Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hi,
I have a Staffordshire Bull Terrier called Rory. He is three years old and lost his front leg to gangrene just over a year ago (he was rescued from being stray).
Rory is very able and we hadn't noticed any problems relating to his lost leg until now. Last night he yelped when I gently touched the stump. We could not see any marking (cuts and bruises) last night but today it looks swollen and bruised.
It seems very painful when you gently touch the bruised area but if I press around his joint and near his shoulder it does not seem to bother him - so the pain is centred around the end of his stump,
Rory, being a typical happy Staffie, is very playful. Chasing toys and running around often results in him tumbling over onto his stump. He dives into brambles after squirrels and plays rough with other dogs. As a result he is regularly scratched underneath but I've never noticed this type of swelling or bruise before (assuming it is swelling and a bruise?).
My gut feeling is that he has badly hurt it whilst playing, and it will get better in a few days. I am however worried that this is a more serious, amputee related injury/disease. The area of concern runs along the scar.
Are you able to offer any advice?
I will of course make an appointment with the vet if it doesn't look any better tomorrow but would appreciate your comments regardless.
Richard
P.S. Great website!
forgot to mention the stats:
Rory
Male - Staffordshire Bull Terrier
18kg = 40 pounds
approx 3 years old
no other health problems except for potental allegy to pollen?? Not on any medication.
Welcome and good luck with Rory. Your future forum posts will not require moderation.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi Richard and Rory. I don't have any experience with what you're describing; I just wanted to say "welcome," and I hope it's nothing too serious. I always suggest checking with the vet, that's what they're there for. Please keep us updated on Rory.
we second what maximutt said - go to the vet and get it checked out... we had a front amp, but they took the entire leg and shoulder blade - smooth healing with no stump...so we don't have any history with this either. welcome to the site, and let us know what you find out. rory looks so cute wrapped up in the covers!
charon & spirit gayle
Life is good, so very, very good!!! Gayle enjoyed each and every moment of each and every wonderful day (naps included). She left this world December 12, 2011 – off on a new adventure.
Love Never Ends
If his amp was over a year ago and the area was well-healed then it is unlikely to be an overuse injury. He did not have cancer so that is good but sometimes there could be a bone infection or even a platelet disorder causing bruising. I would have this checked out soon!
Pam
Hi all,
Thanks for your support and advice.
The night before Rory visited the vet ended in the swollen section being bitten open or bursting, and a little bleeding. The vet hopes some antibiotics will sort the problem but if it doesn't clear up in a few days we will need to look at X Ray. The vet is worried that there is a problem below the surface, possibly something that got inside at the time of operation or injury, or something damaged.
I really hope that the antibiotics sort this but I fear this will lead to XRay and surgery - I got the feeling that the vet was not entirely confident this would work.
Rory is still in a very happy mood though, and unless he accidentally knocks the area he doesn't seem phased. We are using the old 'lampshade' hood to prevent and licking or biting of the area.
I'll keep you updated.
Rory and Richard, it's good that you saw the vet, I'm just sorry it was under these circumstances. I will say that a vet who is wiling to admit that there might be an issue like this is a good vet IMO.
Please try not to worry, it's probably nothing and will heal itself, but I will tell you that our Wyatt Ray had a similar situation last year, two years after his amputation! I'm not bringing this up to freak you out but just to let you know that sometimes weird things like this happen....
Everything turned out alright, but you may want to mention Wyatt's situation to your vet, just in case. You can read about it here. Ultimately, what the surgeons found was causing the lump was bone wax, left over from his amputation. It had come loose and started working its way out. Bone wax is used to seal off bleeding when the limb is removed and blood vessels are severed in the bone. Everything turned out fine. It wasn't cheap, since it took the surgeons over two hours and three nights in the hospital to figure out what was wrong, and these are some of the best surgeons in the world at Colorado State. So, just a head's up. I hope this isn't the case with Rory though!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thanks Jerry, Great advice which I will share with my vet next week. I have also been in contact with the vet at the RSPCA in London who amputated Rory's leg in the first place. If the antibiotics does not work he has offered to see Rory (in addition to the work by my local vet) to see if he can provide any useful advice - this may even be a free consultation, which is unusual!
Latest update. The pain seems to have subsided a little as he can now lean on the stump without flinching. The wound looks to be on the mend but the area still looks bad so I am not going to relax just yet.
You're welcome. I hope the antibiotics are working! Yes, that would be very cool if the RSPCA will look at him. Let us know.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Just a quick update.
The antibiotics worked well and the stump looks a lot better. The vet was very pleased with this outcome however we still don't know if there is a deeper problem. Time will tell, and if the issue returns Rory will certainly go for XRay and to see the RSPCA specialist.
Fingers crossed.
He's exhausted today as he spent yesterday with another staffie. Wrestling a four legged dog is not fair for a tripawd but he gives it his best shot!
Whew! That is terrific news!!! Thank you for letting us know.
Three paws up!!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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