Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
Tripawds is your home to learn how to care for a three legged dog or cat, with answers about dog leg amputation, and cat amputation recovery from many years of member experiences.
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Hello All,
Joe and I are new to Tripawds in all ways. I am really struggling, and to be honest so is my Joe, a 13 year old Shepard mix. I am getting very worried for him and his inability to stand/walk. I was told before the operation that he would just get up and figure it out. He has not. he has only stood up when we have fully lifted him and will not walk without aid and most of his weight off his legs. He is trying to place all his weigh on his back right leg (front left is gone) and placing almost none on the back left.
He had surgery on Tuesday (5 days ago.) We are going to the vet on Wed for bandage changes. Is there anything I can do to help him besides what we are doing. BTW our vet said to get him up and "walk him" so we are but I I am scared we are not seeing any progress. Is there anything I can do, or has anyone experienced this.
Danny
joebea said
I am really struggling, and to be honest so is my Joe...He had surgery on Tuesday (5 days ago.)
It is still very early in Joe's recovery.Most members see a vast improvement once the stitches are out and their dogs are off all the pain meds.
Please try to take things one day at a time. You've come to the right place for help and support from members. Your future forum posts will not require moderation.
...our vet said to get him up and "walk him" ...
Joe may be overdoing it! All he needs right now is confinement and rest with short, leashed potty time. We strongly suggest consulting with a certified rehab vet/tech, to identify any physical/othopedic issues and prescribe a conditioning regiment to help Joe get his groove back. The Tripawds Foundation will even reimburse you for your first consultation from the Maggie Moo Fund for Tripawd rehab, if you meet all requirements while the free sessions are still available.
Thanks for joining, and best wishes for Joe! Please keep us posted.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi Danny-
So sorry to hear Joe's been having a tough time. How big is he?
How does he seem to you otherwise? Sometimes it takes a while to get the right mix of painkillers and dogs can seem out of it and have trouble if they're taking too much. It might also be the case that he's on too little and he's in pain. There are resources around the site that can help you identify signs of pain.
Hi Danny!
I agree that it is early in the recovery period so try not to get discouraged. Some pups do seem to have more trouble getting their confidence back, that they can get up and walk again. Does he have good, non-slip surfaces to walk on? Being a tripawd on slippery floors can be really scary. Another thought are his meds. He could be feeling a little wacked out (dizzy even) and that might make him reluctant to stand and move. If he's not showing a lot of pain symptoms (panting etc) then perhaps dial back a bit on his meds and see if that helps (check w/ your vet first of course).
I'm sure others will chime in w/ their experiences so stay tuned!
Denise, Bill and Angel Ellie
PS: What is your pup's name?
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
What is Joe taking for pain? It could be he's in pain - or that he has too much medication .... both have the same symptoms, so it's hard to tell the difference sometimes. Murphy came home on Tramadol, Rimadyl & Gabapentin. Some also come home on an antibiotic. Joe's also a little older, so he just might need a little bit of time.
Donna
Donna, Glenn & Murphy
Murphy had his right front leg amputated due to histiocytic sarcoma at 7 years old. He survived 4 years, 2 months & 1 week, only to be taken by hemangiosarcoma at 11 1/2 years 6/12/17
Read about Murphy's Life on Three Legs
Hello,
Thank you all for writing back. Today was a wonderful day for Joe. He was able to walk for the first time unassisted across the living room then lowered himself to the ground.
He is 60 lbs and 13 yrs old. He is on a 4 different meds. Gabapentin and Tramadol for pain, Simplificein (sp) is an atibiotic. Azathiopine and Prednisone for his auto immune disorder. The Pred is just a precaution because of the surgery. Our home is completely carpeted. I think it is a combination of the drugs and the lack of confidence.
Just to be clear today was the first day that he has put all three paws flat on the ground so until today walking outside (9th floor of a huge Apartment building) really was not an option, We have been taking him on the balcony with wee pads. Tomorrow will be the day he gets to go smell real grass again.
Thank you all
Danny and Joe
Awe! Joe, it does get better. My pawrent read this forum every single day and still does. I'm 11 years old and had a hard time at first. The tramadol completely knocked me out and I didn't want to move. My human had to pick me up and put me in the grass to potty and feed me by hand when I was laying down. I'm only half your size, Schnauzer, and only three weeks out. After I got my staples out and off the tramadol, I started feeling much better. Unfortunately I had a set back when an abscess developed in the pocket where my legs was, but it's getting better and better. I'm starting to get up on my own. In the beginning I never let my human put that sling around me. It was uncomfortable and awkward. Just take it easy. Sleep is best right now.
Charlie, the Schnauzer and Tonya (my mamma!)
Hi Danny & Joe,
Sorry I missed Joe's name the first time 'round. And I'm glad he's made progress! Sometimes when you're in the thick of it you just can't imagine that it will get better, but it almost always does. I'm glad he's going to be able to sniff the grass today. He's still in the post-amp recovery phase so he shouldn't be doing much more than resting and going out for short potty breaks anyway.
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
Woooohooo! Yay Joe! We knew you could do it!
Danny is there any way you can try a Webmaster harness on him? We've found that the handle on top enables us to gently help our dogs without being overbearing and fully hoisting them up if they don't want it (although the harness can certainly do that). With some dogs, just a little extra help getting off the ground is all they need to get going during this phase of recovery.
Here's to a better week ahead!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Just catching up!
You have a big dog, a ...er..."mature" dog, who just had major surgery and is adapting to three legs! I know it's hard to be patient..so hard!!
Yes, many dogs, but certainly not all, are up and walking a little bit within the first 24/48 hours. The larger the dog, the older the dog, it usually takes a little longer.
Soooo glad you saw Joe showing some improvement today! I know that lifted your spirits!
Would LOVE to see some pictures of Joe!
Joe certainly is well loved and you are doi g an excellent job of caring for him! Really hope being outside today gets you a tail wag!
Again, just short potty break and then maybe he'll just enjoy laying down iutside for awhile.
Looking forward to your next update
Hugs to all!
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!
Hey all,
Joe is doing great!!! We went to the vet today and he was doing so well my vet cancelled the check in next week, so we don't go bak until the stitch removal. We still have to get him up, But he is standing for almost a minute and he is able to shake while standing which I know he has wanted to do for a while. I am so happy for him. And he walked all the way to the car and back when we went to the vet. I will post a picture soon.
Thanks
Danny
Such good news!! Joe, you have me grinning ear to ear over here! And YAY for a good shake!! Seeing the return to a normal routine like that makes us over the moon happu!
Remember to give him a good scratch all over him. He's not able to get to all the itchy spots now with three legs so you have to do it for him!
Keep on rockin' Joe! You're doing great! Slow and easy though, take it slow and easy!
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!
Oh ROCK ON Joe! This is the best news all day. Keep on hoppin. And yes, let's see those photos!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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