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QuoteMy 11 year old lab, Dessa, had her back right leg amputated on Friday. She jumped off our daughters bed and wouldn't walk on that leg. I took her to the vet for an xray where they said her leg was broken and she had cancer. Did the surgery the next day. She was walking fine on just her left leg before the surgery, now she won't put any weight on it at all. Is this normal?
9:24 am
Moderator
18 October 2009
Offline
Hi and welcome to Tripawds.
Your future posts will not require moderation.
I will assume you are talking about osteosarcoma since your girl broke her leg.
Will she not put weight on her leg- or is she pretty much not interested in moving at all? She is probably on some pretty heavy pain meds, and if her surgery was just Friday she is probably still getting the surgery drugs out of her system.
My pug Maggie was a rear amp. She was walking on her own the day of surgery, but would usually only go a few steps at a time at first. That is when she would walk at all. She spent most of the first few weeks laying down.
Dessa has to learn a new way to get around. While dogs tend to adapt quickly, there is a time when they have to learn balance and build new muscles. And it seems rear amps take more time to build strength and stamina.
There are a few lucky pups who sail through recovery, almost like nothing has happened. But most of us spent the first couple weeks after surgery dealing with lots of ups and downs.
Never feel bad about calling the vet with questions either. If nothing else it will give you peace of mind.
And you might read through Jerry's required reading list or down load the ebook Three Legs and a Spare. Lots of good info there from this site on what to expect with amputation and recovery.
Karen and the pugapalooza
10:07 am
Moderator
12 February 2010
Online
welcome, our gayle is a black lab mix who lost her right front leg in feb 2010 to soft tissue sarcoma (she will be 12 in january). we agree with karen, it might possibly be the pain meds that have your pup wacked out and not wanting to get up. but, never hesitate to contact the vet if you have questions or concerns. the first two weeks are indeed 'hell weeks' with many ups and downs. we found once all of the pain meds were out of her system, gayle was much more herself. good luck – we'd love to see some pictures of dessa!! oh, and also, we always recommend increasing the medicinal naps!!
charon & gayle
10:33 am
25 April 2011
Offline
Roman had his front leg removed, and for the first couple days I helped him get on his feet and start to move with a sling. He's a bigger dog(80 lbs) and with the major trauma of the surgery hopping was painful for him, all the "jiggling" of his surgery site. Also the meds looped him out. Well wishes and Good luck!
11:18 am
16 November 2011
OfflineTucker is 9 years old and now 5 weeks since his surgery. He has some arthritis in his [remaining] legs, so we have kept him on the remadyl (sp) to help keep swelling down, even after stopping all of the other painkillers. This has significantly helped him be able to get up and around, stretch-out, and not be afraid to bear weight on all of his legs as they gain the muscle strength and adapt to the change/balance of supporting all of his activities without that 4th leg. Without the rimadyl he remained kind of curled-up even when he tried to stand-up, it was like he couldn't stretch his spine and core-out while he was getting used to his new self. I am not sure if this might be similar, but you mention that Dessa is 11, so perhaps this will help her with the recovery too. Also, as others have and will tell you, don't be discouraged these first 2 post-op weeks, the antibiotics and painkillers play tricks with a dogs body and mind, you can see my canine depression posts 4 wks ago and the support from this powerful community to see how scary it was and how we got through. Hope this helps.
Is there something your dog would do anything for? I was worried that Chloe wouldn't want to be mobile again, but she loves squeakers. If there is something your dog loves more than anything then maybe you can use it as an incentive. For the first few days Chloe wasn't interested in her toys since she was so drugged and it was actually best she just relax unless she needed to potty. After a week when I weaned her off the pain meds, she became more lively and interested in her toys. After 2 weeks she was chasing her toys and walking without her sling. Hang in there, it takes time
-Chloe's mom
11:18 am
29 October 2010
Offline
Welcome to you and Dessa. This is the site nobody wants to join, but everybody is glad they did.
I'm sorry to hear of Dessa's troubles, but as others have said, it could be just the meds and the fact that she is still deep in the heart of the recovery from the surgery. Most dogs start to seem a lot more like their old selves after the meds are done and the staples are out – about 12-14 days on average. Some take longer, some less.
By all means, though, if you are concerned give your vet a call and see what they think.
Keep us posted and Dessa starts to feel better soon!
Jackie, Abby's mom
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