Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
Tripawds is your home to learn how to care for a three legged dog or cat, with answers about dog leg amputation, and cat amputation recovery from many years of member experiences.
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Hello,
My 7 yr old pit Deuce had some type of accident last July while staying with a friend of the family for a week while we were at the beach and we came home to a limping boy. After seeing several vets and being misdiagnosed many times the limping became worse and he always kept his fr leg up and barely used it he started getting nerve and muscle spams but still never cried or showed pain and still begged to go for his daily walks.
The end of February beginning of March the serve pain hit, up all night crying and just couldn't get comfortable. He was once attacked by 4 other pits while on the chain and never once cried! 7 yrs I've never heard my boy cry til then. More vets and specialist and still no one knew what was wrong with him. We were referred to a surgeon that said he had nerve damage and needed his leg amputated and he would be back to my strong healthy puppy minded self in no time!
The first 3-4 days being back home he was doing amazing! Begging for his walks (he did not get) trying to run around and chase his ball (I put away to keep him relaxed) talking back to me and he even had some of his puppy mentality back but all of a sudden everything changed and not for the best! In 3 days it will be 4 weeks since his amputation and he's worse. He gets twitches and spams all over his body and his head is swollen. The vet said it's fluid build up but can't get it to drain however was able to drain the fluid from his shoulder where his leg was missing. His back legs are weak and shake when trying to walk or stand. He's on medication and antibiotics but no improvement. Has this happened to anyone's baby after amputation? I'm ready to put him down because no one knows what is going on not even the surgeon. I truly feel he was misdiagnosed again and whatever he really has spread extremely fast after the amputation.
Thank you
Deuce and family, welcome. Your future posts won't need to wait for approval.
I'm so sorry about all of the issues you and Deuce have gone through, what a tough time. I'm hoping that our Fairy Vet Mother might have some ideas for you about this condition, because it's not something I've ever read about at least here in this community. Typically we see excess fluid build-up in the remaining limbs, or at the amputation incision (a 'seroma ' which is what it sounds like was happening to Deuce's shoulder), but I can't recall anyone mentioning it happening in the head.
I'm not a vet, but it seems that if your vet doesn't have a plan that is helping Deuce to get better, it's in Deuce's best interest to get a second opinion from another veterinarian. What is your vet's plan? Does s/he have one?
Try not to panic. Oftentimes what we think are untreatable conditions can be treated with proper care. Stay strong, Deuce is counting on you.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thank you for reaching out! Yes it has been a long journey and my poor boy can't take much more! The plan is to see an internal specialist but as we wait on the specialist to review his records his health is declining. He has been on Amoxicillin as he had fever with the swelling but it is not going down or getting any better. It only been 5 days and he has 5 more days on it and I'm trying not to freak just yet because I know it takes time but I don't know how much time he has.
He now is not eating again but very very little even when I make him what I know he loves. The fluid in his head seems to be coming out of his eyes and he always looks like he's crying. It's very slimy and at times may look whitish or yellow which I don't understand since he's on Amoxicillin. This started Friday evening once the vet was closed and I will be calling in the morning. I have put over $6000 into vets, specialist an a surgeon and there's been no improvement. My family of 7 has been struggling with 1 vehicle for 5 months because I promised Deuce I was going to help get him back as I cannot take the loss of another fur baby!
I lost my girl a few years ago when VA had a huge snow storm and the roads were closed plus no 4-wheel drive. Her first litter she had 10 pups all still born but 3. The 3 died a day after each other. A few years she got pregnant while I was at work and she was bigger than she was her first littler so I took her to a vet only to find out she was only carrying 2 pups. She was in labor for 3 days and the first pup was a still born. the second pup was stuck inside of her and the vet told me I needed to whatever I could to get the pup out to save my Karma girl! I tried and the pup ripped inside of her by the time the roads were opened and you could get to the ER vet they said we needed $10,000 up front or there was nothing they could do.
We didn't have that kind of money and they wouldn't work with us so we had to turn her over to them. I have not been able to move on and I am trying everything in my power to prevent losing Deuce! I told the vet to please let me know when there's nothing more that can be done and it was time to let go! It hurts not knowing what is truly wrong with him and it's hard to understand why it can't be found.
Thank you for letting me be a part of your group! I think this is a great group with a lot of very useful information!
To read everything you are dealing with, present and past, just breaks my heart for you. I'm just shaking my head in disbelief.
To have done so well after surgery in such a short time was so encouraging
What,,if anything has been suggested as far as checking for brain tumors. tumors of the spine, etc? Or nasal tumors as they can cause swelling and eye drainage. .Seems like something neurologic could be going on. Jist throwing stuff out there. So confusing for you.
Is he on pain meds, which it sounds like he needs? Prednisone?.
Your Karma knows uou did everything possible. Dogs love us so unconditionally, she would NOT want you regretting what had to be done. Very few could come up with that much money. You already went above and beyond and shemknowsmjow muchmyou loved her. But she would NOT want you giving one more energy to regretting thatnyou weren't a millionaire. She had a great life with you and that's what she needs you to know and to remember!
And the same goes for Deuce! You have already done more than most would do! Deuce knows you are doing everything possible for him. Sometimes thismpiece of crap disease is so sneaky and so brutal, it just defies all medical therapies.
Were all sending you pawsitive energy, strength and clarity...as well as lots of cyber hugs!
I do hope our Volunteer Vet can give you some insight.
Love and hugs
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
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!
Did he have an MRI prior to surgery? It is possible he has a nerve sheath tumor. It is also possible he has post-op infection or inflammation. He should be on a stronger antibiotic than just amoxicillin. Is he on Clavamox? He also should be on gabapentin and an NSAID. As you know this breed has a very high tolerance for pain so if he is that painful I am often looking for neurologic pain and not just post-op.
Pam
Thank you for taking the time to respond!
I as well feel it maybe neurological pain but no one agrees with me but at the same time no one knows what's truly going on. His vet mentioned nerve sheath tumor could be a possibility after his pain increased to the point he was crying very loudly however the surgeon did not believe that was correct. Deuce only had x-rays and a physical exam that consist of touching his body and trying to get him to cry by moving his limp leg around. He lost 85% of his muscle in that leg and used the top of his paw to walk on as if it was the bottom of the paw. He was 100 lbs and now is only 73 lbs and he was all muscle before his accident.
The only blood work he had done was the day of the surgery. Our friend that kept him while we were away said that he was on the chain with his harness on and tried to jump the fence when he saw another animal and his leg got stuck. The surgeon said the story was consistent with nerve damage and therefore that is what was going on. Deuce is aggressive towards other animals so every time we went to the vet his adrenaline kicked in from the smell of the other animals because I was always have to bring him in through the back so that he won't see any other animal and he showed no pain even after me telling the vet he cried the entire night and would stand leaning to the side and moan for up to 10 minutes so I started recording him to show how he was acting and the amount of pain he was in. It was so heartbreaking and still crushes my heart if I watch it.
He has been on Gabapentin and Methocarbamol since late February early March. Yes this breed has a high tolerance for pain and that's how I knew it was serve when he started crying and screaming. It would hit while he was sleeping, trying to lay/sit down and get up or just laying there watching TV (the front door, he is like a grumpy old man yelling at the neighborhood kids for making to much noise). He had fluid drained from the incision site 6 days after surgery when his stitches were removed and a few days later his neck was full of fluid but nothing came out when they tried to drain it. I took him again on 06/11/18 to have the fluid drained from his neck and head but again nothing came out.
What I would do for my children I would do for my fur baby! This has taken a major toll on me in every way you could imagine!
It does sound like a brachial plexus injury so amputation was the right choice but that amount of pain is not typical. I would see about putting him on Rimadyl or meloxicam. Is he on anything stronger than amoxicillin?
Pam
No just Amoxicillin. Spoke with the surgeon again yesterday and he is supposed to talk to the vet about a game plan because he is saying the swelling in the head is not related to the amputation. He is concerned and Deuce's protein level and he sounds very congested and I can't tell if it's just congestion or possible fluid in his lungs. He has now stopped eating again and it was difficult trying to get him to take his medicine yesterday. The surgeon did tell me to start giving him 50 mg of Benadryl twice a day because it looks like he might being having an allergic reaction to something or was possibly stung by a bee or bit by a spider and if it's not an allergic reaction taking the Benadryl won't hurt him.
Fingers and paws crossed that I get a call from the vet with a game plan! His lip feels like it's going to explode 🙁
That does not sound like an allergic reaction but Benadryl wouldn't hurt. Most likely is edema secondary to surgery. If he has an infection amoxicillin is unlikely to be strong enough, although that is up to your vet. I would seek a second opinion.
Pam
Yes, please get a second opinion!!.
And PLEASE discuss all the points our Volunteer Vet has mentioned
....something stronger than amoxicillin
......neurologic issue
.....adding Rymadyl or Meloxicam
....edema, infection
And I know the Surgeon "dismissed" nerve sheath without any more tests,,right?
And not NEW blood tests? Just referencing that he has a protein "issue"?
Any input when you explained the congestion?? Any check for fluid on the lungs???
When was the last time a Vet actually saw him and actually saw the swelling, listened to his lungs, etc?
Have they offered an appetite stimulant? Im sure you're trying every yummy food you can think of....cheesevurgers, scrambled eggs and bacon, steak, etc. Also, Fresh Pet in the refrigerator section is a yummy food. Whole Foods, Target, a lot of places carry it.
PLEASE get his records and take him in for a second opinion asap!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hang in there. Somerimes a new set of eyes can zone in on the issue quickly and you can get this handled! There has fot ro be a reason for all this that CAN BE FIGURED OUT AND TREATED!!! Stay strong!
Extra hugs
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
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!
His last blood work was on June 4th and everything looked good except his red blood count was a little low but nothing to be concerned of. His last actually visit with the swelling in his head was on 06/11/18. Today marks exactly 4 weeks from his surgery and with an extremely heavy heart I have to inform you that I had to let him go about 2 hours ago.
He defiantly had fluid in his lungs and a lot of it. He started struggling badly to breath and couldn't even sit up. He had accidents on himself and decline extremely fast. The surgeon and vet never had time to talk and come up with a game plan. He went downhill fast within hours of my last post. They believe he may have had cancer on top of his injury or maybe cancer is what caused the leg to go bad and look like an injury and that the amputation may have flared it up and it took over his body but he was too far gone to help. They asked if I wanted to have an autopsy done and absolutely I do!
I want to know what in the world happened to my baby!! Not sure how long it will take but I will let you all know the results as soon as I know something. Thank you all so much!!
Absolutely stunned! Devastated! A puddle of tears right now. I'm coming back, but just had to reach out and hug you.
Please stay connected and let us help carry you right now. We know you are heartbroken. We also know you did EVERYTHING...EVERYTHING POSSIBLE, EVERYTHING...EVERYTHING RIGHT to help Deuce! He KNOWS how much you love him! Such a vicious unrelenting disease that does what it wants with no mercy.
We are all here for you
With love
Sally and My Chunky Spiritual Being Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie
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!
As your beloved Deuce fot closer and closer to the Rainbow Bridge, he was no longer in pain. He started wagging as he shed his earth clothes that no longer served him.
And KARMA was there to greet him! And all jer puppies were there too, jumping all over him, playing ball with him, feeling soooooo happy and joyful.
Yes, unfortunately your pain is just beginning, but his has ended. Try and find comfort in that.
When yoi can, please share more of your preciius boy with us. Even through the tea4s, his avatar picture makes me smile. That's Deuce. That's how he lived his life...happy and smiling.
Deuce will connect with you. He will send you a sign he's okay and he's srill srill with you. Right now though, he's too busy xhowing down on his welcome baxk home meal...steak and ice cream
Surrounding you with Deuce's eternal smile
Sally and My Chunky Spiritual Being Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie
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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