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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If we had a "like" button here, I sure would be pushing it on that Myrtle picture.
And Mona, that saying is "perfect". Ollie went to the vet today for his rattlesnake booster and I questioned about a sore looking spot inside his back leg. I had had all sorts of dire thoughts about it. The vet looked at it and said, "Oh, ringworm. He probably picked it up at the shelter,". So we are to use some anti-fungal cream and all will be well.
Kathi and the Turbotail April Angel...and the Labradork
Murphy is a five year old Lab/Chessie cross. He was hit by a car on 10/29/12 and became a Tripawd on 11/24/12. On 2/5/13, he had a total hip replacement on his remaining back leg. He has absolutely no idea that he has only three legs!
UPDATE: Murphy lived his life to the fullest, right up until an aggressive bone lesion took him across the Rainbow Bridge on April 9, 2015 and he gained his membership in the April Angels. Run free, my love. You deserve it!
That is awesome Sally! Hey you never know!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Sally,
Love that picture of Miss Myrtle May on the steps. She is so flippin cute. Head tilt, butt situated on the steps, posing for momma and ready for some treats. Glad her leg isn't bothering her.
Love you guys,
Karma, Adelaide and our pack (including the growing Maggie May at 34 pounds now), and always with our angel Brendol
Adelaide is a young tripawd Husky, from an injury. Her amp was on 10/1/12. She has 4 sisters, Aissa (a senior border collie/chow), Maggie May (a puppy Great Pyrenees), Mathilde and Morrigan and 1 baby brother, Bagheera. We are all watched over by our angel Brendol, who was dx with OSA 1/30/13, amp on 2/6/13, and left us on 8/20/13.
You can read their stories at http://adelaide.tripawds.com and http://brendol.tripawds.com
Cannot look at Myrtle and not want to smooch that adorable mug!! I had a thought, though may not be of much use. I have some knee troubles ( thanks Dad) anyway, I had my left one scoped 2 years ago to remove a torn Meniscus. It has never quite gone back down to size. It was swollen and had fluid before I had it fixed and though it has gone down a lot, it is still a tad more puffy than my right knee. Not sure if dogs are the same, but the scar tissue thing makes a lot of sense. The fact that she is not limping or in pain is a good sign that al is well. Oh, to be back to innocence where we did not obsess over every twinge our pups have. She , and Frankie too sure have a blessed life with you! Hugs, Lori, Ty & the beach bums
TY GUY, Best Black Lab ever! Diagnosed and had amp in January, 2014. Kicked MRSA's butt. Earned his angel wings on April 16, 2014. Run Free my boy and don't forget a shoe. Ty is a proud member of the " April Angels". Ty sent us Daryl, a Tripawd rescue in Sept. of 2016. Daryl is 5 +or -. We are also Pawrents to Chandler, a Border Collie mix who is 15 and 1/2, Lucy, a Corgi who is 7, 2 minis, 2 horses, and a feisty cat named Zoe. Zoe had a non skeletal Osteosarcoma removed in July 2015. No Chemo, she was at least 16. She is going strong although she is now completely blind. She is now close to 20 and her hobbies are eating and sleeping in front of her personal heater.
So now the OTHER rear leg has a "torn ligament..achilles...or whatever" just like her other rear leg a couple of mo ths ago. So nkw that's BOTH rear legs and possible hip dysplasia down the road.
Question: Had Merry Myrtle on Rimadyl for seven days for a front leg "issue" a bit ago.
...... She has been off Rimadyl approximately seven days now...until last night when I came home to find her in pain holding her rear leg up.
....... Gave her Rimadyl (a d Tram) last night and this morning before getting to vet.
....... Vet lrescribed dexamethasone and gave her a steroid injection. Felt like she didn't need a wash out period before injection. Before I could really be assured about the safety, she had already given her the steroid! AND SHE JUST HAD A RIMADYL about two hrs. earlier plus the night before!!
....Can this harm her...or any of her organs, etc. She sure could use some good luck right about now.
It all happened so fast, I'm really worried about the injection on top of the Rimadyl this morrning and last night.
Definitely don't want to start the dexamethasone until I'm absolutely certain it's safe!
I know I can't undo the injection...but should I be worried?
If only love and big stuffies could heal......
As always...thank you so much!!!
Love to you and Julian (and Tazzie too!)
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle 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!
WHAT?!!!! Oh my goodness, poor Myrtle. I don't have any advice on this for you Sally, just sending lots of love and hugs. Give that girl a big ole kiss from us.
Mom to Tripawd Angels Jake (2001-2014) and Rosco (2012-2015) and Tripawd Tanner. “Whatever happens tomorrow, we had today; and I'll always remember it”
Oh no poor Myrtle! After reading your post I went on the dreaded Internet to see if I could find anything. I did find out you don't want to give both on an ongoing basis but the vet said once shouldn't cause a problem and just watch for G I upset in the one case I could find. Hope this helps ease your mind Sally. Give Myrtle a huge hug and kiss on her head for me. Hope she's feeling better and back to being Merry soon!
Linda & Max
Usually the biggest concern is a GI bleed or ulcer if they're on both. At work we use a period of anywhere from 2-7 days off of one before you start the other. Depends on how long they've been on it. At the clinic I work at the vets are extremely cautious and never give the two together without a "washout" period. But with her only getting two doses, I can't imagine it causing a problem, I think it's more for longer uses of either. But to be safe, I'm gonna text one of my Vets to check 😉
I hope Myrtle feels better soon!!!
Cassie and Domino
“A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself.”
Domino had his left front leg amputate on May 13th 2014 after being hit by a car. He's now living a happy healthy life on three legs :)
Me again! My vet was actually confused as to why they would do Dex instead of keeping her on the Rimadyl... cause its better for pain and inflammation lol. But she said the small dose of Rimadyl she got shouldn't cause much of a problem with the injection. She said to be safe you can wait a couple of days before starting the dex. Hopefully this helps! But if you're concerned at all, call your vet first thing tomorrow to make sure you're doing whats best for Myrtle, because your vet knows her best!
Cassie and Domino
“A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself.”
Domino had his left front leg amputate on May 13th 2014 after being hit by a car. He's now living a happy healthy life on three legs :)
I agree a washout is best but many dogs can actually handle both drugs concurrently for a short time.
I am not sure why they would go to dexamethasone at all. I rarely use that drug unless I am treating neuro issues or skin disease and even then I usually prefer prednisone. Was the injection into the tendon or a SQ shot? It is very odd that she would have a tendon issue in the other Achilles. That happens often with ACL injuries in the knee but not in other tendons.
You might want to consider a second opinion.
Pam
Sadly, I have NO experience with this topic - I do have TONS of experience with the worrying part; hopefully since she's a big dog, she can tolerate this. I have nothing wise to offer you, except eat lots of chocolate. Before the cancer, I obsessively worried about Nitro tearing a ligament. We will keep you guys in our prayers.
paula and nitro
Nitro 11 1/2 yr old Doberman; right front amp June 2014. Had 6 doses carboplatin, followed by metronomic therapy. Rocked it on 3 legs for over 3 years! My Warrior beat cancer, but couldn't beat old age. He crossed the Bridge peacefully on July 25, 2017, with dignity and on his terms. Follow his blog entitled "Doberman's journey"
"Be good, mama loves you".....run free my beautiful Warrior
I have no experience with this and I am so not a vet BUT I love animals and I love YOU so I am sending lots of love to you and Merry Myrtle!!!!
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
Sally, so sorry for what you and sweet Myrtle are going thru right now, I am keeping you and her, and Frankie too, in my thoughts and sending as much positive energy as I can 🙂 <3
Much Love,
Bonnie, Angel Polly, and girls
Oh my Sally give Merry Myrtle extra hugs from us. What in the heck was she doing now? I see Dr Pam & Cassie gave great advice like usual.
What is that drug used for?
xoxxoxo
Michelle & Angel Sassy
Sassy is a proud member of the Winter Warriors. Live long, & strong Winter Warriors.
sassysugarbear.tripawds.com
07/26/2006 - Sassy earned her wings 08/20/2013
05/04/2006 - Bosch, Sassy's pal, earned his wings 03/29/19 fought cancer for 4 months.
"You aren't doing it TO her, you are doing it FOR her. Give her a chance at life."
Thank EACH of you soooo much for your love and support.
And for Linda to google for me...and Cassie to check with yiur vet...so extraordinarily kind!!
And, of course, Dr. Pam's invaluable insight!
This was not Merry Myrtle's regular doctor and, upon reflection and the feedback here, I am at a loss as to what is really going on. The vet did not do nearly the assessment that her refular vet did the last time she had her other leg issue. He tweaked, pulled, rotated, etc. She barely did ANY of thst. PLUS, when "it" happened to the other leg, there was a whole lot of swelling. There is NO noticeable swelling here around that joint..possibly some at her hip area though.
She barely ate anything. Before, she still ate a d didn't see so fearful of movement. Hope that doesn't mean she's having tummy upset from giving the steroid right after her Rimadyl.
She was actually a little better vy the time I got her to the vet this a.m. that was after a night of tramadol and a dose in the morning. One RImadyl the night before, and one the morning of the vet visit.
She seems worse tonight. Acts almost like it's a phantom pain type reaction. Craaaazy! She's only gotten off the sofa once since I've been home. Tail tucked between her legs...runs in almost a panicked state and then must freezes. Finally I guess her dose of Tram kicked in a and she got back on the sofa..still with tail tucked and whole body tense.
The bill says "steroid injection..short term" So not exactly sure how it was administered.
I know one thing, I'm going to try my best to ride this out without giving her dexamethasone so I can start her back in Rimadyl. Geez...guess I have to wait at least six days? I need to confirm how long the steroid shot will stay in her system first and then start counting the wash out period from that point.
AND, I will call her regular doctor in the morning and go over all this.
I don't feel like this is the same thing that happened to her other keg at all! What it is, I'm not sure. I just want to get her to feel better so badly!!
Thanks for listening!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks again to everyone!!!!
Love to all!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle 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!
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