Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
Tripawds is your home to learn how to care for a three legged dog or cat, with answers about dog leg amputation, and cat amputation recovery from many years of member experiences.
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We're here with you, okay?
Yeah, we "chuckle ourselves to tears" a lot around here!
Try and get as much info as you can. You deserve answers! The panting, the weakness, not eating, being in pain, etc. Are they doing xrays to rule out pneumonia? Giving her pain meds? Checking up and down her spine?
IF she does have to spend the night, do you have a scarf or anything you can leave with your scent on it? Heck, leave your blouse and borrow a vet coat for the ride home!
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!
The blood work does indicate a pretty low white cell count. She needs to be hospitalized for a day or two. Good call on leaving something. My husband had a stinky undershirt in the car that she'll love.
They're saying that the temp should come down with the first dose of antibiotics. No sign of pneumonia, they say she sounds clear. We're looking at 2 nights and another $2000. Not that money matters but I just feel like they saw giant dollar signs when we walked in.
I feel like we made such a mistake with the chemo, but they really just had us by the *****. We asked if we could go home and think about it and we weren't told no, but made to believe any delay about it would hurt her chance of survival.
Okay, shes getting antibiodics (IV) and fluids so that should help turn things around! Glad she's getting the care she needs!
So guess they're saying a really bad reaction to chemo caused all this and the leg weakness, etc.? The good news is this can be turned around now and she shoukd start improving!
Guess everything else was okay on vlood work...kidneys, liver, etc? All that's good then!
Sometimes we @et others override our "gut instinct", our "inner voice"....especially when they are the "professional" and use "scare tactics"! You clearly are well cconnected with Madison and very tuned into her! Good job!
Check back in with us later in the day...a d night too! Pester the heck out of them for updates 🙂
Lots of hugs!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
PS. YAY FOR STINKY T SHIRTS!
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!
Awe I'm so sorry you have to leave her but she's at the best place for good care for now. They'll get her all back to normal and she can come back to you feeling good. The thing with chemo is you have a choice and you can stop at any time if you see your dog is responding negatively. There have been others that have done so here. It's a decision we have to make with love and our dogs best quality of life in mind. Please keep us posted on beautiful Madison. Sending healing thoughts and prayers your way. Hugs!
Linda, Riley & Spirits Mighty Max & Ollie
They're supposed to call before the end of the day and again in the morning.
I had done enough googling that I knew some questions to ask. This was 100% caused by the chemo. At the tail end of the chemo leaving the system, the white blood cell count is very low. That opens up the risk of infection. I asked whether there was a sign of an active infection, and current signs point to no, but there is a risk of sepsis. Also, if I'm understanding my reading correctly and reading in between the lines with the vet, this is a side effect of too high a dosage.
Not sure I got real answers from this vet. I also thank you all for pointing out some other possibilities that I was able to ask about in the appointment.
I'll let you all know how it goes. I'm sedated, so maybe I can make it through the workday without crying too much.
I can't figure out to add a photo, so here's a link to a photo of her celebrating the 4th of July a while back.
My heart goes out to you and Madison. Drives me crazy when they take our babies from us. We are all here for you. Sending out prayers and cyber hugs. 
OMD!!! 'That picture is ADORABLE!!!! The definition of CUTE 🙂 🙂 She is a very happy 4th of July pup! This makes me grin ear ro ear!
You're sedated? Better just stick with CHOCOLATE and maybe skip the wine...at least just while you're at work anyway!!
I wouldn't bother with it now, but once you vet Madison home and feeling better, I would definitely bet the records from "that" Onco and see what her dose was. Don't even alert them as to why you want them so they don't "alter" znythinv.
Okay, we'll be checkinv in with you later! 'HANG IN THERE! She's finally getting the proper care! 🙂
Lots of love!
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!
So, I got to visit with her for 5 minutes before they closed. Fever is coming down a bit. They confirmed there's no sign of infection, just low white count and platelets.
She's had 2 doses of antibiotics so far, 2 different kinds, and gets another dose at 8pm. She's also on IV fluids. They'll redo bloodwork tomorrow afternoon. She has peed, but they have not offered food yet. Her fever is coming down.
Doctor said "she's not out of the woods yet." But her eyes were a little brighter and she gave me a tiny smile when I scratched behind her ears. There was a big difference between when we dropped her off and now. Not good enough for walking yet, but looking more with it.
There's doctor with her all night and no news is good news. The way they delivered this statement to my husband completely panicked him, they made it seem like she might not make it through the night.
I expect to hear from them in the morning with an update.
I know you'd be happier with her at home, but hopefully she is in good hands and you will see even more improvement tomorrow.
Otis - 106 pound lab/Dane mix, lost his right front leg to osteosarcoma on Febuary 9, 2016. Four rounds of carboplatin completed in April, 2016. Lung mets August 25, 2016. Said goodbye too soon on September 4, 2016. Lost his adopted sister, Tess, suddenly on October 9, 2016. likely due to hemangiosarcoma.
Wherever they are, they are together.
It really does sound as if she needs to have that close, careful monitoring and care right now. I know how hard it is, but try to get some rest and concentrate on the fact that she already looked better.
Love her festive Fourth look!
Lisa, Minneapolis
On October 27, 2016, nearly 6 months after amputation, and 18 months since his cancer likely started, we lost Pofi to a recurrence of Soft Tissue Sarcoma in his spine quite suddenly. His canine sister also succumbed to cancer on March 1, 2019 - we lavished her with our love in the interim, but life was never quite the same without her only real canine friend. Cliff kitty had to leave us, too, suddenly, in August 2019. Lucia kitty grieved all these losses, but helped us welcome two new Lurchers into our home and our lives, Shae and Barley.
Fever is coming down...even if it's a little bit...FEVER IS COMING DOWN!!!!!!!!!
I think the "out of the woods", or the "no news is good news" statements are fairly common whenever challenges that aren't exactly "normal everyday challenges" show up.
I think another really good sign in addition to the fever coming down, is the fact that YOU could see improvement!!!!!! You could see improvement from when you took her in to now!
Madison, we are all cheering for you sweet girl!!!!!! We're sending positive healing energy, tons of it!
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!
I am just catching up with this and I wanted to let you know that I am holding you all close in my heart and keeping my fingers crossed for good news soon!!!I know how terrifying this right now (been there) and we are your strength!!! Keep us posted and know that we all love you and Madison!!!
HUGS!! (and might I suggest more vino)...
Alison with Spirit Shelby in her heart
Shelby Lynne; Jack Russell/Shiba Inu mix. Proud member of the April Angels of 2014.
October 15, 2000 to April 8, 2014
Our story: Broke rear leg in June 2013 - non-conclusive results for cancer so leg was plated and pinned. Enlarged spleen in September 2013 and had it removed and was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma and started chemotherapy. Became a Tripawd January 8th, 2014 and definitive Hemangiosarcoma diagnosis. Three major surgeries in 7 months and Shelby took them all like a champ only to lose her battle to cancer in her brain. We had 8 amazing extra months together and no regrets. #shelbystrong #loveofmylife
I'm so sorry this has been so tough for you guys. I'm glad there's a vet there all night - hopefully they'll be able to knock this out and she'll be better quickly! But I'm not so sure I'm a fan of your oncologist - I'm sure he is a good doctor, but maybe needs a refresher course on how to deal with the people end of the equation in treating pets. So many doctors, for humans and pets alike, focus on the thing they are treating rather than the entire person/pet and in a pet's case, explaining and taking time with the person is just as important in my opinion as taking care of the pet. Okay, mini rant over
I hope Madison feels better soon and can come home!
I don't have all the details of this morning's update, because they called my husband, but the good news is that she's doing MUCH BETTER! The bad news is that she still has to stay another night.
Hubby's going to see her this morning and I'm going to visit after work.
I was on the phone yesterday afternoon with a lovely client of mine and he asked about my weekend. I gave him the short version, and he started asking questions and telling me about his three dogs. He made a comment that a house is not a home without a dog. So true. I started working from home about a year after I adopted Madison, and it's just so quiet and empty without her here. I always notice it when I get up to go to the bathroom and no one follows me. Looking forward to getting her back tomorrow and keeping her close for as long as we have left.
Sooooooo relieved ro see this update! Sooooo relieved!!
I'll be right back...something I want to show you!
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!
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