-pug.
Were his eyes darting back and forth? That was the way we decided when Tani was experiencing a vestibular episode as opposed to a stroke. Also her paws knuckled which I don't think happens with strokes. The eye darting is pretty distinct and honestly quite scary.
One thing I had to change permanently for Tani was to raise her food and water dishes, maybe you've already done this for Clyde as a Tripawd. Tani would sometimes lose her balance when she tried to eat- the raised dishes solved that.
Try and get some rest!
Karen and the Spirit Pug Girls
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Thanks everybody! All of your kind words have been beyond helpful. I live alone, and managing these things in the middle of the night by myself can be overwhelming. Knowing this community is here is invaluable.
Karen - yes, his eyes are going up and down. The ER vet seemed to think this indicated brain tumor because in his opinion, they usually go side to side when its vestibular syndrome. Both the neuro and my vet in particular scoffed at that - usually the eyes go side to side, but apparently can also go up and down. Clyde has to be different! And yes, he already eats out of elevated dishes. I don't use it for water, but will start once he's home. I didn't even think of it being hard to lower his head now, so thanks for that.
I'm glad I'm leaving him there until at least tomorrow. Part of what I'm worried about bringing him home is that I can't use his harness to help him because of his belly incision. Plus, you all are very right, I'm beyond exhausted. This has been such a hard week. I need a good night's sleep (or two). I think I'll pick him up on Sunday - I'll visit Saturday night and get an idea if there's been any improvement.
Thanks again everyone!
We will keep pawsitive thoughts and prayers coming for you both! I agree it is good Clyde is staying take each day as it comes and go from there.
Please get some rest I am sure you beyond wiped out!
Thanks for updating us!
Hugs,
Holly & Purrkins❤️
Being alone with a big dog is tough stuff, I totally get that. Been there, done that, bought the T-shirt.
You're a whole lot better being rested, especially being alone. A couple of days can make a huge difference in his progress.
You are amazing, by the way. Get yourself some good rest and nutrition. Give yourself a chance to unwind, he's in good hands.
We are all sending you guys TONS of love and healing wishes 💖💖
Jackie and Huck ❤️❤️❤️
Hugs,
Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry
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!
BTW, love your regular Vet!!! He definitely called it correctw (in my opinion)! And I love that he knew Clyde could be cared for just as well with you as at the ER, but without the expense of course! I'm glad you are leaviw him there for the night though so YOU can get some rest!!
If I recall, when my Bodie had it they gave him dexamethasone and it really, really zonked him out for seveal hours straight. Really scared me. But the Vet wanted him calm.....and he sure was! In his case, he fot his balance back within just a coiple of days, but I understood it cpukd have taken him longer.
I KNKW it's hard when it's just you and you have a large dog who needs help with mobility and lots of care. I hope with a good night's sleep and this "good news" you will feel rejuvenated tomorroe! 'I know Clyde's had enough to hospitals for awhile and will be so relieved ro get home asap!
Extra love and hugs
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie 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!
Clyde is home!! He's very wobbly and has a head tilt, but is much, much better. He can't walk without support but really wants to and tries. He's eating some crunchies as I type this, which is great because he wouldn't eat for them. I just put them on the floor in the pen where he is laying down, and he can eat them as he'd like.
A bit of a vent: While I was and am impressed with the care he received after his surgery, I am less so with the ER care. That vet nearly had me putting him down. And while I'm happy that the neuro was in tune with my vet, when I picked Clyde up, I found out they hadn't given him Tramadol for the whole time. I called when I got home because as I drove him, I thought maybe there was some reason for that. Well, no, there is no reason. The dr who I spoke with (the same ER guy who said he thought Clyde likely had a brain tumor) said he didn't need it this far out from surgery and hadn't seemed to be in pain with them, but I could give it if I thought he needed it. Really?! He's one week out from major abdominal surgery, and his SURGEONS prescribed enough for 2 weeks. That bothered me.
So rant over. He is so much better. Will definitely need help and I will be peed on for the next few days, but he's gotten a lot better really quickly. I'm so relieved!
WELCOME HOME CLYDE!!! 🙂 So happy to know you are feeling better already! Being home is the best therapy ever!!
I can only imagine your frustration hearing he's had no pain meds!!! Grrrr...piffes us off! ER's serve a good purpoe, but I just don't think they are often staffed with the most knowledgeable.. Its often a training ground fo new Vets who are very inexperienced. Clearly these Vets werent up to date on pain meds,or what was reallt going on with Clyde! Scary thzt they were leaning towards euthanasia! So scary!!
But Clyde is home now, has been properly diagnosed and treated and that's all that matters!! 🙂 🙂 🙂
Lots of hugs and extra crunchies!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie 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!
Yeah, my gut felt like it was a horrible close call, but you were awesome. Totally committed and had the patience of a saint. Your boy is HOME!!! And he's going to be ok.
Whoever was in charge was a dipstick for not giving him his pain meds. They probably should consider a new career 😯 did I say that?? 😯😯
Eating crunchies is a great progress, his head should un tilt as the dizziness subsides. It's great that his appetite isn't suffering.
You vent all you need to! You have both been through hell and back. I'm just so glad he is home and safe. Is he having incontinence problems since the surgery?
Sending you both great big hugs and lots of love. One day at a time and don't forget to breathe. Please stay in touch, and try to get some rest
Hugs,
Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry
Welcome home Clyde!
My experience with Tani was that after a day or two post episode she was moving on her own pretty well. Of course she had 4 legs and didn't just have abdominal surgery!
You and Clyde have certainly had more than your share of crap the last few weeks!! I vote for some normal, quiet time!
Karen
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
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