Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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hi all just became a member I did post as a guest but can't find the link,
so I rescued a 9month old bear coat shar pei she was sent to the vets to be put to sleep as she had a broken leg the owners left it for a few weeks before taking her to the vets luckily the vets did not put her to sleep and the owners handed her over to the vets who the did a operation on her leg and pins though it unfortunately this did not work as the leg was so deformed from being left,
they thought the best action was to amputate which they did about four weeks ago I have had her for two weeks and she is the sweetest girl I would say that as she is mine😜😜
anyway I had her for a day she is so good on three legs nothing borthers this girl at all, she has started to fit everyday so took her to the vet who put her on medication this made them worse so the vet changed her medication to PHENOBARBITONE 30 mg one am and one pm she is still having a fit everyday but the actual fit itself is very mild but the after fit last a long time my vet said he is not worried about the after fit at all.
and I'm to keep her on the medication for a bit longer any help advice would be great and thank you 😊
Hi and welcome! I wanted to get your post approved so others can see it, but I'm on my phone now so I'll comment when I'm on my laptop. Thanks for your patience!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Oh gosh, poor baby! She's so lucky she found a home with you. Does the vet have any idea what is causing the seizures? Was she having them at the vets or have they just started since coming to you? Do you know how she broke her leg? Is it possible she suffered some sort of neurological injury as well?
i think if the seizures continue and you are unclear as to the cause, it would be an idea to ask for a referral to a neurological specialist. You need to know what exactly s going on and support in finding the best way to manage it.
Good luck with it all. She is so blessed to have found such a committed advocate.
All best,
Meg, Clare and Elsie Pie xxx
Ruby, Staffy, born June 2022, became a Tripawd, 23 November 2023, adopted 12 January 2024.
Also Angel Tripawd Meg (aka The Megastar), who died in April 2023, aged 14, after seven glorious years on three, and Angel Staffies Pie and Bille. In the pawprints of giants...
Thank you so much no idea how she broke her leg just glad she is in no pain now x
she did have a seizure in the vets after her operation but they thought that was the drugs she was on,
she is is such a happy pup for all that she has gone though bless her heart waiting till after Christmas to go back to vets too see what else we can do xx
I am wondering if this is epilepsy? If so, it is usually controllable with meds, generally a daily pill. Has your vet checked for epilepsy. We had a dog who lived to 14 or 15 with epilepsy. As she got older and more established on the meds., the seizures almost disappeared.
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.
Congrats on the adoption, what is her name?
You need to find the cause of the seizures, or at least rule out things like diet or medications. If diet or medications are causing the seizures then they should resolve once the cause is removed. If she continues having daily seizures then I would consult with a neurologist.
Also, be sure you talk with your vet about the phenobarb. If she is on it for a long enough time she will need to taper off of it, not stop it cold. Stopping the med suddenly can cause a seizure.
My quad pug Tani was diagnosed with epilepsy caused by hydrocephalus. Tani took phenobarb twice a day for most of her life and her seizures were pretty well controlled, she lived to be almost 15.
Karen and the Spirit Pug Girls
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
I know that with people, it takes time for the medication to build up to a therapeutic level. So that means that it will take time for it to be at a level in her blood stream to work right to control the seizures. Then you will need to make sure that it's given every day. When she has a seizure, just keep her safe - don't stick anything in her mouth, don't move her (unless she may fall & get hurt) - just protect her from injury. Afterwards is called "post-ictal" she can't follow directions, but you can talk to her, let her know she is safe.
Donna
Donna, Glenn & Murphy
Murphy had his right front leg amputated due to histiocytic sarcoma at 7 years old. He survived 4 years, 2 months & 1 week, only to be taken by hemangiosarcoma at 11 1/2 years 6/12/17
Read about Murphy's Life on Three Legs
Since this is a young dog your vet should run a blood test to rule out other causes such as a liver shunt. Epilepsy is a rule-out diagnosis since only an MRI can tell you if there is hydrocephalus or other brain lesions. If the blood work is normal I would start the dog on zonisamide since it has come down in price and does not have all of the side effects of phenobarb. How long are the actual seizures?
Pam
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