Tripawds Three Legged Dog & Cat Forum Archives
Tripawds is your home to learn how to care for a three legged dog or cat. Explore 17+ years of forum archives for stories and answers to questions about dog leg amputation, and cat amputation recovery. Enjoy fresh discussion and connect with members in the new Tripawds Support Circle.
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Hi my 13 yr old male very healthy dog just had rear right leg amputated for bone cancer -- immediately after surgery and for 7 days post op he has no use of his left hind leg- toes curl under no weight bearing at all -- Dr has no real answer for this problem- just injected him with cortisone -- his thoughts is possible nerve pinch my thought possible snip in amputation area that directly links to left leg -- can you help shed light please so very concerned - thank you Kristy
Hi Kristy and Harley. Welcome. Your future posts won't require approval so post away. I'm hoping that our Fairy Vet Mother sees your post here soon but just to cover your bases, please post in "Hopping Around" also so that others with similar experiences can chime in.Â
Meanwhile, is Harley moving around at all? Can he go to the bathroom on his own? Eat? Or do you have to help himi do everything?
I'm glad that your vet has helped provide some sort of pain relief. Is Harley on anything else for pain? My other thought is, what is your vet's plan for diagnosing the issue? Has he referred you to a specialist? If this vet doesn't have any answers then it's time to find a specialist who can. Don't hesitate to find one so that Harley can start to feel better.
Even at 13 he should be able to at least use the bathroom by now. Try not to panic, stuff like this can occasionally happen and most times once the problem is diagnosed the new Tripawd gets back to normal in no time at all. I know this is so difficult for you and I'm sorry. We'll try to help you and Harley get on the road to healing.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Oh gosh, do I have experience with this!!! Age is NOT the issue as you know. But a complication from the surgery- including being placed on the table wrong, the length of time of the surgery, impinging on a nerve or damaging a nerve- can be a serious issue. My OSA dog Heffalump lost all use of his healthy leg and became a TWOPawd after surgery. The good news? He was extremely happy and did extremely well. We just made more accommodations for him. As Jerry mentioned, it could be a pain issue. As you mentioned, it could be a nerve issue. And, it could be an undetermined complication. Heffalump also had Multi Drug Syndrome which complicated things. Checking with a specialist would be a very good next step as his may be a temporary development. Best wishes, hugs, and PyrPaws all around!!!
If you can, I would definitely take him to a neurologist as soon as you can. If it is a nerve issue, the longer you wait, the lower the chances of recovery (if it is possible). What I have learned recently is that "normal vets" are usually very ignorant about specialized neuro issues. That said, even if it's not possible to recover, you are likely going to be a-okay anyway!
I have another soon-to-be-twopawd (probably) animal here, and as distressing as it is to us, they sure are good at adapting! My silly cat scoots around happily on her two good front legs, dragging her butt behind her. She chases things, gets up on the couch (!), and can even go up and down stairs (especially when I don't want her to). Her quality of life is GREAT even if I wish she had more legs.
Best wishes to you guys, I'm sure this must be very upsetting! Still, our pet friends are stronger than we give them credit for, and so are their owners 🙂 <3
This is unlikely to be from the amputation although it could be secondary to tumor or disc disease. Â A shot of cortisone is not going to fix this although oral prednisone may be helpful. Â I would get spinal rads and consider a second opinion from a neurologist ASAP.
Pam
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