Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hello,
I came across this forum while attempting to figure out what has happened to my tripod. She appears to have hurt her back left hip and has previously had her back right leg amputated. Sox is a 50-55lb 3 year old terrier mix. I'm not sure of the mechanism of injury but the leg started buckling at the dog park. There is an audible clicking that happens when moving the hip through ROM (not every rotation but it happened 2 out of 4 attempts). I'm not seeing any strength changes but her leg buckles from time to time when running around or attempting to run up stairs. The injury is about 2 weeks old and she has been on an anti-inflammatory but it doesn't appear to be getting better or worse. It has changed her behaviors, she is usually very excited to play and convinces my other dog to play with her but I've seen her turn down the opportunity to play multiple times. She is very stoic with her injury but it just breaks my heart that she isn't the same firecracker that I'm used to.
My question is, if it is an injury that needs surgery, how will she be able to recover without a good back leg? I'm thinking it could be a labral tear. I've got an appointment with a specialist but I have to worry for 1.5 weeks before we are able to get in.
Thank you so much for your time.
Sorry to hear about Sox. Hopefully you'll hear from one of our veterinary expert members soon. You'll find plenty of feedback from other members discussing remaining leg surgeries there dogs have recovered from after having an amputation by searching these forums.
You may also find these related Tripawds News blog posts helpful:
When a Tripawd Needs Another Leg Surgery
Tripawds Orthopedic Survey for Colorado State University
Best wishes, please keep us posted! Thanks for joining, your future forum posts will not require moderation.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
A quick update. She just hopped into the living room with her hip abducted further than usual. I was able to pop the joint back into place and she was hopping around like normal afterwards. It is looking like something is wrong with the joint capsule to allow the femur to sublux.
Check out Murphy's story under the Beyond Cancer heading. He had a total hip replacement after losing one of his back legs. It was a long recovery, but worth every minute of it.
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!
Thanks for the replies. I've read Murphy's story and it is quite inspiring. Sox is just 3 years old and not sure if she is even a candidate for a THR. This vet appointment can't get here fast enough, not having any answers is the worst part.
Thanks again!
Timothy
Online
Hi Timothy and Sox!
Sox sounds like a delightful fiesty gal! Really sorry he is havng these challenges.....just not fair! Curious why she had the amp. in the first place and ow long ago.
I kow waiting for the appt. seems like an etermity. Just a suggestion.....call the specialist everyday and ask the receptionist everyday if there has been a cancellation.....omce in tne morning and once towards the end of the day. I can almost guarantee yu there will be a cancellation. You want them to have the mindset to call you first before filling the space with the "next referral". I really hope this works for you! It's worth the calls!
As you will see as you navigate and check out the liks, unfortunately, this type of thing has happened to other tripawds but it is fixable!!
Sox is clearly a very smart girl to kmow that she should ot be playing full out right now. Did the vet suggest a pain med such as tramadol? That could at least take the edge off.
Please keep us posted.
Best wishes to you and Sox
Sally and Happy Hannah
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!
Murphy had just turned three when he had his THR. It might even be that Sox would be a candidate for a toggle to hold the hip on place while the hip joint heals.
Where are you located? We are in Idaho. Our surgeon has done hundreds of THR surgeries, but Murphy was only his fourth Tripawd. All four of them are doing remarkably well.
Please 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!
Sox's leg was broken when I first found her and she was just dragging her leg around. Her amputation was approximately 2 years ago. She has been a very active dog and loves to chase / wrestle and play tug of war. The vet gave us a 2 week supply of a NSAID which I'm sure is helping with the pain. She is very stoic so it is hard to judge pain, it almost looks like she is more embarrassed than in pain when the hip buckles on her.
We are located in Tennessee. I've got an appointment with UT Vet and he/she is Ortho and CCRP certified. How is Murphy's activity level now as opposed to prior to injury? I want Sox to regain as much function as possible so she can be her old self.
Thanks,
Timothy
tvance0724 said
We are located in Tennessee. I've got an appointment with UT Vet and he/she is Ortho and CCRP certified.
Wow you couldn't be in better hands, they're the best in the country, they started the entire veterinary rehab vet certification program in the U.S. Would love to hear more about your experience. Keep us posted and give Sox a big smooch from us.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I just want to chime in here to lend my heart and support. It's tough. I'm sorry you have to see your pup go through this. Until the vet appointment arrives, call daily to see if you can get in sooner! Then, keep administering meds (can you up the dose?) and keep Sox quiet. Icing the area may help too, if Sox will tolerate it. Yikes! I'm so sorry. But Murphy's story ought to give you loads of courage! Murphy is rockin' it and is doing SO well.
~ Katy & Jackson
ACL tear in right hind leg 12/5/12 and scheduled ACL repair surgery 12/21/12. Pre-op xrays revealed osteosarcoma. Amputation 12/28/12. Chemo (carboplatin) started Jan 10, 2013 and ended on April 5, for a total of 5 doses. He handled carbo like a champ! No side effects. We started metronomic therapy at his third chemo and have been also doing some holistic treatments. He's a lively, playful 10 year old huskie-boarder collie and a very proud member of the Winter Warriors! Our love. Our funny little guy!
Murphy acts like he has never had anything wrong with him. This afternoon he bolted out the back door after the squirrels who were acting like they were trying to get into HIS bean patch. Turned out they just wanted one of the few apples they have left us on the tree. He goes on long walks (two miles last Saturday at a huge charity dog walk), runs, tussles with his quadpawd brother, and swims like there is no tomorrow.
He does have his quirks...refuses to go up the ramp unless he's wearing his harness (even though there isn't anyone holding on to the other end of it) and looks at the stairs like he has no desire to be upstairs (even though he can and has walked right up). He is just being his usual stubborn self, and we love him for it.
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!
"Site hijack alert".....Murphy, you guardyour beanpatch bh! Good job! Squirrels are supposed to eat acorns, not Murhy's green beans!
Hugs!
Sally and Hapy Hannah
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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