Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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So Bailee is a 111lb bullmastiff, she is 8 years old. she was recently diagnosed with cancer and three weeks ago had her back leg amputated. she was doing fine for about two weeks and now she having trouble walking. She gets up and falls down after a few steps. She is taking tramadol and she was eating, now she is not. She will not even eat treats. Could she be having trouble walking because of being constipated from the tramadol or what?
If you have any feedback please let me know, i am very worried.
Bailee & owner Victoria 
Sorry cancer brings you and Bailee here. Do you know what kind of cancer yet?
I am not a vet, but here are some thoughts in in terms of her recovery,
Has she been going poo regularly? Tramadol can be constipating, but by now you should be seeing poo. How much Tramadol is she on? Is she on gabapentin as well? Any overt signs of pain - panting, sudden yelps, etc.?
How active has she been? We were told to limit activity to leashed potty breaks until the staples came out. Too much activity could result in muscle pain or even a pulled muscle. Any particular reaction if you gently stroke along her back, hips and leg?
Have you started any form of chemo or any new meds or supplements? The not eating is most concerning to me if not, and probably means you need to call your vet.
Sorry for so many questions. We have had other members with similar issues, and frequently it is a pulled muscle or a need for a med adjustment, but you probably need to call your vet.
Otis - 106 pound lab/Dane mix, lost his right front leg to osteosarcoma on Febuary 9, 2016. Four rounds of carboplatin completed in April, 2016. Lung mets August 25, 2016. Said goodbye too soon on September 4, 2016. Lost his adopted sister, Tess, suddenly on October 9, 2016. likely due to hemangiosarcoma.
Wherever they are, they are together.
Hi Bailee and Victoria! Btw, the avatar picture is adorabE!
Havingbeen owned by several Bull Mastiffs, , and currently owned by one,I know you have a real sweet Soul in your Bailee!
I also know that they can tweak their leg and back and neck muscles and various joints very easily. Adjusting to three legs dor vig dogs takes awhile sometimes. As Christine said, If she has overdone it, too muc activity too soon can cause issues. The first several weeks should just be short leashed potty breaks, no jumping, stair climbing, etc.
You'll. need to have a Vet assess her for any disc issues, knee or hip issues, etc. Most likely complete rest and Rimadyl (or some other anti-inflammatory will nelp.
The not eating could be due to pain. The Tramadol may upset her tummy if you haven't been able to get food in her. Try any yummy food...cheese pizza, cheeseburgers, scrambled eggs, etc.
When did she poop? Try a couple of tablespoons of canned pumpkin... natural, no added spices, etc.
How volunteer Vet will see this soon. She's ow ed by really big dogs too!!
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 Victoria, welcome. I hope by now Bailee is feeling better. Please let your vet know asap what's going on. She may have just pulled a muscle and with a little massage, pain medication and R&R it will hopefully go away. But only your vet can tell you. Try not to panic OK? I know that Dr. Pam will see this post eventually but I also encourage you to start a new topic at "Size and Age Matters" so we can follow along with your story OK?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thank you for your replies!
Currently bailee is going to the vet tomorrow. However she is on 150mg of tramadol if she takes it and 50mg of deramaxx. She has not ate at all today. she is very lethargic. I came home and had to carry her back inside due to her not being able to hop back in the house. She sometimes shakes when she sleeps but she doesn't seem to be in much pain with crying of whimpering or sudden yelps. She just seems to be in pain when walking.
We are not sure what kind of cancer she has yet they are running tests and we will be doing chemo once we find out what cancer she does has.
She was walking around pretty good for the first week and a half to two weeks, she got her staples out last week thought. I stroke her amputated stump she kinda jerks it a bit but other than that nothing. And nothing when i touch her other leg.
We have tried her favorite foods and the vet suggested on the phone we try chicken soup, but she doesn't want any of it, not even the good treats. She pooped yesterday but she was really struggling and seemed like there was more in there but couldn't get it all out.
Thanks again for all your feedback,
hugs & licks from Bailee & I
Glad you can get her into the vet tomorrow. Let us know what they say. We are all thinking about you and Bailee tonight.
Otis - 106 pound lab/Dane mix, lost his right front leg to osteosarcoma on Febuary 9, 2016. Four rounds of carboplatin completed in April, 2016. Lung mets August 25, 2016. Said goodbye too soon on September 4, 2016. Lost his adopted sister, Tess, suddenly on October 9, 2016. likely due to hemangiosarcoma.
Wherever they are, they are together.
I would be worried about her back. That dose of Deramaxx is low but don't increase it without talking to your vet. They might need to change to a different med such as prednisone. I would get at least a lateral xray of the lower spine and ask for gabapentin if needed.
Pam
Unfortunately we had to put Bailee down this afternoon. They noticed her gums were yellow meaning there was something wrong with her liver. Instead of putting her in more pain we decided to put her down.
thank you everyone for your feedback.
-Victoria
I am so sorry to hear this. It is always heart breaking when one of our Tripawd family dogs doesn't get the chance to enjoy their life on 3, even for a little. My thoughts are with you and your family.
Otis - 106 pound lab/Dane mix, lost his right front leg to osteosarcoma on Febuary 9, 2016. Four rounds of carboplatin completed in April, 2016. Lung mets August 25, 2016. Said goodbye too soon on September 4, 2016. Lost his adopted sister, Tess, suddenly on October 9, 2016. likely due to hemangiosarcoma.
Wherever they are, they are together.
Deeply sorry to hear how things turned out for beautiful Bailee and completely understand your compassionate decision that she had been through enough. Wishing her sweet dreams of her happy life. Wishing you comfort in your memories of a cherished companion. You did all you could for your girl
Lisa, Minneapolis
On October 27, 2016, nearly 6 months after amputation, and 18 months since his cancer likely started, we lost Pofi to a recurrence of Soft Tissue Sarcoma in his spine quite suddenly. His canine sister also succumbed to cancer on March 1, 2019 - we lavished her with our love in the interim, but life was never quite the same without her only real canine friend. Cliff kitty had to leave us, too, suddenly, in August 2019. Lucia kitty grieved all these losses, but helped us welcome two new Lurchers into our home and our lives, Shae and Barley.
So sorry for your loss of Baylee. Sometimes circumstances just happen that leave us no choice except to give them that last gift we have left to give them even though it breaks our hearts to do so. Please know you did all you could to help your beautiful girl. Your love and caring for her shows in every way in every post. Our Angels were there waiting to make welcome Baylee at the bridge where she will watch over those she loved with healing light. Fly free new Angel Baylee. May your treasured memories of her help you at this absolutely hardest of times.
Linda & Spirit Mighty Max
I am so sorry .... hugs and lots of love coming your way.
Shelby Lynne; Jack Russell/Shiba Inu mix. Proud member of the April Angels of 2014.
October 15, 2000 to April 8, 2014
Our story: Broke rear leg in June 2013 - non-conclusive results for cancer so leg was plated and pinned. Enlarged spleen in September 2013 and had it removed and was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma and started chemotherapy. Became a Tripawd January 8th, 2014 and definitive Hemangiosarcoma diagnosis. Three major surgeries in 7 months and Shelby took them all like a champ only to lose her battle to cancer in her brain. We had 8 amazing extra months together and no regrets. #shelbystrong #loveofmylife
This just breaks our hearts to hear this. It's such a vicious disease and often has plotted it's course in ways we don't know prior to amputation.
We proceed with the surgery process and celebrate eaxh additional day. It sounded like Bailee had a smooth recovery and then the failing liver hit her seemingly out of the blue. You did EVERYTHING you could to give her a chance. EVERYTHING! I'm just so sorry.
When we lose a family member, we all grieve with you. We understand the void, the heartbreak. And when it happens as it did with Bailee, so auicklupy and unexpected, it just kicks us in the gut extra hard.
Bailee knows how much you love her. Bailee a@so knows she had sooo much happiness with you! Those happy times are what she wants you to remember. Close your eyes, take so e slow breaths, and visualize something that made her wag that tail of us! Something thst msde her happy and made you smile!! Yeah...that's what she wants you to remember.
When you can, we would love to hear more about Bailee. How did she come into your life? Did she have a favorite toy? Do you have any pictures you could share? We woukd love to celebrate her life with you. Bailee matters to us.
Surrounding you with Bailee's Bull Mastiff s@obbering kisses
Sally and My Chunky Spiritual Being Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie
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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