Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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I don't know if I am grasping at straws or what...
Champ can't stand. This started Saturday... of course a holiday weekend and no vets available... He sits with his remaining rear leg straight out in front of him and scooches himself around. When I carry him outside to potty I have to support the leg and sometimes his toes roll underneath like he doesn't have any control of his leg/foot.
Any ideas? Maybe it's not the cancer wrecking his body this time.... maybe it's a hip issue, dislocation... something that can be fixed...
Am I being unrealistic and just grasping at anything so I don't have to face what I might have to do?
Thanks,
Joy
Joy, I'm so sad to hear that Champ is not able to stand up. I'm not a vet but my first thoughts are that if he is eating and eliminating, and not showing any signs of pain, I would say it's not an emergency but I would definitely call the vet first thing tomorrow. For now, be sure not to give him liquids too late at night so he doesn't eliminate in his bed.
I'll be honest, my other thoughts are that it could be something like a spinal embolism (which can be treatable) or it could be a sign that the cancer has gone to his spine, which is not treatable. Either way, it's something to see the vet over.
I'm so sorry, I wish I could be of more help. My heart goes out to you, please know we are thinking of you both. Keep us posted OK?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Joy, I am sorry Champ is having a bad weekend.
Daisy never regained the ability to use her back leg to walk without assistance but she doesnt have cancer. When I use her harness to help her walk, her back leg will make the walking motion but she does "knuckle over" quite a bit. When she is in her chair and stops more often then not she is knuckled over. She also sits with the rear leg straight out.
Let us know what the vet says. Sending you pawsitive Dalmatian vibes!
Daisy earned her wings on Oct 22, 2011 at 14 years old
She is now the official greeter at the rainbow bridge
Everyone is guaranteed a welcome sniff and Dalmatian smile
daisy2010 said:
Joy, I am sorry Champ is having a bad weekend.
Daisy never regained the ability to use her back leg to walk without assistance but she doesnt have cancer. When I use her harness to help her walk, her back leg will make the walking motion but she does "knuckle over" quite a bit. When she is in her chair and stops more often then not she is knuckled over. She also sits with the rear leg straight out.
Let us know what the vet says. Sending you pawsitive Dalmatian vibes!
What happened that Daisy lost use of her back leg? Was it spinal or hips?
She was hit by a pickup. Not to gross anyone out but the vet said it was "classic degloving" of the skin on the leg (among other injuries). The vet tried to sew the skin back on but it turned gangrene and the fasted way to recovery was amputation.
For a while she would get up and hop short distances on her own, then she would go a few weeks where she couldn't then she would try again..off and on these past 11 months now. I really hoped she would be able to run around like all the other tripawds but she just never did. Diagnostics would probably just confirm something neurological that we either wouldn't want to put her through trying to repair or couldn't afford to have repaired. Some possibilities were a pinched nerve from walking as a tripawd or old age or damage from the accident. Cornell did do some kind of nero diagnostics prior to amputation but I can't remember what it was other then they said she should be fine. She does not seem to be in any pain and is perfectly happy to be helped. She is an invalid in the human sense but she doesn't know that. She still looks forward to getting fed, going for walks and car rides. She rarely has an accident in the house. We just have a routine to take care of her and it works for us.
Daisy earned her wings on Oct 22, 2011 at 14 years old
She is now the official greeter at the rainbow bridge
Everyone is guaranteed a welcome sniff and Dalmatian smile
Oh Joy,
Again, I'm so sorry for Champ. Is he still not eating much? Have you checked his gums for greying? And have you checked his pulse?
Here's an article on it http://www.dumm.....pulse.html
With hemangio, it can come on rather fast and it could be something related to his vital organs. He has lung mets, so there is a chance it could have spread to his spine and is affecting his leg. He leg issue may be something unrelated to cancer, but you really can't put him through any surgery since the cancer has already spread.
I know I'm not typing what you want to hear but you asked if you were being unrealistic and I want to be honest so you can prepare yourself and have some wonderful quality time with Champ.
You have done so much for Champ and almost everything available to keep him comfy. When we can't keep them comfy and happy, then the hard part comes and we have to look deep inside our heart and become selfless for our furbabie's sake.
He loves you with all of his heart and you love him with all of your heart and no matter what, that won't change.
HUGS to you!
Comet - 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.
Are his gums pale? Usually if HSA metastasizes there is bleeding involved.
Cockers are prone to IVDD (intervertebral disc disease) which can cause rear leg weakness and often responds to prednisone. It may be worth a try to stop any NSAIDS and try the pred.
Pam
Comet - 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.
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