Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hey all! Usually I'm here for all things Domino, but lately it's my big guy Finn that I've had my eye on... Finn is my 5 1/2 year old, 135lb Anatolian Shepherd. He's a retired show dog, and a big ol cuddle bug. About 2-3 weeks ago when I came home from work my mom mentioned that after playing and running really hard outside that Finn was limping on his front leg. I looked him over good and checked every muscle and joint and he didn't give me any big pain indicators, but his limp was pretty bad. I keep pain meds on hand at home and I gave him a dose and put him on cage rest. The next day the limp seemed to be completely gone! So I forgot about it and life went on. Today it happened again on the same leg. He was outside playing with Domino, nothing too rambunctious, and walked away limping. I just gave him another dose of pain meds. I hate to be a paranoid mom, but a friend of mine has a Tolie the same age that was just diagnosed with osteosarcoma.... What I hate is that it will most likely be another 2 1/2 weeks before I can get him to the vet (horrible I know, since I work at one!) I guess my biggest question is to all of you parents of pups with the big C word, how did it present itself? What signs did your pup show before they were diagnosed? Otherwise Finn is doing great, eating more than he normally does, playful, and happy 
Thanks Everyone!
Cassie and The Pack
“A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself.”
Domino had his left front leg amputate on May 13th 2014 after being hit by a car. He's now living a happy healthy life on three legs :)
Cassie there is no straight answer to that. I don't want to scare you or minimize your concern. Finn and Domino look great. Not all limps are cancer. Keep the appointment in 2& 1/2 weeks and try not to stress about it. Keep us updated.
He's such a sweetie!
It could be anything and hopefully nothing more than too much pawtying and roughousing with the pack. Bone cancer often presents with an off-again/on-again limp but not always. All dogs are different.
Brilliant advice from Laurie! Be strong and remember that lots of things can cause limping. Have you checked between his toes?
I hope your friend is doing alright. Let her know we are here if she needs anything at all, and point her to Cemil's story. What an inspawration! He is still going strong!
Tripawd Tuesday Celebrates Cemil, a Four-Year Osteosarcoma Survivor
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I just wanted to weigh-in since Shelby also had intermittent bouts of 'limping' YEARS (and I do mean YEARS) before her cancer diagnosis and come to find out - neither were related. It was truly from over-use and older age. Shelby was about 10 - 11 when she would act like a puppy and then gimp around for a couple of days. Arthritis maybe? We'll never know .. but I do know that, sadly, as we get older, we get more aches and pains in our joints and I suspect that is true for dogs. Is he on any sort of supplement like glucosomene? We put Shelby on that and it helped her a lot.
Now Shelby did end up breaking a leg in a freak accident and then months later was diagnosed with hemangiosarcoma but none of our vets will link the periodic limping to that break and then cancer diagnosis.
Fingers crossed for sweet Finn!!! I know he's getting the best possible care!
Hugs,
Alison with the Spirit of Shelby
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
Thanks guys!
Alison, Finn isn't on any supplements yet, he is on a very good large breed food that has some extra glucosamine in it and I'll probably either start him on Phycox or a prescription joint diet soon because he's middle aged lol.
I think I'll keep him quiet for a few days and have some radiographs done in a couple of weeks to ease my mind. Thanks so much for your advice!
Cassie and The Pack
“A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself.”
Domino had his left front leg amputate on May 13th 2014 after being hit by a car. He's now living a happy healthy life on three legs :)
What a handsome cuddly, snugly, gentle, smoochable boy!!! I'm in love!!
Just ditto to everyone else's replies. I can only add that, as I result of my experience with Happy Hannah, I would always get every limp checked out thoroughly now. Prior to that, every limp with any dog was treated as just a little overuse...or a strain...a pulled muscle...arthritis, etc....and that was the case each time. . And, in the past, a little rest, some pain meds and maybe some anti inflammatory meds took care of the issues. And it worked for Hannah's off and on occasional very mild limping for a couple of months....until it didn't. Xrays were done and the rest is history.
With Finn's size and age, it would not surprise me at all that he is starting to get a little arthritis. After all, trying to keep up with Domino has to put a strain on his muscles!!! Such an adorable picture of two good buddies!!
And PLEASE give your friend a hug for us. We are here if we can help in any way.
FINN, take it easy big fella! Your mom's gonna put you on a DIET if you keep over doing it!! Get thatleg all healedup fast or else it's "Weight Watcher's for Dogs"!!
Sending extra hugs! LOVE that picture!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle too!
And Domino....RIBBIT....RIBBIT....
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!
My first greyhound had two bouts of heavy panting from pain, had lost about 3 lbs, and showed she was favoring her "good leg" three days before her next chiropractic treatment. The day before the vet appointment, she stood up from a nap and the bone just snapped in half. The leg had no obvious tumor. I am not sure if there was heat.
After that, I do daily leg checks on my dogs like I do for my horse. Nixon had been lame on that leg for 18 months with no signs of cancer. We did our leg check at 6 am and nothing. 5 hours later, he had an obvious tumor on his wrist. It was extremely hot to the touch.
For my friends whose dogs had it in the shoulder, they just saw weight loss, muscle atrophy, and lameness. For the ones with it in the pelvis, some mobility issues/random lameness.
25% of all greyhounds get osteo so in the greyhound world, we tend to worry more if the lameness gets worse with activity. Mild Arthritis normally improves with movement. Soft tissue injuries also get worse with movement. I am a fan of Anatolians and I know they seem to get OSA just as often so I understand your worry. My parents have 3 beasties at the moment and it's something I worry about for them.
Dr. James Radcliffe in Wheeling, WV is known in the sighthound community for his interest in physical therapy, pain management , geriatrics, and stem cells. He recommends joint supplements be started before you see any joint issues. I start my dogs at around 3 or 4 on normal joint supplements with HA and seniors get CMO too.
Hi Cassie,
So sorry Finn is limping. With my Maggie she would limp a little then it would go away. She would play rough with Blink so I would attribute it to that. I felt her all over and never felt anything. When she started limping consistently I took her in for an xray and there was the tumor up high on her right shoulder. Recently my 9 month old Hank started limping and holding up his back leg. He went to bed in his crate that night and actually couldn't get out the next morning. My husband woke me at 5:30 am that Hank had cancer and couldn't get out of his crate. He was quite upset. That was on a Saturday and he limped all day that day but Sunday he was back to normal. I was prepared to take him to the vet on Monday if he was still limping. It is impossible to not worry but I don't think 2 weeks are going to make any difference for a diagnosis. Hopefully he just strained something and he will be back to playing with frogman (Domino) in no time.
Penny, Hank, Blink and Maggie
Hey all! Thought I'd post a small Finn update. Big guy is still limping on and off, some days its barely noticeable, other days he won't put any weight on it at all. I've talked to several of my vet friends and they agree, he is at high risk for osteo because of his age, breed, sex etc. I've got my fingers crossed that it's not, but a feeling in my gut has me worried. It looks like the soonest we can get to the vet is December 6th, we're going to have rads done of his entire leg, toes to shoulder, as well as his chest and abdomen just to be sure. Hopefully I'm just being paranoid. As soon as we have everything done I'll let you guys know. Thanks so much for your support!
Cassie and The Pack
“A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself.”
Domino had his left front leg amputate on May 13th 2014 after being hit by a car. He's now living a happy healthy life on three legs :)
Keep us posted on how Finn is doing . It is hard not to be paranoid about this stupid disease. Try to relax, it could be a piulled muscle, strain or just overuse. I hope that is what you find out. He is a beautiful boy. Looks so huggable. Hugs from, Lori and Ty
TY GUY, Best Black Lab ever! Diagnosed and had amp in January, 2014. Kicked MRSA's butt. Earned his angel wings on April 16, 2014. Run Free my boy and don't forget a shoe. Ty is a proud member of the " April Angels". Ty sent us Daryl, a Tripawd rescue in Sept. of 2016. Daryl is 5 +or -. We are also Pawrents to Chandler, a Border Collie mix who is 15 and 1/2, Lucy, a Corgi who is 7, 2 minis, 2 horses, and a feisty cat named Zoe. Zoe had a non skeletal Osteosarcoma removed in July 2015. No Chemo, she was at least 16. She is going strong although she is now completely blind. She is now close to 20 and her hobbies are eating and sleeping in front of her personal heater.
Finn is a handsome guy, and it is best to check this out with a full work up of x-rays....Dec 6 sure seems like a long time away for an appointment, though, when you want answers and have been dealing with this for some time now. And I agree, I do hope it is nothing more than a injured ligament or such.
Definitely keep us posted on him, and. Lori is right, he looks so huggable!
Bonnie & Angel Polly
Hoping for the best possible news for Finn!
Karen and Spirit Maggie
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Yeah, like Bonnie, wish you could get a sooner appointment. Ugh!
Hoping for a strain! Does he have any pain meds you can give him until then?
Paws crossed!
Hugs!!!!!!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle 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!
Drats I thought you were going to say he was all better. Well, ditto, hoping it's nothing but some arthritis that's bugging that big guy. Is there any way you can get in to the vet sooner? I would go bananas if I had to wait that long.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
jerry said
Drats I thought you were going to say he was all better. Well, ditto, hoping it's nothing but some arthritis that's bugging that big guy. Is there any way you can get in to the vet sooner? I would go bananas if I had to wait that long.
I could take him alot sooner, but money is a big issue. If I take him to the clinic I currently work at (my discount isn't effective yet) it would be super expensive. If I take him to the clinic I used to work at, it's more reasonably priced, but the doctor I want to see is only there every other Wednesday (Wed is my only day off). So it had to work out between a payday and when that Doctor is there :/. If I had the money, I could take him tomorrow, but alas funds are tight and bills are due. I may try to work it out to take him sooner, money is just a huge stress.
Thanks for all the kind words, I'll keep y'all updated.
Cassie and The Pack
“A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself.”
Domino had his left front leg amputate on May 13th 2014 after being hit by a car. He's now living a happy healthy life on three legs :)
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