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Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat

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Gemma's journey
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Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Member Since:
17 May 2014
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46
4 April 2015 - 7:11 am
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Hello!  yes, a t-shirt will help a lot.  In my case, Johnnie had a bandage to protect the amp site and the t-shirt on top of that.  We didn't use the "cone of shame ".  Once a day I would change the bandage, clean the amp site, check on the stitches, and over the bandage a t-shirt.  It worked quite nicely.

Daniela

Our awesome Golden Boy was diagnosed for OSA in April 2014 in the proximal humerus, front-leg amp on 05/20/2014. Finished chemo (Carbo6) on 07/10/2014. Ongoing treatment: acupuncture + K-9 Immunity Plus ( 3chews) and home-cooked no-grain diet.   Stopped Apocaps because of liver issues.   Liver issues: controlling altered enzymes with SAM-e and Milk Thistle.  October 17:  started having seizures.  Taking fenobarbital for seizures.  April 18: started prednisone.

Member Since:
28 February 2015
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8 April 2015 - 6:21 am
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sorry for the wait, Gemma got her sutures removed Monday, along with the dreaded cone. 

we threw it away with Gladness.

she had her first bath in weeks. and she loved it. so did mommy, she smells better. lol

Virginia







Member Since:
22 February 2013
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8 April 2015 - 11:23 am
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YAAAAAAAAAY FOR GEMMA!! No stinkin' cone and no stink!!!

So glad she is moving forward and can get on with enjoying her life to the fullest!!

Keep us ppsted! This girl is an amazingly strong girl! And you are an amazing human! Thank you for being such a strong advocate for her and doing what needed to be done to save her life. Your loyalty to jer will be returned a gazillion times over ro you and your husband...but I think you've already seen thst!!

How bout an ice cream CONE for Gemma today? She deserves it!

Hugs to all!

Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle 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!

Member Since:
28 February 2015
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12 April 2015 - 7:27 am
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Had a terrific few days, incision site looks great. Gemma running like a locomotive.

Only 2big changes backs up when on hard word or tile to get out of room and tries not to turn right. Will start and then purposely makes a big circle left. Cute but silly. 

Our 5yr grandson was over yesterday they played like normal. Wore me out. Lol

 

She is also helping daddy again picking things up



Member Since:
27 July 2014
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12 April 2015 - 9:30 am
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Ok, that right turn sounds cute, perhaps silly, but amazingly smart!! Was Gemma's right front leg amputated?

My cat Mona had her front left leg amputated and when she takes a left 90 degree turn, she plants her right paw and pivots on it while taking tiny steps with her rear legs. They learn to adapt in a way that works for them.

If Mona is laying down in the driveway and I drive up, she quickly gets up and starts spinning in circles, finds her balance and then runs. Both my massage therapist and physiotherapist told me this circling makes sense and explained the biomechanics to me which had something to do with finding the balance but I can't remember the details.

I'm sure she's happy to be back at work helping Daddy.

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
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13 April 2015 - 9:37 am
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Sounds like a great weekend! Yay!

Have you put down traction on your floors? That will help a lot. Many dogs will lose confidence after a spill or two on a slippery surface, as well as pull muscles, so you want to be careful there. We actually go to the point of carrying around a carpet runner when we go visit my folks, who have a long, slippery hallway that Wyatt Ray has to navigate. He's shown incredible fear when he walks on it so we try to minimize that.

Hope you have a great week ahead!

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

Member Since:
28 February 2015
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18 April 2015 - 8:03 am
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as to traction on floors, it is a tricky situation. husband is in power chair, any rug even thin ones get sucked into wheels. we only  have tile in two rooms. kitchen. and spare room where gemma's kennel is. she has no issues in her room as we call it. it is the kitchen.

i put down traction tape, and it just came up the first time hubby ran over it with his chair. what a mess to clean up. and gemma pretty much avoid it, was unsure of the feel on her paws, i guess.

not sure what else to try 

Virginia







Member Since:
22 February 2013
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18 April 2015 - 10:01 am
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Just catching up and things sound really, really good! After such a scary start this is such a huge relief !

I ca t re.e.ber kf you've tried any of the botties or not. Check under Gear here on the site. I think PAWZ might be a good one to try. They're inexpensive and basically just a rubber slip on "sock".

Have you seen somethi g called "water hog" rugs! I thi k LLBean carries them. There purpose is to absorb dirty laws mud and muddy boots. But they are heavy and they are rubber backed ao I don't thi k they'd get caught up. You'd have to get the large sizes though.

One more thought. They make large and very heavy rubber mats to be used by people who stand on their feet a
Ll day....like Chefs, Pharmacists, etc. Hard to describe, but they come in a cut out lattern so it's not solid but "holey". When I say rubber, like tire guage rubber. Anyway, I know this makes no sense...sorry!

Kerren, J love how .o a has figured things out! She's one special kitty!!

YAAAAAAAAAY FOR GEMMA!!!!

Hugs!

Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle 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!

Livermore, CA




Member Since:
18 October 2009
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18 April 2015 - 1:45 pm
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My pug Maggie was a left rear amp- she always had trouble turning left!  She often did the same as Gemma, a full circle to the right to go left.

Have you tried trimming the fur between her toes and pads?  I did that for Maggie and she rarely had trouble with traction on tile floors unless she was going too fast.  She did develop a move where she would intentionally 'fall' into a sit to change directions.

Glad to hear she is doing so well and back to her service job.

 

Karen and Spirit Pug Girls

Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.

1999 to 2010

 

              Maggie's Story                  Amputation and Chemo

Member Since:
28 February 2015
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23 April 2015 - 5:23 am
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HELP!!!!!

been a terrible week, behavior wise. 

Gemma, has started nipping and running in aggressive circles and coming in for nipping attacks. towards me several times daily. and 2 times during the week with my husband. (she is his service dog) so we think that is why, less with him. '

I am at wits end. I can put her down, hold her there for several minutes. then she gives me the apology lick and within seconds, right back into the nipping. or when I am walking down the hall to feed her. she tries to knock me down from behind. then outside, during her play and running time. she will chase after her ball, and instead of bring it back as usual. she drops it 2-4 feet away and starts this aggressive circling business. Also, when taking out to do her business like this morning. she nipped and circled for several minutes, before even relieving herself, after a night in her kennel. 

I am so worried. sadsadcrying

Virginia







Member Since:
22 February 2013
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56
23 April 2015 - 9:22 am
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One quick thought that comes to mind...and I know the "holding down" method is controversial with some...but I do know it's only supposed to be done for a very short time, less than a mknute. And done from a calm assertive energy, no anger, etc. At least that my u derstanding. So I don't know if this is a new strategy you must started using since the amp.? Anyway, just thinking another strategy may be more effective. Gemma is probably feeling vulnerable as she gets used to her new normal.

The other thought that comes to mind is pain...maybe nerve pain! It seems like she's feeling fearful and hurting. I'm just throwing stuff out there! Hopefully others can offer more insight.

For now, just try to remain calm and not over react. It's srill very early in recovery and dogs react differently as they adjust.

As far as trying to "knock you down", could it be that, because they develop a fast gait...a fast momentum.. as an amp. in order to walk better, that she's just in "fast gear" as opposed to trying to knock you down?

You have been through so much these last several weeks. I'm sure the stress has been craaaazy rough on you! This latest hurdle isn't helping your stress kevel at all. Try and take deep breaths, infuse yourself with a calm energy and know that the cause of this phase is temporary, okay? We just have ro figure out the cause!

((((((((((((((((((((((((Hugs))))))))))))))))))))))

Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle 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!

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
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57
23 April 2015 - 10:59 am
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I just read your comments about not being able to put carpet runners down, I see the difficulty there. Let me wrack my brain for ideas.

About her behavior. As a service dog, she's out of sorts and really needs to get back to work. What is she doing on a daily basis as far as keeping her mind occupied? Have you and your hubby been interacting with her through challenging brain games and interactive activities?

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

Member Since:
28 February 2015
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58
24 April 2015 - 6:30 am
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thanks for the suggestions and replies. will try them. 

Virginia
Member Since:
26 January 2014
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27 April 2015 - 6:23 pm
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Someone may have suggested it already, I'm sorry if I'm repeating (I haven't read the whole thread) but would she allow you to put a boot on her? Or paw pads? I'd try that if trimming the hair on her feet doesn't work. 

Also, has she had any issues with phantom leg pain ? I think circling can be normal, its hard for them to find their balance. But if she's nipping it might be something to consider. Our vet said it's like being stung by a bee out of nowhere. 

Mom to Tripawd Angels Jake (2001-2014) and Rosco (2012-2015) and Tripawd Tanner. “Whatever happens tomorrow, we had today; and I'll always remember it”  

      

Member Since:
28 February 2015
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20 May 2015 - 7:53 pm
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feeling terrible. overdid it with Gemma today. had our 5 yr old grandson, over for the day. water play, catch, wore Gemma and our grandson out. Gemma was limping and exhausted tonight. feeling terrible. but the wagging tail. smile on her face was worth it. the laughter from my grandson. 

gave Gemma a pain medication tonight hoping it lets her rest and she wakes up refreshed.

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