Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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It was suggested that I post my story here to perhaps get a 2nd opinion on my dog's very
sad situation. As his owners we are very concerned, and feel we are not getting any concrete
answers as to Roadie's condition, and a future prognosis.
I am the owner of a sweet, little dog named Roadie who is 2 1/2 yrs old. We adopted him from the local
shelter, and he is a Jack Russell/Rat Terrier mix.
About five weeks ago we saw him limping, upon inspection it just appeared that he had maybe stepped
on something to injure his paw. We cleaned it , put antibiotic cream on it, and hoped it would heal up.
This was not to be the case, and we began to quickly see the foot start to rot. The pads of the toes
were rotting. We took him to the Emergency clinic, and we were told that it was a snake bite by a
very elderly vet. We were also told that the rear, left leg would have to be amputated. It was
devastating news, but we would do what we had to save our dog.
We took him the next morning to see the local vet, he agreed that the leg would have to be amputated,
and a snake bite was still the diagnosis.
Well just before surgery I was called, and told that it wasn't a snake bite, that it was heart worm, and
then he threw in some foreign name to me of vasculitis. I really had no idea what he was talking about.
He also told me before surgery, that the infected leg had laid on the other rear leg, and that there was
infection there as well. He told me that after he cut the toe nails, he saw very little blood flow.
At this point he gave me a 50/50 chance that the other rear leg would survive after the amputation.
I took the chance, and prayed for the best.
Since the amputation, I am watching the other foot slowly do the same, and it is heartbreaking.
We are on our third tube of cream, and many different medications PENTOXIFYLLINE), and the other foot is
not getting any better.
He has now formed a huge sore at his rear near the amputation that is horrifying to see.
I'm lost, I don't really know what I am dealing with here!!
My dog seems lost as well. He doesn't come when I call, he just sits like a zombie staring at the
wall. I read about how other dogs in some fashion go back to normal. My Roadie doesn't seem
to have any life in him at all, and it breaks my heart. He eats, but rarely drinks.
I can deal with the amputation, but what about his other foot? Is he ever going to show any signs
of life or happiness again?
In addition to the vasculitis, he has also tested positive to heartworm.
Any help/advice would be greatly appreciated.
The vasculitis could sure be secondary to heartworm disease, since these worms live in the blood vessels. Regardless of the cause vasculitis is often very difficult to treat, since the whole body is infected. Most of the time high-dose steroids (prednisone) or other immunosuppressive drugs need to be given in addition to the pentoxifylline. Since heartworm disease is present that should also be treated.
I must admit that the prognosis is very poor for this little dog. Steroids are usually contra-indicated after a major surgery like amputation but I don't think you have much choice, since the vasculitis will often progress to involve the entire body. I would try to contact a local vet school or Internal Medicine specialist to try and manage this case!
Good luck,
Pam
Hello Roadie and family
First, sorry to post on 'ask a vet'. I am NOT a vet (tazziedog, above, IS a vet, "Tazzie" (me) is a different dog and person who is not a vet), but I can't re-find your other post.
Next, I am so sorry to hear your story. I have never heard anything like that (we arrived about 1 year ago, due to bone cancer like most dogs on this site). I am glad you wrote to tazziedog and received her information, for she is knowledgeable.
As for your other question, there are two-legged dogs (two front legs, no hind legs) that have great quality of life. My favorite example is Popeye, a paralyzed dog that has vim and vigor and a good cart so he can rough and tumble at the dog park.
Here are some links to posts on Popeye, or just google "Popeye" and you will find his own webpage. I met a dog at a park with one of these carts. While many 4-legged Dog owners who have not experienced such health issues sometimes think a dog that is not typical is not good enough, but the dog I met sure enjoyed life as much as anyone at the park.
I hope you find a vet to help you negotiate the health issues. And I wish you strength during this time, no matter how things develop.
Will be thinking of Roadie! He sounds like a great friend.
http://tripawds.....ds/#p26370
http://tripawds.....amp;ret=al
Susan
Dr. Pam:
I very much appreciate your quick, and honest reply in regards to Roadie's situation.
I tend to agree with you, that his future prognosis is not good whatsoever.
I don't believe I am exaggerating when I say that I believe his future is going to be
very medically challenged, even if he didn't have the amputation.
For now he is only on pentoxifylline and one pain medicine.
There has been no mention of steriods by the doctor.
Truly I am just wondering if I am putting this dog through a nightmare. It's like an
instinctive feeling that there is just so much more inside of him that is wrong. Things
we cannot see, such as organ damage.
Of course finances for us are an issue, and I truly don't know if we can afford the various
medications that this dog is obviously going to need long term.
It's such a tough place to be in, it's heartbreaking.
We're already at the $1500 mark, and I'm sure a specialist would not be cheap.
When you say the prognosis for our dog is not good, it makes me wonder if I should keep going
for my own selfish reasons.
Thank you again Dr. for your advice, it really is a far cry from what our own vet is saying or not saying.
To the 2nd poster Tazzie....thank you for your concern for our Roadie. I will check out Popeye, he
sounds like an amazing, inspiring, and gifted animal.
Our own vet said that he would not do a double amputation, it clearly told me he felt it was inhumane.
My heart is both broken and filled with hope for your Roadie.
We will be praying for him.
Precious boy....
Honeygurl's pack
Dx Osteosarcoma 3/31/10. Amputation 7/21/10. Honey put up a valiant fight and lost her battle 9/22/10. Missing her and treasuring 9 years with our Honeygurl.
Oh, I'm so sorry! It seems so unfair.
Very sad.
My heart goes out to you and Roadie.
Please know that we are here for you if you need to talk.
Comet's mom
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.
Thank you to the two above posters.
I'm just in a state of not knowing what to do, the situation is grim to say the least.
How is your Roadie today? Thought of him much last night...
Honeygurl's pack
Dx Osteosarcoma 3/31/10. Amputation 7/21/10. Honey put up a valiant fight and lost her battle 9/22/10. Missing her and treasuring 9 years with our Honeygurl.
He's no different today at all. He is off in a corner in my bedroom just sitting alone.
I try to coax him out, and I get no response.
3 weeks, and no change.
He just sits hunched over constantly, I rarely ever see him laying down and relaxed.
I hate to sound negative, I wish I had something positive to say....I read other stories
of dogs recuperating and doing well, and I just wonder why Roadie is not.
Someone posted to me that the vasculitis causes lethargy.
thank you for your concern.
I don't know if this helps but the last dog I treated with vasculitis was a middle aged Rottie who started getting crusty skin sores that then broke open and would not heal. Her owners had been to a few other vets already and she wasn't responding to meds. We biopsied the sores and did an ultrasound with aspirates of her internal organs and her whole body was undergoing a severe inflammatory reaction with vasculitis. This dog had only lived in WA state and tested negative for heartworm and tick disease so her problem could have been autoimmune. Even with the steroids and other drugs she only lived 4 more months because her skin sloughed off leaving her tendons and muscles exposed. This happened to all four feet as well as parts of her face and body. The owner took great care of her and kept her bandaged but even the specialists could do nothing else for her so we had to let her go. Another very sweet dog with a very bad disease!
I think you either need to treat this aggressively by treating the primary cause (heartworm) as well as the secondary vasculitis or you need to consider euthanasia since this is a very painful and progressive disease. I am so sorry that you have to make this choice.
Pam
@ Pam:
Thank you for sharing that truthful but heartbreaking story with me.
My heart has been heavy all day. One just knows when something isn't right,
even when we try so hard to escape the painful truth.
I don't want him to suffer a long, painful, and heavily medicated future.
I want him to be happy, healthy, and the puppy he should be!
I do believe you have helped me to decide, and I thank you for that doctor.
I only wish that my own vet would have been so candid with me in his diagnosis.
Unfortunately when I questioned him on the vascilitis and the heartworm, he was
vague, and avoided looking at me.
This just plain hurts.
We are truly blessed doctor to have you on this site offering your valuable insight. God bless
you for your honesty.
I am so sorry. You certainly don't sound negative...you sound like a concerned pawrent, as you should.
Roadie is not only dealing with his surgery, he has many other complications which almost make the surgery recovery secondary. My Honey also had a serious complication after her amputation, which left her in the hospital for a week, also making her surgery recovery secondary. It was a rough week for us, very distressing.
Do the best you can for your Roadie (which is what you are doing, I know) and be brave. Pawrenting for these precious warriors is not for cowards. It is incredibly difficult, scary and disconcerting. Not to mention heartwrenching when you see your pup struggling.
Praying for Roadie.
Hugs,
Angel Honeygurl's pack
Dx Osteosarcoma 3/31/10. Amputation 7/21/10. Honey put up a valiant fight and lost her battle 9/22/10. Missing her and treasuring 9 years with our Honeygurl.
Oh, my heart goes out to you. These decisions are so difficult but it is obvious you have Roadie's best interests in my mind. I remember when my beloved older horse was sick and I was so distraught that there was no way I could make an objective decision. The wonderful vet was so kind and honest and told me when it was time to let him go. I needed that honesty.
I really hope Roadie recovers but you need to do what is best for him. We are these animals stewards and that is both a joy and a burden.
Thinking of you guys today. I can only imagine how difficult this is for you. Lots of support here for you, but that only goes so far. Hoping for a miracle.
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.
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