Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hey everyone,
My name is Madeleine and I have an 2 1/2 year old dog named Ellie. I adopted her last year in March from Egypt. We live in Switzerland. She was probably hit by a car when she was about 5 months old and that‘s how she lost her left front leg. She weights about 23kg. She‘s just the sweetest dog and I love her so much, she‘s also great with other dogs. I visited a physiotherapist a few weeks ago and she saw that her hip does not look good. This morning I took her to the vet to x-ray her hips and unfortunately her right hip has very bad dysplasia and already arthrosis because of that. They also said that she probably has some pain from the arthrosis. I never saw that she is in pain, or has trouble to get up ect., so I can‘t really say if that‘s true. They gave me some pain killers and anti-inflammatory drugs, so I can say if I see a difference with it and if she is in pain. They also said that the only real solution would be an hip prosthesis. Of course I only want the best for her, but I‘m SO scared! Especially because of the after care, I‘m scared she couldn‘t walk. I‘m also scared because of the complications. Ellie is also terrified of vets. Every visit is very stressful for her and me and I guess after such a surgery there have to be many more visits. Does any of you know of any tripods with hip prosthesis? Or would any of you disadvise of such a surgery for a tripod and just work with pain killers as long as possible?
Thanks so much in advance!
madeleine said
I never saw that she is in pain...
Welcome and best wishes for Ellie!
Dogs are incredibly adept at hiding their pain. Please see the various pain management posts in the Tripawds News blog for helpful posts and podcasts, including tips for how to identify pain in pets.
...would any of you disadvise of such a surgery for a tripod and just work with pain killers as long as possible?
We would recommend doing everything possible with rehab first. What did the physiotherapist say? Is she a certified canine rehab vet/tech (CCRT or CCRP )?
While you wait for comments from others, use the Advanced Search above to refine your forum search results with specific phrases, and you're sure to find lots of helpful feedback. You can also search all blogs here .
Please keep us posted, your future forum posts will not require moderation.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I agree with admin that surgery should be a last resort. There is lots you can do to build up her core muscles with rehab and the right kind of exercise. If she has no trouble with getting up or moving its possible she doesn't have any pain. Before I would even consider surgery I would for sure have her assessed by a board certified orthopedic surgeon to be sure she needs it. Best of luck to you and your girl!
Thank you so much for your reply. My physiotherapist also recommended the surgery. The vet said that she could put the full weight on that leg right after surgery and when everything is healed, she would be fine with the prosthesis for her whole life. It does sound really good of course, when evrything goes well. And he also said that when nothing is done, she will probably not be able to walk in a few years. It’s also not a question for me regarding the cost of such a surgery, I would give everything for her. But I‘m extremely scared because of the healing process after surgery. I will definitely show the x-rays to an orthopedic surgeon. Should I also show the pics here? Maybe this would also help for opinions. Thank you!
Salut Madeleine,
I am in Germany so we're really not that far apart 🙂
The one thing I would definitely do if I was you is to get a second and maybe even a third opinion with crucial decisions like this. In my opinion this also goes for physio therapists...
I know that Teresa (eurydice) knows quite few vets and specialists in Switzerland, although she lives in France. Maybe you could pm her?
Feel free to contact me, too, of course!
All the best
Tina
& Manni
Guardian of Manni the Wonderdog. -Or was it the other way around?
Osteo and amputation in Dec 2015. Second, inoperable, primary osteosarcoma found in June 2017.
The end of our adventures came Dec 10, 2017. 2 years to the day.
I don't have any input, but I just wanted to let you know we are here ro support you and Ellie in anyway we can!!
It's very clear how much you @ove your special girl. You WILL make the right decision out of love for Ellie, and that is ALWAYS the RIGHT decision!
We do have a thread called "Ask A Vet" and you coukd post the xrays there. As a Vet, she may be able to give you some insight. I know weve had dogs who have had additional surgery for various reasons on remaining legs. Needless to say, recovery is no picnic, but it certainly can be done.
MURPHY is one dog who comes to mind, as well as IZZY. Now, these weren't the same surgeries you are dealing with at all, but may give you some reassurance abput recovery should you have ro go that route. I'll try and contact them so they can give you some jnput.
Give that sweet girl some extra treats for us, okay? And load up on CHOCOLATE for yourself! 🙂
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!
Here's an article that may help lessen your fears about recovery:
Remaining Limb Surgery Recovery for Tripawds
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hey Madeline 🌺
You're a brave girl, that's for sure 😍
There is always a solution for everything and loads of people here can help with their experiences.
I've sent you a PM, please let me know what you'd like me to do.
Sending you a big hug and lots of cuddles to your cutie pie 😘😘😘🐮💫✨🌟🌹
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 :-)
Thanks so much all of you! This community is so amazing, I have no words. I posted the xrays and pics of Ellie in Ask A Vet 😊 I will definitely keep you all posted! ❤️
Hi Madeline
I got your PM and sent one back to you.
Kathi
Murphy is a five year old Lab/Chessie cross. He was hit by a car on 10/29/12 and became a Tripawd on 11/24/12. On 2/5/13, he had a total hip replacement on his remaining back leg. He has absolutely no idea that he has only three legs!
UPDATE: Murphy lived his life to the fullest, right up until an aggressive bone lesion took him across the Rainbow Bridge on April 9, 2015 and he gained his membership in the April Angels. Run free, my love. You deserve it!
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