Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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About 3 weeks ago, I noticed that Mackenzie's rear leg was shaking when she stands. At first it wasn't so noticeable but in the last week and 1/2 or so it's gotten much worse and more frequent and she's a lot more slow moving. I took her to her regular vet last Sunday and she thought that it could be some nerve pain or discomfort. Took an x-ray of her hips to rule out arthritis or hip dysplasia. X-Rays came back really clean - everything looks perfect. She didn't see any other cancer except for the 2 tumors we already know about. So she recommended that I give Mackenzie a Gabapentin once a day and see how she does. She also said to give her a tramadol if I think she seems to be more uncomfortable. So she seemed to be doing ok with just the gabapentin until Friday when her rear leg was shaking really badly. I ended up giving her a tramadol which seemed to help (but it also made her kind of loopy.) Over the weekend she's been a lot more slow moving and it's harder for her to climb the stairs and get in and out of the car (she was groomed on Saturday and not sure if this wore her out as well..) Her one leg has weakened a lot and seems to be shaking even with the Gabapentin and tramadol. I've been giving her a 1/2 Tramadol twice a day since yesterday - hoping that it would minimize her side effects. I also noticed a couple more lumps that have recently popped up (fairly large). My oncologist ended up increasing her palladia dosage so we could see if maybe these new lumps will respond. (Mackenzie's on Palladia/Cytaxin and has been for the last 5 1/2 months. ) Just a quick background: Mackenzie was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in Sept 09 and then amputation in Nov '09 (front right leg.) She's had 5 carboplatin treatments and has been doing the metronomic since June when she first was diagnosed with lung mets (4 nodules but haven't grown since that time.)
So my question is what could be the cause of her leg shaking and does that mean she's in pain? Should I have her leg x-rayed to see if there's anything going on? Could it be an injury....I'm at a loss and not sure what I should do or up her pain meds? To make matters worse, I started a new job and can't monitor her during the day (although her petsitter does.) I'm also traveling to Hong Kong for 2 weeks on Jan 2nd and I'm worried about how she'll do when I'm gone. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks so much!
Kami (Mackenzie's Mom)
My sweet golden Mackenzie. She became my angel on Dec 29, 2010 at the age of 8 1/2 although she was always my angel from the time we brought her home. She was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in Sept 2009 and officially became a tripawd (front leg) on Nov 5, 2009. She will be forever in my heart and now she's running free with all of our other tripawd heroes. I love you Mackenzie!
Kami, everyone know's I'm not a vet, but I am a blabber mouth so I have to jump in here and say Mackenzie and you will be in my thoughts. I can feel the pain in your words, and no one here is allowed to be in pain without being reminded we are all here for you.
Sending tons of healing thoughts for Mackinzie and calming thoughts for you. I hope you get answers that bring you peace.
Shanna & Spirit Trouble ~ Trouble gained her wings 3/16/2011, a 27 1/2 month cancer survivor, tail wagging. RIP sweetheart, you are my heart and soul. Run free at Rainbow Bridge.
The November Five - Spirits Max, Cherry, Tika, Trouble & Nova. 11/2008 - 3/2013 An era ends as Queen Nova crossed the Bridge.
I'll echo what Shanna said - we're here for you and are sending tons of healing and pawsitive thoughts your way.
Sending big hugs across the miles,
Holly, Zuzu and Susan
Holly joined the world of tripawds on 12/29/2009. She has a big little sister, Zuzu, who idolizes Holly and tries to make all of her toys into tripawds in Holly's honor. And she's enjoying life one hop at a time!
http://anyemery.....ipawds.com
kbryant said:
I took her to her regular vet last Sunday and she thought that it could be some nerve pain or discomfort.
Sorry you missed last night's chat last with Dr. Waldman from CARE. You might want to contact California Animal Rehab and schedule a consult, they are on Olympic in Santa Monica and do some amazing work identifying and treating neurological and othopedic issues. Ask for Dr. Waldman and tell them Tripawds sent you!
Best wishes to you and Mackenzie.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thanks Jim - that sounds like a great idea. I know when I saw that you were having this chat I would have really benefitted from it but I couldn't make the time. Will definitely look them up. When I feel her rear leg, it feels like she's lost some muscle mass - maybe it's atrophied and that's also causing this weakness and shaking if something like that can happen.
Shanna and Susan - thanks so much for your very kind words - it really means a lot to me.
Kami
My sweet golden Mackenzie. She became my angel on Dec 29, 2010 at the age of 8 1/2 although she was always my angel from the time we brought her home. She was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in Sept 2009 and officially became a tripawd (front leg) on Nov 5, 2009. She will be forever in my heart and now she's running free with all of our other tripawd heroes. I love you Mackenzie!
Oh Kami.
I know this is so stressing and I was sure hoping the Gabapentin would help. Maybe Dr. Pam will jump in.
I did a google search just to see if anything popped out...one article said muscle weakness can cause it which can happen with just age. Maybe that is all it is.
This is very upsetting but we are here for you.
Little Comet Corgi/Lab Mix 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.
Kami,
I have noticed Fortis' remaining rear leg shaking radically at times. Just today I noticed it to a degree that was at that moment very alarming. It has always subsided and for us has never seemed to have any long lasting effects. I'm not saying that makenzie's situation isn't something to be concerned about only that Fortis' has not caused us problems up to this point.
Makenzie and you are very very special to us. I can't seem to find the words that I'm so desperately seeking for but please know my prayers are with you. I can only borrow from Shanna in saying we are sending positive healing thoughts your way.
Brett and Fortis
Kami, I have no experience with what you are going through with this, except that I know how stressed I am whenever ANYTHING is wrong with Cooper. I know that Mackenzie is in good hands and that she will get the best care you can get her, we are all here for you and sending up prayers for Mackenzie and positive thoughts. It feels as though it is so little to say to you , but as Brett says we fight desperately to find the words that can carry the weight of the feelings we have for anyone here in the group going through hard times!
Cooper and Coops pack
Coopsdad/ Kenneth Blackburn
http://cooper.t.....ipawds.com
the monkeydogs only THINK they have invaded the tripawd state
You guys are the best!! I so appreciate your comments and am so grateful for your support. You know, Comet you might be on to something. I noticed that her leg that shakes seems like it lost some muscle mass compared to her other rear leg. And maybe this is the problem. I was massaging it earlier and she didn't seem to flinch in pain or anything. I was moving her leg around to see if she moved but she stayed still which leads me to believe that she's not in pain. She seemed to enjoy the massage. Brett, I know what you mean by radical shaking and it brings me a lot of relief to know that Fortis goes through similar shaking and it's not for long periods. But the alarming part about this is how much she's slowed down and how much more difficult it is for her to move around (and not even sure if it's because of her pain meds.) But I will keep everyone posted. And I so so appreciate all of your support during something like this - I can only hope that it's nothing more than muscle weakness.
Thanks again everyone!! This community is truly amazing!!
Kami
My sweet golden Mackenzie. She became my angel on Dec 29, 2010 at the age of 8 1/2 although she was always my angel from the time we brought her home. She was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in Sept 2009 and officially became a tripawd (front leg) on Nov 5, 2009. She will be forever in my heart and now she's running free with all of our other tripawd heroes. I love you Mackenzie!
About a year ago, I started noticing tremors in Isabelle's L rear leg (now amputated), initially after a lot of activity or repetitive movement. Within two weeks, she had clearly lost muscle mass in that leg & she would sometimes have tremors at rest. Within this time frame, she suddenly had difficulty walking & was diagnosed w/L-S arthritis. She had become an expert at not bearing weight on that limb, therefore the muscle wasting. After a lot of rehab, she eventually regained a bit of muscle, but reverted back to not bearing full weight on land whenever her spine was painful. She now, occasionally has themin her remaining rear leg if her arthritis is flaring or she has been very active. The tremors themselves are not painful, but her spine can be. If I watch her movements when I see tremors, I can always tell she is having pain in her spine.
We were so incredibly fortunate that Isabelle's OSC was in her L rear limb. With already atrophied muscle , there was minimal vascularization, which made her amputation easy. Her remaining limb had already been bearing the majority of her weight, so using it alone came naturally. If it had been any other limb, amputation would likely have not been an option.
I can't say enough about the benefits of rehab. Even w/severe L-S disease, it has enabled her to be active and live well.
Best of luck.
Cynthia
Reading your post again...getting in & out of the car, getting up, and walking up stairs were just what Isabelle had problems with when her arthritis was diagnosed. We did the same initially, w/negative hip & leg imaging. The minute the integrative/rehab vet saw her, she did spine films & the problem was obvious.
Hi Kami,
Just reading about Mackenzie now. Has her ACL been checked by a vet? I do worry about the muscle atrophy...I would take Admin's advice and contact CARE if you're so close to them! Maybe Dr. Waldman can help with a diagnosis... I have a friend with an older Golden and one of her rear legs trembles at times....she's never really gotten a diganosis. Seems to happen with more exercise. Good luck to you and Mackenzie!!
Tracy, Maggie's Mom
Maggie was amputated for soft tissue sarcoma 10-20-09
Maggie lost her battle with kidney disease on 8-24-13
Thanks Cynthia and Tracy! Makes total sense and makes me feel better that maybe we can work through this. I am definitely calling Dr. Waldman to see about getting a diagnosis. And maybe you're right Cynthia - it has to do with her spine. She has an awfully big lump on her back and that may be adding to this. Appreciate you sharing your experience with this and glad that Isabelle is doing well now.
Thanks again!
Kami
My sweet golden Mackenzie. She became my angel on Dec 29, 2010 at the age of 8 1/2 although she was always my angel from the time we brought her home. She was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in Sept 2009 and officially became a tripawd (front leg) on Nov 5, 2009. She will be forever in my heart and now she's running free with all of our other tripawd heroes. I love you Mackenzie!
Kami and Mackenzie,
Tasha and I are also sending prayers and pawsitive thoughts your way. We will be thing of you both.
Jo Ann & Tasha
Tasha 8 years old, First cancer diagnosis 6/26/09, Last cancer diagnosis 9/26/09, Amputation 10/01/09, Loving our girl moment by moment.
Tasha lost her battle and became my Angel on May 4 2011. Forever in my heart….
Hi Kami,
Sammy's leg does that too. It isn't a specific leg, but at least once a day one o them will start this shaking, like his leg is on vibration mode. It will last from a minute or so, up to several minutes. I think the difference between Sammy and Mackenzie is that Sammy has always experienced this.
Mckenzie is so well taken care of that I am sure you will figure out what it is and hopefully it is going to be nothing at all. Being away from her is really going to be hard, but you have to do what you have to do to be able to provide for her health. So maybe, we can be around for whomever is taking care of her while you are away. If they have questions or concerns not only is your vet available, but so are we. I hope that gives you some comfort.
Hugs and good healing thoughts and prayers from us to you and Mckenzie,
Elizabeth and Sammy
Diagnosed with osteosarcoma in the right front leg 8/23/10,
leg fractured 8/27/10,
leg amputated 8/30/10
http://sammyand.....pawds.com/
I couldn't begin to say how special Sammy is to us. Living and laughing with and loving this wonderful boy is priceless.
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