Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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We are home from the arduous journey to the V-E-T and won Bingo when Dakota was given a B9 by Dr. Russell. The lump near his rib cage was aspirated and examined but even before doing that, Dr. Russell said "I know exactly what this is." Just a big ol' lipoma that is growing. It may stop, it may grow, it may take turns. But at least we know what it is now.
The loss of appetite and unwillingness to stand up to eat is a bit more troubling. Or at least still an unknown. Dr. Russell recommended we do a blood screening panel (especially since it's been almost a year since surgery). Dakota looked at me and said, "You didn't have any plans for that money, right?" and I said "of course not D, it's all yours." Dr. Russell is off till Tuesday so I won't hear from him till next week unless the blood turns up something horrible.
I'm off to the store shortly to lay in a supply of canned food. I'll see if mixing in a little with the dry might get him interested. I guess fancy schmancy grain-free turkey and sweet potato just isn't blowing his skirt up anymore.
Some other interesting tidbits from the visit:
Dr. Russell told me he was so happy D didn't have OSA since most dogs don't make it a year, and I told him about Nova going strong at 38 months. He couldn't believe it and asked me where this Nova lives. I told him "Michigan, I think" and he said "ah, that explains it. I'm from Michigan and good things happen there." I was amused.
He also told me Dakota is a very unusual dog because he had so many oddball issues (dental enamel hypoplasia, sarcoptic mange, allergic to Ivermectin). He said vets rarely see those issues in this day and age. I took that to mean Dr. R's been lucky and spent most of his career treating well-loved pets and not victims of abuse and neglect. Dr. R also asked me (he asks every visit) if I'm absolutely sure that D doesn't chew on tennis balls, since Dakota's teeth are worn down to half their size in some places. It's just evidence of the nastiness that hypoplasia can cause. (Dakota has never put a ball into his mouth, tennis or otherwise.)
So hopefully I won't hear anything till next week, which will be a good thing. Next time we play Bingo, I hope we win again with a B9.
Shari
From abandoned puppy to Tripawd Warrior Dude, Dakota became one of the 2011 February Furballs due to STS. Our incredibly sweet friend lived with grace and dignity till he impulsively raced over the Bridge on 12-15-12.
Dakota's thoughtful and erudite blog is at http://shari.tr.....pawds.com/
YIPPEE for the "L" blob!!!!!!!!
Sorry Dakota about your appetite and you making mommy spend some extra cash on you! We know you are worth it though!
Here's hoping some new grub will do the trick!
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.
yeah!!! so glad our colorado cousin got the b9, and is getting some new phuu-phuu grub!!!
charon & spirit 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
Breathing a BIG sigh of relief!!! So happy to hear it was just a dumb old lipoma.
As for D's eating habits, maybe if you mixed in a little homemade stuff, like maybe some salmon. We would feed that to Max every once in a while, and he loved it! John and I don't even eat fish, so when we cooked it, it made our house stink!! But, we do everything for our pups, right? Also, Max loved sardines! Talk about nasty. Mix a couple of those in with his meal, and I'll bet he changes his ways!!
Hooray for B9! And Hooray for being spoiled with the canned food!
Keep holding out for the good stuff, D-Dawg!
Will keep sending pawsitive thoughts that the blood work is fine,
Jackie, Angel Abby & MB Bunny Rita's mom
Abby: Aug 1, 2009 – Jan 10, 2012. Our beautiful rescue pup lived LARGE with osteosarcoma for 15 months – half her way-too-short life. I think our "halflistic" approach (mixing traditional meds + supplements) helped her thrive. (PM me for details. I'm happy to help.) She had lung mets for over a year. They took her from us in the end, but they cannot take her spirit! She will live forever in our hearts. She loved the beach and giving kisses and going to In-N-Out for a Flying Dutchman. Tripawds blog, and a more detailed blog here. Please also check out my novel, What the Dog Ate. Now also in paperback! Purchase it at Amazon via Tripawds and help support Tripawds!
Rumbles teeth aren't what they used to be either, so I mix 1/3 can of canned food in with his crunchies. Softens it up just enough for him.
Yea for a big B9!!! I don't root for fat too often but will make an exception in this case.
I hope you figure out his eating issues. In my world of pugs it is very unusual for even picky-ness- so when Maggie decided eating wasn't her thing anymore I had a hard time coping. As it turned out I ate more because she wouldn't- but I don't recommend that strategy.
And I don't mean to alarm you- but have you noticed how blue the D. Dawgs feet are? Maybe he has a circulation issue and his feet are cold!
Karen and the scarfapalooza
For a long time I've put chicken broth on Dakota's food, but that quit doing the trick last week. I may try the sardines, if I can air out the house. He does like the water drained from a can of tuna. And Karen, it may indeed be poor circulation. I will check into that right away
From abandoned puppy to Tripawd Warrior Dude, Dakota became one of the 2011 February Furballs due to STS. Our incredibly sweet friend lived with grace and dignity till he impulsively raced over the Bridge on 12-15-12.
Dakota's thoughtful and erudite blog is at http://shari.tr.....pawds.com/
So glad to hear! And, he is sooo cute in that picture!
Zeus was a Husky mix diagnosed with Osteosarcoma at age 11. A visible lung met and suspicious spot on his liver meant a poor prognosis-six weeks was our vet's best guess. We decided to fight for our boy and his right front leg was amputated on 12/1/11. We did six rounds of chemo, changed his diet and spoiled him completely rotten. We were blessed with 10 great months after diagnosis. Against the odds, the lung met remained a single met and grew very little over those months. A wonderful furbaby with the most gentle spirit, he fought with a strength that we never imagined he possessed. We have no regrets...
http://zeuspod......pawds.com/
So, so, so glad to hear you won bingo!!! I've been checking back all day to see how you were doing.
With the sardines, make sure you get the no salt added kind! (And I just have to ask this: Does anybody ever buy the sardines in mustard sauce or those other flavors of sardines??? I can't imagine eating sardines at all, let alone smothered in some crazy sauce.) My girls also like the chub mackerel. It stinks to high heaven, but you know how it is with these dogs. I've also given them scrambled or chopped hard-boiled eggs for extra protein sources, too. (The girls prefer their eggs with cheese on top!) Ground chicken, turkey or beef are also a great mix-in for peoples who's teeth are worn down to nubs.
Or just get Jackie to Fed-Ex you a Flying Dutchman -- I'll bet even picky ol' Dakota would snarf that down.
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~ ~ Rio ~ ~ |
Great news Dakota-- and you look so very cool in your harness and boots. Nice move on the food too-- way to manipulate mom into buying some yummy new food!
Scout: January 31, 2002 to November 7, 2011
Scout's diagnosis was "poorly differentiated sarcoma"; amputation 1/11/2011. Scout enjoyed 9 fantastic years on 4 legs and 9 glorious months on 3 legs. If love alone could have saved you…
Thanks for the great update.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
whew!
Maybe instead of just pals....Bud and D Dawg are "brudders from another mother" since they got matching lumps and all!
Hope the rest of the news is good....paws crossed!
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