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Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat

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Questions on Leg Braces...
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teresa808
1
22 June 2011 - 10:37 am
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Hello Everyone,

 

I hope you are all doing great!  I needed some input on leg braces for remaining legs.  Brandy has had some really bad issues with one of her remaining back legs.  The hock area has been swollen, the leg shakes all the time and she tries not to use it when standing.  She just tip toes to keep her balance.  We took here into a new vet yesturday, and he said the bone had a "rough" appearance on the x-rays and it was very swollen.  She has lost stability in the hock area as well.  From past x-rays, the area had gotten worse in the last 6 months.  He is pretty sure that it is not cancer and he thinks it is arthritis.  He is going to take some fluid from the hock area to test it for any infections.  The doctor said she needs a brace to keep the leg stable from now on.  Can anyone tell me how this brace would work?  The brace is going to go up over the hock area and down under the foot.  We are very concerned about her being able to get up and move around if it wraps under her foot but the doctor said she needs the stability of it under her foot.  Please, if anyone has any information on this I would appreciate it.  Also, is there anything else that we can do for severe arthritis, any medications or anything.  we really need your help.

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
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2
22 June 2011 - 11:00 am
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Did you search the forums for existing topics discussing leg braces? Some of the topics mentioning OrthoPets may also offer some helpful feedback from others who have used braces.

You might want to contact OrthoPets for expert advice regarding orthotic braces for dogs. Good luck! Please let us know what you find out.

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

Las Vegas, Nevada
Member Since:
14 August 2009
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3
22 June 2011 - 11:46 pm
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I'm so sorry to hear about Brandy's leg problem.  Oh gosh. 

I don't have any knowledge about leg braces. If it's arthritis is she on Rimadyl or Metacam or Derramax?  (NSAID)  That would help A LOT! 

I read your signature line that says she is swimming.  Has that helped?

 

Wishing you tons of good wishes for Brandy!

Her Retired AvatarComet - 1999 to 2011

She departed us unexpectedly  January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.

She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.

On The Road


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24 September 2009
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23 June 2011 - 9:59 am
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I'm so sorry! But it sounds like your vet is on the right track. Is there any way you can get a referral to a qualified rehab center who can do a complete assessment on her situation?

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

teresa808
5
24 June 2011 - 9:06 pm
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Sorry for the delay in getting back to you all. 

We have been back and forth to the vet with Brandy.  The vet took fluid from the hock area and we should get word back on any possible infection or anything else that might be going on in regards to the fluid.  They also wanted to complete a bone biopsy to confirm it was not cancer...Since this is so invasive and painful, we have chosen not to put her thru that.  I mean...if it turned out to be cancer...what could they do anyway?  Ugh, this is so horrible; we are all so confused and worried.  Her doctor, along with his radiologists, are pretty certain it is not cancer though.  They are all sure it is a severe form of arthritis.  We are keeping our fingers crossed...

Our vet happens to work with Orthopets!  Brandy had the mold done and Orthopets confirmed they received it today so we should get the brace in about a week.  What a great company, very nice gal I spoke to named Megan, she was helpful and they have provided braces for many tripawds!!  Hopefully Brandy will be able to walk on it.  Ever since she lost the leg, she has become so strong willed.  From day one after the amputation, she refused to wear her swim vest because she wanted to prove to us she could swim without it.  She is still swimming, and it seems to be the one place she gets the most comfort since there is no weight on the leg.  My father put special seats around the pool for Brandy after her amputation.  Sometimes you look over at her and she is sound asleep on the ledge of the pool. 

We live on the Big Island in Hawaii and there are no rehab centers here...all of her specialists and radiologists seem to be on the mainland.  That is the problem with the vets as well.

Brandy is on Tramadol and Deramaxx.  Also, she just started adequan injections again which is used to alleviate pain of arthritis.  I just ordered her a supplement called "Super Joint Enhancer".  Has anyone tried this supplement?  I am not sure about icing the area; I forgot to ask the doctor about it.

As long as she is not on her feet, she does not seem to be in any pain which leads us to believe that is not cancer.  In her original diagnosis, she was in obvious pain from day one and licked the tumor site constantly.  The bump has not gotten any bigger, thankfully, so hopefully the brace gives her the much needed support.  I will keep you posted and I appreciate anything else you think we could do to alleviate here discomfort.

Teresa -

Brandy's Auntie

Las Vegas, Nevada
Member Since:
14 August 2009
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6
24 June 2011 - 10:22 pm
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Well, I have my fingers (and paws) crossed for better days!

I havent tried the supplement but we did the adaquan shots.  But Comet started them without checking to see if she arthritis which she really didn't have arthritis.  It did make her feel better but who knows why.

Her Retired AvatarComet - 1999 to 2011

She departed us unexpectedly  January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.

She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
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7
26 June 2011 - 4:21 pm
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Brandy, we hope it's just arthritis too! Let us know how the brace works out. We agree, Orthopets is a great company!

Check out this post on Adquan:

The Adequan and Beef Trachea Connection

You're a lucky pup, Brandy, to live where you do but yeah, I can see the drawbacks as well by not having a rehab facility around. Have you checked out our Rehab Videos with CARE? There are some really good exercise tips in the latest ones.

As for the swimming...Brandy, you know if you wear your life jacket you can swim for much longer than you can without? Trust me on that! I didn't want to wear it either but once I saw how it helped me keep my head above water, I didn't tire out as quickly and was able to play for a lot longer than I used to. Try it!

I haven't heard of that supplement, let us know if it helps. We sure hope so.

Keep us posted and when the brace comes in let's see a pic! Good luck this week.

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

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