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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It sounds to me like your pup just needs some more time to heal. I think most of the tripawds here took 2-3 weeks to feel better. Dexter has an amputation and other broken bones to heal at the same time. I know the first 10-12 days I felt like amputation was the wrong thing. But now we are doing great...my best advice is just let him rest and heal. Maybe try a sling underneath him when he walks to take some weight off his legs. If his ribs can handle it??? Things will get better I promise. I spent months this summer being depressed and not eating etc. it will get better 🙂 hang on there.
Levi was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma 7-7-11
Ampuversary 10-14-11
Lung Mets Discovered 1-4-12. Chemo seemed to not be working so we switched to Artemisinin and other supplements. In May, Levi developed a sinus infection and started having seizures. The cancer had moved to his brain. We let him go 6-26-12.
Dexter just needs some time, 48 hours is really nothing. Plus, he's just a little puppy with a bunch of broken ribs! I think his strength will build over time, keep encouraging him. You really sound like you know what you're doing, trust your instincts. You may also want to consider hydrotherapy, I hear wonderful things about it.
http://tate.tripawds.com/
August 16, 2006 to November 28, 2011
TATE ~ Forever in our hearts.
Is Dexter on any pain meds? If so, those can make him groggy. And I concur, 48 hours is not a lot of time, it's possible he may just be sleepy and dopey from the meds. After all, it's major surgery and he's been through a very traumatic event. Call your vet to let them know your concerns but chances are I'll bet he just needs time to heal through naptimes. Good luck.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I am here to talk about Dexter not Jorja. I promise folks I have done everything I possibly can. I paid 600 to have Bark busters help me in training her. I took her to dog parks for socialization as a younger dog, etc. I am a good dog owner, I have worked at vets, I am an animal lover and this is the toughest decision I have ever had to make. I watched every episode of cesar millan and victoria stillwell. I could go on and on with what I have done. Again thats not why I came to this site about tripawds. I do appreciate that you care, but just know that I take Euthanising Jorja very seriously and my vet won't even Euthanise dogs, she turns people away all the time, but she agreed to do it for me because she believes that its the right thing to do with her history. It breaks my heart, I feel like I failed her somehow, but I can't train out what is instinctual to her as much as it pains me, I can't do it. Just know that this wasnt a hasty decision, its not soley because she is dog aggressive. In fact its mainly because she is that way with people that I feel if I ignore the warning signs and a human quite possibly a child is injured or killed by her that I would totally be responsible.
We believe you, and are very sorry if we as a community have veered off topic. We'll all try to stay on the issue at hand, Dexter. As you can see this is a sensitive thing to discuss. There's no doubt you've done all you can do to help make the situation with Jorja better. You need to do what's right for you and your pack, and I promise that we will do whatever we can to help with Dexter OK?
Again, hang in there and talk to your vet in the morning, I'll bet all Dexter needs is some rest.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thank you for all the encouragement. I really hope that is all it is. He is on pain meds. So that could be it. It has been over 2weeks since the initial trauma I just worry about too much more downtime, being detrimental to his healing. I will take it slow with him though. I think getting him out of the bed every 2-3 hours to walk around for about 5 mins is a good start. Still hoping someone out there has had the same experience with their tripawds paw laying flat. It worries me that it will never straighten out. If anyone has ever had this happen to theirs please let me know. I will try to get a picture of his paw laying flat up here for you all to see.
It's ok. I certainly get it. I was in your position and should have done it but didn't. Lots of others here understand completely. Truly. We are a group of people who, like you, take our dogs very seriously and are probably a bit fanatical at times. But we mean well.
Others have said that they feel that it is simply too soon to tell how Dexter is doing. I have only been around my own amputee dog (not any others), but I've read a lot of stories here. Without a doubt, Dexter's post-op period seems to be way more typical than atypical. It's a bit hard to tell how he's going to do because of his age, size and broken ribs. But I can tell you that if 2 days ago you cut off my leg, broke 7 of my ribs and beat the hell out of me, I would probably tell you to kiss my behind if you expected me to stand up on my own without wobbling. Give him time. He's been through hell.
Another consideration about how he's placing his foot: The ultimate tripawd stance is not instant. It's a process. All of us had dogs start out with that remaining leg misplaced and unbalanced. That's where a lot of the wobble, lurching and stumbling come from. The dog doesn't know what has happened to make him unbalanced. He only knows he must go through a period of trial and error to get balanced again.
Eventually the dog adjusts his stance and the remaining leg shifts position and becomes truly a "tripod." It's really an amazing evolution. Dexter isn't there yet. It's too soon. And because he isn't done growing, his ligaments may cause him to make that adjustment on a different timeline. I don't know about dogs' growth in those terms, but I know about children and I imagine it's similar. If you mess with a growing youngster's bones and ligaments, they don't make a single adjustment. They adjust every time they make significant growth.
Call your vet and have Dexter rechecked. It certainly won't hurt him and it might help to have his pain meds monitored. That stuff is like walking a razor's edge. Too much is just as bad as too little. Finding "just right" takes voodoo or something. It's also a moving target because he will begin to feel better and then it will all change again. Plus, just to keep you on your toes, he's a puppy so he's growing. The dosage that worked for him one day may be too little when he gains a half pound. This is frustrating. But the only way out is through. You're in good company. You won't find a more knowledgeable, caring, empathetic group anywhere. And believe it or not, we will all support you no matter how this plays out.
Shari
From abandoned puppy to Tripawd Warrior Dude, Dakota became one of the 2011 February Furballs due to STS. Our incredibly sweet friend lived with grace and dignity till he impulsively raced over the Bridge on 12-15-12.
Dakota's thoughtful and erudite blog is at http://shari.tr.....pawds.com/
Anyhow, what I am really looking for here is someone that maybe has experienced a similiar situation with there dog. A young puppy and them not holding the remaining front foot they way they should.
I just met "Shelby" another tripawd this weekend and she walks like you describe. She seems to be fine! But the best advice would come from an ortho or rehab vet. Dexter may find his "footing' after he heals!
It's going to hurt emotionally to have to euthanize your female but just know, sometimes it is for the best. I had to do it to two of my dogs at once. Like I said, my two big dogs wanted to kill Comet who was lame and smaller. The sixth time was the last. We did the crate or locked bedroom and rotate for 2 years but Comet decided to slip out of the bedroom when I was shutting the door. It was on the stairs and it was the most terrified I've have ever been. Two big dogs on one small one.
I can still have nightmares about it.
Lots of good wishes to you! Keep us updated on Dexter! (he's a cutie-pie)
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.
So I took him back to the vet and the doctor was concerned because he wasn't havent any issues with his back legs prior to amutation. They wanted to take him off all meds and keep him over night for observation. With them saying that and knowing one of the meds that he just started post amputation. The only one that was different from what he had been taking for 2 weeks prior was Previcox... I looked up the side effects of this medication is unsteadiness and paralysis. I decided to pick Dexter up from the Vet and bring him home because I could monitor him better than a vet who leaves the office at 6pm and doesn't return to 8am. So I brought him home on no medications. I first had the vet run blood work and give IV fluids to flush his system. other than being slightly anemic the blood work was fine. I researched and found NSAIDS can cause anemia in dogs so that is probably to cause. He had gotten better but still can't stand/walk on his own. I have gotten him to stand for a few seconds without support, but not very long. At this point I think the paralysis is gone because he now moves his feet some when he is laying down, where he didn't move them at all while he still had the meds in his system. So now I am thinking they are just weak and that along with missing a front arm he just cant move. So my boyfriend and I are making him a wheelchair . We bought all the materials tonight and have it mostly complete just need to buy some glue to glue it all together and hopefully tomorrow afternoon we will have Dexter mobile! I am very excited to get him moving around I know he is tired of laying around as it has now been 3 weeks since the attack and tomorrow will be 1 week since amputation. I feel like the wheelchair will help him regain the strenght in his hind legs and learn to move with only 1 front leg. My hope is the wheel chair is just a temperary thing but if not then we will keep making adjustments as he grows. I am amazed at how through all this his spirit is still good. He is frustrated with not being able to get up when he wants but he is still eating and drinking very well. I got him to be a bit playful. I just can't wait till he is mobile. Its been a long time coming.
Thanks for all the support.
Though my dog is an "old lady" and a rear amp, she did walk (hop) very strangely when I picked her up from the vet post amputation. Picture a bunny rabbit, back foot completely on the ground, springing with each step, but with only one leg. I believe this would be the equivalent of what you are talking about with Dexter's front paw: only in a rear amputation case.
In Chloe's case, she:
1. Didn't have the strength in her back leg to support herself after completely losing a limb.
2. high as a kite on drugs, surprised she could even hop at all!
3. Hadn't "figured out" how to rebalance herself to support her weight with only three legs.
After her 2 week recovery period (LOTS of naps, gradual increase in mobility), she no longer needed the sling I used to help her walk and she figured out how to put more body weight on her two front paws to compensate for the loss of the rear limb.
It takes time, love and patience, but they "figure it out" eventually. Keep doing what you are doing, monitoring progress, helping when you can and just keep giving him love, love, love!!!
Best of luck.
-Chloe's mom
P.S. pre amputation, my dog would actually balance on three legs to squat and pee (no idea why one of the back legs would be 2 inches off the ground) and it cracks me up when she does the same thing as a tripawd; a two front legged pee squat! And I can't even do a handstand… Dexter will surprise you with something amazing someday, I guarantee it!
Chloe became a rear amp tripawd on 7-29-10. Another tumor was removed on front leg 2-20-14. Found 3rd tumor on neck 2-2015, but she's still kicking cancer's butt at age 14. Chloe's blog
Hmmmm....have you considered seeing a rehab therapy vet instead? They may be able to give you a better diagnosis and aid you in determining if the wheelchair is properly aligned for his body.
Please know that I don't want to discourage you after all of the work you put into making your homemade cart, but read this post about wheelchairs and carts for dogs before you start using it. It is critical for a rehab vet to be involved in the process of assessing whether or not a cart is appropriate. Sometimes more harm than good can happen when they aren't used in supervision with a rehab vet. This post also discusses how to find a good rehab vet.
I know how much you want to see him walk again, and with the right help, I'm betting he will. Good luck.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Dante my male pitbull lab was attacked at 6 weeks old by another dog in his household. I don't have all of the details as the initial vet wouldn't release what was or wasn't done - however he did have neck surgery as well as leg surgery. By the time he'd made it to the shelter at about 8 weeks, his left front leg was dead and beginning to rot. So they amputated ASAP. We then adopted him at 12 weeks
The first few months were HARD. Being a puppy he was clumsy, unsteady and weak as it was. He hopped funny, I could get him 3 or 4 steps on a walk and he'd plant his butt on the ground and not move. It took MONTHS for him to build up strength because it's hard on those little growing bodies to compensate when they're just trying to grow and make muscle in the first place. Puppies in general adapt much better, I think, but the beginning can be tough when they're struggling to just stay on four feet and learn their awkward and dis proportioned bodies, then you take one of those legs away. We had phantom pains for months after, maybe because of the growing along with the amp site.
Give him time. Dante will be two on Christmas eve and my goodness - I'm pretty sure a dog like him never needed 4 legs, he's a terror! He's amazed me with his progress from the lame, weak pup we brought home, to the energetic, bouncy, playful boy he is today! He keeps up with my girls for the most part, he's incredibly agile (and a dare-devil) and he still amazes me every day - not always in a good way, he managed to jump the baby gate the other day, how he didn't break his remaining leg we'll never know! But, none the less, he's amazing and once he finally adapted, he progressed so quickly!
I myself would be hesitant to use a cart at this point. Being a puppy, your little one needs to build the muscle/strength to compensate and naturally would probably be best. It's only been a week, you've got a few tough weeks ahead, and then likely a few months of recovery before he will adapt completely. Since he is still growing, it's REALLY important that he develops the strength/co-ordination on his own and properly so that he can remain mobile for as long as possible as he ages! I worried Dante would never be all that mobile - now some days I can't keep up with him or tire him out as well as the other two with 4 legs!
I was thinking of Dante when this first came up so I'm glad his folks replied. His story is probably the closest to your own that you will find. His mom is a smart lady who has a lot of answers.
From abandoned puppy to Tripawd Warrior Dude, Dakota became one of the 2011 February Furballs due to STS. Our incredibly sweet friend lived with grace and dignity till he impulsively raced over the Bridge on 12-15-12.
Dakota's thoughtful and erudite blog is at http://shari.tr.....pawds.com/
Thank you so much for the words of encouragement. And thank you for sharing Dante's story with me, it really has encouraged me. I see a tiny bit of progress every day with Dexter and I hope that he makes a full recovery just like Dante. I really don't plan to use the wheelchair a lot. I really just want to help Dexter remember what its like to walk. I want to make sure he is able to tell his back legs to take a step and them do it, because right now I'm not sure that they do. While I know he has feeling in them he just doesn't seem to be able to put them where they should be. I work with him everyday to keep range of motion in his legs and I massage them too. I will keep you all updated with his progress.
Thanks again for all the support.
Krista - Dexter's Mom
Krista, it's great that you're seeing progress! At some point, do share some pics of your massage and ROM exercises, I know everyone here would get a lot out of seeing how you're working with him. I hope this week continues to get better.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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