Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Back with Belle's update after seeing Dr. Stramel today. So he thinks she has elbow dysplasia in her front left leg! So 3 bad legs... Unfortunately due to the weird winter storm we had in February they do not have an x-ray machine right now. So we are working on a referral to the imaging place to do x-rays +/- ct scan. Will need to do that before deciding anything. So not worrying about surgery on the back legs for the time being. Basically need to work on the front leg first. We are going to try some amantadine instead of tramadol. We did talk about some alternative therapies (platelet rich plasma, stem cell & Synovetin OA). I'll have to do some research on all of that. But I guess at this point will need some more diagnostics before deciding what to do. He was surprised no one has noticed the elbow & said it's been going on awhile. I've noticed it & mentioned it but everyone says it's because she's shifting her weight to the front legs... So still lots to figure out. Thankfully right now she's more comfortable for the time being. Not sure how many people have been in this type of situation when you have this many legs involved...
Ok let me just say that I LOVE the way Dr. Stamel things. All of the therapies he has recommended are cutting-edge, breakthrough treatments that will undoubtedly become routine soon. You are so lucky to work with him!
I'm glad Belle is comfortable. Amantadine should make a difference.
At least now you have an excellent vet working to help boost her quality of life. I'm sorry you have to wait for the diagnostics. Ugh! Hang in there.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Even though Belle is dealing with these "challenges", she is mighty lucky to have you advocating for her. Yoi are taking such good care of her and clearly will do what it takes to give her the best life possible.
I'm really glad you finally have under the care of a Doct who seems to have a good handle on how to help her.
You are fi ally getting some answers and some solutions. You two jave been throu so much. I really hope you ate on a path now to give Belle a pain free life that allows Belle to be Belle.
Give yourself a big hug for staying the course and not throwing in the towel. Your strength comes shining through .
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!
Belle finally had her CT scan & just took a little while to talk to everyone about the results. She does not have elbow dysplasia, but a subluxated elbow. We are in a tough situation with 3 bad legs basically! I may try platelet rich plasma injections (can do all 3 legs), see how that goes & we may try another patella surgery. Her main longer term issues will be arthritis (which she's already developed in the front left leg) & long term pain management . So we have a few things we will try & go from there. Thanks for all the support and we will see how things go.
Leave it to Belle to have "unusual" challenges. Definitely she's one of a ki d on so many levels!
It does sound like you do have options to consider and she's comfortable, so all that's a plus.
Do keep us updated as you can, okay? Belle's journey is teach us all a lot and we want to support you as best we can and in any way we can❤
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!
Drats I'm sorry she is dealing with that, ouch! My point of view is always try the least invasive route first. From what I've heard from pain management experts, PRP is supposed to be an excellent emerging therapy. Dr. Stramel is so cutting-edge, would he be doing the injections? Glad that this technique an option for you. Did you talk about rehabilitation therapy in conjunction with the treatments?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I think we are going to try a round of PRP injections next week. They said we should be able to stop her nsaid 5 days after that. The next step would be laser and/or acupuncture. Basically she isn’t going to be normal, but can try to give her the best life while we can. I’m not sure if I really want to pursue another patella surgery since she had such a rough time & it seems to be low chances it would work. I think since we are dealing with multiple issues & she’s already developed arthritis in the front leg...no one really seems to be pushing for surgery. Definitely hard to decide what to do.
That sounds like an excellent plan, completely reasonable. We will keep our paws crossed for good results and look forward to hearing about it.
You are doing everything possible to help give her an excellent quality of life. Sometimes that means just managing conditions without adding new stressors that would make life more difficult for the patient. Nothing wrong with that at all. You absolutely have her best interests in mind! She's a lucky girl.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
.You are doing everything possible to help give her an excellent quality of life. Sometimes that means just managing conditions without adding new stressors that would make life more difficult for the patient. Nothing wrong with that at all. You absolutely have her best interests in mind! She’s a lucky girl.
Exactly! You know your girl best and are moving forward with a plan that will mot compromise her quality. The treatments sound basically painless, not invasive and not dealing with a "recovery" time per se.
Rarely would I inject my own "I would do the same thing".......but ....well........yeah.....shhhh.......I would try that approach too.
Keep us posted and know that we are all definitely cheering for your sweet girl.
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!
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