Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Elsa has done SOOOOO well - we're 17 weeks post-amputation and she finished her last of 4 rounds of chemo 4 weeks ago.
Apart from the post-op bruising, she didn't have any complications and recovered well. The chemo didn't upset her at all, apart from the odd runny poo and all seemed well - we had our happy, loopy girl back 
Her Oncologists were pleased with her progress and were happy with how everything had gone.
However, about a week ago she didn't seem too keen to go for a walk (very unusual for her) and we had to shorten our walks as she wanted to go back. She appeared to be uncomfortable on one of her front legs, with her head 'nodding' as she made contact with the ground.
We thought that we'd discovered what was causing her discomfort - a corn on one of her front pads. She reacted when we squeezed the pad, so we started treating that. We put a boot on the offending foot when out walking, which usually does the trick (she's had corns before).
However, today even with the boot on she was still limping. My husband said that it looked as if it was the other leg and sure enough when he moved the leg around she seemed sore at the front of her shoulder.
We're going to book in to see our vet tomorrow but meanwhile we're thinking the worst as this was the area that Polo had his bone cancer......
Everyone that i've spoken to thinks that it's very unlikely but we've just got that sinking feeling (again)
I know we've got to wait until we see the vet to be sure but is there anyone out there who's had the osteo come back in another joint after amputation?
I just want someone to hug me and tell me we're worrying unnecessarily......
I can fully understand your anxiety...but Elsa my just have pulled a muscle in that other leg/shoulder. Their bodies have a lot of adjusting to do after amp surgery with big changes in their balance and their gait and pulled or sore muscles can happen so easily. Sending many hugs and prayers that tomorrow's vet appointment will bring good news and put your mind at peace.
Trini and Sketch
You probably are thinking the worst because that's where our minds go now. It's way more likely she's sore from her new gait and just getting around now. Their new way of walking/hopping puts a large amount of stress on muscles they haven't used before. Certainly go ahead and get it checked out for your piece of mind but do try not to think the worst. Maybe a good chiropractic visit would help I know Dobemom swears by them. So (((hugs))) and try not to worry. All worrying will do is rob you of today and Elsa isn't worried. She just wants you to love on her today and be happy. Let us know how your vet visit goes tomorrow?
Linda & Max
Aw, I'm sorry and I know that anxious feeling all too well. In fact at our last vet visit I asked them to xray Patches' other front leg because I was worried when she was tripping a little. Turns out she put on a little extra junk in the trunk. Like you my mind went right back to the beginning. I wish I could tell you not to worry but I think that we are hyper vigilant with good reason and that if I were you I would call the vet and if you can swing it, get an xray for your own peace of mind. It could be nothing at all but it does feel good to know one way or the other.
Sending prayers, hugs, love,
xoxo
Debbie and Patches
It's easy to think the worst, but if it's any comfort at all, since we founded Tripawds we rarely see it come back in another limb or bone. It can happen but it's not often. Usually, nine times out of 10 it's a muscle pull of some sort and some R&R does it. That happened to us and after some acupuncture he felt better and we learned better ways to manage Jerry's activity to prevent another episode, it worked beautifully.
Try not to panic. We can't control a situation but we can control how we react to it. Your amazing hero Elsa just wants you to live in the now like she does, this is good practice. Keep us posted OK? We're thinking of you.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Here's your {{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{HUG}}}}}}}}}}}}}}!!!!!
Yes, we are ALL anxious when it comes to even the slightest thing. I watch my girls like a hawk. I know the hub-a-dub gets really tired of hearing me go on about, "I think Mel's limping just slightly," or "Meesha looks like she doesn't feel well," or the Holy Jumping-Jehoshaphat, "We gotta take (insert pet's name) to the vet, NOW."
I agree, go to the vet. I'm the kind that prefers to err on the side of being a worry-wort rather than let anything creep up on my fur-babies again.
You're in great company my friend!
Keeping all paws crossed that you're worrying needlessly! xoxoxo
pam
Harmony became a Tripawd on 10/21/14 (MCT). She left us way too soon on 11/1/14.
"We miss you so much; our love, our heart, our Harmony."
- Pam, Ron and Melody, Meesha, Doublestuff and Mariah Carey
Online
A D HERE'S ANOTHER (((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((HUGS))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))
Does this journey make us whacky with panic at every little hiccup or what?! I agree with everyone else, it is highly unlikely to be anything "bad" at all!
She DEFINITELY could have strained a muscle while trying to compensate for walking on that painful corn. That is far more lpgical than anything else.
And Elsa feels good! That's your viggest clue that it's nothing major right there!!
We'll be looking for your update tomorrow. Acupuncture seems to work really well for sore muscles, etc.
(((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((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!
Thank you all for your support and encouragement
Elsa is currently snoozing in the sunlight on her favourite bed, having woolfed her breakfast down and is totally oblivious to the worry going on around her.
We went for a very short walk this morning for her to do her business (she doesn't like going in the garden) and once she was done she wanted to come home.
We're booked into see the vet later this afternoon, so hopefully the news will be good. What makes it so hard is that she's coped with everything so well and this is the first hiccup we've had, making it hard for us to deal with.
We're in two minds as to whether or not to have an x-ray done - I know we'd get a definite 'yes' or 'no' but we don't want to have her go under anaesthetic again if we can avoid it. I guess we'll be guided by Stefano, our vet.
Thank you all again and we'll keep you updated
Just want to add, they may be able tomdo the xray without putting her under. My Merry Myrtle recently had to have aome on her front leg and I asked thst thy please try first without doping her. They were able to do it.
AND, I know firsthand the worry ...she started limping instantly one day. Panic!! Two vets throught the spot they saw was that piece of crap disease. I emailed to a third vet friend...she did NOT think it was that. We all agreed to wait thirty days for more xrays. At that time they did put her under and xrayed the leg, her pelvis and her lungs. They now all agree it was most likely a "trauma" to the bone from possibly bumping into something, playing, or so e fancy name I can't remember. Anyway, they did discover one of her hip sockets has "issues" and she may have challenges later. Right now I've got her on Dasequin for that.
Sending positive energy!!!!!!!
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!
Hopefully she won't need to be put under for her X-ray...none of mine have ever been put under for X-rays. We are all counting on good news for your Elsa!!
Trini and Sketch
Well, we're back from the vets and the news isn't as good as we'd hoped it'd be.....
Stefano checked Elsa over and said that her sore shoulder was 'suspicious' as the bone felt slightly inflamed and the only way to be sure was to x-ray it.
He said that he could do it without a sedative for a dog that would be happy to stay relatively still whilst it was being done. But given that Elsa freaked out previously when he tried to put her on the table to remove her stitches, we all agreed that it wasn't practical to do so.
He's given us a weeks' worth of anti inflamatories to see if they help - we're all hoping against hope that perhaps she has had some sort of trauma to the bone.
I spoke to an Oncologist at The Animal Health Trust (the referral centre who treated Elsa) to see what sort of treatment they could offer if our worst fears were realised and basically, it's palliative only 
So, we've decided to give the aniti inflamatories a go and see what next week brings.
Please all keep us in your prayers - we're feeling pretty numb at the moment
Oh gosh, this sounds so similar to some of what Merry Myrtle and I went through.
As I mentioned before...two out of three very experienced vets were, well, ro say the least, pretty pessimistic about the putcome. They used the term "suspicious" too. The anti inflammatory did start to work! They did suggest waiting thirty days for the next xrays to see if there was any distinct difference one way or another.
Did Elsa have another xray and he said it was suspicious as a result of the xray...or just it "felt" that way??
I HIGHLY suggest getting several opinions should there be a need ro pursue this further.
As I was told by so eo e here...do not jump ahead! There is no reason to at this point, if at all. Right now there is no proof that Elsa has anything more than trauma of some sort. You can bet Elsa isn't worrying about a thing!!
Hang in there. We are ALL cheering for the best possible outcome f o r sweet Elsa!! And HAPPY SEVENTEEN WEEK AMPUVERSARY!!! And here's looking forward to many more!!
((((((((((((///((((((((/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!
Hi Elsa's Family,
I'm sure you're feeling numb. I'm so sorry it wasn't an obvious answer that would put your mind to rest. It is torture to feel like you are teetering on the edge of something bad and all you can do is watch and wait.
I think there is a good chance that it will turn out OK! It is so easy to overdo it or strain something as a tripawd, I've read many times here about pups getting better after some rest and good meds. I think if it were something really awful, you would sort of know it, because she would be in real distress. So try not to dwell on what could be (but probably isn't). Just love her and spend time with her and enjoy each day you have her in your lives.
Denise, Bill and Angel Ellie.
Active 10+ Pyr mix suddenly came up lame with ACL tear in left rear leg. Scheduled for a TPLO but final pre-op x-rays indicated a small suspicious area, possibly OSA, which could have caused the ACL tear. Surgeon opened the knee for TPLO but found soft bone. Biopsy came back positive for OSA. Became a Tripawd 9/18/14. Carbo6 with Cerenia and Fluids. Pain free and living in the moment. Crossed the Bridge on 7/12/15 after probable spread of cancer to her cervical spine. A whole lifetime of memories squeezed into 10 months. Here's her story: Eloise
Many, many prayers coming your way that the anti-inflam meds will work and the final dx will be good news.
Trini and Sketchie
Sally took the words right out of my mouth....one step at a time. Focus on the current need of having the meds help her feel better. Remember that every day is precious and making the most of it is all that counts. Since there's no way to really know what's going on at the moment without a scan, then focus on what you DO know, which is that she's here, she wants her pack to be happy and she wants to feel better. We all have our paws and fingers and tails and toes crossed!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
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