Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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(Rene or Admin feel free to move this if it's in the wrong place)
I think this is mostly a vent but feel free to offer advice. Cora is just not doing great right now. After a week of her seeming lethargic weak in her back legs I took her to the vet. She has been eating, pooping and peeing like normal. I haven't seen her drinking lately but she's peeing fine and I'm back to work and she shows no signs of dehydration. We had a freak heat wave (in April!!!) so at first I thought that was the main culprit and when it cooled down she improved some but then slumped again.
For those who don't know Cora, as well as being a right front leg amp, she has significant brain damage that causes her to be blind, have weakness on her left side and lots of other ... quirks. The front leg was deformed before being amputated. This all happened at birth or shortly after. She's a feisty 4-year old girl now and has made her own unique way in life.
The main thing I've noticed is that she can't get traction with her back legs anymore. She's managed on the floors well the last few years and now she just isn't. She's also not her normal spunky self. I put boots on her feet to help with traction and that seemed to help right at first but then it seemed like it was causing her distress or pain. She's also lying in positions that just look uncomfortable.
So, the vet didn't find anything obviously wrong with her except that when she got to her left back leg (the weakest one) she threw a fit and she'd been calm through the rest of the exam. Now was that because she'd just had enough? We opted not to do bloodwork because she seemed physically healthy and with my back surgery a month ago I am really broke. We came home with metacam to see if that will help but we don't really know where the pain is coming from. At has seemed at times like she's in pain but mostly it's just her not getting traction . And to add to my confusion, I messed with her leg a bit ago when she was all tired from the vet and she didn't react at all.
And given Cora's uniqueness, I have to admit I can't help but wonder if there is something deeper going on that might show in bloodwork. Grrrr... I hate this not knowing.
Glad to hear that you are doing well and back to work after your surgery! Can't offer any real advice, but find it interesting that she reacted on the left back leg, and you said that she had weakness on that side from her neurological issues. Would something neurological even show up in a blood test??? When she stands still, does she put equal weight on both hind legs, or is she favoring one? Are her funny sleeping positions such that she could be favoring a leg or a side? It could also be something like arthritis or a strain causing difficulty - in which case the wait and see approach is not a bad one. Could she be reacting to you going back to work? I know your activity was limited during your recovery, but if she got used to you around full time, perhaps she is a bit down (not that that explains a loss of traction )? Wish I could help, hope you find an answer to this problem soon, and that it is correctable.
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.
I really hate to hear this about Cora. She has a sweet spot in my heart and I'm always looking forward to updates. I hope you get to the bottom of it soon. Give her a big ole smooch and snuggle from me.
pam
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
These are the times when I desperately wish we could speak with our dogs, just for a moment, so they could tell us what's wrong. Could you upload pictures of her sleeping positions or a video of her walking? Though with her special gait, I'm not sure we would be terribly helpful.
Cora depends on routines, right? She might still be adjusting to you being back at work - I know with Jack that even small shifts in her routines can result in her acting depressed and lethargic.
Despite the setbacks, it sounds like she handled your recovery really well. I thought you and her often after your surgery, and am glad that you both made it through!
Oh DCJack has a good point about routines ... from what I have gleaned from your posts is that she thrives on routine (who doesn't, really??)... anywho.... perhaps that is it. Or maybe she tweaked it and it's a muscle strain. Can you try acupuncture (not you personally but take her somewhere). Or a chiropractor? I don't know where you are located so maybe they aren't as easy to come by.
I am glad to hear you have recovered from your surgery and are back at work!
Sending love and healing energy to you all!
alison with spirit shelby in her heart
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
Does she have traction issues on all surfaces?
I can't remember if her paws knuckled before? Are they now?
It's so hard to say- it could be anything from a tweak in her back to her neurological issues advancing.
When you say she lays in positions that look uncomfortable- is it her legs in a weird position or her back twisted? Laying in a position that should be uncomfortable indicates to me a lack of feeling- especially if it is in her extremities.
Karen
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
You all are fantastic. You've given me a lot to think about. I think in this reply I will answer questions and then I will do another reply with videos and photos.
I had not thought about the fact Cora might be reacting to me going to work. Doh. That might be part of what I've been calling lethargy. Believe or not, Floyd is more sensitive and is the one who struggle with changes to routine and his reactions tend to be so loud or dramatic that I may well have been missing what was going on with Cora. There is something else going on though.
Nothing neurological will show up in a blood test and the vet says here neurological signs haven't changed. Of course at the vet's office she was better than at home.
Her sleep positions that I was commenting on definitely seem like she's favoring something. I got a picture I will post. It's her legs in a weird position. Now Cora has always slept in weird position but she's pulling her leg up in a way she hadn't before. Or at least not to the same degree.
I would love to find someone who would do chiropractic on her. The one time I tried, the chiropractor didn't really feel like there was anything he could do. I could ask him again as things have changed. That's a good thought. Heh, I take his dog out for play dates often enough he'll probably do it for free.
The traction issue. She has always had some traction issue on the linoleum or any slipper floor. To be fair, I've wondered for a while if she's been having *a bit* more problems with her back left leg for a while but she's still been navigated through the house and outside with very little issues. Now that seems to have progressed and it's not just happening on the bare floor. She's slipping on the area rugs and on the wood porch.
Cora sleeping. It's hard to see, but the top back leg (left) is hunched up and actually under her right leg
Cora standing. I don't think her back left leg is usually can't this much out. I don't think she's holding much weight on it.
And here are the videos. Cora was NOT cooperative. Also, sorry for the mess. Floyd was having fun as you can see by all the stuffing thrown around.
Video 1
\
Video 2
[Image Can Not Be Found]
hmmm... that didn't work and my laptop is out of battery and only charges when closed and upside down. I'll try again later.
Could she be having a cruciate issue?
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.
Gosh Topher! Just catching up! You've gotten various possibilities from everyone. Can't really add to it.
It does appear the change in routine, all the "changes" involved with your surgery, could have "some" effect, but not necessarily where it wpuld change her sleep pattern or the way she stands, etc. The sleeping position al.ost seems like a "spasm, but clearly it's not bothering her as she's sleeping soundly. Obviously, even though it looks odd, she enjoys sleep that way.
Has the Metacam helped at all yet? She certainly has a lot of wear and tear on her remaining legs. Does she still ise her cart? Is it possible she jas tweaked something using the cart!
You are an amazingly strong advocate for Cora on so many levels! Im just so glad you are javing a smooth recovery. As smooth as can be expected!!
Always sending you love and support!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
PS. Floyd, you created a beautiful masterpiece out of "fluff"!
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!
Hey Topher, sorry I missed that first post, just now catching up.
Sorry about the videos not showing. Where are they hosted? If on FB, you can't embed FB videos on any other websites.
It does sound like some type of pain. I know I sound like a broken record, but having her assessed by a pain management expert, along with rehab therapy is the way to go. Have her evaluated by a vet rehab practitioner to get a real assessment on what may be going on. Our Tripawds Foundation will even pay up to $200 for your first consult. Hurry though, it's a popular fund and we may need to stop taking applications till we build up our reserves again. Even if you only go for one visit at least you'll know what you are dealing with.
Please do not do chiro on her. It is not a proven pain relief modality according to our vet pain guru, Dr. Petty. Acupuncture, massage and others are, however (and included in the latest AAHA pain management Guidelines), and the most qualified persons to provide these methods are pain management /rehab experts: Here's how to find qualified experts near you:
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hello!
The video is hosted on facebook. I was trying to move it to another site but running into other technical difficulties. It's on here page here if anyone wants to take a look.
I think the metacam is helping. She is sleeping more comfortably not hunched up and not having as a hard a time to settle. I actually think she might be getting around a bit better too. Hard to say. I was worried it was a cruciate issue. I didn't think so, based on how she'd react when I'd investigate and the vet checked thoroughly and doesn't think so.
She hasn't been using her cart because I can't get her in or out or help her. And I realized yesterday that I'm missing something obvious. I haven't been able to help her. I have in the past but she's had to do a lot more on her own. I would grab the handle on her harness and help scoot her around in difficult moments or when I was in a hurry.
Rene, I'll send you a PM. I have some questions. I was actually thinking about a rehab consult. The timing is horrible. The back surgery has left me broke and my own progress has slide back this week. I have no idea if there's a pain specialist, but probably at the big hospital? That's something I can check.
Ok, she is definitely getting around a bit better. Floyd just did one of his insane bark and bounce sessions and brushed past Cora and she stayed on her feet and didn't struggle. So that's a good sign.
Oh, and Sally, when I knew I was having my surgery I went to the thrift store and bought a bunch of stuffed animals so Floyd would have something to do. I had saved the biggest because I knew it would result in a big cleanup job. I have never seen him so into a stuffed toy. He did indeed create quite an artwork of fluff.
Sorry yoir progress took a step back this week. PLEASE, PLEASE be careful AND patient with yiur recovery. Let friends help you if needed.
Your assessment of Cora's situation makes sense. It's good ro hear that the Metacam is making a difference....really good!! Paws crossed for continued hraling for BOTH of you!
Love and hugs to all, including Floud the "Artist of Fluff"!
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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