Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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This afternoon Trouble wouldn't move from the hallway. She whined and trembled, and would not attempt to get up. I assumed she was sore so I gave her 50mg of Tramadol about 2PM. Still no relief by 3 so I gave her another. At her dinnertime, she wouldn't get up to eat, so I took her bowl to her. She ate every bite. At 5 she still hadn't made any attempt to move and I panicked. I called Dr F, one of the techs spoke to me and put me on hold. She came back a minute later and told me she was waiting to speak to Dr F, he was in with a patient. She said normally she would tell me to come on in, but he had two bone surgeries he wanted to start as soon after 5 as he could. Another couple of minutes later Dr F came on the line. He talked through the symptoms and what I had given her, then asked how soon I could get there. Thirty minutes later he was waiting for us. He worked with her and talked to me until after 6. He found nothing physically wrong. He thinks it is a combination of age, arthritis, and weight. We are going to continue treating her with the Tramadol for a few days and if we don't get results, will try Rimadyl again.
I put Trouble in the car while he was looking up the max dosage for the tramadol. I went back in to pay and they told me it was no charge.
The man is an angel. He delayed his surgeries to see us, spent 45 minutes, and did it all at no charge. This isn't a one man show, it is one of the larger clinics in town. We, (and Trouble) are blessed to have him to care for her on this journey.
If anyone finds themselve in Southeast Texas and needs care, please look up Beaumont West Animal Care - Dr John Falgout, tell him Trouble sent you!
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.
Shanna--what a scare! Keep us updated, okay?
Trouble, Cemil and Radzi both send "leans". Hope you're feeling lots better by tomorrow.
Mary
Cemil and mom Mary, Mujde and Radzi….appreciating and enjoying Today
Oh Shanna,
What a horrible day. I hate hearing this about Trouble.
Is she any better?
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.
Blessed indeed. Thanks for the referral, and best wishes to Trouble.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Trouble, don't do that to us, you scared us! Please feel better OK? We want to hear how you're doing.
How cool that you have such a great doctor, thanks for letting everypawdy know.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I'm beginning to cry as soon as I see the word "Tribute".
Relieved that it was a good ending. Trouble is, indeed, blessed to have such a great doctor. They are angels in disguise, too.
Feel better soon, Trouble !!
Sophie (1998 – 2010)
"Going Dog" def: living every day in the moment
"It came to me that every time I lose a dog they take a piece of my heart with them. And every new dog who comes into my life gifts me with a piece of their heart. If I live long enough, all the components of my heart will be dog, and I will become as generous and loving as they are."
–Unknown
I know what you mean, Sophie.........me too, especially the last couple of days.
These losses scare me.
Trouble I'm so happy that there's nothing physical...Here's to keeping it that way.
Might I also suggest, if it is arthritis......................with our first cattledog, she was an addict playing/chasing balls and jumping, wow could that girl jump (she could jump from the ground onto my shoulders !!!) Anyway, when she got older, she became really crippled up with arthritis and we got her a container of gloucosamine in ground alfala, which is also used to treat arthritis. Anyway, it's a mixture that sold for horses. It has no ill side effects. It works, or it doesn't. We would give her 2 teaspoons mixed with a little yogurt each day. In a week or so, it was a miracle for us and for her! Truly truly was! After the first two weeks, the amount was reduced to one teaspoon.
Denise
p.s. What a wonderful doctor you have! A true animal lover. I love that!
Kona turned 9yrs on April 16, 2010.
Kona was diagnosed Memorial Weekend 2010 with osteosarcoma.
Right rear leg amputated on June 4th. First chemo June 18th 2010
Second chemo July 9th, 2010 Third and final (yea !!!) chemo July 30th, 2010
ONE TOUGH GIRL this Australian Cattledog !
***Kona's journey/fight ended late in the evening of December 22, 2010***
We Love you so much Kona….always
Bella 9yrs, albino lab/aussie shep/pit?(abandoned in mts as a puppy) deaf & blind (from birth) in one eye limited vision in other.(laid back, ok lazy 73 lbs)
Cotton, 5yrs, albino hound/terrier of somesort/???(abandoned in mts as a puppy) deaf & blind in one eye(from birth), excellent vision in seeing eye. (ball addict…destroyer of Kong balls…yes,etc), high energy 55lbs knots of muscle)
Kona Kai's pup brother and sister as well as her buddy and playmate cat, Shaymous 12yrs (like Seamus), miss her terribly.
Oh, Shanna ... I hope Trouble is feeling better. Prayers coming your way!
Amputation on 11/10/09, due to Histiocytic Sarcoma in left elbow. Angel Harley earned his wings on 06/24/10.
It took a really long time to get her from the car to the house. As soon as I got her out, she rested for about 30 minutes in the grass, thank Dog that side of the house is in the shade in the evening! Then a few steps at a time and a brief rest til we were in the door. Then she camped out in the entranceway for another 30 minutes. I finally got her to the kitchen where she stayed until after 10PM. I gave her a second dose of Tramadol at 9 and about 10 she started acting like she wanted to get up. I let her take her time. She finally sat up, but couldn't quite get her butt up. She rested and tried again. On the next attempt, I helped steady her back end. Once she was up, she went flying down the hall to the bedroom. She laid on the floor for just a minute and decided she wanted in bed. It wasn't graceful, but she made it all by herself. She slept all night, and still is sleeping.
I have to get ready for work. Another update after 4PM when I get home.
Thank you all for the well wishes. They mean the world to me.
ps. Brett, I can't believe all of this happened after I sent you the note about her being well. She really was! Yesterday morning she was moving about and good to go.
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.
I don't know if I should be happy or sad. I'm hoping this is just a arthritis flare up.
Have you tried massaging her back and leg muscles?
Maybe even trying a wet dish towel heated in the microwave and putting it on her back and hip area? Or even a heating pad? Anything like that will help the inflammation.
Comet gets to hurting in her back and legs and I can massage them and she seems better. But when she had that neck disc problem she wouldn't move and just rolled around on the ground. The heating pad helped tremendously until the antibiotics kicked in after a week or so.
Comet has been take muscle relaxers (from the vet) here lately during bedtime and she seems much perkier. And she takes rimadyl ever day in the PM- there is a huge difference when it kicks in. I have always given it with a full stomach with no problems.
I wouldn't be afraid of Rimadyl right now- just give it with a full tummy.
I'm pulling for her! And seriously thinking about you!
All the tripawd sadness -couldn't sleep...
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.
reading this, it makes you realize how fragile we all really are - even though we can show such strength at a moment's notice. hopefully a good night's rest will help trouble bet back to being 'herself'. gayle says to remind her to nap as well, as a good nap is gold!! paws crossed that she's feeling much better by the afternoon.
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
I'm sorry to read about Trouble's issues this morning 
I hope she's doing better when you post an update tonight!!!!
You have one FANTASTIC vet for SURE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Those are NOT a dime a dozen!
Tracy, Maggie's Mom
Maggie was amputated for soft tissue sarcoma 10-20-09
Maggie lost her battle with kidney disease on 8-24-13
Hi Shanna,
I hope Trouble is doing better today-
Sending strong and positive thoughts today.
Karen and the pug girls
Trouble & Shanna, I am thinking of you right now, sending postive thoughts. Hoping Trouble will get better veyvery soon.
Suzanne & Oslo
It sounds like your vet is great! Is there a reason why you are holding off on the Rimadyl? If she has a pinched nerve or an arthritis flare-up she could probably benefit from the NSAID (Tramadol only treats pain not inflammation). If Trouble is as tough as other Pitbulls I know she will bounce back quickly.
Pam
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