Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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So scooby is 3.5 months post front leg amputation and had his 4th chemo on Tuesday.
He's been fine, no sickness or anything. Today we just took him out for a walk and after about 15 mins he just started collapsing. My husband went to get the car and we took him home. He tried walking again but his front leg seems to give way almost.. I can't explain it.
We've given him an anti-inflammatory and he's now resting in his bed but we're not sure what to do. I know it sounds mercenary but we have to think of vets fees too as we are slowly creeping up to our insurance limit with the chemo and to take him to the vets on a Sunday would cost us a small fortune.Â
Has anyone experienced this before? Any advice?Â
Collapse or faint? Shelby did that a couple times when we were walking and it scared me to death! Come to find out she was slightly anemic and that was causing it.
But since he's not using his front leg (I forget if he's a front amp or not) but perhaps he has overstrained that leg? Maybe some slight massage to loosen that muscle up? Shelby was a rear amp and her remaining rear leg was super tight at one point so some massage to help loosen it up. Sometimes we forget since they are doing SO great that learning to walk on 3 does re calibrate the whole make up of their body.Â
hugs and keep us posted!!!!
alison with spirit shelby in her heartÂ
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
Is it possible he got a muscle cramp of some sort? They can really over work certain muscles as a tripawd. We didn't take our Ellie to rehab until she had finished chemo (so much going on, etc) and when the rehab doc gave her the once over she said she had a lot of tension and muscle 'guarding' in her shoulders. She prescribed a muscle relaxant for us. It sounds like you've got something similar so (just my opinion) I would see how he did once they kicked in.
Active 10+ Pyr mix suddenly came up lame with ACL tear in left rear leg. Scheduled for a TPLO but final pre-op x-rays indicated a small suspicious area, possibly OSA, which could have caused the ACL tear. Surgeon opened the knee for TPLO but found soft bone. Biopsy came back positive for OSA. Became a Tripawd 9/18/14. Carbo6 with Cerenia and Fluids. Pain free and living in the moment. Crossed the Bridge on 7/12/15 after probable spread of cancer to her cervical spine. A whole lifetime of memories squeezed into 10 months. Here's her story: Eloise
Of course you have to to think about vet bills, everyone does, don't feel badly.
Have you checked his gums? Do you know how to do a capillary refill test? Do that. If they are normal it can probably wait until tomorrow. As long as he's eating, drinking and doesn't appear to be in acute distress, it sounds to me like a muscle pull. I like Alison's suggestion to try some gentle massage.
Definitely let your vet know but don't panic. 15 minutes may just be too much for him at this point, he's probably still too weak. It may be a signal to go slower and cut down to 10 minute walks, rotating core conditioning exercises in the meantime.
Keep us posted. {[[hugs}}}}
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Lots of good insight from everyone.
The only other thing way out of the blue I would mention, possible congestive heart issues. That's how found out my dog was even having an issue...she just collapsed while playing. Gotmup though, seemed fine, just tired. Got her on heart meds and she did fine. It sounds like Scooby's issue is front leg oriented and has nothi g to do with heart. Just thought I'd throw it out there though.
As others have pointed out, sounds much more like a tweak of an overworked muscle though. The anti-inflammatory should help, along with rest.
Update when you can.
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!
Update: 11.30pm UK time
so  phoned our oncologist dept at the vet hospital as he had chemo on Tuesday and I prefer the vet hospital to our local vets (who I don't have much faith in). Was told someone would call me back... In the meantime Scooby rested up and seemed happier.
i relaxed a little bit after chatting to my mum and some friends. We'd arranged to go out for dinner ages ago with friends which we contemplated rescheduling but then thought Scooby could probably do with the rest and us not fussing over him so we fed him (no problem with his appetite) and left him alone to rest for about 4 hours. When we got home he was doing his usual bark and go mad routine. He then went for a wee outside no problem. When he came back in he was a little bit wobbly and went back to his bed where he's pretty much been the rest of the evening. Just going to have to reassess in the morning although we're both back to work in the morning!Â
Fingers crossed he'll be ok . We think we may have been overdoing it with him and he's just had chemo bless him. Day of rest tomorrow and I need to speak to the vets (who never called me back in the end!)
Thanks for all your responses xÂ
Just the fact that some rest and the dose of anti-inflammatory helped him feel better and return to his spunky self, even if just for a short time, is good news! 🙂
Glad you went out and, not only had a good time, but could see Scooby felt better after the rest!
Hugs and 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!
The other thing, too, could just be that he's tired. When Murphy's done walking he just lays down. And I think that that's what Otis does, too (Otisandtess). He lays there for a couple of minutes and then once he's rested we finish our walk.
Donna
Donna, Glenn & MurphyÂ
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 Â
Read about Murphy's Life on Three Legs
Yes, just lays down on the nearest bit of grass (even this morning when it was wet and cold) until he is ready to get up again. Â And some mornings this happens more than once (all on a 7 house walk). Â It is controlled however, I can tell he is doing it intentionally. Â And, he did used to do something similar when we first got him and he was learning to walk on a lead. Â Scooby is ahead of us, but it seems really important not to over exert. Â Otis is really active for about 2 hours in the morning and then spends most of the rest of the day on the sofa. Â I can tell that he is just really tired. Â And he is always more tired after chemo. Â We have always joked about Otis wanting to go to bed for the night at 7pm. Â Now, after dinner, he won't even get up for the UPS guy or a car in our driveway. Â
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. Â
Wherever they are, they are together.
Should also add that I am not trying to walk him every day now. Â He had a bit of nausea/indigestion from chemo and I cut back to 3 - 4 walks a week, to make sure that he got a day to rest in between. Â The vet told me to imagine what it would be like to go the same distance hopping on 1 foot, plus not feeling 100%. Â Hope Scooby is feeling better soon, and that it is nothing serious.
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. Â
Wherever they are, they are together.
Otis, you have a great vet!!
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!
otisandtess said
The vet told me to imagine what it would be like to go the same distance hopping on 1 foot, plus not feeling 100%.Â
YES! I love this advice! Better, yet, try getting down on your hands and knees, lift up the leg that your pup is missing, and then try to walk around on the remaining 3 limbs. It's amazing how you can then feel where your Tripawd would experience tension and tiredness in the body.
Glad Scooby is doing better. Here's to a good week ahead.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Any updates on Scooby?
Harmony became a Tripawd on 10/21/14 (MCT). She left us way too soon on 11/1/14.
"We miss you so much; our love, our heart, our Harmony."
- Pam, Ron and Melody, Meesha, Doublestuff and Mariah Carey
Sorry.. had a busy week!
Update on Scooby is that he is now fine again, thank goodness! He had blood tests done on Monday but they came back all normal (apart from white cell count but then he was only a week past chemo so understandable). So the oncologist wasn't concerned and said they could do further testing on his electrolytes or even an MRI scan but she thought it best to just keep him rested a bit and keep an eye on him which is what we did.
I took him for a 10 minute walk on Thursday when I got back from work as he was desperate and he loved it but we're not throwing the ball for him at the moment. It's been too wet and he slips around and I'm just being overly protective for the time being.
So glad he is ok at the moment as I was dreading bad news.. I'm not ready for that yet. We're currently looking into taking him to hydrotherapy (getting a vet referral at the moment so we can claim back some of the cost on our pet insurance) to hopefully build up some of his core strength.
Thanks for all your support.
So glad to hear all is well! Sooo many times, "issues" with tripawds pften stem from overdoing it. So yes, "being over protective" is probably a real good solution for a bit! It's such a fine line trying to let then play full out and love life to the fullest...and not letting them hurt themselves! 🙂 Of course, "living life to the fullest" can also mean lazing arou d in the sun getting tummy rubs and treats!
Stay in the now..in the lrese t..Scooby isn't worried about tomorrow nor should you! Scooby is clearly loving life!
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!
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