Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Its 4:25 am, I haven't been to sleep yet. Nitro is having great difficulty getting around. It started shortly after I got home at 10pm, not really noticeable, he just hopped in bed after his nightly treats at about 10:45. I needed to get his diaper on him, so tried to make him stand up, and he could barely do it. Got it on him, and just let him be. Got up to let Kodi out about 4am, noticed the bed was wet under Nitro, so made him get up to go outside too. He could hardly get down the hall and outside. Is this Wobblers'? Would Wobbler's manifest itself just out of the blue, come on so quickly? Is he just out of alignment? The thought of bloat came into my head also, as he was having trouble getting comfortable.
Of course he chiro vet isn't in Green Bay until Thursday, and even then I don't have an appointment until November 3rd. I'm so scared, I can't even begin to know how Lisa and Ken have been dealing with Pofi like they have.
How can my brave warrior be fine one moment, and almost incapacitated the next? Please pray for him.
Paula and Nitro
Nitro 11 1/2 yr old Doberman; right front amp June 2014. Had 6 doses carboplatin, followed by metronomic therapy. Rocked it on 3 legs for over 3 years! My Warrior beat cancer, but couldn't beat old age. He crossed the Bridge peacefully on July 25, 2017, with dignity and on his terms. Follow his blog entitled "Doberman's journey"
"Be good, mama loves you".....run free my beautiful Warrior
Gosh, I'm so sorry to hear this, Paula. It must be really worrying and distressing. I'm afraid i don't really have much relevant experience, other than from what you describe it doesn't sound like bloat to me, and I'm wondering if Nitro has, as you suggest, got something out of alignment, or possibly trapped a nerve, or something like that? Mostly, I just wanted to say that I am thinking of you both and hoping you see an improvement soon.
Big hug,
Meg and Clare (and Elsie Pie) xxx
Ruby, Staffy, born June 2022, became a Tripawd, 20 November 2023, adopted 12 January 2024.
Also Angel Tripawd Meg (aka The Megastar), who died in April 2023, aged 14, after seven glorious years on three, and Angel Staffies Pie and Bille. In the pawprints of giants...
I can't even believe you are facing such a dramatic change with Nitro - my heart can't take this. You are in my thoughts and prayers. I hope he has either shaken this off or you have gotten to a clinic that can help you understand what may be happening.
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 to hear about Nitro. I wish I had more insight for you regarding the Wobblers but my Leland passed at 4 1/2 and Lucian is currently 2 so I've not dealt with it personally. Is Nitro's urination normally that excessive to the point where the diaper has soaked through to the bed? When Leland's health started declining he was urinating on himself in his sleep and we were never sure if it came from the prednisone he was on to fight the autoimmune disorder or if there were issues starting to occur with his kidneys.
I hope you're able to get Nitro in with a medical professional soon so you can get some direction on how best to help your sweet boy.
Keeping you in my thoughts.
Sahana and her Angel Leland and Lucian too
November 17, 2009 - June 30, 2014
May you finally be healthy and running free at the Rainbow Bridge. Until we meet again my sweet boy!
Is there an emergency vet you can get him in to? Unfortunately, I know from first hand experience that a dog can seem find one moment and in crisis the next. Any change in his meds, diet? Any chance he hurt himself or pulled something yesterday?
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.
Online
PAULA!! PAULA!! Update as soon as you can!!! As you know, muscle injuries can happen out of the blue and usually get worse before they get better.
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!
I don't have any wisdom to impart, but wanted to be sure you knew that we are keeping you and Nitro in our hearts. And as Sally said...keep us posted.
Kathi
Murphy is a five year old Lab/Chessie cross. He was hit by a car on 10/29/12 and became a Tripawd on 11/24/12. On 2/5/13, he had a total hip replacement on his remaining back leg. He has absolutely no idea that he has only three legs!
UPDATE: Murphy lived his life to the fullest, right up until an aggressive bone lesion took him across the Rainbow Bridge on April 9, 2015 and he gained his membership in the April Angels. Run free, my love. You deserve it!
Ditto that - we are all here for you!
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 don't know anything about wobblers so no help here. But my instinct says somethings tweaked here. I know that you're getting him in today if it's at all possible so prayers coming your way here too and keep us posted. Much love!
Well, he is still weak in the hind end, so hoping it's just a replay of the last time this happened and his low back was really out of alignment. He's back on his drug cocktail of gabapentin, carprofen,and tramadol, and I'm waiting to hear back from his chiro vet. If it's the same issue, I don't know why it keeps happening, maybe we just need to increase his adjustments to more than once a month. Needless to say, with a weak hind-end, his inconntinence is more pronounced. But he's alert and watchful, which is something, I guess. Man! This journey is not for the faint of heart. Things are not quite as bleak as they appeared at 4am and no sleep. I talked to his regular vet and voiced my concerns of Wobbler's, but she really doesn't feel like that fits.
Anyway, thanks for listening and caring about him. He is much-loved.
Paula and Nitro
Nitro 11 1/2 yr old Doberman; right front amp June 2014. Had 6 doses carboplatin, followed by metronomic therapy. Rocked it on 3 legs for over 3 years! My Warrior beat cancer, but couldn't beat old age. He crossed the Bridge peacefully on July 25, 2017, with dignity and on his terms. Follow his blog entitled "Doberman's journey"
"Be good, mama loves you".....run free my beautiful Warrior
Okay....exhaling now!!!! E X H A L I N G!!! 🙂 🙂 🙂
Yes, things ALWAYS seem worse when the sun has gone down and all vets are closed!
Whew!!
Thanks so much for updating.....we all care so deeplu!!!!!!!!
HUGS times a gazillion! 🙂
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!
Whew! Maybe try chiro every three weeks for a while. Could just be the natural aging process takes more of a toll on his weaker parts (his lower back) and causes it to quicker jump out of alignment. Both he and you Paula are much loved here as you can see! Keep us posted!
Thanks for updating. That is a relief. Agree with Linda, does sound as though this may be part of the natural ageing process, and more frequent chiro could help stay ahead of it. Sending love to you both.
Meg and Clare (and Elsie Pie) xxx
Ruby, Staffy, born June 2022, became a Tripawd, 20 November 2023, adopted 12 January 2024.
Also Angel Tripawd Meg (aka The Megastar), who died in April 2023, aged 14, after seven glorious years on three, and Angel Staffies Pie and Bille. In the pawprints of giants...
Just catching up on this ... my heart racing. I do know how terrifying that can be to see your baby fine one minute and not fine the next. It was literally the worst. But it sounds like it might be an adjustment issue. I honestly have no clue about wobblers so I can't help there.
And agree - this journey is not for the weak of heart - at all. It's exhausting! But it sounds like Nitro might just need to be tweaked in the right direction. Glad you were able to chat w/your vet. We are all here for you!!!
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
Paula that is such a relief!
What kind of activity did he have the day before? I'm curious, because we had a similar situation with Wyatt the other day. Not quite as bad but it scared us. It wasn't a surprise though, because the day before he took off after a stray cat! Obviously the strain of going from a standstill to 60mph didn't catch up with him until 24 hours later. Within two days, and after strict R&R, he was fine again.
I'm also curious if you've investigated rehab therapy with massage, stretching and passive range of motion? We learned in our Tripawds Fitness Course with Dr. Gross that oftentimes dogs will pull the iliopsoas muscles. Here is what she taught us. Ironic how she mentions a Dobie!
One of the worst iliopsoas problems I saw was on a young Doberman that was going after something and jumped over a chain link fence. When she came down, her back foot got stuck in the chain link and she ended up hanging by her hip. That was an acute problem, or a sudden injury.
When a dog is running and pulls the leg up suddenly after a slip or turn, I always think soft tissue (specifically iliopsoas) first. The dog will not be able to put weight on that leg, and will be in extreme pain in the hip flexor/groin region. When a tripod injures the iliopsoas, he may not want to get up at all so it is important to be proactive in this area. We will get much more into how to strengthen this area later on, but core work can help prevent the problem. The stronger the lower back, the better.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
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