Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Well said Clare; I think that is exactly when we need the most support. I'm so sorry things seem to have stalled with Frankie's recovery, so sorry for all the stress you're experiencing. In my eyes, he really doesn't look that bad, considering what he's been thru, on top of being a Tripawd already; he IS putting that foot down, maybe not as much as you'd like, but doing it nonetheless. The frustrating thing is these injuries take so much time to heal, and in his situation, even longer. I would imagine getting him to rest is way harder than doing all the rehab exercises, I shudder to think how that would have gone when Nitro was in his prime - near impossible! It seems so inadequate to tell you to be patient, "just breathe", and stock up on chocolate. (You're not diabetic, are you? 
)
Can't wait to see you! As my dad always says, "You know what the barber said, don't you? Won't be long now!"
Many hugs coming your way...hang in there
Paula and Warrior Angel 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
Online
Just as headed to work she emailed me. Well. s**t. 
Rehab CANNOT come Sunday and cannot get here til May 15
And double s**t ....Upon review of the video she strongly thins it's meniscus...... I tried to do quick google and am too messed uo to read the scary s**t I'm reading.
He's trying to hold it up now. Hewhimpers some and he's not a whimperer. Loading him on pain meds.
Any lunks you all could prove would be greatly appreciated. AllmI could see was surgery through my crybabyng tears.......along, of course with mk ths of confinement.. Blah blah blah. Hismother twomlegs are not the greatest.
GuessI'll try and get to regular vet asap
CRUSHED! I need any inlut at all on options. ARE THERE ANY??????
Sorry to dump
Tha k youfor any links you find
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!
Oh Sally my dear darling! I have just jumped around very quickly to see if I can see any alternative to Meniscus damage, but can see nothing right now! I will keep digging!
Keep in mind that your rehab may feel strongly about something by looking at the video, but I do hope 🤞 she is incorrect!!! Can you give your vet a call and ask some questions in regards to the possibility of a torn meniscus and if their are any other options other than surgery? It’s amazing how new technology can change things overnight Sally!
Stay on good bed rest Frankie until Mum can get this figured out for you lovey!
I am keeping you all in my prayers and hope that you can get some positive answers Sally!
Hugs and love to you all
Petra, Stewie and his Kittens
Remember...“live in the moment!“
Okay Sally, here is one site that I found... now some (actually most of it!) goes over my head, but maybe your vet can give you a bit more insight... I copied an excerpt just to help alleviate your fears by maybe a millimeter??? Again, I don’t know if your hearing clicking noises or not..? Lovey, I am hoping this little tid bit helps... I will keep on looking!
http://www.tigg...../id11.html
Love to you Sally!
I'm so sorry, Sally. I HATE that you are having to deal with all this. I'm not surprised you are feeling crushed, everything landing on you all at once, but fortunately your Tripawds family are here to hold you up!
I've just found this alternative to surgery. To be clear, it's not anything I have experience of. This is from googling, but...
https://pethelp.....to-Surgery
This also mentions the stem cell treatment
http://animals......46523.html
I'm also wondering about wheels. Is that an option worth considering? Again, I've no idea, and it would clearly be something to discuss with the rehab vet. Meg is actually being measured for some at the moment, because as you know, she has problems with one of her three remaining legs.
Will keep researching, and posting, as I'm sure, will others.
We are here for you, Sally. You are not alone with this, and together we will find the best way forward for Frankie.
Sending love and a huge warm hug,
Meg, Clare and Angel 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...
megstamum said
I've just found this alternative to surgery. To be clear, it's not anything I have experience of. This is from googling, but...
Hi Clare, I hope you and Meg had a fabulous holiday?!
so just I personally have just finished two sessions of Platelet Rich Plasma Replacement Therapy for my hamstring tendon injury in my bottom. I have been in pain for two years and until I found this therapy, there was little help for me. They took my blood out, shook it around in a centrifuge and separated my platelets and then injected them back directly into my hamstring tendon. The platelets are very sticky and they call all of your bodies healing agents to the site and they are like a powerhouse of healing together! It took two sessions over the oeriod of 4 months and some minimal excersisies to get it healed! It worked! If this is an option for Frankie, it is a good one!
(My human treatment cost $400 Canadian per session.)
The wheels might be an excellent option Sally?
We are here for you, Sally. You are not alone with this, and together we will find the best way forward for Frankie.
We are definitely here for you Sally!
p.s. I realize my post above was totally useless, I’m sorry Sally, I’ll keep trying!
Hey there,
I looked around a bit, hoping to find something new but I haven't found anything yet.
The bad of what I know is that just like people with bad knees, after surgery on the bad side, sometimes the"good" side has over compensated and undergoes the same problem.
On the other hand, and this is the hand I'm sticking with until you know for sure otherwise, is that without a physical you will not know for sure. I'm sorry, I think it's unfair for somebody to tell you that without having the patient right there for a proper physical. Even if his knee has a little crackle doesn't mean it's torn. Crepitus can be present without injury. We all get a bit crackly as we age 😉
Maybe he just strained it and needs confinement and pain meds to make sure it doesn't get worse.
I love ya Sally, I'm so sorry you are going through all this s#$t . It's just so unfair. Please know this is NOT your fault!!! I've seen it both ways. Some came back for surgery on the other side, most did not. I'm praying his leg is just sore.🙏🙏🙏
Sending you big hugs and lots of love
Hugs,
Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry 
Here's some more about the PRP/Stem cell treatment. This is at a hospital in VA
http://lakeanna.....l-therapy/
And this goes into a lot more detail:
https://www.vet.....herapy.pdf
That's fantastic you found it so effective, Petra! I've never heard from anyone who's had this treatment. There's a hospital near here that is pioneering arthritis treatment in dogs using stem cells. I have considered exploring this as an option for Meg. Obviously don't know if it would be suitable or appropriate for Frankie, if he has indeed torn his meniscus, but good to be aware of the options.
❤️❤️❤️
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...
Sally, I'm really sorry, I know you must be so frustrated and worried. I would be too. But stay strong my friend, you know better than anyone else that there's no sense panicking until he's examined by a vet in person.
And I also agree that it's hard to tell just by looking at a video. Pinpointing what's wrong based on a Tripawd's unusual gait is difficult enough in person, much less by looking at a movie. So please don't panic.
First you will get the pain under control. That's the most important thing right now.
Next, you and your vet will work together to pinpoint the issue. It may take a while but once the pain is managed with drugs and manual therapies, you have time to figure it out.
Finally, know that Frankie is an unstoppable, crazy boy who has everything he needs to fight the good fight and overcome this situation. You know it lady! And we do too!
Breathe. Get to the vet, then focus on what's next OK?
Love you tons.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
OH, Sally, Please Breathe!
We don’t know anything for sure, do we? Call your vet ASAP and make an appointment and see what is going on. I would think they would need x-rays done?
You have meds to keep Frankie comfortable yes? If not take him to the emergency vet if possible?
Stay on the plan pain meds and rest and make an appt.
I know zero to help here. I will help look up whatever, I will inquire further;)
I’m so sorry this is all happening and DUMP away we are all here.
Remember Miracles happen for Frankie!
Sending lots of love and sending many prayers out!
Here are a couple of links for braces. Interesting information, might be helpful.
Dog Leg Braces <-- The founder of this company is an amputee. Pretty cool site.
This one also looked interesting. To be honest, I even found some on Amazon.
A lot of them seem to be reasonably priced. This may be a non surgical option to look in to. Just from what little I have found so far looks like many have had good success with them. I haven't totally researched as I am not home right now but I think we should definitely look further into this option and see if it's viable for you.
Big hugs, hang in there! We will get this figured out 🤗🤗 Are you feeling all of our love yet? 😉💕💖💕
Hugs,
Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry
Sally, I’m a useless lump on a log here, but I just want to send you all massive hugs and love!
Frankie darling... keep taking your medicine and stay rested for Mum until she can get you into a vet to check out what is going on!
Myrtle lovey, you can help by just being a terribly good girl for Mum!
Massive amounts of love and prayers are coming your way Sally, for all three of you!
Oh Sally, sweetheart, I cannot believe what you are going through ...
But as you know, you, Frankie and Myrtle are LOVED to bits by all of us.
And you’ve got lots of links and suggestions to explore.
A visit to the vet will definitely bring light into Frankie’s knee problem, so please do follow your tripawdian family’s advise and try not to panick.
We could not love you more, Sally, you and your babies are always in our thoughts 💗
Love you to the moon and back and am sending you all the pawsitive energy I can master and XL slobbery kisses from our Angels 😘😘🐮💫✨🌟🌹
Eurydice 77kg/170lb Great Dane limping end of April 2016, amputation (right front leg/osteosarcoma) 4 May 2016 6 courses of carboplatin followed by metronomic therapy, lung mets found 30 Nov 2016. 3 courses of doxorubicin, PET scan 26 Jan 2017 showed more mets so stopped chemo. Holistic route April 2017. Lung X-ray 5 May 2017 showed several tennis ball size mets, started cortisone and diuretics. Miss Cow earned her XXL silver wings 12 June 2017, 13 months and 1 week after amputation and 6 1/2 months after lung mets, she was the goofiest dawg ever and is now happily flying from cloud to cloud woof woofing away :-)
HOW DO YOU DO IT????? How in the world do you semd so much love, so much support, so much insight and wisdom throigh a tavlet screen??? Make no mistake about it, noooooo one could possibly feel so loved and supported!!! You little sweethearts are TRULY Earth Angels!!💖 No! Wait! Even better...Earth Saints😎 Thank You so mich for taking your time to write and to look up such GREAT links!!! OMD! So reassuring and seemingly doavle by one old bat and a blind Nurse🤣🤣 I just wish EACH of you xould really, really, really know what your love and support means...and I hope with all my heart and Soul you can feel my love for you in return💕
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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