Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Dangit I was hoping for a clearer answer. I'm so sorry! I know you must be frustrated. We all feel badly here, this is just such a sucky situation.
I will find out what I can about any kind of stabilizing brace options. Stay tuned.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Sally, I am speechless 😞 ...
Of all people, you do not deserve this ...
I echo the words of all others you are the best Mom ever existed on the planet!
I am going to email Eurydice’s surgeon tonight for his thoughts on this, it can do no harm.
Really hope Dr Pam can suggest something which works for him.
Would a scan bring light into this?
I am sure your tripawdian family can step in and help financially in whatever capacity each of us have.
The benefit of a scan would be to provide a clear picture of what is going on and armed with that a proper plan could be drawn.
It seems to me your vet is not able to deal with this which doesn’t mean it is not possible for another more experienced vet to have a different view.
I am holding you and Frankie in my hearts and prayers, much love and cuddles flying your way 😘🐮💫✨🌟🌹
Eurydice 77kg/170lb Great Dane limping end of April 2016, amputation (right front leg/osteosarcoma) 4 May 2016 6 courses of carboplatin followed by metronomic therapy, lung mets found 30 Nov 2016. 3 courses of doxorubicin, PET scan 26 Jan 2017 showed more mets so stopped chemo. Holistic route April 2017. Lung X-ray 5 May 2017 showed several tennis ball size mets, started cortisone and diuretics. Miss Cow earned her XXL silver wings 12 June 2017, 13 months and 1 week after amputation and 6 1/2 months after lung mets, she was the goofiest dawg ever and is now happily flying from cloud to cloud woof woofing away :-)
Oh Sally! I don't even know what to say. One thing I do know is Frankie could have four burley humans doing everything by the book for him and this still probably would've happened. I'm sure half of his problem is being a tripawd to start with and the rest of it comes from being Frankie doing it my way Sinatra Holladay. So do not beat yourself up over this....it wasn't what you did or didnt do. This stuff just happens! And you also know as others have said keep us posted on where you're at and whatever decisions you make.....because we will help you any way we can in whatever capacity we can. Sending you all our love and asking God to put a protective umbrella over you and your pups starting right this very second 🙏🏻. Hang in there and keep us posted! Full disclosure my friend! 😉❤️
Sally,
So sorry to read this we are saying prayers for a 2nd opinion, brace another pawsible surgery with someone who has the experience with a tripawd. Wheels possible? I know all is an expense that is not to be taken lightly just know we are thinking of you and sending out prayers for Frankie, Myrtle, and YOU! Remember your HOPE? My turn to give it back to you!
H..ave
O…only
P….positive
E….expectations
We will watch for an update and continue HOPE and prayers for answers to a path forward keeping Frankie pain-free and back on three.
Lots of love 🍫🍪🍷
❤️❤️❤️
Oh Sally! Darling, I’m so sorry to be reading this update on Frankie!! Poor lad! Poor you!!! I have to echo what so many others have offered you... YOU ARE THE BEST MUM EVAH TO FRANKIE AND MYRTLE BOTH!!!!!
Please keep H.O.P.E. It is what drives us forward in this sometimes maddening world! We do all that we can and HOPE for the best! Know that we are there in your HOPE and will be keeping Frankie in my prayers!
Take care of yourself too my lovely lady, your furkids need you! Stay strong Sally, it isn’t all about what we can do physically for our babies right!! You are doing an amazing job with yours!
Love as always and keeping you in my thoughts! I may not be online much and I’m sorry for that, but my special Tripawd friends are always on my mind and held close to my heart!
Petra, Paul, Super Stu, Spitfire Spikey, Chester, Miss Lily and Mr Ted
Remember...“live in the moment!“ 
Sweetest Sally, just catching up. I’ve been away for a few days for work. I am gutted to hear Frankie is back on two, and that you have all this to deal with, just gutted. It’s tough as hell but ditto EVERYONE, Frankiecould not ask for a better Mum. He knows that. We all know that. He tells everyone constantly.
One thing that occurs to me is is it not a major positive that the cruciate repair has held despite the torn meniscus (if that’s what it is?)? From my understanding (which is limited) that’s a much more complex problem, and the fact the repair has held is a very positive sign, no? It also shows that Frankie (with Team Frankie behind him) has EXCELLENT HEALING POWERS! That is also a very good sign.
Now, regarding the meniscus. I know nothing about this in dogs, but both my sister and I have torn our meniscuses (menisci?). My sisters was dealt with through keyhole surgery which was pretty straightforward and she went on to run more marathons. And she only has two legs, if you think about it. Ie one less than Frankie. My own meniscus healed with rest and physio. It does flare up occasionally and I get like fluid egg on my knee but then it sorts itself out again.
You need to know more, of course, to be sure of the best way forward but Frankie and you and M.M.and all ofTeam Frankie and all the Angels above, including Happy Hannah of course, and Angel Pie, who’s her new BFF, are not to be defeated. We will conquer this one way or another. We are all Team Frankie.
Ditto the suggestion of wheels as a possibility. It might be that with Frankie’s current situation the benefits of being supported are very clear to him and he adjusts quickly. I will certainly do whatever I can to support and help in whatever way. Some sort of brace may be an option too, as you say. I’m also wondering whether it might be possible to keep him on some sort of sedative for a while to give his leg a chance to rest?. That may be a ridiculous suggestion. I don’t know. I’m just trying to think of everything possible.
I hate to think of you struggling with this. You are so deeply loved by us all. You and Frankie Sinatra and Merry Myrtle. Ditto the above, please please keep us posted. We are thinking of you and sending so much love and hope and positivity your way.
Meg, Clare and Angel Pie xxx
Ruby, Staffy, born June 2022, became a Tripawd, 23 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...
Sorry! I was out of town for a few days. This can sometimes happen and the meniscus tears or flips over and needs to be removed. I would consult an orthopedic surgeon. I know rehab sucked and you could always try a brace but these do hurt so you are probably better off considering a second surgery.
Pam
Ok Sally sweetheart 💗
Breathe and consider seeing an orthopaedic surgeon!
We are all here by your side and will support you in any way!
And if that means financially please do not refuse it, sweetie 💗
We adore you and we adore that crazy stubborn doggie of yours 💕
Perhaps Rene can point out a good orthopaedic surgeon in your area?
Sending you an avalanche of kisses and a tornado of cookies shaped cuddles to both your gorgeous pups 😘🐮💫✨🌟🌹
Eurydice 77kg/170lb Great Dane limping end of April 2016, amputation (right front leg/osteosarcoma) 4 May 2016 6 courses of carboplatin followed by metronomic therapy, lung mets found 30 Nov 2016. 3 courses of doxorubicin, PET scan 26 Jan 2017 showed more mets so stopped chemo. Holistic route April 2017. Lung X-ray 5 May 2017 showed several tennis ball size mets, started cortisone and diuretics. Miss Cow earned her XXL silver wings 12 June 2017, 13 months and 1 week after amputation and 6 1/2 months after lung mets, she was the goofiest dawg ever and is now happily flying from cloud to cloud woof woofing away :-)
Thank you so much Pam for taking time to respond. Don't know if your few days away involved some well deserved vaction time or something else. Hoping it was well deserved vacation time.
Have to admit, I was hoping you had some other magic solution up your sleeve😫😩
If it's okay with RENE and PAM,, I'd like to stay on this thread for a few more posts before I switch over to the one Linda set up for Frankie, my dear beloved Frankie, under "Hopping Around".
For one thing, I want to take a moment in the next day or so to reply here to those who have posted suggestions and loving support, as well as give an update on how Frankie is doing now.
Have Frankie on Gaba and Tram and Rimadyl. Have not gotten the right balance for him yet...still tweaking. He is hurting and can't seem to get situated in a way that doesn't hurt. I kmow I'll get this figured out though.
HA! You think a tripawd has to use momentum for their hop, you should see the speed required for a dog trying to walk on two legs on the same side! I'm hanging onto the harness and only get one step in before he has to haul ass to stay balanced. I'd forgotten (on purpose I suppose) what an impossible ordeal it was trying to harness walk him before! As pitiful as the scenario is though, it makes me laugh at the ridiculous visual of what we must look like😂🤣
PAM, just for future reference if anyone has to deal with initial cruciate repair, would you recommend removal, or partial removal, of meniscus at that time? Did you remove Athena's?
PAM, if I did a steriod injection , knowing it's only for short term comfort and knowing arthritis is a side effect (which he already has), would it help him walk better? Would he be able to use that leg, at least for awhile, or no impact? His pveruse of his other two,legs is very apparent this time around.
I know Rene is checking into a brace as a possibility and Teresa and Angel Eurydice are checking with their Vet.
One thing I will do is see if my regular Vet can get a phone consult with an Orthopedic Surgeon she may have a connection with as a professional courtesy.
Thanks again! As I say so often, the best of humanity resides here❤❤❤ Feankie and I are so lucky to to be included in your loving light.
Be back to update and to respond to your posts shortly!
H.O.P.E for some improvement somehow, someway😎
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 took off a few days to go up to Seattle to see two Pearl Jam shows so that was GREAT!!!!!
Athena still has both of her menisci. The surgeon evaluates them and if there is no issue will leave them. However I do think most surgeons will do a meniscal release incision at the time of surgery to help prevent future problems. I would say I have seen this happen only twice in the last 15 years at our clinic, but we do have a boarded surgeon do our cruciate repairs.
I am not sure if the steroid shot will help and may delay healing if you decide to move ahead with surgery.
Pam
Sincere apologies for not updating!
I DID want to wait so I could highlight each of your WONDERFULLY INFORMATIVE, HELPFUL AND LOVING RESPONSES!!!!!
I also wanted to wait until I had a more definitive plan. There is so much research to be done and I've received so much helpful suggestions, links, etc. As I process everything, I am finding "possibilities ", but with lots of "yeah, but", or caveats.....if that makes sense.
For now, I have him on some pain meds, Rimadyl and MAKING him keep his wild a** as settled as possibe! Of course, one sound putside and BAM, he's up trying to get to whatever "it" may be begging for him to come out and chase "it"!!!!
I'll update should a better clear path forward than what I'm doing now become available. He's a strong willed determined Super Cool Chill Dawg Hound roigh as nails! We're gonna enjoy this wild ride together, hopefully for a real long rine!
I KNOW you'll say it's okay not to respond to each of you....but it makes me feel AWFUL to not be able to convey to you how much each of your THOUGHTFUL comments impact me in such an empowering way!❤❤❤
But an update is important to let you all k ow qe are hanging tough😎
With love
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!
Sally please do NOT feel awful, it's the last thing that you and the critters need. Nothing but pawsitivity OK? You don't need to worry about responding, you've got enough on your plate.
Don't forget to look into Costco for the medications OK?
Also I forgot to tell you, I did ask the CSU rehab therapist about a custom brace instead of surgery in these situations. She said yes, absolutely for the right dog a custom brace can work, she has many 3-leggers in her care who are not surgery candidates and they are doing well with a brace. The cost is not cheap $1200-$1500 but far less than another surgery.
Frankie is one crazy, tough doggie and that will work in his favor. We are all sending lots of love your way!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Yes, Rene, Costco has some of the best prices and you don't need a subscription to fill human or veterinary meds there. I had a script for Oscar that cost me 10.00 instead of 50.00.
goodrx.com is also a great place to get coupons. I have saved a lot of money with them.
Sally, we all love you. Think about you a lot, and if there's anything you need please just say something 💖💖
Lots of hugs and love,
Jackie ❤️❤️
Hugs,
Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry 
Soul Sista Sally, here I am bringing up the rear AGAIN! Got on the site tonite for the first time in a few months to read that your boy, evidently deciding that his best sis, MM, was getting too much attention, has really done it this time. You've gotten lots of love and support and great ideas already. So I'll send some more love and support and another thought: has your vet discussed Adequan injections to help with inflammation and pain? I've used it on 3 different GSD's and would say it made some improvement with one and gave very good relief with the other 2. One of the better results was with a dog who'd been a speed-demon in her younger days and paid for it later with a meniscal tear followed by double cruciate tears. And I did the injections at home (we were able to do under-the-skin as opposed to in-the-muscle) so it was just easier than vet-administered. It can be used to complement other meds, too. Do any of the pros here have an opinion on whether that's a decent option?
Hoping you'll find a workable solution and joining everyone else in sending good thoughts and prayers and any help you need to see you through this.
Love and hugs, Liz and Angel Roxie Roo
As ALWAYS, thank you each for the tips and support!
I am checking I to brace support. The name fails me for the moment, but I saw where someone posted they were trying a prosthetic from a place in Sterling, Virginia. Rene, the blog you posted the other day about braces, etc qas invaluable.
And Roxy, I will indeed check j ti rhe adequan...didn't even think about that. I did have him on it for his arthritis before his cruciat surgery in December.
I do hace a potential Rehab visit coming up. Just for evaluation more than anything else. POSSIBLY hoping she could help me find a way to strengthen his front leg. At this point, I'm not seeing any improvement on his rear leg (the cruciate/meniscus rear leg) with rest and meds.
His front leg collapses a lot now. Even IF, in a perfect world, a meniscus surgery could happen and rehab was flawless with large burley men (--Linda😁) regrettably....beyond regrettably.....I just don't see how his remaining two legs can have the strength to carry on too much longer.....especially during a recovery like that. He's not a baby at all, but he is definitely showing he's in pain.
So still checking out things. Paws crossed😎
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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