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Hello all. Winston's mom here. He is a back left leg amputee - now 6 weeks post op. He is doing very well - although I have occasional angst about his remaining back leg, which seems weak at times. We are doing short leashed walks every day - to build up his strength and keep his muscle mass up. However, sometimes his back right leg seems to lack strength. This isnt actually anything new - in that even as a young dog ( he is now 6 nearly 7) he couldnt jump into our car - always needed to be lifted. I always assumed this was premature hip dysplasia or something, although vets could find nothing wrong.
Anyone with a back leg amputee recognize this problem? Anyone have any ideas for back leg stengthening - other than what I am doing already ( regular leashed walks).
Many thanks!
Carolyn and Winston
I've had hip problems since I was a pup. My Mom learned that displaysia can only really be diagnosed using certain tests, which most general vets don't do, so that's probably why they've never found anything wrong.
My back legs have always been a little shaky even before the amp. I've definitely built up strength in them, but it took some time. I know you're a rear leg amp, so that's a little different, but I imagine that you'll need to build up muscle in that leg just as I had to build it up in my front one.
Mom gives me glucosamine and Synflex, and it make a huge difference.
Try to be patient, and hang in there. Your back leg will get really muscular, just as my remaining front leg has. It just takes time. Good luck!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi Zeus here...yeah, I'm a front leg amp too but I was very shaky at first too and still am at times. Once my muscles became stronger in my left front leg, i became more stable. Mom and I do 3, 15 min leash walks a day and we play in the backyard...it just takes some time to build the strength
Hang in there - we're with ya all the way.
Love lots,
Mom and Zeus
Heather and Spirit Zeus - Our life changing journey…from the earth to the heavens…one day at a time…always together
Glad to hear that Winston is doing well!! My Nellie had her left rear leg amputated in early March. It was three weeks before she was up and settling into her old routine of short walks, but then it seemed that every week she was getting stronger and stronger. We really didn't change anything in her routine to strengthen her specifically, but monitored the activities more to reduce injury risk and slowly rebuild endurance. Strength naturally builds with use and the glucosamine helps as well. Good Luck!
Not that I can think of a way to make them do strenthening exercise on isolated body parts like we human do.
Does Winston like water? Swimming? It is a good way to get full body workout without too much of the impact.
Thanks everyone for their very helpful suggestions! I think I have been overdoing it with Winston - as our 'short' leashed walks can be 40 minutes or more.... So its back to 15 min walks. I will see if that helps.
Jerry - could you tell me how you take Synflex - as its a liquid. Does your mom put it in your food? I think a tablet form would be easier to take but I cant find one on the Synflex website....[Image Can Not Be Found]
Many thanks!
carolyn and Winston
winstonsmom said:
Jerry - could you tell me how you take Synflex[Image Can Not Be Found] - as its a liquid.
I currently get it mixed in with my food. If you have a small feeding syringe with a large enough tube you could also squirt it straight down Winston's throat. My folks did that for me with Metacam before they started mixing that in my food too.
And don't forget, you can support this website by ordering Syn-Flex directly from the factory![Image Can Not Be Found] 
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
